The Wastes

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

My grandmother would always tell me stories about a world where the human race didn't have to worry about water or oxygen rations. She told me this all stopped in the year 2051 when the planets' water reservoirs ran dry, and the oceans became so polluted with oil spills and factory wastes that the microorganisms essential for oxygen died out. She tells me even the worlds' richest people had their money stripped from them to provide the necessities to keep human civilizations afloat on this Earth. Even people on the news agreed. "The direction our planet is heading has no use for rich or poor," one reporter said. "All humans are equal…and perhaps if we had treated them as so we would not be nearing such a downfall for this once beautiful Earth."

It is now the year 2082. I am seventeen years old and can only imagine perfect worlds in my dreams. My grandmother assures me it was never a perfect world, but to have a constant supply of oxygen and water…that would be perfect. Don't get me wrong, there are still trees and water in this land, but not enough to live comfortably in this world.

I work with a group called the Renegades. We would do anything to bring back the previous state of the Earth. We are the only rebel group fighting against the Authorities. We have several plans and if they could be conducted properly, we might just be able to save the planet! But we have to be careful…we cannot do this unless we have some sort of outside help.

 ***

"Anika…come…hurry!" I heard my grandmother's small cry come from the living quarters in our small home. My grandmother was born with asthma, but it worsened rapidly after the ocean's microorganisms died. She pointed to the mantel, where her inhaler was. I quickly grabbed it and hurried over to her.

She shook it, put it to her mouth, puffed it and breathed in. After a couple of minutes, she beckoned me to crouch down. I kneeled to make it easier on her, since she was eighty-seven and in a wheelchair now.

"Thank you darling," she smiled at me.

"You're welcome grandma," I said returning the smile. I stood up and wheeled her over to the Oxygen Distributor so she could breathe normally again. "I'm going back to my room, alright grandma?"

"Of course…" she said, waving me away. I walked down the small hallway and into my room. My walls were covered with very old pictures and newspaper clippings which once belonged to my grandmother, and her mother before her. It was all so beautiful. The grass was so green and the people so vibrant. Compared to the current state of our Earth, we have to be careful. We cannot afford any more demise of the planet on our part.

 ***

I gently closed the front door as I snuck out of the house. Every Thursday the Renegades meet. We change our location every week, so we can be positive others will not join us;others being the people who are still making a profit in this world when the rest of us are poor. They are the people who package our oxygen, and distribute our water: the Authorities.

Before I realize it, I'm rounding the corner to this week's location: the old water house. I neared the entrance and knocked the code: 1, 2, 3 – 1, 2 – 1, 2, 3. I heard a shift from within.

"What year did the Earth fall?"

"2051."

"What year were you born?"

"2065."

"Please identify yourself."

"Anika Cardin, daughter of Joanne Cardin, daughter of Persea Colby." I heard four clicks, and the door opened. It was Noah, my best friend; the one person other than my grandmother who I could always depend on. I looked at his kind face and smiled. His hazel eyes seemed to light up when they saw me and he ran a hand through his short, honey-coloured hair.