Oakalyde.

Chapter 1: Welcome To Oakalyde

Jaima Castawai POV

"Come on, Bubba! We're almost there!" I called out. Bubba is still young and hasn't gotten used to the environment of Oakalyde that I've been facing since the year I turned seven. We live in a Hell. There's little freedom and peace here. My parents were forced to abandon me to serve in the battle of two colonies, leaving me to defend myself. That was ten years ago and I haven't seen them since. How pathetic I used to be. Not anymore, though. Living alone on the streets has definitely made me a lot stronger and not to mention independent; I never needed anyone. —Sure I've met a few people along the years but it wasn't long after that we eventually drifted apart, trying to defend ourselves. I belong to the Innies, the "bad guys" or the "savages", as many people refer to us as. I have no idea why or how I became an Innie or why we're 'bad' but it's just how it is, apparently. The label was just something I was told to go by and to stay far away from the Anzora's as possible. Anzora, being the other colony. Back in the day, these two colonies would kill each other for something as dumb as sharing eye-contact. Nowadays, we're pretty chill, I guess. Well, just as long as you're not seen associating with one another. The unfair thing is, the Anzora's got their own stores and own freedoms. For the Innies, we had to hunt or steal to survive. We're easily identified by the tattoo symbols we have. It's something you're forced to get on your third birthday. The Innies' symbol is a simple mountain with a sun above it, which I have located on my forearm. The Anzora's symbol is of an eagle silhouette.

I've learnt the hard way to never go on Anzora property. They wouldn't kill you right away. For the first couple of times, I was just sent away with a warning. The next time I stumbled into the Anzora turf was pure accident but costed me a ton of bruises and cuts. Never again.

It's year 3035. We have evolved as the Earth is slowly starting to die. Many humans aren't just simply "humans" anymore. In fact, it's pretty rare to find a full human. I myself have cat ears, cat eyes, and cat tail. Oh, and Bubba, of course, I can't forget about him. I heard that in Ancient times, elephants were humongous creatures. Now, you'd be lucky to find one that's as big as a watermelon when it's fully grown. Which is what Bubba is; a Pequo Elephant. I found him in an alleyway, all alone when he was only a baby. We bonded quickly as we had a lot in common. We help each other survive. From that day, we've built a strong companionship.

We needed food. I always hated this time of the night. It was almost impossible to catch anything. I could afford not eating for a night but it was Bubba I worry about. I climbed the nearest tree and pulled off many branches for the little guy. It's his favourite thing to eat. Well, it's usually all we ever get to eat. I didn't enjoy killing animals for food so most of the time I'd just stick to branches. I have stolen food countless times from the market. I'm known as a street mouse down there which puts my life at risk whenever I'm in the area.

Bubba waits to eat until he knows we're safe. I look around everywhere for a good spot and finally found a cave that I know is perfectly far away from Anzora turf. We can finally rest for the night.

"See ya' in the morning, Oakalyde..." I lay down and fall asleep with Bubba laying on my torso.