The Not So Great Beyond [UNDER EDITING]

Prologue

Everyone had their different stories of how they heard it.

Attention all citizens.

A blaring buzz over the phone.

Earth has now reached its 11 billion carrying capacity.

A cutoff over the radio stations, or a flicker from one tv channel to another. A whisper from one ear to the next like a linked chain. If you were lucky enough you heard it directly from the source. You panicked, you became confused, or brushed it off like it was nothing. Either way the reaction was anything but positive.

I on the other hand, did not have to hear it, because I lived it.

A smiling doctor is most common when a baby is born, but mine had frowning lips and dimmed eyes. I remember it almost clear as day.

"It's a healthy baby girl, ma'am."

My mother's face fell as she took me into her embrace, "what? What's the matter?"

"It's also... A twin."

A wailing ball within a purple blanket was passed over as well. My mom and dad exchanged glances before settling into an expression of worry.

"W-we didn't know–"

"It's alright sir."

It wasn't, but that was 17 years ago, 2030.

The age of the multi child ban was stressed more than anything. Only 1 child per household was allowed, and any other accident was typically aborted. No matter what we tried to do to stop it there was overpopulation and a lacking of resources. Since, you know, our ways doomed us all.

In turn, I've long accepted I most likely won't make it to my next birthday.

My legs dangled over the side of the apartment building's ledge. Below, numerous bodies scavenged like raccoons for scraps. They fought and snarled with hunger. It wouldn't be much time before knives were drawn as well as blood. Everyday, our sidewalks only became more tinted.

I wondered if our roads would run red one day.

I huffed and hoisted myself up carefully, turning on my heel the other direction. Kicking a few small rocks on my way, I opened the heavy door and let it creak shut behind me. My family and I reside four floors downwards.

"Afternoon Kate," my mom smiled.

Whenever I caught her smile it was always a dull, numb one. I know her and Dad haven't gotten over what they had to do to my brother. I squeezed the tiny purple blanket stuffed into the waist of my pants. I haven't forgotten either.

"Where's Dad?" I skipped over her greeting.

"He's–"

Thunk... Thunk...

I answered the slow, heavy knocks at the door. My father collapsed against me and I steadied him by his biceps. Dark bruising imprinted his cheekbones and he coughed out blood onto my shoulder. Chair legs screeched as Mom rushed to take him from me. He groaned in pain as he was placed on the worn couch.

It wasn't the first time this had happened, and I was sure this wouldn't be the last.

The tv sparked to life.

"What is it now?" I grumbled.

The prime minister's cheery grin mocked us all. A prideful Canadian flag waved behind him. The C4RN usual symbol was just as proud in the corner.

"Channel 4 Real News here. I'm Joe Daniel, and I've actually got Mr. Wekell here with me!"

Wekell, Glover Wekell.