Bound by Glass

01| Scarred For Life

I threw down my small pencil, blunt from all the writing I'd done. Why was I writing this all down? Now, I had wasted paper for nothing.

I re-read my words. Ridiculous. I crumpled the scrap of paper, squeezing it in my fist.
Wind blew through my papers and books I had spread out on the rock in front of me. Globe Studies, History, Survival Skills, Tribe 101... even as an Outsider you had to go to school. I hated it, but it had saved my life a couple of times. Never let the teacher hear that though—I'd never hear the end of that joke.

But still, I enjoyed the silence of the woods. With only the sounds of the wind braiding its way through the trees, it was peaceful down here. Back at camp, people were always talking, there was always a fire going, and there were always these sounds of life bustling around you.

I swatted away a branch that tried to land in my face.

The world was messed up. After decades of natural disasters, the earth had already been standing on its brink. But, of course, man thought the world had just needed that little push to doom it forever—a destructive, nuclear war.

As I said: the world was screwed up. I was sitting right under the evidence of that.
After nearly two centuries of enduring acid rain and suffering from the remnants of radiation, the plants had finally started to grow again. A new species of trees had evolved, bailas, a resilient, strong tree which sprouted everywhere in the rocky underground. It might not be flourishing, no, but slowly yet steadily, the bailas had started to grow.

Let's hope it stays that way.

With a sigh I looked up at the crown of the bailas twin I was sitting under. Multiple rough light grey trunks all twisted up together, trying to stand still in the ever-present winds. Its spiky leaves were turning brown instead of their usual purple, which meant winter was closing in.

I looked down again, at the crumpled piece of paper I was holding tight in my hand. Straightening the sheet I exhaled and stared at the words, which were dangerous, but true. I folded the sheet, tapping it against my chin in a subconscious gesture.

I didn't know what had come over me to write this. Maybe the feeling of injustice towards the Globes, or simply because I had to get it off my chest. Either way, if anyone but other Outsiders found this, I'd be seriously screwed. I flipped the piece of paper over, with the intention of ripping it to shreds.

Suddenly, a wind tore the paper out of my hands, sending it sailing through the air. If an Authority found it...

Cursing, I jumped up and ran through the dense bailas woods, following the dangerous words. I watched it getting caught in the winds, every time I tried to grasp it, the paper just out of my reach. I dodged trees and boulders, leaping over whatever was in my way.

Without noticing where I was running to, I ran straight through camp. Camp's not much, an old cabin which miraculously survived the war, surrounded by tents and self-made huts, set up in rings. Several women were hanging up laundry in the outer ring, and some children were helping them. As I raced by, I watched them get into a soap fight.

I almost bumped into my dad, Otanec, his calloused hands shooting up in surprise. He wasn't really my dad, but he adopted me when my mother disappeared. He had been the Leader of the Third Tribe for as long as everyone could remember—which made him automatically also the oldest person in the Tribe. (Well, maybe save from Granny Froster). His ash grey hair fell on his leather-clad shoulders, as a smile appeared on his tan and wrinkly face. He was just over fifty, exceptionally old for an Outsider, but his eyes were still as observant as an eagle's. He smiled when I neatly avoided him.

"In a hurry, Tenna?" he asked, raising his bushy eyebrows.

I waved him away with a hand, trying not to let the parchment-coloured sheet out of my sight.

"Better run!" he yelled after me. I looked around one more time, and saw him straighten his strong shoulders under his worn leather jacket before he continued his way.

I focused back on running , following the scrap of paper. Seriously, how the hell was it doing this? I swore under my breath, pushing myself forward—it was as if this sheet had a life of its own. I took a deep breath, ignoring my burning legs and kept moving. I actually quite enjoyed the run, it had always been something I had found joy in.

An Outsider must always be in good shape. In this tempo, I could run for hours. Good thing that I was small, that way I was fast—very fast.

Before I knew it, I was out of the habituated part of camp, and back into the woods. The bailas trees had made place for pine trees, their evergreen branches immediately softening the light and dampening the sounds of camp. It suddenly got really quiet. My boots thumped on the soft underground, kicking up dirt and needles in my wake.
Rays of light penetrated the blanket of leaves overhead, speckling the ground with golden spots, illuminating small bits and pieces of the young forest.

The thin sheet slowed down, lowering gently. Pushing myself for a last sprint, I jumped on a fallen tree trunk, leaping into the air. I grabbed the sheet before it could get caught by the upper winds. I exhaled.

Gotcha.

Swiftly, I tore the paper in a dozen pieces, burying half and throwing the other half in a puddle. Outsider paper dissolved in water in a couple of minutes, so I didn't have to be afraid an Authority would find it.

I heard a rustle.

I looked up from my crouch, all my senses immediately in alert mode. I scanned my surroundings, searching for potential danger.

The clearing was dead-silent, part from the rustling of the bailas trees, swaying in the wind. But it hadn't been the rustling of the branches what I'd heard—it was definitely the snap of—

There it was again. Like a footstep, or a careful step to maintain balance.

I unsheathed my old dagger, wincing as the metal scraped against the worn leather. I passed the blade to my dominant left hand, flipping it over. The Dark Iron metal reflected the dim sunlight, mirroring the grey clouds drifting above me. I left my gun in the holster fastened around my leg, because it made too much noise, and bullets were too precious. We were low on supplies already. I hoped the raiders had hit a weapons cart this time.

I twisted my head around, carefully holding my footing. There was a large bush, just behind me. It still had all its dark purple leaves, like it was trying to resist the upcoming winter.

With my eyes still strained in the direction the sound had come from, I slowly moved in the direction of the bush. One step. Two steps. With a final step I turned behind the bush, safely hidden from sight. I exhaled, glad I was out of sight. Still, I gripped the dagger tight in my hand, ready to jump out at any moment.

I whipped my head around as I heard something next to me—

Oh gods.

How the hell can I manage to hide behind the bush where Jaedie's making out with her boyfriend Cilen?

My best friend Jaedie put my thoughts into words. "Oh my gods, Tenna!," she exclaimed, tugging her her green pullover down to cover herself up, "What are you doing—"

I slapped a hand over her mouth, shutting her up. I glanced to Cilen, who was swiftly buttoning up his flannel. Red stained his cheekbones, his blue eyes full of shame. He felt guilty so fast, it was unbelievable.

I laid a finger against my lips, urging them to be quiet. I released my other hand from Jaedies mouth, using that hand to sign.

'Something. Over there.' I signed, mouthing the words as well. I knew Jaedie was horrible at signing—she usually spent the time when she should be studying them, sleeping–or, as it seemed to be the case the last couple of weeks, making out with Cilen.

Cilen, who was a hunter and did know what I was signing, started to sign as well. His hands angled inwards, moving up and down slightly, creating the words; 'What is it?' he asked, lowering his eyebrows.

I shrugged, my hand discreetly brushing past my temple. 'I don't know.'

I shifted again, positioning myself so I could see just between the branches of the bush. I could only see a small portion of the clearing, but it was enough.

An enormous wolf had stepped into the clearing, its white fur rippling with every movement its strong muscles made. The elongated snout and longer legs made it different from normal wolves—this was a Rifecsa wolf. Ruthless, strong and wild, these wolves were on top of the food chain, even going as far as attacking camps. We lost many good people because of these bastards. I kept my eyes focused on the snow-white wolf, as I made the best-known sign of all Outsiders. I arched four fingers as a claw; Wolves.

Even Jaedie knew the sign, as I heard her gasp silently beside me. I held my breath, looking at the beast as it crossed the clearing. It seemed to walk in slow motion, its careful steps slowing making way to the undergrowth on the other side of the clearing. I could hear it sniff the air, looking around cautiously. I felt the wind hit my face—we were on the good side of the clearing. It couldn't smell us.

When it was gone, I exhaled slowly. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest, and I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants. That had been close. When I turned back around, Jaedie was holding Cilen, who had a grim look on his face.

"This is the closest they've been so far," Cilen whispered. "There are bound to be more. We have to tell the Leader—we have to tell your father."

I nodded. Rifecsa travelled and hunted in packs of four or five: we had to expect more to come.

I swore. Goodbye, sneaking out and going for a run. After a sighting, Otanec always established a curfew. Somehow, he was always stricter with me. It had probably something to do with his son who died, Wax. I bet it had been wolves as well.

After several minutes had passed, I dared to stand up. I gestured Cilen and Jaedie to come as well.

When we were walking back to camp, Jaedie hooked her arm in mine. She grinned as she turned to me. "Next time you decide to barge in on Cilen and I, please leave the wolf behind, would you?" she whispered, so that Cilen couldn't hear. She was always able to bounce back, cheer me up. I admired her for that, for her calmness. Or was it naivety?

I rolled my eyes. "You're unbelievable," I said, shaking my head. I couldn't hide a smile, though.

We actually didn't fit together at all: while Jaedie was taller, bustier, and had a boyfriend, I was shorter, had a petite frame and short brown hair I'd cut myself with my dagger. She was loud while I was quiet. Most of the time.

We walked back in silence, sometimes running, and occasionally looking over our shoulder. We walked back to camp, where—what we couldn't have known—chaos had arisen.

____________________________

Hey guys!

Thanks for reading! I hope you like it so far, and I promise—it'll get better! :D

Don't forget to press that cute little star to vote (I'd appreciate that very much). I would love to hear your thoughts as well. :)

Thank you!

xoxo Vivian