Chapter 1: The Odd Occurance

Introduction to Characters

Apollo is living in a world where people are genetically engineered to be what society perceives as "perfect". Certain characteristics are modifiable, such as someone's IQ or their outer appearance. Any way that a person can modify themselves or their offspring, they will. But Apollo is different. He has no interest in modification. All of these modifications come at a cost, and not a cheap one. The newly established government knows everything about you once you've been modified. They can change you, your thoughts, and even your actions. The more people they modify, the more of society that the government will have power over. What happens when Apollo's one and only best friend Zane decided to go in for modification? What allies can he find in this dystopian future, and how will Zane's decision affect Apollo?

Sarah was born into a poor family who can barely afford to put food on their table. Though they can barely feed themselves, Sarah's mother insists that she'll get a third job to send Sarah to get Sarah a better education. She demands that Sarah attends this overly-expensive private school so that she can have a better future than her mother. When Sarah saw pictures of this new school, everything looked "perfect". Everyone looked perfect. Perfect smiles, perfect hair, perfect facades. Nearly everyone at this school appeared to have modifications. Sarah had never seen so many modified people in one place before. Normally there would be some other defyers of societal beliefs. But her classmates looked and acted like they were made of plastic. It was like they were being controlled by something. That can't be the case though. Just more stupid, snobby rich kids, right?

Chapter 1: The New Government Rises

Hmph. Why do we even have to go to school anymore? What's the point when we're monitored at home as well now? Ever since the new government took over less than 4 months ago, anyone without modifications is watched carefully. Especially when they are away from their school or work. Apollo thought, aggravated. Lucky for Apollo, no-one in his family had modifications except for his sister. They have drones watching them all of the time, just about everywhere that they go. If this stupid drone is going to follow me, I might as well give it a show. Apollo sprinted out of his front door down the crowded street. He ducked down in an alley, knocking down a large crate full of old beer bottles. He kept running behind what he assumed was Mr. J's convenience store and continued running in the opposite direction of his school. I think I finally got rid of it. For now at least, Apollo thought. Apollo slowed his sprint into a jog, then a walk. He continued to walk down Seaherd Avenue until he got to Zane's house. Zane is Apollo's best friend. Really, Zane is his only friend. As Zane opened the old rickety door on his homely townhouse, you could see the anger in his ever-blue eyes. Zane was a boy on the shorter side, with blonde tangled hair that reached his shoulders. The opposite of Apollo. Apollo had green eyes with short dark brown hair, and he was definitely taller than most kids his age. While Zane made his way down to the street he seemed off. "Did you have another argument with your old man?" Apollo asked. "Yeah, but I don't really want to talk about it… It was stupid." Zane said with a cold expression on his discolored face. "Alrighty then, let's get to school before we're late and get scolded by Mrs. Jeffery again." The boys scurried down the street hoping to be on time for the first time this week.

It was a cold Autumn Thursday. There were leaves falling everywhere, and not the pretty ones. The dirt covered ones that smacked you in the face and made you hate Mother Nature. The boys shuffled into the school building, rushing to their lockers, trying to get to them before the warning bell rings. "See, I told you we'd make it on time today! Look, the warning bell hasn't even gone off yet!" Apollo said fondly. "Yeah yeah. Be quiet Apollo. Half the school heard you. That's why we're the outcasts here dude." "Alright, i'll be quiet. I'm going to class now." Apollo said while slamming his locker shut. God, what's his problem today. He's normally not like that. He sounds just like-- "What's up loser?" Justin said. Justin was another snobby rich boy here because of his mother's popular makeup company. He has so many modifications that he's starting to look plastic. He almost looks like a living Ken doll. Justin pulled his chair up to Apollo's desk. "Leave me alone." Apollo said quietly while turning to look out the window. "Aww, what do you mean? I couldn't quite hear you?" Justin said while cackling. "Would you just leave him alone for God's sake?" A student said, looking particularly new. "Annnddddd who are you, my name's Justin by the way new kid", he cackled. "I'm Sarah, what's your problem with him?" "Ohhh nothing", Justin said with a deceitful looking smirk newly planted on his face. Justin pulled his chair away and started boasting about his win in the school's last Lacrosse game. Sarah briskly walked to her desk before Apollo had the chance to say anything. At least Justin left him alone. Mrs. Jeffery walked in and started calling role. Apollo looked over to try to see Sarah again. His eyes searched the classroom 3 times over, but she wasn't there. That's weird. I could've swore that I saw her sit down in our classroom. Huh. Apollo couldn't stop thinking about her. She probably didn't realize it, but she just saved him from a day full of mocking. "Apollo Cartelr? Apollo? Hellooooo?" Mrs. Jeffery asked. "OH, HERE!" Apollo then briefly apologized. "That's okay, pay more attention in your classes though." Mrs. Jeffery scolded. The rest of the class went by boringly. No sign of this "Sarah girl", and so, with nothing interesting to do, Apollo spent the hour staring out of the classroom window.