2 Chapter 2

Our compound is centered in a narrow valley, surrounded by colossal mountains with tips that appeared through the dusty clouds like diamonds. A sapphire blue lake sank between the pine trees, and provided us with clean water that rained down from the mountain tops. Our homes were made of wood and stone, and everything was of modern, yet rustic taste. Our compound was truly a beautiful sight, and most of our colony was content. But I craved more. I craved to see the sea, to visit the ancient ruins of humanity, and to explore the unknown. Our ancestors had built tall stone walls adjacent with the mountains surrounding our compound, enclosing us in a permanent cage - where nothing came in, and rarely anyone left. We had rescue teams and scouting teams, but they were the only ones who ever had the chance to see the outside world.

However, as our leaders have emphasized many times, we are lucky to have our brave leaders. Not all escaped the corruption of our kind, and the Few took over all leadership roles in those facilities. Trust began to falter in those societies, and many organizations that had previously been formed went into hiding. Scientists, doctors, and historians built their own facilities, determined to right the wrongs of our ancestors. We knew that the research they were conducting was of utmost importance, but apparently no one knew what they were actually doing there, or if they even existed anymore. Of course we all had our suspicions, and most had decided that they were searching for a cure for the infection. In these facilities, scientists tested on the mad, and rumor has it, they tested on those who had formed abilities as well. Those who claimed to have visited these compounds had their mind erased, and couldn't remember the location of them - or what exactly happened while they were there. According to Professor Kariah, our Concentration instructor in Ability Training, they were dumped far away from the facilities. Those Few wandered, lost and confused, and unfortunately many are attacked by the mad before my compounds rescue team can gather them and give them a proper home.