Chapter 1

Adrian's POV

"Get out!" I bellowed, pointing toward the door. "I did not build this company to house riff-raff!" My voice echoed through the office, causing the woman to shrink back in fear.

"Please, Mr. Hawkins" she began, but I cut her off.

"Guards!" I yelled, and the two burly men who stood at either side of the room moved toward the woman, grabbing her by the arms and dragging her from the office. She pleaded with them, but they were unmoved.

"I've had enough of this nonsense," I muttered, my voice tight with frustration. I turned on my heel and stormed out of the office, my briefcase in the hands of the guards who had followed me out.

I got into my car and slammed the door shut, the sound echoing through the parking lot. I turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. I sped out of the parking lot, eager to leave this day behind me.

As I drove down the winding streets, my heart raced. The thought of what I might hear at the hospital had my stomach in knots. When I finally pulled into the parking lot, I leaped out of the car and rushed inside.

"How is she?" I asked the receptionist, trying to keep my voice calm.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't have any information," she replied, her expression sympathetic.

"Where's my dad?" I asked, turning to my sister who had been there for a while.

"He's afraid to come," she whispered, her voice quaky.

I walked down the hall to the room where my mother lay, hooked up to life-support machines. But as I approached, a doctor blocked my way.

"I'm sorry, but you can't go in there," he said, his tone firm.

"Please, I just want to see her," I pleaded, my voice breaking.

"I'm sorry, but it's against hospital policy," he said, closing the door in my face.

I stood there for what felt like an eternity. Then, suddenly, a swarm of doctors came rushing down the hall. They ignored my questions and rushed into my mother's room.

I felt like I was going to explode with anxiety. I began pacing back and forth in the hall, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

Finally, a petite nurse emerged from the room. Her face was emotionless. As she stared at me.

"How's my mother?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Well, I'm not sure how to tell you this," she started,

"I think it's best if you sit down."

"Don't give me any crap, just tell me!" I demanded, my voice rising. "How is she?"

"I'm so sorry," she said, her voice cold. "Your mother didn't make it. We tried everything we could, but... I'm so sorry." her facial expression betraying all her words.

My mind went blank, and my body went numb. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. All I could think to do was grab her by the arm and shout, "Where is she? What did you do with her?" My voice was shaking with rage.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp thing pierce my neck. Was it a syringe or needle? I don't know. What ever it was, it didn't live me space to think as I slowly fell unconscious, everything fading out.

Kimberly's POV

What more could ruin a Saturday morning than the mooing of cattle next door or the nagging of my mother? Her voice was a vessel that carried pain and bitterness.

"This is bullshit!" she yelled, her voice rising above the mooing of the cows next door. "The roof is leaking! I won't let our kids live like this. They deserve the best, and that means a house that doesn't have a hole in the roof. Get off your butt and fix it!"

My father sat in silence, watching her rant and disturb the house. He needn't say a word. He grabbed his old radio and flung it over his shoulder. He stood up, approached my mother, kissed her on her forehead, and headed out to work on the government farm.

"Yip-yip!" he shouted, his whip waving through the air.

The sight of my parents struggling to make ends meet while trying to provide for us broke my heart. It felt like we were trapped in an endless cycle of despair, with no hope for a better future. I knew they did everything they could for us, but it never seemed like it was enough. They worked long hours for little pay,always missing out on rest and meal. Watching them suffer like this was unbearable. I hated feeling like such a burden.

Slowly, I got out of bed, my body heavy with fatigue. I trudged outside and waved my dad down from his horse. He dismounted and came over to me, his face already creased with concern.

"Hey there, kiddo. What's up?" he asked, his voice gentle.

I couldn't hold it in any longer. "Pop, we gotta talk," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I mean, can we have a family meeting? I got something to say."

"I'm giving you just three minutes," he grumbled, as he brushed past me, his sweaty shirt leaving a damp imprint on my own. "The boss man's comin' today. We gotta get this field plowed 'fore he gets here."

The words were short and hurried, like he was trying to get me off his back.

As I trailed after him to the old wooden bench, my mother looked up from her work, her gaze questioning as she sat down beside us.

"Alright," I started, trying to keep my voice steady. "I just wanted to talk about something important."

"Spit it out, love. We don't have all day," my mother said, her face pale.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, for the city," I blurted out. "I've got a job there, up north." I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the reaction.

My father paused, his eyes fixed on me. And then he burst out laughing.

"That's a good one, love!" he said, slapping his knee in amusement.

"But when did all this happen? You've never said anything about leaving before," my mother asked.

"It was just last week, actually," I explained. "I was waiting at the railway station, and I bumped into a lady who was from the north. She offered me a job as her assistant. And I took it!" I said, trying to sound confident.

"Well, it's a nice story and all, but how are you going to manage?" my father asked, his tone skeptical. "You've never been to the north before, and you're not educated, you know. "

"I'll be fine, Dad," I replied, trying to sound confident . "I'll call as soon as I get there."

I could tell my parents were still unsure, but I knew I had to make this move. Even if it was a little scary. I turned and walked back into the house, heading for my room. Maybe they'd understand in time. Or maybe not.

The day wore on as we carried out our chores. I milked the cows and did the crude jobs.

Early in the morning, I packed my bags, ready to move out. I bade my parents goodbye and left for the station.

" I hope I'll be forgiven if they find out. " I muttered as a treked to the stations.

I took the forest path, knowing that the main road would be too dangerous. I didn't have a visa, and I was making this journey illegally. I couldn't risk being caught.

As I walked through the woods, I could hear the sounds of the watch guards in the distance. Their flashlights shone through the trees, and I could hear their dogs barking. I held my breath and moved as quietly as I could, praying that they wouldn't see or hear me.

"Man, this train is a piece of junk," one of the guards said, rapping his knuckles against the rusty metal. "I don't think it'll even make it to the northern border."

"Not our problem," the other guard replied with a shrug. "If it breaks down, the government can foot the bill to fix it. We've got better things to do than worry about a train."

They laughed and continued on their way, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

As the sun rose, its rays dappling the forest floor, people began lining up to purchase tickets and board the train. I stood in the shadows, my hands clammy with sweat.

And then, it happened. The moment I'd been waiting for. More and more people came to purchase the ticket and the station attendant was out of tickets. The station attendant rushed off to get more tickets, and I saw my chance.

I darted around the corner and climbed up into the train car, hiding under a pile of crates and boxes.

Finally, the train doors closed and it began to pull away from the station. As it picked up speed.

The train whistled through the city streets, then out into the countryside. It was a long journey.

Finally, the train came to a stop. I could hear people around me exhaling with relief. My whole body ached from being cramped in my hiding spot for so long.

When the train doors opened, the bustling noise of a station filled my ears. Everyone was getting up and gathering their things, preparing to disembark. And then, I heard the dreaded words:

"There's an illegal migrant on board." A cold voice said as I was being spotted.