~We found it!

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We move quickly towards the tree as if pulled by some weird forces and Elsa goes on her knees to try and reach the brilliant green plants that seem to glitter like someone just watered them, as she stretches her fingers towards it, her eyes aligning with the belly of the trunk, she notices more.

"E! I think we need to call someone to help raise this tree from the ground, there might be enough for everyone," she says with a bright smile.

"What ever you say El, you are the boss." I reply giggling with excitement.

"Hey guys!! We found plants!"

The rest of our team gathers around with a mixture of shock and joy plastered on their faces, we were all officially permanent members of A****n City!

We gather the plants which were a large quantity of broccoli, asparagus, cabbages, carrots and even potatoes, back to the city.

Everyone is totally excited, who won't be? We were thinking we were going to fail but look at how it turned out.

The journey back seemed shorter, happy songs filled the air accompanied with laughter, it felt like one of those celebrations people had before the Great war.

In the city, the happiness was without end, every family was excited at what we found because it meant the food rations was going to be increased.

***

The officials congratulated us with happy faces and firm hand shakes, though I did notice some unhappy faces, even Samuel the weirdo wasn't too happy and of course we were now foragers, all twenty of us.

We couldn't hold a party because food and water were priceless commodities, but we were all excited because what we brought back could serve the city for weeks at least.

***

After turning around pretending to dance and mouthing a couple of thousand thank you(s) to everyone, it was time to go home.

Despite staying in the city for our whole life, getting an invitation for a meal with one of our neighbours, was a hard bet.

To avoid awkward situations I pull Elsa away from the crowd. She excuses herself from her friends and we make our way home.

We don't journey too far off when a voice stops us. "Excuse me, hmm..can you-"

"Samuel? What do you want?" Elsa cuts him rudely and glares at him, almost ready to punch him.

"Elsa, I just," he scratches the back of his head, "I want you both to come to my house, my mum saved some food from the kitchen. It's kind of like a small party, please." He finishes with a lot of hesitation; which I am positive is due to the daggers Elsa is throwing at him, with her eyes of course.

"Thank you, we are not hungry neither are we out of food!" she says, about to storm off.

"Elsa, stop it." I whisper to her, then turning to Samuel with a small smile I say, "we would love to come have dinner with your family, what time should we come over?" I say through my smile, even if I am taking aback by the gesture.

"Hmm, seven should be good," he says looking relieved.

"We will be there." I smile at him and drag Elsa, who had diverted the dangerous glares to me, away from him.

"Eden! What have you done? Why did you accept his invitation?" she asks, after we have gotten a good distance from the center of the compound where announcements and parties were usually done.

"I did the most rational thing." I shrug. "Besides we really don't have anything to eat, we finished our food ration yesterday thinking there was going to be a party today. So girlfriend relax, I just got us food."

"I understand. But why Samuel?" She whines.

"Isn't it obvious? He is the only one that noticed the two orphaned blondes. Come on stop being hateful and let's go get ready. Besides I just got us a free ticket into the Higher district. Be thankful."

"I am not being hateful," she says looking thoughtful, "I just want us to be careful, remember who we are."

"It would be fun, I promise!" I give her a reassuring smile.

Her shoulder relaxes and I know I have won the battle.

We head straight home, scrub our faces clean, put on our best dresses and help each other braid our hair into two corn rows. When we finish, we head straight to Samuel's house.

**

Their side of the city is truly beautiful even more beautiful from up close, even the smell here is different. Our district have the stench of hunger and dirt, while here it is just pristine.

Little colorful lights line each house and it illuminates the clean street ahead as we walk on in silence, only the occasional neigh of horses which were owned only by the people in this district, disrupts the peace. The aroma of meals coming from each shimneys, made my taste buds water, the scent alone was enough to cure our district of starvation.

Samuel must have informed the guards of our coming because no one disturbs or asks where we are going but they keep a sturdy eye on our movements.

We knock on their door as soon as we reach and his mother opens it, welcoming us with a beautiful smile into their sitting room.

The interior is a large room painted milky white with carvings placed at strategic positions. Beautiful red leather sofas neatly line the space with a black center table that has a stack of books arranged atop. There is even a TV on the far wall which only adds to the beauty of the whole place.

She shows us our seats and Mr Spencer comes out to welcome us.

"I am really glad you girls came around, Samuel hardly has any friends," his dad says giving both of us handshakes while his mum keeps grinning weirdly.

"We are glad we came too." Elsa answers for the both of us.

"I also heard your entire team made it thanks to you two?" He continues.

"Ooh! Well its nothing. There was more than enough for everyone." Elsa answers while I play with the ends of my dress, feeling nervous.

"Well, I am sure you will both bring so much good to the community, as you already know, we are running low on good food and water, so we really need people like you two." He adds.

"We will try our best sir," Elsa says again and gives me a nudge by the side.

"Yes sir, we will sir!" I blurt out; giving her a cold glare.

"Dinner is served!" Mrs Spencer announces happily from somewhere within the house.

I didn't even notice that she left the room, damn this house is big.

We all rise and head to another room which I believe is called a Dinning room, there is a long table with about eight chairs, three on each long side and one on each short side. There is an old chandelier hanging from the ceiling with candles.

I wonder how they light those?

I spot Samuel helping his mum set the table, in here, he looks cute, almost normal.

We settle down to a wonderful meal of chicken breast and some dried bread and wine. I have only seen this in old books Mamie use to have and yes it tastes just as amazing as it looks.

After the meal, we help Mrs Spencer clear the tables and come back to the sitting room for small chitchats before leaving.

"I really had a great time with you girls, you should come more often." Mrs Spencer tells us as we seek permission to leave.

"We will try," Elsa says flashing her a dashing smile.

"Well you both have to. It has been a while since I have seen my wife this Happy," Mr Spencer says looking at his wife lovingly.

Then there is a knock at the door which brings all our attention to it.

"Sam go check who is there," his mother says.

He goes for a while and comes back.

"Dad its a message for you from the General," Samuel says not looking too happy.

"Well what did he say?"

"He wants you to go see him as soon as possible."

"Come on girls since we are all heading out let me walk you. Honey I will be back as soon as we are done," he says firmly and gives his wife a small peck on the forehead.

We head out and he walks us to the center of town while he turns back and heads to the administration building.

The sadness in our district hits us immediately we pass the storage area  but I ignore the feeling. I am a forager now, I am going to do all I can to help them.

On getting home, I don't even bother to change my clothes, I just throw myself on the bed and fall into a deep sleep, today has been exhausting.

*

*

*****

(Unknown POV)

"Silas, you called for me."

"The plan didn't work, we have to regroup and think of something before the people finds out and everything gets out of hand"

"They passed fair and square, there was no way we could have imposed a law that would bring questions in the minds of people."

"It was just mere luck they found those plants, those plants doesn't change a thing. Something needs to be done and fast."

"Yes, you are right. We have to do something about this situation. Let me go think all these through, I will come up with something in the morning.. Goodnight Silas"

"Goodnight Thomas"

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