G-2764, Ina

Everything we had been taught about the borderland painted it as a deadly desert where the cracks in the land showed glowing radioactive sludge. Never had anything been so wrong.

The Borderlands looked like the Garden of Eden, but with a slightly more unnatural twist. The trees that grew everywhere were leafed at the bottom, but up above their branches grew gray and bare. At eye level, bushes that seemed to sag with fruit grew alongside rows of unfamiliar plants. Tiny creatures seemed to run around in the tangle of undergrowth, though I was only able to see an ear here and a tail there. Finn lead us down a narrow trail that eventually opened up so we could walk in rows of three.

“What are you thinking about?” Slowly I glanced at the speaker, staring at Ryker blankly.

He was the embodiment of tall, dark, and handsome. Even slouching, he was taller than anyone else in our traveling group. It almost looked like he was part giant, though if he was he had to be the most God like of them. His face was all sharp angles and I imagined they continued underneath the ill fitting clothes he had woken up in. His skin managed to shine with a natural glow and his hair was carefully braided into rows to tame what must be unruly curls.

“How I should be dead.” The words came out harsher than I meet them to, but they were the truth.

Despite my blunt statement, Ryker managed to flash a smile and reveal rows of blinding white straight teeth. “Well I should be fighting to the death. Maybe it's a good thing we got taken here.”

His shoulders have a small, relaxed shrug. His brown eyes slowly wandering away from my face to the buildings that had sprung up out of the bushes in front of us. The trees around us were now connected by a series of ladders and vines that were roped between them. Around each tree seemed to be a house, the large porches making it easy to travel past them if need be. This network seemed to stretch on for miles, the trees further away seemed to blend with the houses attached to them. At eye level, the trunks of the largest trees were hollowed out, creating space for stores to be set up. To my left, a store had a small painting of various meats above the arched door and inside was several people cutting hunks of meat into more realistic portions. Across from them, another store was beginning to scale fish. Down a few trees was a blanket shops, next to it was a clothing shop, past that there was a bakery and shoe shop. Everything seemed to be available, and just out of the corner of my eye I could see Hail heading towards a tree marked with a red cross.

“The training area is just past the shops. Afterwards we can get you fitted for more...appropriate gear.” Finn seemed just unable to stifle his laughter when looking at our mismatched, ill fitting outfits.

Only responding with twin eyerolls, we managed to follow him while gawking at every store we passed. Although staring is widely considered rude, people here seemed to think otherwise. Above us children would stop and stare, their parents following suit. People in the middle of shopping would pause just to stare at us. Though most evident everywhere was that people were using their Jinxes. Crying infants were being rocked in the air by a mother who could levitate objects. Healers were actively helping in several firstaid trees. People were cooking meat using only the flames they produced. Some kids were using their various jinxes to cheat at tag, cards, or other games.

Everything seemed the opposite of the society I lived in. There was color everywhere, girls wore pants while some boys opted for skirts, boys and girls alike had varying lengths of hair. Some teenagers were holding hands, talking, kissing. Parents were showering infants with affection instead of indifference. Couples walked hand in hand. People were speaking and exchanging causal touches with each other that would have been forbidden in the city. Passing one healer’s tree I saw Hali plant a soft kiss on Quin’s cheek as we continued our trek to the training grounds. Instead of fear, oppression, and silence the air here was bubbling with love, freedom, and laughter. It was amazing, yet all too unfamiliar to appreciate fully.

The final shops were more thrifty, selling used objects or a collection of mismatched goods. My eyes drawn to the familiar pair or itchy socks that was priced in an unknown currency, but most definitely cheap.

“Here we are. Basically you each are gonna do four laps around the track so we can get a baseline for your general fitness. Then you will fight someone so we can get a baseline there.” Finn shrugged, reaching into a cubby and grabbing twin stopwatches. “Ready, Go.”

Ryker was gone, already making the first bend in the track while I was left staring at Finn. “Are you serious?” Though the look in his eyes made it evident he was.

These shoes don’t fit right.

I hate running.

I think my lungs are going to explode.

I think I’m dying.

I’m definitely dead.

Oh there goes Ryker...again.

Finishing the cursed four laps in what I considered a respectful fifteen minutes, Ryker only chuckled before showing his own stopwatch time.

I hate Ryker.

After allowing me to regain my sense of reality, Finn moved us to the arena in the center. “While you were running I picked out opponents I felt would be good matches for you. Taking into the fact you’ve never really interacted with anybody of the opposite sex, I kept your partners the same sex.”

With a squeal of laughter, a young girl- probably no more than twelve- appeared from behind Finn’s leg. “Polly will be your opponent Ina.” An older man stepped over from the side, taller than Finn but still shorter than Ryker. “Buffy here will be yours Ryker.”

At the nickname, Buffy locked Finn into what looked like a playful headlock. Further disheveling his messy hair. “Jinxes are allowed. Ladies first.”

Everything about this was stupid. I was covered from head to toe in padding, yet the little girl only wore padding over her knuckles and a squishy helmet. I could hear Ryker’s chuckles coming from the sidelines just before Finn blew a whistle.

With not a second of hesitation, Polly was racing towards me. Fist ready to land a hit if they were given the opportunity. As the small bull approached me I took a careful side step, turning and backpedaling to the side of the the circle Polly had started on. With another squeal of laughter, the freckled girl disappeared. Appearing in mid-air just in front of me and with an award winning grin sent me flying out of bounds.

With a sore pride I complained, “This is the most stupid test ever devised.” Yanking my helmet off in the process and tossing it towards Finn. The jerk having no problem catching it. Only Polly offered an apologetic smile.

Watching Ryker step into the ring, I only hoped he would face a similar embarrassment. Horrible thought I know, but still he had just finished laughing his abs off at me. But the fight was over faster than mine. The two meatheads had managed to exchange a few jabs, but it was obvious Buffy was just playing with him. As soon as Ryker had managed to land one, Buffy took full advantage of his Jinx. Sending Ryker out of bounds with a single shove.

Unfortunately for Ryker, the shove packed a little too much power and sent him into the nearest rack of equipment. Sending him down in a pile of chest plates and helmets.

I did not even notice my laughter until I couldn’t stop it from bubbling out.