Okay, I have written 8 chapters. This book is untitled so far, and I don't even have the slightest idea what to name it.
Wells, anyway...I have decided to post the prologue and first chapter. I hope it doesn't make you tune out...Only one person has ever read them. *points to fl, to whom it is dedicated*
Dedicated to Emily Tacey, who rekindled my love of writing.
PROLOGUE
According to my Da’s old history books, the people of Old Earth constantly poisoned the sky, water and land around them. That’s what the books say, anyway. After years of toxic emissions, the atmosphere was no longer liveable and the intensity of the pollution was growing much too fast for the people of Old Earth to adapt to the deadly world they had brought upon themselves. The combined leaders of Old Earth offered one solution in time to save only a few hundred or so, and fled with supplies and seeds to the most remote region of the planet, where the poisons in the air were not so deadly.
Those who were able to buy themselves a place in this New Earth settled into four large cities, not far away from each other. They built great, stone walls surrounding the cities, and the many farms around them. The cities were named Gemini, Gamma, Libra and Epsilon. That is where most of us live…
The hierarchy was in chaos during the first month, so the Parliament decided rather rashly that they had to call upon drastic measures. High Criminals were publicly and mercilessly slaughtered in the streets. High Criminals were those charged with treason, murder, rape and offending the Parliament. Decades went past this way, and the people ultimately lived in fear of their leaders. Democracy was a thing of the past.
After many, many generations, the Parliament ordered that High Criminals were to venture beyond the walls, when it was predicted by New Earth scientists that the planet may have begun a sort of healing process. Most of these Wanderers, as they were dubbed, never returned to the cities, as was expected. But every now and then, a Wanderer would turn up at a gate into the cities, only to have another group of Wanderers be pushed outside the walls, and almost every time, some people died from the pollution and some were attacked by ferocious beasts who had never learnt to fear humans. And some found their way back to the settlement.
After hearing stories of the jungle that lay outside Gemini, Gamma, Libra and Epsilon, few city folk pleaded that The Parliament give them leave to make maps of known safe zones in the jungle- with ex-Wanderers’ help. The Parliament only allowed this so as gypsies could use the cartographers’ maps to collect fruit, wood and any other luxuries that one could only find in the lush jungle.
CHAPTER 1
I stroked Ferrier's mane idly, focussing on the trees looming over my head, with their spidery branches snaking out above me. The mist that came every night was closing in now, and my ma would probably want me to come inside the caravan soon. But even knowing this, I stayed out in the chilly night, enjoying the fresh, sharp air. The stars were plenty in the sky tonight. I looked up, dazed by the glittery sight.
"Still out here, admiring the world?" I laughed and turned expectantly; it was my brother, Jamis, sticking his head out the door of the caravan. "Better come in, Ma is complaining about you again," he added with a hint of mockery.
"Coming," I sighed, slid expertly off Ferrier's back, onto the wide, dirt road. Ferrier continued to walk along, pulling the caravan with Yoman. I stepped into the slow moving caravan, where my family was gathered at the table. I took up a seat and embraced the warmness of the caravan.
"Sehra, you'll get frostbite out there," Ma said, coming over with a fluffy looking blanket. I was about to say that it wasn't even that cold outside when I felt how freezing I really was. I shivered and took the blanket gratefully from her, wrapping it about my shoulders. Then Jamis set a mug of steaming hot cocoa brew on the table before me, almost spilling the contents everywhere, but I was too delighted to care.
"Cocoa brew! Thanks," I exclaimed childishly and wrapped my hands around the mug. Only the fact that it was so hot stopped me from gulping it down greedily, as I had once done as a little kid. Jamis had only just finished his when I began sipping at mine and blowing across the surface of the delicious drink.
"Hey Sehra, guess what? Jamis suddenly interrupted the silence. I frowned; sick of his playful little games.
"What?" I asked, resignedly.
"Pa's taking us to a party this week. Isn't it great? We hardly ever go to parties anymore," his wide grin told me that Jamis enjoyed social gatherings much more than I did, but I didn't want to spoil his mood at all, so I pretended to join in his enthusiasm. I half-gasped and fussed over what I would wear, or how many people will be there. We discussed about what we could do there; dance, sing, and listen to gossip. Well, at least I liked dancing and singing, and Ma would be so overjoyed to hear music again that her happiness would glow and affect the rest of us. Plus by socialising, Pa would see that I don't need to start living around other people, even if he was joking when he said it.
That night, I slept in between waking to pull my doona up and to push it away, but when I awoke, I was rested well enough not to have bags under my eyes. I groaned and clambered through my bed sheets to the morning room, where I could prepare myself for the day. I looked curiously into the mirror as I brushed my hair. It was thick, long and wavy. Ma said it was cocoa brown like my grandma's. My face was fairly tanned from sitting on Ferrier in the sun all day, and I wondered how pale I would be if I stayed indoors, like Ma. I liked the way I looked, and couldn't help but to think myself only slightly pretty. I felt bad after thinking it though, hating that I might end up someone I wouldn't like if I thought that way.
Jamis burst in through the door, not bothering to knock, saying for me to come and look out the window. I sighed and followed him. Peering expectantly out one window, I could see at least eleven wooden gypsy caravans like ours on the road. Most were beautifully carved, depicting beasts from Old Earth tales.
"Wow," I said, "This party must be massive. I wonder how many will be there? When do we get there?" Jamis didn't respond, he simply stared outside, obviously awed.
"We'll be arriving very soon I should expect," Pa answered behind us. I spun on my heels and ran to him, holding his arms and grinning stupidly. I realised I was more excited about this party than I would have thought. "Jeez, Pa, it must be a big party. What's it for? How many people will be there?" I asked, almost bouncing up and down. Jamis joined me then, wanting answers as well.
"It's Paulo's birthday soon, and he invited oh, about fifteen families. He thinks he's so popular," Pa chuckled. "Why don't you go out and ride on Ferrier or Yoman? Meet some nice people?" he said pointedly. Pa believed that being sixteen, I was old enough for a partner now. Of course, I didn't care much for boys, but there was no persuading Pa. I rolled my eyes and leapt out into the sunshine anyway.
I greeted the horses pulling the caravan with a kiss on their muzzles and mounted Yoman easily. I hadn't even been riding long when a familiar voice called my name.
"Morning, young miss," said a man from the caravan beside me. It took me a moment to realise the man was Galvin, my best friend's pa!
"Mr. Maddoc! Is Elli up yet?" I greeted him warmly and, hearing my voice, Elli Maddoc charged out of her caravan and I dismounted to give her a hug. "You seem excited. Any idea what this party's going to be like?" I asked her. She responded with a squeal and told me that she had a good feeling about tonight. I laughed at her playfulness and walked alongside her, my hand on Yoman's side. I looked at Elli and the glimmer in her eye told me what she was thinking. I rolled my eyes and gave her a look to show I didn't care, but she asked me anyway.
"Se, do you think there will be any boys at the party?"
"I should assume so, Elli. Cute ones, though? There won't be any good enough for you," I told her, deliberately making her smile and laugh.
"Well, I won't give up hope," she giggled, and this time, I laughed with her.
It was not long after that when Mr. Maddoc called out and pointed to a clearing in the trees, which were laden with lights and decorations. There were four giant wooden tables in the middle, in front of what seemed to be a makeshift stage. I spotted Paulo Kirth greeting the guests and I ran to him, waving.
"Well well, what have we here? You've grown up nice and pretty-like, haven't you Sehra?" he asked me, and I blushed at his compliment. I waited with him until our caravan reached the clearing, and Pa rushed out to meet his best friend.
"Larry, you old fool, come here!" Paulo yelled at my father, and they locked in a boisterous but friendly embrace. I left them to talk while our caravan moved on to the camping green, and I decided to get ready for the celebration.
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Question: Do you think it is not engaging enough? The action all happens later on in the book, and I'm scared that people will get bored after the start...