Back when the world first started crumbling under our feet, a couple dozen of us banned together to go into hiding. We waited 2 years to emerge and once we did, we couldn’t believe our eyes.

Year 2520

“Ally, don’t go near the edge. We have to stay hidden.”

“I know, mom!” I yelled back into the cave. My home; our home. I try to sneak away and go to the edge to see the others. The sky creatures, the ground dwellers, the tower rulers and try to see whatever’s beyond that. My dad used to say I should “Keep my head on straight,” and “Ally, you just worry about what’s in here and you’ll be safe.”

Dad. He’s been gone for 4 years now and no one from his platoon has returned. I saw him jump out of the cave with his parachute and supplies. They went out in search of more supplies since ours were diminishing. A different group would leave every month and his is the only one who hasn’t returned yet.

“Hey Ally! What’s up?”

My best friend, Teddy. Always distracting me from my own thoughts.

“Hey Teddy.”

“You thinking again?”

“Yes, but it’s okay. I’ll be fine. What’s up?”

“I was going to go get something to eat, want to join?”

“Sure. MOM, IM LEAVING WITH TEDDY!”

“BE HOME BEFORE THE LIGHTS COME ON!”

“OKAY! Let’s go.”

We took off running towards the ropes. The ropes. The only way to get to the different levels of the cave. We were towards the top where all the housing holes were. The higher up you were, the wealthier you were except the very top. That was the mine where everyone worked. A few levels down were all the stores. Clothing, groceries and any kind of supplies we needed. Below that were restaurants and bars. One more level down were the doctors offices, dentists, hospitals and any medical offices. Then at the very bottom was the greenhouse.

The ropes were operated by older men and women. There we so many that took everyone anywhere they needed to go.

“Hey, Ally and Teddy!”

“Hey, Jack!”

“Where to today?!”

“Oh, just down a few levels. We’re getting something to eat.”

“No problem. Once this family gets off at the storefront, I’ll pull the rope up for ya!”

All of a sudden, the alarms started ringing. They were so loud I could hear them throughout my whole body. We’re we in danger? Was my dad home? The last time the alarms when off it was because someone fell off the ropes to the bottom. They were fine, but still. What were they for this time?