Long ago the world was destroyed. They say it’s better now than before. I don’t believe one word of that crap. The world is better. Ha. But the world has more technology than before. That has to have made it better. Lies. The technology came with more rules, more and more. Civilization buried in rules and regulations. Only one child, married at 17, dead by 70. Fail to follow everything and you’re shipped off, those that are shipped off are never seen again.

I walked down the dark narrow streets, every now and then a car would fly by above whipping my hair around in a frenzy. The only light for miles being the illuminated signs far above. My birthday was approaching fast soon it would be too late. I would be seventeen and alone. Most of my friends had found partners either out of love or mostly likely a twisted desperation. I sighed then immediately coughed at the thick cigarette smoke above ended my lungs. No matter how long I had lived in this twisted world I could never get used to it. Behind me, the sound a motor. A white van, which in itself was not entirely uncommon. Not everyone could afford a flying car. But…still it was weird enough to warrant my attention. I walked faster the van following I’m my tracks. I was almost certain I was just being paranoid but…It was always better to be safe rather than sorry. But the van sped up to match my pace. That wasn’t good. That wasn’t good at all. I ran as fasts as my legs could carry me. Don’t look back. Don’t slow down. Don’t let them catch up. I turned the corner into an alleyway. One the car could get to. I took big heaving breaths trying to catch my breath. It was no use I had to sit down. I leaned heavily against the wall as I lowered my self to the ground. That’s when they stuck. I heard the thwack of the bat impacting my head before I felt it. I clutched my head, ears wringing. I looked up to find a woman blocking my view. From beside me someone threw a bag over my head.

“Don’t worry you’re safe now.”

My head was fuzzy but I was pretty sure that hitting someone in the head with a bat and then kidnapping them was not any way to save someone.