No Longer Fear the Red

2528, the year the world ended. It didn’t really end, but people tend to get dramatic when things go wrong. I wasn’t there when it first happened, but from the stories I’ve heard it wasn’t terrifying and dark like you would imagine, it was majestic. They say the blue sky started bleeding. 

First little patters on windshields and the sidewalk, so small that nobody noticed it. But the rain grew heavier, splattering the busy streets of New York in red. It only took a moment for people to panic and run for cover. Thousands of terrified pedestrians crowded restaurants and parking lots, holding their belongings and crying children close. Everyone was ordered to stay where they were until the rain stopped, and they didn't have to tell people twice.

Everyone watched with wide eyes, marveling at how the blue fabric of the sky could be bleeding crimson. They were trapped marveling for hours, and before long the strange rain started creating a fog that was just as vibrant. The dazzling display was so bizarre that people were almost captivated by it. When the sky finally cleared up, the streets were completely stained, and the gray backdrop of New York was painted red. 

Shaken, the people turned to the government for an answer, but they couldn’t give one. They told everyone to remain calm and that they would figure it out soon. They made an official issue for all scientists to stop their current projects, and figure out what was going on. People watched in curiosity as men and women in white coats collected samples of the sky blood. 

On September 21, 2528, exactly two months after the first blood rain, they had an answer. The rain was not blood, it was in fact, the result of human pollution. They claimed, “We found traces of nuclear Substances in the rain which caused the color change. The amount is small so it's not a problem now, but it's advised that you stay inside while it rains. There is no need to panic.” If only that were true. 

People tried to carry out life as if nothing happened, running to the nearest shelter when the sky started bleeding, but you can’t run from everything. Nuclear substances started taking critical effect. People were getting sick left and right, smiling one day and gone the next. The tainted water seeped into our lakes and pipes, dyeing our drinking water red, and putting the chemicals into our bodies. The community started giving out bottled water, but it was running out fast. With the population dying so fast, people started getting desperate. There is nothing more dangerous than desperate people. 

Grief and insanity got to everyone, and soon the once-peaceful world became rabid. Wars broke out, and fighting over supplies and territory became normal. Death soon became common, human blood mixed with the sky's blood. No one was safe and no one was trusted, But human violence wasn’t the only other problem.

Amazing creatures, animals. It’s in their DNA to adapt and survive in any condition, survival of the fittest I think they call it. They didn’t understand the dangers of the red rain, drinking the poisoned water, and eating the ruined plants. Instead of killing them, like scientists claimed the chemicals would, it changed them. The sweetest little animals grew into savage killers, with heightened senses and instincts. As they multiplied, they would grow bigger and more deformed, their cells mutating with each new birth. We called these new monsters Humanoids. 

The world as we knew it was dying. In a last desperate attempt to save what was left, the government created the three Heavens. A Stronghold of sorts, made with an improvised force field and all sorts of vents and tech to keep humans and the crops alive. There was a catch though, not everyone could live here. In the inhuman act to save everyone, they selected the best of the population and locked everyone else out to die. 

My mother was not one of the lucky ones. Cradling me in her arms, she ran through the crowds of terrified people. She knew she was dead, but she thought there was hope for her daughter. Grabbing the back of a scientist's collar, she begged him to take her baby. The scientist took sympathy and took the child from her arms. My mother watched these strangers take away her precious infant daughter as the door closed forever. That was ten years ago, I never saw my mother again. 

The doors were locked, and all the children who were abandoned by their parents in the last attempt to be saved were put in a lab. The older ones were let go, they had no use, but ones like me who were born after the first blood rain were not. Through some tests, It was found that we have characteristics that could help “cure the world” and that was hope. So instead of actually growing up in Heaven, I grew up being treated like an animal in a lab.

Every day was the same, wake up, eat, get injected with some crap then be examined and tested. Fortunately for the scientists, they found that us babies who survived had matching qualities with the humanoids outside Heaven. We were strong, immune to the sickness, and had animal-like instincts that would have been vital to survive the haze outside. We were prime samples to be tested on and examined. I got lucky, though. The weaker kids were separated from us and used to create a cure for everyone else, getting their blood and life sucked from them and put into vials that would be injected into someone else. 

Those whose blood wasn’t flowing through someone else’s vein were put into training. Receiving abuse, being pushed to the limits, and being thrown outside into the red overnight was something we grew used to. They were satisfied, Testing our strengths and skills proved very useful to them. We received no love, no comfort, and no human interaction other than between doctors and scientists. When we came of age and were seen as mature enough to get to work, we received our official role in this society. 

“Let's get moving, Sparker! Your new troop is waiting for you” General Raymond barks at me. Oh yeah, that's me. Not sure what my real name is, but thanks to my mutated eyes that glow blue when exposed to the red world, I got the name Sparker. How original is that? Life in Heaven has changed dramatically since it was first created, not for me though. We have better tech and a growing, successful society. The population is growing, and so is the knowledge of how to survive. The air and ground have almost been completely detoxified, And almost everyone living in heaven can ignore the red world outside (not like any of them has seen it in almost twenty years). Life seemed perfect, There was just one problem, we had no communication with the other two heavens. 

Remember the official role I mentioned earlier? Meet the “Adapted generation”, the group of unfortunate souls who this “happy society” treats like slaves. Back in the day, we could have been called security. They tell us it's our “privilege” to go out into the red haze of the broken world and connect us to the other Heavens. They tell the naive people here that we are specialized officers and that our only purpose is to serve this wonderful community. They don't mention the fact that we see horrors every time we exit the safety of the force field. They don’t mention that half of us are killed every time, or the abuse we face to get into the uniform.. They seem to just skip over those details.

I remember my first mission. I was 15 and terrified. We encountered a humanoid bear halfway through that tore apart all my comrades. I barely made it out alive, the only evidence of horror was the scar across my face. I had to make the trip back alone, and it took weeks for me to be rehabilitated into service. I grew better and more effective over time, learning the ways of the red. I’ve been on mission after mission, ripping apart humanoids and navigating the savage terrain. I quickly became the commander, leading the new troops on every mission. 

Communicating with the other Heavens and bringing back supplies isn’t too bad. After a while of seeing my friends die, I learned to just close my heart to them. I still falter from time to time, though. It would all be a lot better if they treated us with the respect I deserve, we are doing everything for them, after all. But that doesn't matter; I have a job to do. 

I salute General Raymond and hurry off to the meeting grounds without another word. Straightening my back, I take a deep breath and blank my eyes, here we go again. Walking through the big metal doors, I eye this year's victims. They’re young, The oldest looking to be about 16. All are unique, with different mutations varying throughout the bunch. I stand in front of them, silent before I begin the speech I give every year. 

“Welcome adapted generation It is our honor and pleasure to search this protected and reformed society-” I stop talking, my eyes falling on a small girl. She must be at least fourteen, with shaggy brown hair that blends at the tips. Her eyes resemble those of a baby deer, wide with huge pupils. She glances at me, nervous as she grips her assigned weapon. My heart softens at the sight of something so innocent. They can't do this to her…to us. I look around at all the children again, really looking at them this time. They didn't ask for this. 

I crouch down in front of her looking into her eyes. I know what happens to girls like this one out in the haze, they are torn apart by humanoids, poisoned by exposure, or even left behind. I softly smile at her, my heart aching, and fix her uniform badge. I look back at the rest of the group and anger twinches through me. Society has control over us, they know that, but if we have to die, we die our way. Screw the speech, screw the society. 

“I know what all of you have been through to get here. I know what they have told you, and what they have done. ” I stand up and start pacing, making sure to look each one of these children in the eyes. 

“Out there in the haze is a broken world that is so savage we had to abandon everyone to save our own skin.” I curl my fist before I continue. “And because we were unfortunate to be born into that broken world, we are different.” Several of them look down at their feet, swallowing.

"But because we are different, we are strong.” I soften my voice “And because we are strong, they can’t break us.” I look at the oldest boy and give him a nod, loading his gun.

“In exactly five minutes, Those doors will open and everything you know will be lost. You will see things that will never leave your mind, hear things that will ring in your ears forever.” I pick up and load my weapon before I slide it on my back. 

“You all have a choice, you can do just as the Society has taught you by walking in a straight line the only goal being to reach heaven without saying a word.” When I pause, I see all eyes glued on me as they hang on my every word. 

“Or, you can become a team. Care and protect each other. We were born different for a reason. Everyone may see us as freaks, but without us they would be gone.” several of the boys nod, standing taller.

“They don't get to control us, we are more than slaves. When those doors open, we will face the red without any fear. We don’t need to do this. We can show them.” The boy with chocolate skin and sharp teeth looks at me, his golden eyes piercing into my soul. He steps forward.

“What are you suggesting? We…we can't just abandon the mission…can we? I mean, we can’t just fight them off, the whole society…” his eyes search my face, and everyone else does the same. 

“That's exactly what I'm saying. We are capable, we don't need to stay here. If you wish to stay in this life, then we will drop you off at the other heaven.” My voice softens, and so does my altogether demeanor. “But if you wish to fight, to live our own lives, then you’ll follow me and we’ll show them who we are.”

The room is silent, and I’m about to lose hope that my vision is lost when I hear the first thump. The boy with the golden eyes closed his fit and hit it against his chest, his eyes locked on mine. One by one, all the children do the same. Though no words are said, the message is powerful. We are on your side. 

The doors slowly open, revealing the haze of red. The room goes dim and the air is filled with the poisonous gas that only we are immune to. An ear-piercing screech from a humanoid echoes through the room, and I can see my soldiers swallow. I look at them, curling my fist and putting it on my heart. We are one

“This ends here….” I say in a strong but quiet voice as another screech rips through the room. I turn around to face the red world, closing my eyes before I step out, the haze turning my eyes into the blue lightning that earned me my name. 

“We are strong, Brave hearts. No longer fear the red.”