Blood Eyes

Today is the day I’m leaving.

Tomorrow, the Dome will still be standing. The four districts will continue obeying the same laws, the Aeterns will continue ruling, and the Sanguines will continue training to die for the city.

The artificial lights will remain on, the holographic screens will keep broadcasting the same lies, and the cameras will continue watching every movement made by the inhabitants.

And the day after tomorrow, the future Sanguine guards will begin their final year of training, at the age of eighteen.

At least, that’s what the rules say.

— Amira!

I close my eyes for a moment.

— Yes, Aunt Valda!

— I need help with this week’s shipment. Your cousin has disappeared again. What on earth is that boy up to?

If only she knew.

Not that Mikael is doing anything particularly criminal. At least, not on his own. The problem is that he’s helping me escape, and I’m pretty sure my aunt would kill us if she found out.

Maybe not literally.

Maybe.

— Coming, Aunt Valda!

— Hurry up!

I leave my room and head toward the kitchen, where my aunt is. The dark metal walls reflect the yellowish light from the built-in panels, while a small screen on the wall displays the house’s energy levels. Everything here seems to have been built to last forever, but nothing feels truly alive.

Maybe I’ll miss these iron walls and my aunt’s yellow eyes.

Maybe.

But I need to find out why I exist.

The Sanguines, as individuals with red eyes are called, are trained for combat from an early age. The Aeterns, with purple eyes, govern the districts and control practically every political decision in the Dome. The Studiuns, with yellow eyes, are responsible for technological development and maintaining the systems that keep the city running. The Vitalis, on the other hand, have the ability to heal and regenerate.

Four districts. Four colors. Four purposes.

That’s what we’ve been taught since childhood.

The public screens repeat this division every day, as if the Dome itself needs to remind us of who we are and where we belong.

Despite the differences between the districts, they all depend on blood to survive. Not human blood, but animal blood, produced in laboratories by the Studiuns, who developed methods to breed animals specifically for this purpose.

Without this resource, none of them would survive for long.

Technology may have advanced enough to build an entire city beneath an artificial dome, but it still hasn’t found a way to free us from this need.

Or perhaps it never tried.

It can’t hurt to ask one last time.

— Auntie, why do my eyes change to red? — I ask, changing their color as I watch my reflection in the mirror.

For a moment, the yellow disappears. Red takes its place, intense and bright beneath the artificial lighting.

It’s almost like looking at someone else.

— Don’t ask that again! And stop changing their color. You know nobody can see that!

She picks up two boxes from the floor. A small digital indicator blinks on the side of one of them, displaying the shipment code.

— Now help me load everything into the truck.

— What kind of shipment? — I ask, already having an idea, considering it’s going to the Sanguine district.

— High-powered weapons. Looks like the monsters have gotten stronger again.

I look at the boxes.

Stronger.

Every year, the guards need better weapons, tougher armor, and more training to keep the monsters outside.

That’s what the official announcements say, broadcast on the giant screens scattered throughout the streets and directly to the inhabitants’ personal terminals.

They never explain why the creatures keep evolving.

Or why the government seems so frightened.

The front door opens.

— Hey, I’m back!

Mikael walks in without looking where he’s going and crashes straight into Valda.

The boxes fall to the floor.

— Ouch!

My aunt closes her eyes for a second.

— Watch where you’re going, boy! Now come help.

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Mikael shoots me an indignant look before bending down to pick up the boxes.

I grab three at once.

My eyes are still red.

The weight is nothing. It never is.

The strength comes so easily that sometimes I forget it should be impossible.

I place the boxes in the truck and watch Mikael pick up the last one. His black curls fall across his forehead, and his yellow eyes look so much like Valda’s that it’s almost impossible to believe we’re part of the same family.

Outside, a strip of blue light runs along the facade of a neighboring building. Surveillance drones cross the artificial sky, following programmed routes between the metal towers. Above them, the surface of the Dome reflects the distant glow of holographic advertisements.

The Dome never sleeps.

The cameras keep working even when the streets are empty. Sensors track movements, systems identify inhabitants, and screens repeat government announcements.

Everything was created to keep the city safe.

At least, that’s what they say.

Mikael raises his head and looks at me.

For a moment, neither of us says anything.

I think about how much I’ll miss those curls, our secret conversations, and all the times he’s helped me escape my aunt’s rules.

After today, I’ll be far away from here.

If everything goes right, nobody will find me.

If everything goes wrong…

No.

I’m not going to think about that.

I’m eighteen, I have an escape plan, and I have eyes that can change color.

What could possibly go wrong?

••••••••••••••••••••••

It’s late at night, and the shipment is still sitting outside the house.

I don’t know what you did, but thanks, Mikael.

I put on my cloak, grab my phone and the clothes I packed in my bag earlier. The screen lights up my fingers as I check the time and make sure I still have time.

My plan is simple: I’ll hide among the shipment and get out of here without anyone noticing.

Simple, if I ignore all the ways this could go wrong.

I walk very slowly toward the entrance and carefully open the door.

— Hey… You’re not even going to give me a hug before you leave?

I jump at the familiar voice.

I turn around and find those black curls and yellow eyes shining in the dark.

— Mikael…

I slowly walk over to him and hug him tightly. His chin rests right on top of my head.

— When did you get so tall?

— I guess it’s age. — He scratches his face, looking a little awkward.

And to think we grew up together. Now he’s fifteen, and I’m eighteen. It’s strange to realize how quickly time has passed.

— Well, I’d better go. I love you, little cousin.

— I love you too, Amira. I hope I get to see you again someday.

— I promise you will! I’m not easy to kill.

I say that even though I’m not remotely prepared for what’s waiting for me out there.

— I hope you’re right…

I hug him again and turn to leave. My hand is already on the doorknob when I remember one more thing.

— And tell Auntie I love her too…

— I will! Have a safe trip.

— Thanks.

I turn around one last time and give him a small smile. Then I open the door and step outside, slowly closing it behind me.

For a few seconds, I watch the street.

The lights embedded in the ground cast white lines across the dark pavement. A drone passes above the rooftops, emitting a low hum, and a holographic advertisement flickers high above a building.

I don’t look back again.

I run toward the truck and squeeze myself between the boxes.

There’s no turning back now.

••••••••••••••••••••••

The truck starts.

I wake up to the vibration of the engine and take a few seconds to understand where I am. I must have fallen asleep while waiting for someone to show up and drive.

I try to sit up, but stop halfway.

If I move too much, the driver might realize there’s someone hiding back here.

Great. Just great.

A day and a half in the same position.

This is going to be a disaster.

I try to pull the leg that’s trapped beneath a metal box, but it doesn’t move even an inch.

Oh, damn it!

I look around to make sure nobody is watching, then change my eye color to red.

I feel my strength increase and manage to lift the boxes above me much more easily.

Finally, I free my leg.

I stay still for a few seconds, paying attention to the sounds outside. The engine rumbles beneath my feet, while the suspension system sends small vibrations through the truck bed. A red light blinks near the rear door, probably indicating that the vehicle is being monitored.

Nobody seems to have noticed anything.

Great.

Now all I have to do is wait for time to pass.

••••••••••••••••••••••

I’m already on my third little bag of cow blood that I brought for the trip, and it looks like we’re almost there.

At least, that’s what I figured after the driver stopped the truck to pee and I ended up witnessing something horrible.

I don’t even want to remember it.

When I look up, I see an enormous red-and-black iron arch. Metal letters announce the entrance to the SANGUINE DISTRICT.

Glowing symbols run across the structure, lighting up and fading at regular intervals. Small cameras are installed at both ends of the arch, and a sequence of red lights follows the vehicles as they pass through.

Right beneath it, I count about… eight?!

Guards.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many together. I usually see a few scattered around the Studiuns district, but eight at once? Honestly, that’s new.

The truck drives beneath the arch, and I can get a better look at what’s on the other side.

The district looks like it was built from a mixture of fortress and industrial city. Dark metal towers rise between massive buildings, suspended walkways connect structures, and pipes run along the walls, carrying energy and other resources I’d rather not imagine.

Red and orange lights illuminate the streets, reflecting off metal signs and the wet surfaces of the pavement. Giant screens display military announcements, training schedules, and images of the monsters threatening the Dome.

There are people everywhere.

Some wear ordinary clothes, while others are dressed in leather armor reinforced with metal plates and carry combat equipment. Most seem to be soldiers and guards on their way to training.

They must be the ones who get to enjoy life the least.

After all, who can really live properly knowing they might die trying to protect a Dome full of people who probably don’t even know their names?

••••••••••••••••••••••

The truck has been parked for thirty minutes.

I have absolutely no idea where I am, but from what I can see between the boxes, the vehicle has stopped in front of an enormous building.

The facade is made of dark metal and reinforced concrete, crossed by glowing red strips. Above the entrance, a digital screen alternates between military symbols and announcements about the start of training.

People keep coming and going, and nobody seems to pay much attention to what’s happening around them.

Maybe I can get out of here without any trouble.

If I change my eye color to red and walk around as if I belong here, maybe nobody will suspect anything.

Even if my clothes don’t match anyone else’s.

Around here, everyone seems to wear leather, almost like armor. Some pieces have small devices attached to the wrists, and several cadets carry equipment that looks like it monitors their vital signs.

The Studiuns definitely have more freedom when it comes to choosing what to wear.

Or maybe I’m just trying to find an excuse for my clothes standing out.

Anyway, enough thinking.

I’m getting out.

I jump out of the truck bed and look for somewhere to hide before anyone notices my clothes.

I find an alley and step inside, following the narrow passage until I come across a group of people wearing cadet uniforms.

They’re young, probably around my age, with faces that haven’t completely lost their teenage features yet.

Perfect.

If I can blend in with them, maybe I’ll figure out where I am and what I need to do next.

I approach them and slip into the middle of the group, trying to act as if I’ve been there from the beginning.

Everyone is talking and laughing loudly, completely carefree. Some seem anxious; others are far too excited for people about to begin training that could determine the rest of their lives.

Above us, a holographic screen displays the day’s schedule. A countdown ticks away the seconds until the opening ceremony.

Then I hear someone say he plans to eat a portion of people this year.

What the hell, man?

••••••••••••••••••••••

Everyone starts walking toward a large stage.

When I look up, I see only three people standing on it. Everyone stops and lines up in guard formation.

This really is a huge army.

I was forced to study the technology inside the Dome and how the districts function from a young age, at the Studiuns school, but I never learned how to stand in formation.

After all, why would I need to know that?

I look at the stage again and see a very tall man with fair skin and brown hair. He’s wearing an imposing leather outfit, as if he’s ready for any kind of combat, with a large metal insignia on his chest.

He must be the district leader.

I swallow hard, imagining what would happen if I ran into him in the training hallways.

Beside him is a boy with brown skin, very similar to mine, and short brown hair. He looks about my age and is wearing the same uniform as the people around me.

Could he be his son?

And finally, there’s an Aetern wearing a white suit with golden details, standing out completely from everything around him.

That’s… Malik.

The head of the Aetern district and, consequently, the ruler of the entire Dome.

I didn’t know he had to be present for the speech.

Well, now that I think about it, he rules everything here. The Sanguines are responsible for protecting precisely what must be one of his greatest concerns.

— You, as future guardians of this Dome… — begins the tall, imposing man with red eyes.

His voice is amplified by speakers installed in the surrounding structures. On the giant screens, the district’s insignia appears behind him, accompanied by the official symbol of the Aeterns.

I stop paying attention to the speech when I notice that the boy standing beside him is staring at me.

For a few seconds, our eyes meet, until he steps off the stage and disappears through the back.

Oh, my God.

I’m screwed.

He noticed I’m not from here. I need to get out of here, but where am I supposed to go?!

I leave the formation, hoping nobody notices. Fortunately, there are so many people that my absence seems to go unnoticed.

I enter the building, which looks more like an institute, and find a door beside the stage. It must be an entrance for staff or something.

I open it and find myself facing an enormous hallway, illuminated by white lights. A red carpet stretches across its entire length, contrasting with the metal walls and built-in digital screens. There are several doors on both sides, each identified by a small display.

I look ahead and see the same boy running toward me.

Oh! I’M SCREWED.

— Hey! Who are you? — he asks, catching up to me and stopping right in front of me.

I’ll pretend to be natural.

— I’m here for this year’s training, just like everyone else.

— You’re not from around here, are you? — he asks, looking me up and down.

And what was I expecting?

— I lost my uniform, so I’m wearing a friend’s clothes.

— A friend? She’s not from this district, is she?

— No… What’s the problem?

— None. It’s just that this kind of closeness between districts isn’t common. And why did you leave the formation?

I look at him again.

It’s like standing in front of a mirror, except he’s extremely muscular and taller than me.

— I… got curious and wanted to see what was waiting for me.

— I see. Go through that door over there.

— This one?

— Yes. It’ll take you outside, — he says, pointing to the door at the other end of the hallway.

— Okay.

I open the door and look ahead.

This… this is a bedroom.

— Take one of my uniforms from the closet. It might be a little loose on you, but it’s better than nothing.

He closes the door behind him and turns toward it.

— I promise I won’t look.

— What? What’s going on? Are you helping me?

— Yes, obviously. It’s pretty clear you’re not from here and that you don’t know how to lie. So, to keep you from dying, I’m going to help. If my father finds out you’re here, you’re dead.

— Who’s your father? — I ask, opening the closet.

— Perseus. The head of the Sanguine district.

Perseus?

I’ve heard of him. The stories about that man are a little frightening.

— And now you’re going to tell me why you ran away from your district and how you got such a well-made contact lens. They’re hard to get, and smuggling them is punishable by death. If they find out you’re here wearing one, you could die for two reasons.

— I’m not wearing contact lenses. I’m actually Sanguine. I just lived somewhere else, — I reply as I put on the first uniform I find.

— Are you dressed yet? — he asks, still looking at the door.

I can’t help noticing how beautiful the room is. There’s a round bed with red sheets, a large metal wardrobe, and a desk covered in photographs whose details I can’t make out from here.

A strip of light runs along the edge of the ceiling, adjusting the room’s lighting. Beside the bed, a terminal displays training information and a series of notifications I don’t dare open.

— Yes, I am.

He turns around and smiles.

I look at myself and…

Oh, my God. I look like a trash bag.

— My name is Ethan. Nice to meet…

— Amira. My name is Amira.

— Nice to meet you, Amira. You said they’re not contact lenses?

— That’s right. I just lived somewhere else.

— Well, I’ve never heard of anyone like that, but you’d better get back to the formation before you end up dead.

••••••••••••••••••••••

I return to the formation and see Ethan walking back beside his father.

Now Malik is the one giving the speech.

I’d simply rather not listen.

After shifting my weight from one leg to the other about twenty times, I notice everyone beginning to walk toward a large black door, apparently heavy enough that only a Sanguine could open it.

When everyone enters, I find myself in an enormous dining hall, with several tables and lots of bottles filled with blood mixed with alcohol.

The bottles are arranged in rows on metal counters, beneath red lights that make the liquid look even darker. Screens on the walls display the cadets’ names and information about their assigned quarters.

This must be the first time many of them have ever drunk something like this.

Not just me, right?

I see Ethan walking toward me.

— Hi. I managed to get you some women’s clothes. They should fit you.

He hands me the clothes, and I almost feel like hugging him out of gratitude.

Almost.

— Hey, is there somewhere I can change? — I ask, unable to stand wearing that trash bag any longer.

— Yes. — He points to the door beside the entrance. — That leads straight to the bedroom corridors. Since nobody has chosen their rooms yet, you can just walk into one and claim it as yours. Then it’ll be yours.

— Thank you!

I hurry through the door and look for the room closest to Ethan’s. After all, I have a feeling I’m still going to need his help.

I enter the room opposite his and quickly start changing.

I look at the desk.

The place is identical to Ethan’s, except there are no photographs. A digital terminal is built into the wall, and a strip of red light follows the outline of the window, which shows nothing but another metal wall.

I finish getting dressed and leave the room. Then I place my thumb on the square fingerprint scanner beside the door.

The system recognizes my fingerprint.

A small green signal appears on the display, followed by the sound of an electronic lock.

The door closes and locks.

Now it’s mine.