Chapter 1
We’re living underground in a strange utopia. It consists of three communities. There are the naturists, free-love, and patriarchal.
The nude community survives solely on its own resources. They refuse to have any interactions with the other communities.
The free-love community seems to be the most friendly. All of the members are same-sex couples. And they have a celebration for everything.
My favorite and least favorite is the patriarchal society. I love a take-control kind of man. By all means, dominate me. But wait a minute...
“What do you mean by, am I aware that women have no rights in this community?”
“What did you think that patriarchal meant?”
“Dom... can you please be quiet and let me handle this.”
“Okay, so I’m going to need you to apologize to him and you to reprimand her.” Says the appointed registration person.
“Say what now?” I ask.
“I don’t think this will be a good fit. You can try the free love community. They’ll let anyone in.”
“How do you mess up free love and nudity? I mean... you can’t. You just can’t.” States, Dominic.
“Well, I guess that I’m the damn exception.”
“Factionless, that’s what the hell we are. I hope that you have a plan, Tris.”
“Oh, shut up,” I state, agitated.
Heading to the entrance of the community, we’re intercepted by two of the patriarchal folks.
“Ooh... she has a mouth on her.” Says the registration person.
I’m about to tell him to shut up when Dominic stops me with a flick of my nose.
It takes everything within me to keep the wild kitten raging to get out tamed.
“Yeah, she does.”
“We heard about your misfortune. And as we are a humanitarian society, we can’t let you starve or be without shelter.” He explains.
“So, until we can get you set up in your own community, we’ll accept you temporarily. Please keep the missus under control.”
“Yeah, I think that I can handle that.” Replies Dominic, giving me a smack on the butt.
If I weren't already peeved, I’d have played along too. But all I can do is raise my chin in angry silence.
“Follow me.”
We’re sharing a home with a nice couple, which I’m not sure I like. She’s taken me on as an apprentice and taught me how to make food from scratch.
It's “The Little House on the Prairie” days. There's no electricity. However, they do have indoor plumbing. All three communities are vegetarians. And they have somehow built a mechanism to allow the sun in underground. It's similar to how the Egyptians did it.
Everyone shares food and services. They all work together for the enhancement of the society as a whole. It’s not a bad way to live, but I prefer to live above ground.
Olivia, like everyone below ground, was born here. After Vata’s elder grandfather times four passed, the law went into effect that the human numbers were to be limited.
Vata’s elder father had this place built and then killed all the Yautjas who knew about it. He did it for his human wife so that she could survive.
“He must have loved her,” I state, kneading the dough.
“He loved us, the humans. He banned them from hunting us on this planet. Too bad that he couldn’t stop them from hunting those on Earth.”
“You know about Earth?”
“Of course. We know where we come from.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know. Now, let’s get to making these cinnamon buns before the men return.”
The men are responsible for growing and harvesting the food. They handle the repairs and anything outside of the home. In contrast, the women take care of the children and the home.
The men return from their manly duties, and she goes to her knees to remove her significant other’s shoes. Dominic’s watching me and waiting.
Huh?
With an encouraging smile, she nods in his direction. I proceed to yank Dominic's shoes off. Smirking at my plight, I toss them hard into his stomach.
“How was your day?” She questions her husband.
“Good, nothing exciting or new happened.”
“And how was your first day on the job?” She asks Dominic.
“It was good and educational.”
“Good. I hope that you’ll love it enough to stay.”
Not me. He can stay here, but I’m gone as soon as I can.
