Hidden Changes

By Melissa Murphy

For two months, Lacey DeWitt has been stuck in the Casino. After being on the run for assaulting a boot, she was captured and has been relegated to the boogeyland of dystopian America.

But if it's so bad, then why is everyone happy to be there?

With a new group of friends Lacey strives to find the answer, but unearths only more questions and surprisingly, a new attitude.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Murphy
• Release date: Jul 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301999699

Melissa Murphy

Melissa Murphy is the pen name of author Melissa Strnad. Melissa lives in rural Montana with her wonderful husband, four lively children, and the rambunctious family dog. On cold winter days, Melissa likes nothing more than curling up with a good book or her laptop and imagination.Melissa loves hearing from her readers. Feel free to drop her a [e-mail]

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Hidden Changes

By Melissa Murphy

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by Melissa Murphy

All rights reserved

License notes and disclaimer

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment. Reselling is not allowed without written permission from the author. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. All events, people, and places are either figments of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblances to any person, living or dead, events whether historical, contemporary, or future; and politics, good, bad, or ridiculous; are completely coincidental.

To my wonderful children,

I hope you never have to live in a world like this one.

CHAPTER 1

WATER? Henry, a boy of four or five, asked me as I struggled with my wheelbarrow full of rocks.

The small stones littering the path made pushing the wheel barrow more complicated. I must have been more tired than I thought, because one stone proved more stubborn and refused to move from underneath the front wheel. I stopped fighting it and set the pegs down before reaching for the cup in the dusty bundle tied around my waist. It’s the only way I have of carrying it and if I didn’t have my cup, I wouldn’t get any water.

Please. My voice came out hoarse and dry.

Back up. Go forward.

What?

I seen people using barrows. Thas what they do. He said with a dimpled smile.

Henry thought he’d been here for a year, but no one knew for sure. He doesn’t remember his mother and doesn’t know if he ever had a father. He’s the youngest in the camp and has become something like a pet to everyone here. All I know is that he was here when I got here, and that he’s a sweet kid.

Two months. That’s how long I’ve been in Casino camp number five. Sixty long, hot days of misery. I cried every day during the first two weeks. My tears have evaporated along with my hope. No one leaves, no one escapes, and no one is ever rescued. I will spend the rest of my life here in the desert, which will probably be cut short due to the never ending heat and grueling work schedule we’re held to.

My name is Lacey DeWitt and nine months ago, my life changed for ever. My father was killed in a Civil Patrol raid, murdered by Boots. Mom and I were sent to an apartment in Stone City and assigned work in a textile factory. Three months ago I ran away from that apartment. Two weeks later I was caught and captured in Tennessee. My friends managed to get away.

I’m on my own here with the other five thousand or so residents of the camp. Inmates make up most of the population. There are only two hundred or so guards.

The warm water washed some of the dust from my throat so my voice came out more natural when I thanked him.

I lifted the wheelbarrow back up.

Back up. Go forward. He repeated.

With a small nod, I followed his directions. I’ve been here awhile and have been doing this long enough that I know how to work the simple tool. I rewarded him with a small smile anyway. I didn’t want to see someone that innately cheerful contaminated with my bad mood. Thank you.

Welcome. He said before skipping off to give someone else water.

I continued pushing my wheelbarrow until I reached a large pile of rocks next to a dump truck. I tilted the wheelbarrow and let the rocks slide out, but I didn’t head back right away. There were four people throwing rocks from the pile into the bed of the truck and two guards watching them.

One of the guards was kind. Blonde hair, blue eyes with a deep tan, he looked like he’d be more at home on the ocean straddling a surf board rather than stuck out here in the desert miles away from the nearest body of water. His name is Alex Beacon.

The other guard has black hair and green eyes. He glowers at everyone and he always looks harsh, but the way he stands reminds me of Eric. Whenever I‘m around him, my memories try to rise up and swamp me, so I avoid him when I can.

I met Eric when I ran away from home. He was my first real crush and my first kiss. He kept me alive in the forest. If it hadn’t been for him, I’d never have made it as far as I did. I missed him as much as I missed my mother, but I didn’t expect to ever see him again. If the Boots ever caught him, they’d do worse than send him here. He was a traitor in their eyes. I hoped they never caught him.

You need to get back to work. Alex said after quietly reaching my side.

His tone was at odds with his uniform. Even if it was dusted more brown than grey, he was one of the guards and I couldn’t forget that. But I couldn’t make myself move.

Is there a point to this? I asked.

To what? He seemed startled. The other guard watched us but didn’t interfere. There were certain interactions between the guards and the inmates. He probably thought we were setting up one of those interactions. He was completely wrong. Even if I’d never met Eric, he’d still have been wrong.

To this. I waved my arm around all the rocks, the truck, the people. I knew it was a punishment, but why? Why not just put us in cells and leave us. Why work us until we collapsed? What I really wanted to know was what was the point in keeping us alive?

It has to be done.

But why? My voice pitched high and carried to the other guard.

We need the resource.

For what?

For everything. He said, losing patience. For the roads, for buildings, bridges. For everything. They take the rock to a processing plant and extract the minerals.

Is there a problem? The other guard asked He watched me, his features not quite set into a glower.

No, Alex told him before turning back to me. You have to get back to work now. He adjusted the rifle on his shoulder, reminding me of where we were and who he was. You don’t want to get in trouble.

I turned my wheelbarrow around and walked back towards the diggers without answering him. It was much lighter without the rock in it, and I managed the five hundred yards without a problem. I’d made twenty three trips already and I wanted to make ten more before the end of the day.

I don’t make as many as some of the other people. They’ve been here longer and have built up stamina. Although I made six trips more than I did last week, I’m still no where close to the top haulers.

I stopped next to Peggy who was breaking up rock with a pick axe. Peggy was a tough woman with black hair and brown eyes. The dust and dirt are just a touch lighter than her skin. When we’re not working, Peggy has an infectious laugh, and a sunny attitude. She was the one who helped me get past the desolation I was feeling when I first arrived.

Even when we’re working, Peggy has a smile on her face, but she won’t put up with slacking. She is by far my favorite person here.

Moving slow, Lacey.

It’s hot.

‘Course it is. We’re in the desert. Didn’t you get the memo? Now get your lazy butt back to work and quit flirting with the guards. I hear they got cookies in the mess tent and I want me some. A thoughtful look crossed her face before it disappeared with the turn of her shoulder. They aren’t good for you anyway.

The cookies? I set the wheelbarrow down and picked up some of the rocks she kicked out of her way.

Those either, but I meant the guards. They aren’t going to help you get out of here any sooner. More likely to keep you here longer. A larger piece of rock fell to the ground from the wall she’s been digging in. She stopped and used the pickaxe to break it up into smaller chunks.

Heard they’re starting a rehabilitation program. You should see if you can get in it. She set the pickaxe to the side and then helped me put rocks in the wheelbarrow.

Where’d you hear that?

While you were taking a nature walk, a pair of guards stopped by. They were talking about it.

The guards treated us as if we were missing our ears, talking about all manner of things as if no one was around. As far as I could tell, there were no secrets in Camp 5.

What about you?

I was in the Army, they don’t want me. Too hard for them to make me think like they do. They want young kids, like you.

I didn’t answer right away. The thought never occurred to me. I’d resigned myself to staying in the camp for the rest of my life. What would that even entail?

Anything’s better than this. Peggy said. And you don’t belong here. Join one of them classes and get out.

I never told her why I was sent here. The conversation never came up. There’s a certain unwritten rule that you just don’t ask.

I wasn’t sure it was even a good idea for me to try. They’d probably look at me and laugh. I haven’t been here long enough, not that I’d ever been sentenced. More like dropped in and forgotten.

You could see your Mom again.

***

I made two more trips before I worked up the courage to ask Alex about the new program. Rumors spread like wildfire in the camp, and most of them were false. I had to find out if the warden was really going to do it.

Yeah, Alex said. They tried it in Camp Three and it worked. Why? Do you want in? He seemed oddly amused. His lips twisted up at the ends with a hint of a smile he tried to suppress.

I don’t want to stay here. I shoved the wheelbarrow over when I emptied it. I was tired, but I still had to make seven more trips.

We’re supposed to make recommendations, but you haven’t been here long enough.

I dropped my eyes to the ground to hide the flood of disappointment. I didn’t realize I’d made up my mind.

Look, I’ll see what I can do, alright? He said softly. They’ll take a look at your file and then they’ll probably interview you. Sergeant Davis, He motioned to the other guard. Is assigned to the program. I’ll talk to him, but you have to keep working. If you screw around, he’ll blacklist you.

Thank you. I picked up my wheelbarrow with renewed energy. I wouldn’t give the guard any reason to reject me in the program. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and shivered. He might not need any reason.

On the way back to Peggy, Henry stopped me for another water break.

Didja hear? He asked. His eyes were shining and his little body bounced with excitement.

Peggy told me. I drank my water and then ruffled his head and gave him a small smile. Maybe they’ll let you in.

His eyes went wide. You really think so? Wow. He dashed off before I could say anything else and I watched him go.

Before I started moving again, I felt someone watching me. I looked over my shoulder and shuddered. Sergeant Davis had moved away from the truck. He stood next to Alex and watched me with a frown on his face. I grabbed up my wheelbarrow again and rushed forward.

On my next trip back to the dump truck, Alex was nowhere to be seen. Sergeant Davis was the only guard and he watched me closely. Even with the oppressive heat I found myself shivering. When I tilted the wheelbarrow to dump out the rocks, he approached me.

"The program starts in