<p >Prologue
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<p >"Look, theyre back!" I heard someone from the crowd yell.
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<p >I pulled up further into my territory in the truck full of blood. All kinds of it, A+, AB+, AB-, 0-, 0+, all the other kinds Im not going to go through right now, the works. I hopped out and was greeted by Aunt Brie.
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<p >"Welcome back," She nodded stiffly at me and my partners. "Howd it go?"
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<p >"Smoothly," I responded. "Though, were running a bit low. Some may not be able to get a full portion," I stated, my eyebrows drawing together.
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<p >"Did everyone hear that?!" My aunt turned to the crowd.
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<p >Everyone nodded their heads in confirmation at their House Mistress. I let out a sigh, knowing for a fact we would come up short and some of them wouldnt get a full portion.
<p >
<p >Ill have to figure out something to fix that.
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<p >"Maria, I need you to do your rounds and your reports by morning," my aunt instructed concisely before I could start brainstorming.
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<p >I shrugged. "Yeah okay. Who needs sleep?" I commented sarcastically.
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<p >She threw a grimace over her shoulder at my comment as she walked away, but didnt say anything on the matter.
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<p >"Since when do you want to go to sleep at night?" Rose, one of my partners and best friends, quirked an eyebrow at me with a small smirk.
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<p >"Since never. Thats why I asked who needed it," I grinned at her while heading to the back of the truck to help distribute the blood.
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<p >1
Why Am I Not Surprised?
<p >
<p >1 MONTH LATER.
<p >
<p >"How we doing?" I glanced back at Destiny from the front seat. Shes Roses replacement while shes out scavenging with another group. Destinys still in training, but she does her job well.
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<p >"Not great, but not as bad as last month," she called.
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<p >"Well thats good news," I mumbled.
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<p >"Yeah, no, shes sugar coating it. Its pretty bad. Might actually be worse than last time," Harper interjected bluntly.
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<p >I sighed. "Well thats less good news."
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<p >I made eye contact with Destiny in the rear view mirror, and she shrank back into herself. I frowned and waited to catch her eye again. Once I did, I sent her a smile, and she sent me a timid one back.
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<p >I shook my head when she looked back down.
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<p >That girl. So shy.
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<p >"Stop here," Harper instructed while looking out the window.
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<p >"Last stop," Destiny breathed out, looking at the limited amount of blood bags around her. Her face fell when she realized how little it really was.
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<p >Even though I dont want to show it — especially not to her — the feeling is mutual. Harpers right, this is worse than last month.
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<p >I hopped out of the truck nonetheless, and Desi and Harps followed. At this point, everyone knew the drill. Harper and I would go in and get the blood, while Destiny waited by the truck to make sure nothing happened.
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<p >Not that most people would want anything to do with a truck full of blood, but were not the only ones scavenging tonight.
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<p >Scratch that.
<p >
<p >We are one of the only ones scavenging tonight. Most others are hunting.
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<p >Even more reason for me and Harps to be quick.
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<p >I glanced up at the sign as we entered. Hearts Foundation Blood Drive it read. We walked up the steps and found the stock of blood that didnt match anyone and wasnt going to be used. We had to use our super speed, great eyesight and sense of smell and whatnot to find the ones that werent safe to drink, because of disease and things like that.
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<p >We only came up with a few good ones.
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<p >Again.
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