Unseen World by Sally Peterson (bill gates books recommendations .txt) 📖

It was a rainy day. The streets of the vast city have never been that empty before. The city's name was Wazatscale. Located between high mountains directly at the coast, it is one of the main trading locations for mercenaries and sailors. Where normally there would be people gathering, bargaining over goods and complaining about the expensive prices there were just empty stands infront of closed doors..the city was at rest. But why.
The answer was simple.
It was a once in a year occurance. As the king announced 50 years ago, this day the troops would be sent into the city to clean out the gangs, who lived and traded underground. It was a war between the high riding officers and street ruling gangsters. Noone dared to step outside. Because leaving the house meant death. 

Slipping through narrow streets, avoiding to be seen, there was one person. Auran was her name. Covered in a big cloak, wearing a thin layer of clothing, her footsteps were silent but fast. She was in a rush. Already soaking wet she just wanted to get back to her hideout as quick as possible. Auran was of a fair build. Not small but also not tall, she didnt stand out. Except for her eyes. They were grey. Grey as in blind. Anyone who saw into her eyes would know immediately. Although her eyes didnt see things like normal people could, she was still able to "see" in a different way. A very special one. You could describe it as a world of black and white. Every none living thing she saw as white with black rough outlines. It was like a camera filter. The way she perceived humans was different though. Around them she could see all sorts of colors. Like clouds, their aura covered every inch of their body. After years living on the streets she had figured out which color told her what story. Reading peoples moods became a habit of hers, helping her out in all kinds of ways. Soon she reached a dark alley. It was a dead end. At least for those who didn't know about the underground of the city. She looked down on the door in the bottom which looked like one that might lead into a cellar. It had no keyhole or handle. Auran touched the wall above the entrance until she found a loose stone. She turned it right. Then going down two rows she found another loose stone. Turning it left made a click and the cellar's doors sprung open. Auran walked down the dark stairs and closed the entry. The rain was still pouring down. A nasty weather for a nasty day. It was pitch dark down there. But she didnt need a light to see. The tunnels had complicated turns, making it into a maze for any stranger. Its often weird for her to see her surroundings in black and white or in greyscale but it can also be pretty useful. Like seeing in darkness. Although at some times she longed to see the sun, the dawn or night sky. Looking up to the sky she would only see white or black during night. Swiftly Auran followed the path, taking turns every now and then, when she finally arrived at her hideout. Places like those were homes for the poor, criminals or gang members, the ruling gangs rented out to people. They were the only ones who had a slight idea of the size of the tunnels and their residence. She knocked on the door 3 times and then inserted the key. It was a code telling the other people inside, that she was somone they knew. Auran stepped into the room. As soon as she was inside and closed the doors, the kids inside jumped up and came running towards her, to give her a hug. "We were worried! You have been gone so long!", a girl about 10 years old said. Her name was Tanny. Auran lived with 5 other orphans.  A boy, 5 years old- Nomu, another boy 14- Daron, her friend 18- Suzy, who is the same age as her and their newest family member a small 2 years old girl named Maurie. It was a small family Auran made herself. Its a weakness to be nice but Auran couldnt hold herself back whenever she saw orphans being left for dead even by the church. Not that they would have had it any better there but the church at least provided minimal food. At some times though the holy would kick out children because they were overfilled with newborns or the kids had traits which would make adoption for them impossible. Living in a cruel world she didnt want to be cruel as well and leave the kids to die. Overall she thinks it was a great choice no matter the hardships and burdens. Her family was what she treasured most. As time goes by she would teach them how to survive and everyone tributed to the household. 

The reason Auran went outside tonight was because Maurie got sick and needed medicine urgently. The black market was always open for anyone so she made her way there, traded in a favor and rushed back. "I am sorry, the rain was just a pain. How is Maurie?", she asked, walking towards the sleeping place in the left corner where Suzy, a girl with ginger curly hair sat next to a tiny body. Suzy turned around and replied:" Her fever is still high. But we gave her some soup earlier. Do you have the medicine?"
"Of course I do. If I hadnt, I would have not come back before getting my hands on it."
Suzy smiled. "I kmow that. Well give it to me I will get it ready to feed her. Could you also take of your dripping clothes? You are making the whole floor wet!"
"I was just about to do that", Auran replied. The room had a corner with a thin curtain hanging from the ceiling, making it into a changing room. Their living space was made out of two rooms. The one she and all the kids were in, which didnt give much privacy but anyone was allowed to hang up parting curtains if they wanted and then there was the second room, separated as kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen was only barely half the size of the living room though. No matter how uncomfortable it might be living underground without aunlight or fresh air, it was the cheapest and safest for orphans like them. Plus the gang was smart enough to work out a ventilation system providing air. Above the firestove was also an airing so the smoke wasnt stuck in the kitchen. During winter everyone used the leftover charcoal as a heater. Putting the coal into a metal barrel and placing it in the middle of the room. Auran changed into another long armed shirt and some dry pants. Her long dark hair was still soppy. She wrenched out as much water as she could and went back to Maurie. The other kids had been gathered around her sleeping place. Everyone was worried. Maurie had been with them for only a few months but she was a sunshine to everyones life. Her innocent smile brightned up everyones mood even when they encounter a bad day. Tanny sat down next to Auran snuggling up on her. Amused Auran patted Tanny's head. She looked at Maurie and said:"Maurie I am back. Now its time for you to get better." Maurie moaned at hearing Auran's voice and smiled happily. "Welcome back." Suzy just got done in the kitchen kneeded down with a small bowl in her hand. "Sweetie I made you a bowl of corn soup. But you have to drink your medicine first alright?", she said. Maurie made a stubborn face. Noone ever liked the disgusting syrup called medicine. "Be a good girl Maurie," Auran advised her. Daron leaned over to Maurie and grabbed her tiny hand. "I will hold your hand while you take it. So it won't taste as bad!"  

Publication Date: 12-07-2016

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Dedication:
For the love of my life Chris, who loves to read and write in his notebook :)