Machinery and engines ran day by day as the ominous smoke gasped out of metal chimneys. So much for the government preaching about healthy air. Six months had somehow already gone by. You know what they say, time flies when you’re stuck in forced government labor camps. Greens were stuck building machine guns for dumb ‘manufacturers’ who couldn’t do it themselves, resorting to kids and teenagers to finish their dirty work. Meanwhile, Blues and Golds were on their regular chores as well; moving tons of equipment and serving as walking generators. There were no Reds, neither were there Oranges, except for Soeun. She’d been begrudgingly following the routine like usual, while also finding her own loopholes around things. And thankfully, for these past few months, she didn’t need to get rid of anyone. Despite there being no other Oranges around, Soeun had been curious if she were to ever meet one someday. But who knew. Oranges were killed on sight because of how dangerous they were. 

Currently, it was yet another day of labor and Soeun was crafting yet another machine gun. Or tried to at least. Luck was not on her side today as she was struggling more than usual to solve this puzzle. Maybe it was just a brain dead moment or the machine gun was of a different design. Little did she know, it was one of the ultrasound ones that were used to immobilize kids. Those hurt like hell and Soeun could’ve swore she even suffered a slight , but was able to recover quickly without anyone questioning it. According to what she’d seen, it worked quite effectively on Blues after some dude couldn’t move for an entire hour or two. The soldiers made an excuse that they were simply ‘testing’ their little toy. While Soeun was trying to figure out where to attach the barrel, the captain noticed her visibly struggling then approached, a sneer plastered all over his face.

"This goes across the trigger." Soeun had the insane urge to nail him in the face.

"I don't need your help, sir." 

"Yeah? Then why do you think I'm helping you right now?" 

"I didn't ask for your help, because, as I said, it's not needed." 

He chuckled, smirking. “You don’t act like any other Greens I’ve seen these few months. Almost like…you’re not smart enough to be one….” Soeun didn’t say anything further, simply continuing on with her work. “What? Got nothin’ to refute now, girlie?” 

“I’m just trying to do my job.” 

“And pretty piss poor at it. Whatever you’re trying to hide, you won’t do it any longer when we do the reexaminations. Let’s see how you’ll handle the ultrasonic sounds.” He laughed at her, malice coating his sickening cackles. However, the captain was also dumb enough to place his hand on Soeun’s shoulder, thus allowing her to grab it. And instantly, she overpowered his mind. 

“If you ever cross me again,” whispering, “…I’ll make you bleed. So what you’re gonna do is shut your up and leave me alone. Understand?”

“Yes…I understand.”

Then without another word, he turned away like nothing happened. Somehow, none of the other guards noticed this and continued on with their day. Thank goodness for her everyone was ignoring the encounter, seemingly just minding their own business. Sighing, she finally attached the barrel where it was supposed to go before piecing the rest. What sped up this process more was occasionally peaking over to the person right beside her while she followed along as much as possible. After another hour of work, it was finally time for lunch, or at least what they called lunch. At best it looked like some kind of wet porridge and basil paste. Everyone usually just went there for the fruit juices, but even those were starting to lose their appeal. Soeun decided to skip again, instead resorting to being isolated in her room. Walking down the hallways, she simply paced forward and looked at the ground with an empty expression. This morning could’ve went better if that stupid captain didn’t have his head up his , wasting time to try and intimidate Soeun. During her whole stay in this dump, she barely got scared of the soldiers, or anyone for that matter. It was almost funny seeing them yell at her, only backing down when all the attention they received was nothing more than a bored, blank stare. 

As Soeun continued on, she noticed some people approaching but kept her head lowered. Whatever this involved, she merely minded her own business, remaining silent. The heavy footsteps of boots were some soldiers, Soeun assumed as she rolled her eyes, having grown distasteful just being around them. Though, overtime, she was able to learn the ability to read people's minds, therefore, whenever any of those pigs would throw an insult out of nowhere, Soeun easily gave them the karma they rightfully deserved. She decided to try it again, just to see if anyone was going to say anything as they walked by. But what Soeun never expected was to hear someone else’s voice.

Help me…please!

Startled, she swiftly turned around, frowning as eyes widened. Soeun's gaze met another girl, seemingly around the same age. Not wanting to be outside any longer, she hastily barged into her room, slamming the door shut behind. Taking a deep breath, Soeun plopped on the bed, wanting to forget about everything that had already happened today. She feared for her safety and hoped not to meet that girl again anytime soon. Soeun momentarily napped for a few minutes, quite close to falling asleep. Until someone rudely interrupted by knocking on her door.

The alarm they’d set for this place made all the kids want to rip their ears off. How did the military people even deal with an obnoxiously loud siren every single morning? The routine was to freshen up in eight minutes, put on your colored suits and get ready for “early work”. Child labor was what everyone called it, but obviously didn’t say that phrase aloud in fear of the soldiers hearing it. Anything that even remotely offended them would get a warning and then after that was basically hell. By this point, they were just too easy to provoke. Their cashew sized brains could only hold so much ego. Greens were piled in some old, rusty factory for engineering work. They’d helped military scientists program contraptions to run experiments, build new and improved motors for trucks, and lastly, create weapons for them. Mostly just machine guns because that’s what the soldiers love using. 

Zoa was practically half asleep at her desk, barely having the strength to do anything. It took her a day or two to remember which piece goes where and would usually finish first. Surely they would let her off the hook for slacking just one day. It’d been about an hour since work started and Zoa was quite close to finishing. However, every once in a while, she would catch the captain often looking towards her area. Following his trail of vision, he was only eyeing the person in front of her, whom she immediately recognized. It was the girl that Soojin offered a handkerchief to for the nose bleed. Soeun, was it? She definitely recovered from that nasty injury. As Zoa continued putting together the last few pieces, the girl grew more confused, or rather concerned, when the captain walked closer to her area.

He started conversing with Soeun, but did so mockingly like he was suspicious about something. Zoa couldn’t help but eavesdrop a little and heard him clearly trying to intimidate her. But surprisingly, Soeun held off pretty well, not minding this one bit while putting on a straight face. Zoa carefully admired across, wondering when this would be over until the captain stopped pestering. The last thing she expected to see, however, was Soeun grabbing hold of his wrist, whispering eerily. The younger girl definitely got chills down her spine upon listening in on Soeun’s rather sinister threat and subtly looked in shock, catching a glimpse of the orange eyes that contrasted her green suit. He walked away like nothing just happened as Zoa continued staring. This whole time, Soeun was an Orange? Before she could think further about this, the bells signalled for lunch as everyone soon piled into the enormous cafeteria. It also didn’t take long for Zoa to meet up with Soojin and Monday again. The girls grabbed bowls of gruel, to pretend they were eating, and the fruit juice as usual. After grabbing a table, Zoa frowned when she noticed something.

“Hey, where are Jaehee and Jihan?” 

“They both wanted to skip lunch for the day.” Soojin replied.

“Ah, understandable.”

Monday consumed a tiny bit of the gruel from her spoon before asking. “How was your guys’ work?”

“Frustrating.” The oldest rolled her eyes, then answered quietly. “They never even bother to help move things and just stand there like idiots 24/7.” 

“Ugh, tell me about it. ’s so boring here. All I get to do is put my hand in some wires to power up things for them to play with.” Monday snarled while sharing her stories, causing the girls to laugh. 

“What about you, Zoa?” 

“Oh, well…kind of complicated in my opinion.”

“‘Complicated’ how?” Soojin furrowed her eyebrows in concern.

“You guys remember Soeun?” 

“Yeah, she’s pretty recluse.” 

The older girl shook her head. “I’m sure she’s feeling just as terrible as we are. Hell, it’s been months already. 

“So anyways, I was making another machine gun and the captain walked up to her, saying stuff like she wasn’t smart enough to be a Green or something.”

Soojin and Monday were taken aback. “Wait, why though?”

“Apparently because she was struggling with something? And he kept pestering her, then…uh, I don’t know if I should tell you guys.”

The oldest was quick to reassure. “Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone at all.” Monday agreed wholeheartedly as Zoa nodded, continuing. 

“Soeun’s an Orange.” She whispered loud enough for them to hear. Soojin couldn’t help but gasp. 

“Oh my god…how did they not find out on the first day we got here?”

Monday shrugged. “Well, I mean, she has mind control so that’s a huge advantage around here.”

Despite this, Soojin still had a bad feeling. “Shouldn’t we be worried though? What if something happens to her?” 

“I’m actually planning to go talk with her right now.” Zoa informed them. 

“And what are you going to say? If you tell Soeun you know she’s an Orange, she might not take it well.” 

Soojin nodded. “Yeah.”

“I know what I’m doing and thought it out already. I’ll be quick.” The older was reluctant to let her younger sister go by herself, but knew Zoa wouldn’t intentionally get into trouble.

“Alright, we’ll be here if you need to find us.” But just when she was about to leave, Soojin hastily stopped her. “Wait! One more thing. Give this to Soeun. She might need it.” 

Zoa chuckled while holding apple juice. “Ok. Be back in a bit.”

She finally left by crossing through the exit and then into hallways towards the floor where Greens belonged. Times flew all the way towards spring, also known as allergy season, thus many kids weren't able to work these past few weeks. Thankfully, Zoa didn’t have to worry about that too much. She remembered the first time they tried to assign every single kid a room, but there was an overwhelming number of Green than Blues and Golds. This prompted for a compromise and allowed some to either room with each other or Blues. However, she wasn't lucky enough to get a room with Soojin. Sighing, she continued walking on, too much already in her mind. 

Zoa was about to turn a corner before suddenly bumping into a soldier. He didn't have to yell for her to move aside, then moved on. Scoffing quietly, she didn't bother looking back to see who he was dragging with his partner and entered another hall. Soon, Zoa arrived at her destination: Soeun's room, as conveniently plastered on the door. Of course there were some hesitations about whether or not to knock. But, here goes nothing. After doing it three times, Zoa patiently waited, though feeling a bit anxious. She heard a soft groan on the other side and some ruffling before the door flew open, her eyes meeting Soeun's glare.

"What do you want?" Clearly not interested. 

“I just want to talk, is all.” 

“About?” 

“Why don’t we go inside? Might not want to talk out in the open like this.” After a moment of silence and hesitation, Soeun opened the door wider, allowing Zoa to enter before shutting it behind. “Before I get to the point, my older sister offered this for you.” 

She frowned while accepting the apple juice. “Uh, why?” 

“Soojin unnie thought you might need it.” 

“Ok…thanks, I guess.”

“Alright. So, how does being Green make you feel?” 

“Huh?” Soeun raised an eyebrow as Zoa simply repeated.

“How does being a Green make you feel?” 

“I don’t know…fine?” 

“Can you elaborate?”

“W-what—what do you want me to elaborate?”

“Hm. I see.” Soeun shook her head, even more confused, so she quickly filled her in. “A Green would typically answer that question like, ‘it makes sense for me to be one, because that’s what I am, therefore, it feels normal.’ So, why do you hesitate?” 

“…what are you on about?”

“Allow me to explain further. A Green wouldn’t just let me into their room until they know what I’m truly here for. Yes, they would be suspicious as well, but also keep their grounds and challenge me more. They wouldn’t say they’re ‘fine’.”

“Well since you want the exact answer, being a Green makes me feel normal. Are you happy now?” 

“Normal in a way that’s safe for you.” Zoa wittedly refuted. 

Soeun didn’t want to listen to anymore of this nonsense. “Leave. Now.” 

“Wait, wait—I haven’t—!” She wasn’t able to finish after being yanked by the elbow, then led out of the room. 

“And don’t come back.” 

“Now hold on a minute!” The older girl glared at her. “Ok so my approach wasn’t exactly the best. But, we need your help.”

“Who’s ‘we’?”

“My sister, Soojin, and our other friends.” 

“What do you want my help for?” 

“Because…because I saw what happened this morning…you’re an Orange.” The next thing Zoa knew, she was immediately pinned to the wall, Soeun’s wrist harshly pressing against her neck. 

“You tell anyone, I will make sure you regret ever talking to me. So you’re gonna forget this and move on with your life. I don’t have to help you because I can easily get out of here myself.” What she didn’t realize was that Zoa wasn’t easily influenced by such mind control. 

“I can think for myself, thank you very much.”

Soeun frowned when her powers weren’t working, which was a bit scary. “How…?”

“We can help each other, please.” The younger girl tried to inform in between breaths but it was getting harder. Thankfully, her neck was soon released and she momentarily went into a fit of coughs. 

“Why should I trust you?” 

“Because I’m offering. And so are my friends.”

She narrowed, not knowing what to respond. But there still needed to be some consideration before agreeing entirely. This seemed too good to be true, so anything could happen, bad or good. Soeun didn’t say anything else and simply gave a small nod, then closed her door, locking it. Zoa sighed while rubbing her neck as lots of questions appeared in mind. She really was too smart for her own good sometimes. But hopefully the plan will go, with or without Soeun’s help. Just as Zoa was heading back to the cafeteria, Soojin called out and ran up to her.

“Hey, there you are. It’s been fifteen minutes.” 

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. I was able to talk things out.” 

“What did you say?” 

“I asked if she wanted to help with the plan, so now we just have to wait for her answer.” The sisters began heading walking away. 

“Oh, alright. Did she also, um,” Soojin slowly continued, “take the apple juice?”

“Yeah, she said thanks by the way.” 

“Ah…that’s good.” She smiled to herself, but was certainly not fooling anyone with that, especially Zoa. The younger girl stopped and squinted at her. “What?” 

“Do you perhaps li—”

“Shh! Not so loud, Zoa!” 

“Aha! So you do!” 

“Yah! Lee Hyewon!”

A little game of tag ensued between the two dorks, fits of giggling and teasing echoing in the hallways. After their voices weren’t heard anymore, Soeun cautiously reopened her door again while looking confused. She’d just opened the small carton and was currently drinking from it when there was commotion outside. Crazy how even they could have fun in such a dark place like this, though maybe the sisters were still kids after all. Shrugging, Soeun shut it once more before laying back down on her bed.

“Weirdos.”