How do you know if your right? All your life you watch peoples actions, trying to decipher what the moral reasoning behind each one is. Maybe your wrong. Maybe everything you've been taught is not right, is the reason for this mess.

Those homicidal killers who attack innocent people, maybe they had good reasons. Maybe those so called 'innocent' people had done wrong, had deserved their fate.

Whose job is it really, to decided what is right and what is wrong. It's certainly not yours. This you are sure of. You believe you're doing good, but what if the world sees it as the opposite. How will you know?

The answer is you won't. Realization sweeps over you as you hear that first heart breaking cry.

2: Chapter 1: How it began

I stared at the small long stick in my hand. Its smooth white handle was wrapped under my tight grip. At the end, a pink line appeared, prominently, across it. My mind raced and I felt a strange sensation swoop low in my stomach. Panic. I couldn't believe what this stick, test or whatever other name it had, was telling me.

Pregnancy was not just uncommon, it wasn't allowed. 40 years ago, children were being born with deficiencies. And not just a few, it was all of them. Scientists raced to find a cure before there generation was wiped out and left with humans who could barely move, or even think. Their solution was to chemically design each embryo so there was no risk of any malfunctions.

Every girl over the age of 12 was given a small pink pill at the start of each month, not taking it was illegal. And for a while everything was perfect. Parents could never be disappointed by their flawless, faultless children. Dads could choose to make their son the best pitcher; Mothers could choose their daughters to be delicate and polite. But behind that perfect world were families like mine. My Mother was the sweetest women I had ever known. Never yelled or got angry and couldn't swear to save her life. It's not a surprise that when one day, when she saw a young girl panicking because she had lost her pill, that my kind, selfless mother had given her hers. Unfortunately, later that month she became pregnant with me.

I don't know exactly where my Mother went to hide while she was pregnant, or where I was even born. She refused to talk about it; all I know is that if she had stayed in the city, I would have been forcefully aborted. Every day she would tell me I was a miracle. My only deficiency being a small heart shaped birthmark on the nape of my neck, nothing that would keep me from having a sufficiently normal life. Or so I thought.

My Mother was suddenly taken from me when I was 10. My memories from that day come back in blurs. It was in the middle of the summer and the sun was scorching down on us. I remember the beads of sweat on my forehead and the smell of sun cream in the air as I played with one of my best friends Annabel. We were playing catch in my yard as our Mothers watched fondly in the shade, sipping their drinks and discussing when school would start back again. My long chocolate brown hair felt hot around my face, my Mother had ever let me tie it back, I now know it was because no one knew I was natural, but back then I was innocent and unaware of any dangers.

I remember taking a quick glance at my mother and seeing she was still deep in conversation with Annabel's mum. I hurriedly pulled my hair up into a bun using an elasticated bracelet I had on. As soon as I had done so I felt Annabel tap me on my shoulder and yell "CAUGHT! You're it!" in my ear. I jumped grinning and turned to face her, but our Mothers had heard her yell and turned to look at us. I was too busy to notice my Mothers face paling and Annabel's mothers shock as she registered the birthmark on my neck.

"Annabel we have to go" I heard her say in a strained voice. "But muuuum I was winning!" Annabel moaned. Her Mother ignored her and, pushing past me, grabbed her daughters hand and led her back to their car, without a word of goodbye.

I frowned at her odd behaviour and looked at my mum for an explanation. But she was as white as snow and was walking back and forth. I think she yelled at me a bit and took down my hair again. Like I said, it's all a bit of a blur.

Anyway later that night my mums sister Aunt Julie came by. I was watching TV in the other room but I could hear them talking. I think my Mother started crying, I remember feeling guilty because I thought she was upset that I disobeyed her. I started to get up, to see if apologizing again might help, but as I reached the hallway the front door suddenly flew open and standing there were strange men in lab coats. I knew from the stories at school that they were the scientists. I stood there frozen and watched my Mother and Aunt run out to see them. I watched two of them grab my Mother and others run to hold my aunt and I back. I screamed and screamed, struggling to get past, to get to my Mother. One of them started to lead me towards her, and I suddenly had hope. But then it changed and I realised they weren't bringing me to my Mother; they were bringing me with them as well.

I heard my aunt scream, the only time I'd ever seen her not pristine and calm, "She's only a child, a child, leave her be!" I felt strong hands push me back down the hall to my Aunt. She hung on to me fiercely. The others let go of her and followed the rest out the door. I heard my Mother quietly sobbing outside as they pushed her into the back of their van. I knew it was too late. I would never see her again.

I realised tears had formed in my eyes as I thought back to that night. I blinked and looked back down at what I was holding. Suddenly frustrated I threw it at the grimy, mouldy wall next to me and screamed at it. I let the tears fall and sobs racked through me. After a minute or so I realised that I wasn't alone. I turned and saw our neighbour, Mrs Kallin and her two young children looking down at me. Mrs Kallin looked as tired as I felt, I wasn't surprised, considering she lived in the floor above me and her children seemed to be constantly crying about something. Embarrassed at the state they found me in I quickly stood up and walked past them. There was only one bathroom in this place and everyone had to share.

I shivered as my bare feet slapped against the cold concrete steps as I made my way back down to find Max. I hadn't realised how late it was, the moonlight shone in through a small window as I pulled out my key and unlocked the door into our small two room apartment.

I found Max sitting on his mattress on the floor playing with his cars. He grinned toothily up at me when I walked in. "Hey Flora, you were gone for aaagges." He said, still smiling. I rolled my eyes, "Okay okay, sorry. Now what's for dinner huh?" He shrugged and went back to his cars. I smiled. He had only been one when I moved in with him and his parents, Aunt Julie and Uncle James. And he'd only been 4 when they were killed by a truck. At age 13 I was left with no money, no parents and a hungry 4 year old.

I sighed and went over to our cupboard. It creaked as I opened it to find half a bag of pasta staring at me. I smiled with relief; I was expecting to find nothing. A common occurrence nowadays.

I thought about how I would tell Sam about what was happening as I boiled our small, plain dinner.

Sam had been my best friend since my Mother had been taken. When I got back to school after that summer, Annabel and all my other friends started to snub me. That was the first time I realized being a Natural was something to be ashamed off. I would sit in the corner alone every lunch until one day Sam made his way over, broke his cereal bar in two, and sat next to me. We had been inseparable after that.

Sam would often help with Max after Julie and James died. It was in his nature to be selfless and giving. Just like his parents had chosen. I hadn't seen him in a while; he'd been busy with school exams and soccer practise. I missed being busy with those types of things. I dropped out of school when I was 13 to support myself and Max with whatever jobs I could find. There generally weren't enough, but I used to pray every night I wouldn't end up like the girls on our street, selling their bodies for petty cash. I stopped praying about a month ago.

Instinctively I clutched my stomach and I tried not to think about that one desperate night I had a few weeks back. Arella! I thought. She would know what to do.

After calming myself with the thought that Arella could surely help me fix this, I threw a knob of butter onto our pasta and called Max over. His eyes lit up at the sight of the food. And I found myself hoping they would always stay like that.

The next morning I awoke to the sounds of screams. I shot up. "Max?" I yelled anxiously. "Mmmphh" he replied sleepily, and I looked down at him lying next to me. I sighed with relief.

"GIVE IT BACK ITS MINE!"

"MUUUUUMM!"

I groaned as I heard the shrieks from the Kallins kids above us. I looked at the old clock on the wall across the small room and shoved Max awake. "Come on sleepy, you've got school". He groaned and pulled himself off of the mattress. "You get dressed and ready, I'm just going to use the bathroom" I told him. He nodded back, still half asleep.

I opened our door quietly so as not to wake our elderly neighbour, Mrs Meyer. But judging from the sounds from upstairs, I would be surprised if she wasn't already up. I shivered as the cold air hit me and ran up the concrete steps. When I reached the bathroom the door was already open and I could see the test lying on the far side. I closed my eyes. Arella, I thought. Arella will help.

I quickly washed my face in the small sink and checked my hair in the grimy mirror. I frowned; I must have had a restless night judging from the knots tangled up in a bunch on top of my head. I attempted to comb my long way brown hair with my fingers, but soon gave up and left it.

When I got back down to Max he was already having his breakfast, leftover pasta. "Hurry up, I don't wanna be late" he warned, and I just rolled my eyes. I grabbed an old pair of black leggings and threw an old grey jersey over them. I grabbed a handful of Max's pasta and pushed him and his bag out the door.

As we walked towards the city I thanked the stars that Max had school to go to. I couldn't imagine having to leave him alone in that apartment all day. But I couldn't imagine bringing him with me either. I wasn't ready to see his innocence leave him just yet.

As we reached his school gates I was again reminded of a prison. It was a tall grey building that seemed to loom over the ones nearby. It was surrounded by barbed wire and all the grass on the inside looked dead. I kissed Max on the forehead. "Go on then, have err… fun" I said pathetically. I saw a glimmer of a frown, and then he was gone. I looked up to see Mothers dropping their children off. They looked at me like I was a gone off carton of milk they had found in their fridge. I ignored them and continued to walk past the school and into the city centre.

3: Chapter 2: The Centre

~~Finding the Centre wasn't hard. I had been a few times before with my Mother, and once with Aunt Julie. It was a huge peachy coloured building that looked unappetizing and unwelcoming. I walked up the long entrance path and pushed open the wide glass doors and braced myself for what I was about to witness.

The reception area was so white and shiny that at first it blinded my eyes. The sun seemed to bounce off everything. Including the chirpy receptionist who chatting away eagerly on the phone. I walked over to her round desk and waited until she was finished speaking.

"No problem, I let him know you called…Okay…thanks, have a great day!"

She put down the phone and looked up at me. "What can I do for you Miss?" "I'm here for Clark" I stated.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No"

"Well it might be a while" she told me, gesturing towards the leather couches across the room. "Just tell her it's Flora Delacey" I told her impatiently. Arella was an old friend of my Mothers; I never had to have an appointment to see her. The receptionist frowned, her happy persona now gone, but I watched as she picked the phone back up and ring who I assumed was Arella.

"You can go in" she said, pointing towards the wide double doors next to her, without bothering to look back up at me. I grimaced. This is the part I hated the most.

You see the Centre is not just a medical Centre. It's a natural prison. Or as they call it, a mental institute. When you walk down the long hallway towards the doctors' offices, you can hear the screams. The worst are the children, screaming for their Mothers, but what I hate is when I hear a women's. I don't know for sure, and I don't think I ever will, but Aunt Lacey told me it's more than likely this is where my Mother was taken.

I'm sure others find it scary too, but as I walk down the hallway I start shaking with fear, anger and another emotion which seems to be a mix between the two. Pity maybe? Self-consciously I fix my hair so my birthmark is well hidden. A voice in the back of my mind reminds me that one false move and I could be behind those walls screaming too. The only reason I got away the first time is because my Aunt and Uncle were high up in the government, so they had some power. But with them gone, I have to be careful. If not for my sake, then for Max's.

I finally reach a door that reads Dr Clark and knock. Arella opens it immediately and pulls me in for a hug. "Flora! So good to see you!" I smiled back at her weakly, still shaken. She notices but doesn't say anything. She heads over to the corner of her office and starts to make a pot of tea.

"So how are and you and Max keeping?" she asks. "Were…fine" I reply, not meeting her eyes. I can sense she's about to ask more questions so I quickly say,

"Arella this isn't just a social visit. I, I need to tell you something"

It works; she forgets her questions and frowns worryingly. "Flora, what's wrong?"

"I think I'm pregnant" I whisper, as if afraid someone else might hear.

I watched her face as she registered my words. She sighed and sat down at a small table and gestured for me to join her. I did and she slowly poured me a cup of tea. I sipped at it delicately while she stirred her spoon around in her cup, gazing beyond me at the wall.

Eventually she stood up. "Flora sit in that chair for a moment" she said, and I looked at the chair, almost like a dentists, that she was talking about. "Why?" I questioned. "I need to run a few tests, to see if what you think is true."

She took some blood and urine samples and then left the room. "I'll be back in a few minutes" she told me, "I just have to check these"

I nodded. I half wished that technology wasn't fast enough to get results that quickly. It would have been nice to have a few more days without knowing for sure.

Arella looked at me sadly. "Please, please tell me what to do" I begged her desperately. She just shook her head, as if in denial of what the test results in her hand said.

After a few minutes of silence I decided to try again. "Arella please, I need your help, I have no one else to go to".

Arella smiled and her eyes watered. She finally looked at me. "That's what your Mother said when she was pregnant with you".

"Oh" I replied uncomfortably. Why was she telling me this? She was a doctor; I needed her now, and not just as a friend. She set down her mug and leant forward so she was eye level with me. "Flora, there's nothing I can do. You need to leave. As soon as possible. Take Max with you"

I was dumbfounded. "Arella I have nowhere to go! I have no money, no means of transport, no food to take with us. We have nothing right now!"

"Flora if you stay they will abort your child and you'll end up in here and Max will end up in an orphanage." She told me calmly. How could she be calm? I didn't know what to do, I came here for help and all she could give me was that I had to leave?

I stood up, setting down my tea. I felt my nose sting and tears form in my eyes. "Arella I can't do this. I'm not strong enough, I'm too scared! I need you to help me!"

"Flora listen to me. Just wait and I can give you an address. I man I know lives in the country, he can help" she told me desperately. She didn't understand. I didn't want to leave, I didn't want this. I felt a tear fall and wiped it away quickly. I turned and ran out the door, running fast down the hallway, hoping I wouldn't hear the screams. I pushed through the wide doors and ignored the receptionist as she happily called after me, "Have a nice day!"

When I stopped running I looked to see where I was. I had managed to get far enough away that I couldn't see the ugly peach building anymore. I breathed deeply and calmed myself. Sam, I thought. He always knows what to do.

4: Chapter 3: Sam

~~My hands were clammy as they picked up the gold brass knocker and let it fall; I jumped at the loud bang it made. I looked around at the houses nearby. It was one of those perfect happy families' suburbs. I could almost see my old house from where I was standing at Sam's front door.

"Flora?" I turned my gaze back to the door to find Sam grinning down at me. He had grown considerably since I last saw him, but his gold hair still flopped into his blue eyes like always. "Um, hey" I said, not able to contain my smile. He pulled me in for a hug and then reached over and grabbed my hand, leading me inside. "Where have you been?" he asked. I shrugged, "Oh you know, odd jobs, looking after Max. I didn't have time for anything else"

Sam grabbed his jacket. "Come on, let's go for a walk, it's a beautiful day". He walked out the door, with me in tow. "Is it?" I asked, I had been to busy to notice the weather. But sure enough when I stepped back outside I felt the sun warming up my bare skin. Sam always seemed to make everything shine.

As we walked he told me what he'd been up to. He told funny stories that made my stomach hurt from laughing, and for a while I forgot my worries. We reached the park and Sam dragged me over to the swings. Laughing I let him push me for a while. I closed my eyes and focused on the warm sun and the push of his hands against my back. . I'd forgotten how much fun Sam was.

Eventually though, Sam noticed there was something wrong. We had made our way over to a bench nearby and I was leaning against his shoulder when he asked. "What is it you want to tell me?" I half smiled. "You always seem to see right through me" He shrugged, "It's only because I know you so well"

I looked up at him, and took a deep breath. "Sam, I…" I stopped, I knew once I told him our fun day would come to end. I didn't want to just yet. "You're what? What is it Flora please tell me" he pleaded, looking right into my eyes, he seemed to know something was really wrong. "I'm pregnant" I said, for the second time today.

At first Sam didn't seem to react. His face just stayed blank, unable to comprehend my words. "But…how? When?" he demanded, then he went pale, "…who?"

I blanched at that last question, and instead of answering I looked away, focusing on a bird nearby. It swooped down low and stopped on a branch next to the bench we were occupying. It too seemed to look at me questioningly. Suddenly Sam grabbed my hand, "What about the Scientists?" he suddenly said anxiously. I shuddered.

The Scientists were the people who first discovered a cure for our kind. They were deemed heroes at first, but over the years they had turned malicious and cruel. Over throwing our government and running their own version. Creating horrifying consequences for any and all naturals. At the start we were just pushed out of society, segregated. But as time went on, we were locked away all together.

They were maliciously cruel towards us, acting like we were even human beings. I knew if they found out about me, what Arella said would become truth.

Sam hugged me tightly, "Have you been to see Arella yet?" I shifted uncomfortably, "She wasn't much help" I sighed, "She told me I would have to leave, and take Max with me, but I have no money, food, or a place to stay."

"I'll help" Sam said immediately. I looked at him, staring into his deep blue eyes. I knew that if I accepted his money that I would more than likely be safe, but I would also feel guilty, embarrassed and terrible for dragging him down with me. I put a hand on his cheek. "Sam I can't accept your money". He started to protest but I shushed him. "I know you have more than enough, but if I'm discovered they'll realise you helped me, I couldn't do that to you."

He put his hand over mine, keeping it on his cheek. "You have no other options Flora". I knew he was right, but this was all too much. "I, I just need to think about it all still". He wrapped his arms around me. "At least let me help mind you and Max tonight". I nodded; I would feel a lot better with him around.

I went to get up and he hurriedly rushed to help me. I rolled my eyes, "I'm only a month pregnant idiot" but I smiled so he would know I appreciated his concern. He just laughed and we walked back out of the park, to go get Max. On the way Sam took my hand in his, like it was the most natural thing in the world. We were just friends though, and a tiny voice in the back of my mind hoped he knew that too.

What? No Sam it's fine, really" "Flora come on, it's just some food and water, please just let me pay" his blue eyes pleaded. I sighed and relented. I knew I probably couldn't pay for it anyway. He continued to fill up the carrier bag, slipping in small things like toothpaste or shampoo when he thought I wasn't looking.

Max ran up after us clutching a packet of biscuits and threw them into the bag as well. "I'm glad you're staying with us tonight Sam, you haven't been around in months!" Max said cheerily. Sam grinned down at him, "I know, god, blame Flora for that" he said, nudging me.

I smiled to myself. Everything seemed so much simpler with him, and Max simply adored having another guy around. I wished he never had to leave. He had rung his parents earlier to tell them he was staying at a friend's. This was technically true, though I'm sure if they knew what friend they wouldn't be so pleased.

I leaned on Sam's shoulder as he paid, exhausted from my long day. The shop assistant smiled at us, until my hair swung behind my back, leaving my birthmark on full view. The assistants smile turned into a frown.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, feeling confused.

"I'm afraid you have to leave" she said abruptly, a hint of panic in her voice.

"What? Why?" Sam asked confused. I suddenly caught on. Embarrassed I leaned away from Sam and fixed my hair.

"Come on Sam" I mumbled, attempting to shove him towards the exit.

"No" he said stubbornly.

"I'm calling them!" she said, fumbling for the phone next to her.

"No please, I'm registered" I explained to her. She looked unsure so I hurriedly pulled out my clearance card. It was a small credit card shaped piece of plastic that showed I had been deemed 'safe' by the scientists.

She gave it a quick look and then put down the phone.

"Come on Sam, there are other shops nearby "I said, looking down at the floor. A sweep of embarrassment flooded through me, this had never happened in front of him before.

Max stood next to me silently. He had witnessed enough of these events to know talking wouldn't help.

"Fine" he said angrily, throwing down our bag full of food and grabbing my hand. He pulled Max and me out of the shop roughly.

"Ow, Sam calm down" I said, attempting to loosen his grip.

"How can you just put up with this Flora?" he demanded, letting go of me once we had walked far enough away. Max looked up at us worryingly, I knew he didn't like arguments.

"Because I'm used to it!" I told Sam, frustrated, "People are always like this towards me once they realise what I am, you should know, you've seen it happen before!"

"Yeah at school, which were just stupid pre-teen girls. Not stuff like this!"

"It's just the way our society is, you need to realise that. Not everyone is as accepting of me as you are"

He sighed, "I know, I just don't realise why".

"Neither do I"

He hugged me and then looked over at Max. "Sorry for that Max"

Max shrugged and tugged on both our hands. "Let's just go find somewhere else, I'm hungry."

We both laughed and obliging let him drag us to the next shop. This time I stayed behind Sam, self-consciously checking my hair every few minutes until we had left.

5: Chapter 4: We Run

~~"No no no no no!" Sam exclaimed, looking aghast, "You put the milk in with the eggs!" I laughed.

"Does it matter? It's only pancakes"

He looked at me seriously, "Only pancakes? Max did you hear her?"

Max shook his head solemnly, "Oh Flora"

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, I'll do it your way".

When we had got home Max had begged us to make pancakes for dinner. I had tried to entice him into eating something simpler, but he had insisted. To my surprise Sam was apparently a talented cook.

"I never knew you liked cooking so much" I teased him. He shrugged and smiled. "It's what I do, when I'm not out training"

I nodded, I thought about my pastimes and realised I didn't have any. Before I had been orphaned I played piano, but I hadn't touched one in years. Every so often my fingers would ache to play and hear the soft melodic sound.

"Watch it! It's burning!" Sam's' voice brought me out of my trance.

"Crap!"

I quickly flipped the dark brown pancake off the pan and onto a plate. I inspected it closely. "I guess this will be mine one so"

"It better be, I want Sam to cook mine" Max said.

"I can cook just fine!" I said defiantly.

But I relentlessly let Sam take over. I watched as he expertly flipped each golden pancake to perfection. Every so often he would reach up to wipe his equally golden hair out of his face. I looked at him closely and realized he was actually quite good looking. I had never taken much notice when the other girls at school would gaze at him mesmerized. I had always laughed it off, he was just Sam. I didn't see his deep ocean blue eyes, or his strong physique. He had always been just...Sam. The few girls who had pitied me when Annabel had first began her taunts soon turned bitter when I became the only girl he would hang around. I think it may have been because I was the only one who didn't drool at his feet.

I felt something nudge my hand and looked down to see a small pile of pancakes drenched in syrup in front of me. "I thought I would have the burnt one" I said frowning. Sam rolled his eyes as he and Max joined me at the table. "Of course not, I made you new ones" he smiled up at me and I felt a strange sensation in my stomach. I assumed it was something to do with my being pregnant, so why did I feel heat rush to my cheeks? "Besides, you have another mouth to feed" he added, his mouth full of food.

Max looked at me confused. "What does he mean Flora?"

I grimaced. After everything, I had forgotten Max didn't know about my situation. Sam looked up from his plate and noticed my expression. "Crap, sorry" he said, looking worried.

I shook my head and smiled weakly at him. "Max, he um, he ah means that I'm-"

I was suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door. I felt relief sweep through me and felt grateful to whoever had paused our conversation. Then I felt worry, no one ever called here.

I got up from the table and opened the door to find a dishevelled and completely panicked woman in front of me. It took a second before I could recognize her. "Arella?" I gasped, "What's wrong? Are you okay? Come in and sit down".

I had never seen her in such a state, her blonde hair was swept around her face in tangles, her glasses askew and I could see beads of sweat on her forehead. She shook her head and grabbed my arm tightly. I felt her fingers wrap around my wrist and squeeze, "Flora they know. They know and they're coming, they're coming now! You have to go, quickly, run Flora!"

I felt the blood rush to my head and they room seemed to spin. No! I growled at myself, gritting my teeth, you cannot faint now!

Sam must have heard Arella because he was beside me in an instant, holding me up. I vaguely heard him and Arella talking, Sam set me down and I saw him rush and grab random things. I was too busy trying not to pass out. "Flora, Flora look at me!" Arella's voice steadied me. I felt her hand wrap around mine as she pushed a crumpled piece of paper into it. "This is the address of George Rames, he'll help you".

"What's going on?" I heard Max's fearful voice; his face was screwed up with worry. I ran to him, nearly tripping on my short journey across our apartment. "Max, I need you to pack your schoolbag with all the things you can't live without. And be quick okay?" He nodded, I could see he was confused, but knew none of his questions could be answered until later.

"Flora I have to go, if they find out I was here-"I nodded at her, "Go". "She pulled me in for one last hug before she took off back out the way she came. I turned and saw Sam throwing the bottles of water and cereal bars he had brought with him back in his bag. I took it from him. "You should go to Sam, if they see you here-"I stopped talking when his face met mine, it was full of anger and determination. "I am going with you whether you like it or not, you need someone to look after you"

I frowned, I didn't like feeling weak, but I knew now was not the time to argue. I quickly helped him pack anymore food or necessities into the large carrier bag and then went to find Max.

I grabbed his hand and was just about to tell Sam we should go, when I heard it. First I heard the slam of what could only be a van door. I stiffened and glanced out the window. Sure enough there they were. Lab coats and all. I looked at Sam and saw he had seen them too. We were all frozen, too petrified to move.

Knock Knock

The simple noise nearly stopped my heart.

"What do we do" whispered Max. I looked at him, and then at Sam.

"We run"