Sixteen year old Aine lives in the Colony, and his whole life was decided before he was born. In two years he will marry the girl next door, Brin, who was assigned as his Other at birth. Then he will be given a position in the Colony's workforce that best suits his talents. Each night he takes four pills, like everyone else in the Colony, and he knows the pills keep them safe and their world in order. Everything is fine. Perfect, in fact. Until Aine accidentally drops one of his pills. Terrified, he tries to hide the mistake, but when he dreams for the first time in his life, he discovers all he's been missing. What scares him more than not taking the pill, though, is how alive his dreams make him feel. Because it isn't Brin he dreams of but his best friend Kyer. Another boy. Suddenly Aine's world turns upside down, and he doesn't know what to think or who to trust. All he knows for sure is he's falling in love with Kyer, which is forbidden by the Colony's Code, and he will do anything to protect their budding relationship. Even if it means defying the Overseer and leaving the Colony behind.

The Colony Book 1: Rebellion

Our Teacher led us through the lobby and back outside to await the next monorail. As we exited the main glass doors, tiny beeps overhead assured us our tags were being scanned. Kyer and Lyra went ahead of us, and I held the door for Brin. But when I stepped out, the little beep made a different sound, a deeper sound, almost a bongof warning. Above the doorframe, a red light began to blink.


I stopped in the doorway. Outside, Brin joined our friends. “Aine?” she asked, looking back


“A-4602?” someone called from across the lobby.


I stepped inside and let the door shut. My heart seemed to stop in my chest. “Yes, that’s me.”


The woman came around from behind a white reception desk that blended into its surroundings. She checked a hand-held console as she crossed to where I stood. “It’s from the Health Center,” she told me. “A reminder not to forget to stop by today for a check-up.”


I drew a shaky breath, relieved. “Yes, I know. I’m headed there now.”


Chapter 14