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

But I couldn’t risk involving Kyer, not yet. I wanted to get a look at what lay on the other side myself, first. Then I could see if there were screens out there, or radioactive sand, or Officers waiting to drag us in for punishment. I wanted to see for myself, alone, and if it were safe, then I’d bring Kyer with me.


The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to get out. As the day wore on, I could think of nothing else. By the time class ended, I had a plan.


When Teacher Mendra released us for the day, I stood and stretched. My console was on my desk, and I hoped I looked casual picking it up. Then I pretended to be interested in something Brin said to Lyra and turned, carelessly placing my console on my seat.


On the other side of the girls, Kyer caught my eye. I left the console where I had set it and skirted the two desks separating us. “Hey,” I said, keeping my voice low.


Chapter 52