Last Chance Read Online Free PDF

her real son. April never saw the distinction and loved both of her sons as if she had given birth to them. It wasn’t a family of 1984, but it was their family.
    “I told you that you could read some more about the mid-1900s next week. You need to finish up the books on the 1990s first,” continued April.
    A knock was heard at the door. Two quick knocks, a slight pause, and then another quick knock. April and Matthew made their way to the door and opened it to see one of the complex’s servers with his dinner cart in tow.
    “Those boys hungry tonight?” asked the server.
    “Oh, I’m sure they’ll clean their plates,” replied April. “Will you be coming back around for seconds?”
    The server looked at the checklist he always carried and told April that he doubted it. The complex had been running low on everything the last few weeks. He apologized and went about his route.
    Each complex had a number of breakfast and dinner servers that brought around the designated plates to each apartment. The residents ate the prepared meal, based on a predetermined schedule, cleared their plates, and placed them outside their doors for pickup.
    This particular meal consisted of a piece of baked ham, processed green beans, cheese pasta, a hard-shelled roll, and to top it off, an energy drink. The energy drink was a combination of flavored water and sweetener. Citizens either ate what was brought or they were stuck eating the limited rations in the apartment kitchen.
    There were few options for citizens to buy their own food in Sector 37. Most kitchens had a small stock of drinks, bottled water, and juice. You could find some breakfast bars and snack items, mostly high-protein supplements and chewable tablets. The council did not believe in the distribution of fresh fruit or vegetables beyond those served in the daily meals. A public health issue was how they justified it.
    “Sub-meal 16 again,” complained Connor. “I hate ham and beans.”
    “It’s better than that casserole stuff we had last night,” replied Matthew.
    “True, but I really wanted some zesty chicken or pizza tonight.”
    April interrupted. “Sorry boys, pizza and chicken aren’t on the menu for another couple of weeks.”
    The three continued to eat their dinners and discussed the day’s events. April told the boys about her day at work and how one of her coworkers had accidently come back from break three minutes late. Luckily, it was his first offense, so he only got a summons to appear before the district council.
    “He got lucky. They could have sent him to one of those camps,” said April. “What happened at school today?”
    Before the entire question could get out of her mouth, Matthew responded, “Connor was sent to the principal’s office for talking back to Ms. Beatle.”
    Connor grunted, “Thanks.”
    April frowned and bit back at Connor. “Please tell me you did exactly what the principal told you to do.”
    Connor, head dipped and still grunting, responded, “Yes, I always do exactly what I’m told to do by Principal Abbott, just like you told me. He didn’t even try to use his pendant; he just gave me a lecture about not talking back to authority and made me polish his Educator of the Year award.”
    “You have to be more careful. If anyone ever finds out that you two are immune to the controllers, we will all be in big trouble. Next thing you’re gonna tell me is you’ve been spouting off about the books I’ve been letting you read.”
    A wry smile came back to Connor’s face as he glanced at Matthew. Matthew knew what was about to come and proceeded to tell April of his own mistake. He explained that he had mentioned to a couple of the guys in class that he had some old history books hidden at the apartment.
    April raised her hands to her forehead and rested it on the table. She didn’t say anything for a moment. “They didn’t even believe him. They thought he was making things up to impress some chicks,” said