𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐒

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐

Elias
——————

"What do you mean you failed?" My sister, Gianna, asked me in disbelief.

"I dunno. That's what the people in the white suits said after I took the test." I shrugged while stuffing more cereal into my mouth.

"Eli. We're all we got left. After mom and dad got killed, it became my duty to watch over you and make sure you're ok."

I swirled my spoon around in my bowl, watching the cereal float around.

"Well I'm sorry I couldn't be a Healer like their perfect little princess." I chuckled to myself.

"It's not funny."

"Kinda is. Who would've thought the same girl who grew up scared of others when they became sick or didn't feel well would become a Healer herself."

"People change."

"Yea, yea. Besides, I personally think the whole test is dumb as hell. I mean what is a test to tell me who I am and how successful I'll be? Nah, bump that." I took another bite of my cereal.

"If I didn't have to take it I wouldn't. That's just that."

"You're so stubborn. You don't understand."

"Nah, I think I do. Everyone is trying to be someone they're not to achieve fame and success in this world. I want no parts." I stood up and dumped the rest of my milk and cereal in the sink and turned the garbage disposal on.

"I'm gonna go take a walk."

I walked past Gianna and out the front door.

As I stepped outside, I looked up into the sky. I live in modern day Los Angeles. It almost looks even faker than it did years ago.

"Ayo, Eli!" A voice from behind me shouted.

I turned around and saw my good friend, Diego.

"How'd it go man?" He asked out of breath from trying to catch up with me.

"It's over. That's all that matters." I kicked a rock with my checkered Vans.

"Something's off with you."

"Seems like you got Reader." I looked at him and smiled.

"I've always been like this, but yea, something like that." He shrugged and smiled back. "But for real, you're acting more of a jerk than usual."

I looked up at the sky again as I watched an airplane fly by.

"You ever wonder what it would be like if the test was never a thing? If life was... normal?"

Diego looked up into the sky with me. "Sometimes. I think it just helps keep things organized. Everyone can feel important."

"What about the people that fail the test? What happens to them?"

"I've never heard much about people that fail it. Or it was always pretty frowned upon in school and growing up."

I looked back down at the ground and kicked another pebble.

"Exactly. Everyone can't be important then."

"Look man, whatever happened in that room is between you and yourself. Just know I'll always be here."

"I appreciate that man." I dapped him up and put my hands back into my pockets.

"Your family proud of you?" I asked.

"Yea, we've been Readers for centuries! It's an honor for me to be carrying on the tradition."

"That's wassup."

"Of course there's always those outliers in every family. Those that are just different. I bet there are some in my family. You?"

"I've always been different. I never cared about the test. I think it's bullshit."

Diego laughed. "You're always so serious, loosen up bra." He put his hand on my shoulder.

"You expect me to loosen up when all I have left is my sister? There's nothing worth laughing about or celebrating."

"Damn man." He frowned and took his hand off my shoulder.

"I just wanted to catch up with you. Keep your head up man." He patted my back and walked back down the street to his house.

I looked across the street and saw a family outside with their daughter taking pictures. Today is basically equivalent to what a high school or college graduation was back in the day.

Education doesn't seem to matter nowadays, it's more about who you are as a person.

I reached in my pocket and found a blunt I rolled up the other day.

I tried to stop smoking multiple times and I told Gianna I would, but today calls for an exception.

I walked over to my hideaway, which is really just a secluded area with benches and a few palm trees.

I pulled out my blunt and lighter and sat down.

"Damn. A failure huh?" I laughed to myself and lit my blunt. "Didn't see that one coming."

I took a few hits of my blunt and immediately began appreciating the nature around me.

"That damn rabbit." I chuckled. "Wouldn't have lasted if it weren't for me saving its ass."

I took a few more hits and put out the blunt on the table.

So now it's back to the regularly scheduled program. I was a nobody before the test and looks like I'll be a nobody afterwards.

I stood up and started the trek back to my house.

Since no one really praises education anymore, I could go get a degree. Maybe I can see if my old summer job will hire me again.

Gianna thinks she's all that. She's the unproblematic child. Always has been. I've always been the one to give our parents a run for their money.

I know they're looking down at me, disappointed.

I got back to the house and opened the door to find Gianna sitting down at the table with a woman that almost looked identical to my mom.

"Um... is this Child Protective Services or something? I'm nineteen."

"No, this is Aunt Cora, mom's sister."

I didn't even know my mom still had living siblings.

"Come sit." She demanded, but in a calm tone.

I locked the door behind me and walked over to the table and sat down.

"Eli... tell me what you saw when you took the test."