The Untouchables

Chapter One: Lynn

I have the same schedule every weekday.

Wake up and make the bed.

Shower and get ready for the day.

Portion food for the family.

Go to the docks for check-in.

Work.

Eating my government issued lunch consisting of a sandwich and a box of milk.

Work until four-o-clock.

Pick up my little brother, Jayden, from school and go home.

Wash up.

Have dinner.

Go to bed.

I follow that schedule every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

We are given a month's allotment of food corresponding to how big our family is, along with our work quota, and I put myself in charge of portioning out our food for the month. Since it's only my Mother, my little brother Jayden, and I, we don't get very much, but it's enough to get by.

Barely.

It's mandatory to attend school from the age of four to the age of ten. Our teachers tell us that you'll learn everything you need to know to live a successful life in the Sector, as well as to work and provide for the Monarch.

But everyone above the age of ten, has to work, wherever that may be within the Sector. When we go to work in the morning, we stand in a long line in front of four booths. When we get to the front, we put our left pointer finger into the machine, and it uses a tiny lance to prick our fingers. It takes the drop of blood it drew, and puts it into the machine behind it. In that machine, it identifies you, and assigns you to where you are going to work for the day. I'm usually assigned to either the Docks to catch fish, or to the Schoolhouse, to assist the students and teachers.

Personally, that one's my favorite.

But on the weekends, no one has to work, or attend school.

On the weekends, we hold all of our events, have family time, make appointments, or plan activities.

And today, I was awoken to a pleasant surprise.

~~~

"Lynn! Lynn! Lynn!" My little brother, Jayden shouted as he jumped on our bed. ¨Wake up! Wake up!¨

I rubbed my eyes. "Jayden, what do you want?" I said, still groggy with sleep.

¨Today's the Summer Festival!" he continued to shriek. "Get up! Get up!"

"Fine. Just leave me alone to get ready." I told him.

Honestly, we're only a little over four years apart, but sometimes it can feel like more.

I pulled on my short, wavy blue dress, brown boots, and brushed through my hair. I even chose a little blue butterfly barrette to put in my hair.

After I finished getting ready, I walked downstairs, and started to make breakfast. Jayden was already sitting at the table, playing with the little action figures I had gotten him for his birthday a few weeks prior, when my Mother walked into the kitchen.

"Aw, honey. You look so nice in that dress." She tells me. I continue stirring the porridge I was making, trying to ignore her.

"Thanks." I say back to her, not taking my eyes off the pot. I flinched as she reached over and touched the bottom of my hair. She quickly retracted her hand, but soon continued to touch my hair, and looked at it longingly.