Curiosity Killed the Cat

The Plan

"Young lady, you should be heading home. It's almost curfew," a man says.

"Err... yes sir," I reply, offering an innocent smile before quickly walking home. I need to keep track of time better. Everyone knows to never stay after curfew. The law has only been violated twice before, and all I know is those two people were never seen again.

I hurry home, finding my mother, father, and little brother all in the kitchen. My mom cooks dinner while the other two chat.

I know Mom would like to have more children, but the law also says the limit is two. She rarely talks about her desires, since that might be seen as greedy. It sounds hard to keep up with all these rules (believe me, it is), but my mom seems to be the perfect role model for it. It's easy for her, something I envy. I wish I was content with this life. But my longing for freedom is much too strong, and I'll do anything to get to it.

"Okay, you know the rule kids. Everyone can share or ask one thing at the dinner table," Dad says, placing our bowls of vegetable soup and glasses of water neatly on the table.

Thomas, my younger brother, clears his throat announcing that he's eager to go first. Mom nods to him, signaling that he may.

"Okay, here it goes! Today, my friend Jimmy and I found a strange bird on a roof. I heard that sometimes birds on the outside fly here. We were really excited, but authorities took it away," he explains.

"And how did that make you feel?" My mother asks.

"Well, it made me feel kind of sad. I've never seen anything like it before, and they shooed us off before we could get a good look."

"They're just trying to keep us safe. Besides, you shouldn't make any commotion unless necessary. Remember that next time," replies my father.

Anger bubbles up inside me. I keep quiet, waiting for their heads to turn to me. I usually skip my turn, so it surprises them we I begin to talk.

"I have a question," I announce.

Mom smiles. "Go ahead, dear."

"What's beyond the wall?"

There's a long silence. Dad nearly chokes on his drink, while Thomas and Mom stare at me with their mouths hung open.

Oh no... Here it comes, I think regretfully. It's not my fault. I couldn't keep the question in any longer.

"Why on Earth would you want to know that?! All you need to know is that those walls are built for a reason," snaps Mom.

I stay silent for the rest of the meal. Yes, she's right. Those walls are built there for a reason, but not for the one everyone thinks. A plan starts to form in my head.
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It seemed like a great one at the time, but now I see that it was incredibly stupid and dangerous. But I always seem to have a knack for getting into trouble, don't I?