ESCAPE

Leave it to the gov.

Alexis's Diary. Month:November. Day:12,Thursday. Year:2408
Year Sixteen.
The scariest year of your life. At year sixteen we get our bond devices. You can pick which way you would like to have it. A ring, a bracelet, or a necklace. All of the sixteens will get one tomorrow, so I have to choose. I just don't know. Why do they give us these this young? I don't think I'm ready. The government does. Why do they get to pick for us? Why can't we decide for ourselves? Dad tells me I shouldn't think like this. But I have to tell someone. That's why I keep you. If anyone ever found you, I would probably be in big trouble for keeping a secret. We aren't allowed to keep anything to ourselves. Everyone is supposed to know everything about you. But I don't like that.
Well I suppose I would and need to start from the beginning for you to know everything. You see, in the year 2022, the world fell into chaos as WWIII began. Our society, because it was frowned upon in most places, was isolated. Our people had the right idea although the world couldn't see it. We created a safe haven for our people as other countries bombed each other for control.
When the war ended, the world had less than half of its origional population. The elders scouted the land and found no place safer than our clan, so we stayed. To this day, our self governing society is doing pretty well. Although I don't really like all the unnecessary rules. One being that we must all wear name tags. But as my mom says, "it's a small price to pay for safety." I don't know though. I think I might like it on my own in the outside world. But that's just nonsense.
After our society and government developed, our technology improved. The main advancement was that the inventors created a tag that you are given at birth. it is surgically attached to your left wrist. On it is a count down. It counts down to the day you meet your "soul mate" or life long mate.
When you turn sixteen years of age, you receive your bond. Your bond is a touch module that can be activated by tapping it. The best friend assigned to you by the government can feel that touch from anywhere in the clan. I think that people should be able to chose their own best friend but I have no say in the matter. No one really does.
We are allowed to pick our friends but not our best friend. The one who is always supposed to be there for us. It is designed to give us a role model and to help us build strong relationships established by the government. All of the most important things in our lives are decided by the government. Which seems to be an overwhelming amount to me. I guess I am the only on who feels that way.
I still can't decide what form I want my bond to be. Any ideas? Of course not. You're a book. And anyways I'm sure if I can't pick the government will do that for me too. My dad is calling so I have to hurry. I'll write some more soon.