Fragments

Chapter 1

Leaving from my rooming block, I'm already worrying about the day ahead. I am an ambassador in training, my own brown hair marking my place in society. Like all the other ambassadors in training, I'm working to find my path. Every month I try a new skill to see if I am strong in it. So far, I have gone through political training and animal training. Neither of which seem to be my strength; this month I'm starting plant training which means I will probably be put to work with the plants permanently, but there's always the chance that I will be put to work with the Redheads, and that wouldn't be my preference. The Redheads scare everyone but themselves and no one wants to work with them.

If only I was blond. Then I would get to stay in the library all day analyzing and collecting data. I would even take having black hair so I could invent things for. But I’m a Brunette and I suck at all of the skills so far. I can’t work with animals, that was a disaster, and I am awful with politics because I have a huge problem with public speaking. All that's left is plants and the Redheads. And I don't want to work with the Redheads.

I'm so caught up worrying about plant training that I run straight into a fence. When I look up, I realize it's part of the fence that separates the Redhead training facility from the rest of us. I jump back in shock; I always remember to give the facility a wide berth. I start to back away quickly when I hear a small, slightly high pitched giggle break the silence. I peer through the fence and catch a glimpse of red hair. No, not entirely red. It's tinged with golden streaks. But before I can get a closer look, the mysterious person attached to the hair vanished.

That was weird.

I stand there for a few more minutes waiting for the girl to reappear, but she doesn't. The timepiece strikes 8, knocking me out of my daze.

Shit, I'm late!

I sprint towards the greenhouses as quickly as I can, but when I get there, everyone is already tending their plants.

"Late." The instructor looks at me with cold eyes. "Merak Castor. I would expect you to be on time. After all, this is your last shot before the Redheads."

"I know ma'am, I'll be on time from now on."

She gestures to a group of plants with long, spiky tendrils. "Well, get going then."

I stand in front of the red and blue spiked tendrils and begin going through the everyday routine of cleaning, watering, and feeding. It isn't going so well though. My plants are dying. They can't die on me though. If they die, I have to go work with the Redheads. I. Cannot. Work. With. The. Redheads. It's only been three days since we started caring for these plants and already mine are looking much worse than even the unattended plants.

As Mrs. Ather makes her way around the greenhouse, her plump, stocky body takes up much of the narrow paths, and her wide mouth goes through a range of emotions as she inspects everyone's work. I can't help but wish I could just disappear.

She gets to my plants and clicks her tongue.

"Well, the Redheads are always in need of new handlers," she gives me a nasty grin. She's the type of lady that wants bad things to happen to you.

When the timepiece strikes 5, I'm relieved and bolt out the door. While everyone else in the greenhouse files out towards the trains, I go the opposite direction. I enjoy the walk back to the housing section of the city, it gives me some time to myself.

The warm summer wind cools me down from the humid greenhouse and I feel calmer. I can take care of a plant, right? I mean, who can't take care of a plant?

While I contemplate my situation, I fail to pay attention to the beat up sidewalk and trip, falling face first onto the warm concrete.

"You're bleeding," someone says.