Trust The Sytem

I

Dreary grey rain fell against the window of the bus we were riding. Everything around us was sponged of color; a headache-inducing white covering everything from the seats and walls to our government issued uniforms. I was the odd one out, of course. Every other kid there had the generic colors of hair--brown, blonde, even almost white--whilst I was blessed with fiery red locks that made me stick out like a sore thumb. I think that's why they paid such close attention to me. I pressed my white earbuds further into my ears and turned up the volume on my white smart phone. Music was the only choice we had there. Everything else, the System decided for us. The song I had chosen was Crash Into Me by Dave Matthews Band. Yeah, it's an oldie, but it's a goodie. Whenever I listen to that song, hazy memories come back to me.....

"Erin, honey, do you have everything together?" Dad asked me. I was five at the time and getting ready for my first day of school. My green eyes sparkled and I nodded excitedly. This was back when I loved school. He smiled warmly and asked, "Even your lunch?" I rolled my eyes at him and replied, "Yes, Daddy!" He picked me up and kissed my forehead, his scruff tickling me, and I giggled. He shared my green eyes but had brown hair. Mom then came and took me from Dad, spinning me around and kissing my cheek. I hugged her neck and giggled. Mom shared my red hair but had blue eyes. She put me down and my parents waved me off to the bus. As soon as I boarded, I pulled my hair out of its thick braid--I've always hated braids--and leaned my head against the yellow bus window.

The next song to play was Cancer by My Chemical Romance. I sighed. That song always brought tears to my eyes, just like the last time I saw my parents.....

"NO!!! No, Mommy, no, Daddy!! Don't let them take me away!" I screamed. I was six. A year after that first day of school. Mom and Dad stood holding each other, tears streaming down their cheeks. Two men in black visors and white uniforms held me in their iron grip as I kicked and screamed and sobbed. Dad came towards me and kneeled down to my level. "Erin, Honey....I know it's going to be hard, but this is what's best for you. You'll be safe with the System and your gift will be worshiped and nurtured and made great! We'll see each other again, I promise." By then I was too exhausted to fight as they drug me away and into the back of a car. I hugged the silver Celtic cross necklace to my chest; Dad had given it to me that morning. "Keep this safe," he had said, "And it will do the same for you." But little did he know, the System he had talked so high about ripped it away from me when we arrived at Unit 810. 

Well, enough with boring flash backs. Here's where the real fun begins! Welcome to Unit 810!