Distorted Future (subject to change)

1

 I glared out onto the same dull view as I did every morning, clutching the same rusty windowsill, but I felt something different today. Today was the day that I'd be given my purpose, a purpose which they told me would keep our country of Tanirib, the only civilization left, safe from everything. It has been 50 years since the nuclear war that destroyed everything. Almost everything. Except for a portion of people from Tanirib who escaped underground so far that they survived the lethal attacks, and returned from underground labs with the only equipment strong to absorb the deadly radiation above ground.

Life is artificial, apart from us. I've never seen a real plant or tree, growing from the ground like they did 50 years ago. There is no fertile soil here and everything is grey. All colour has been lost from the outside landscape. Fear consumes me that my job won't be important, like my sister Sarah's. She sorts out food parcels to be given to each residency and although she says doesn't mind it; I want to make a difference.

It's just me and her, in this dark, claustrophobic flat together. Our mother and father died 6 years ago in a truck accident, but Sarah would never tell me the full story, and it haunts me every night. I don't understand her when she tells me it's not safe to talk about it. There's always a sense of suspicion. The door of my bedroom creaks, opening gently.

'Lily, why are you up so early?'

'Isn't it obvious?'

'You don't need to worry about it, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you are given, it can't be that bad.'

Of course. I feel the depression spread across my face, immediately becoming more visible to Sarah. She knows what I mean. She hates her job. She'd do anything to change it and have a better purpose but when the government has decided your fate, it's done and there's no changing it. Sarah walks over to me, wrapping her arms tight around me.

'Whatever you do, it'll be good, ok? Mum and Dad would be proud of you, and so am I'

'What if they decide I'm going to be a criminal and chuck me in a test cell?' I exclaim angrily.

'Lily, that won't happen, we both know the kinds of people who get put there.'

The decision today will involve a lie detector test and a brain test. If any signs are shown that I will do anything to harm the future of Tanirib or its government, I will be locked away and used as a lab rat. But Sarah is right, it's the crazies and corrupted that go there, I've done nothing wrong. But I always fear the worst. What if something goes wrong with the machines? What if my results are confused with someone else's? Sarah leaves the room and I continue to daydream, then I see the troops march by, as hardened as freshly forged steel, perfectly synchronised, checking for any abnormalities.

I throw on my grey woven jumper and black jeans then scrape my long auburn hair back into a ponytail. I look at the little mechanical clock by my bed, every tick bringing me closer to my fate, realizing that it's only an hour before I'll have to be in my car, driving to the interview studios. That's one thing I've always loved. Driving. To drive down a highway, windows open and my hair blowing in the strong breeze, it feels so natural, it feels how life should feel. I learnt to drive much younger than most of my friends, 12 years of age and I could already drive myself to all my classes. But I've always lacked the freedom I've wanted due to the small tracker integrated to the car. This limited me to small areas, not being allowed to go so far and nowhere near restricted areas. I've always wondered what happens there, we're told that there are still high risks of radiation in those areas, but enter them, and I'm in trouble. My Dad first sparked my interest in vehicles when I'd watch him design planes, military trucks and other vehicles the government need, peeking over his shoulders to see his latest plans, he had an important role. My eyes would be glued to the blueprints for hours, observing every detail and constantly questioning him about the complex structures. He was the one who helped me get into an engineering class at my school and proved I could do it well. Today they will take into account the levels of my subjects from the tests I sat the previous weeks, deciding which one is my strongest and consider a job within that sector. I have always wanted the job that my dad once had, but I know this is not possible because I am not male. I'll end up as a shopkeeper, factory worker or worse.

I snap my wandering mind back into reality and focus on what I have to do. I pack my backpack with my notes and everything I need, preparing for the long and stressful day ahead. I leave my room and head down the dark and worn out stairwell, where I leave the tower block and spot my grey car, a fuel cell car designed to run from combining hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity and power the engine, something completed by my dad, whilst helping to restore the world back to how it was before the wars. I start the engine and accelerate, driving myself slowly to the building I am most in fear of going to. I'd go past it every day, on the way to my classes, and think of today and what would happen. I remember each other year this day, seeing masses of both lifeless and happily ecstatic faces in complete contrast and wondering which one I would be, and today will be the day that I will found out.