The Color of Knowledge

Chapter Thirteen (pt. 3)

"Ladies, this is the center of Subsolaneus." Keegan opened the doors to a massive arena. He led them onto a landing with a rail that overlooked the site and had two staircases that led down to where everything was. There were masses of people milling about below and besides the artificial lights, there were also circular holes through which the sun beamed.

"In the center there, people can eat together if they wish, or they can eat in their rooms. The rooms are basically apartments. Every family gets one. Of course, bigger families get larger accommodations, etcetera."

"There's no limit on how many children a family can have?" Ivy asked.

Keegan looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "No, why would there be? C'mon, I'll introduce you to some people."

He led them down into the arena, where children laughed and played while their parents kept a watchful eye on them, to where a group of teenagers sat eating breakfast. They looked up when Keegan approached.

"Everyone, this is Ivy and Zari, from The Society."

Hushed whispers erupted from the group as Ivy and Zari stood on the outskirts.

"Well, sit down," said one boy who had blonde hair and green eyes. He held a broad smile on his lips while he made room for the two. "My name's Milo."

"So what's it like in heaven?" one girl asked.

"What do you mean?" said Ivy.

"That's what we call The Society. Heaven."

"Then this must be—" Zari started.

"Hell," Milo finished for her.

"It's really not that great at all," said Ivy.

"Don't lie to us. Open, fresh air is not that great?"

"There are tons of rules," said Ivy, leaning forward. She had to make them understand.

"What kinds of rules?"

"Like, two children of the same sex allowed to each family, curfews, forbidden colors no one is allowed to see, they pick your occupation for you, there is no freedom."

"How did you escape?" someone within the group asked.

Everyone around held his or her breath, awaiting Ivy's answer.

"I didn't," she said. "We were exiled."

"So... your families?"

"They're still up there." Silence enveloped the group as they came to terms.

"On with the rest of the tour, then?" said Keegan, clapping his hands together.

"I'll come with you," said Milo, helping Zari rise from the table. They walked out of the arena and down more passageways.

"How do you keep this place running?" Ivy asked. The people they passed seemed to run on an internal clock. They had to get where they were going, there was no misspent time in their paces.

"Usually when you turn twelve, you're expected to help out in whatever way possible," Keegan explained. "It's not until you're older when you realize what it is you're really good at, and like to do, then work in that field."

"What do you do, Milo?" Zari asked, batting her eyelashes at him.

"I work with the messengers. I get information out to the public and, more recently, receive messages from Nadia and send replies back to her."

"Can I see how that's done?" Ivy asked.

"That's exactly where we're headed," said Keegan. "Hopefully they let us in." They rounded a corner, which brought them face to face with a ten foot steel door.

Milo stepped forward. "You guys are with me, of course you'll get in. There's a special code. Cover your ears, children."

They followed his instructions and held their hands over their ears while Milo made a pattern of sounds on the door they were unable to hear. The door swung open to reveal a tall man with a grey beard and glasses.

"Milo? You're not scheduled to work today," the man said as he surveyed the rest of the group.

"Follow my lead," Milo whispered to them. "I know, but this is really important. These two ladies are from," he took a long pause to build effect, "The Society. They need to send a message to one of our own that's still up there."

The man looked over Ivy and Zari once more. "They can send messages following protocol." He pointed to Keegan. "Who's he?"

Keegan stepped forward with his hand outstretched. "Keegan Exum, sir.

Although he made no attempt to return the sign of civility, the man's eyes grew wide. "Exum?"

"Yes, sir, and it's really important we get in there to send this message."

"Well, I guess it's alright then," the man said after a moment of thought.

"Thank you, sir," said Keegan, flashing him a smile as the rest sidled past.

"That guy is so uptight," said Milo once they were far enough away from the guard.

"Security always is, you know that."

"Good thing you're such a smooth talker," said Zari.

"I do try," said Milo. "It isn't as easy as it looks."

"I didn't mean you."

Milo's face grew red.

"I don't think flashing your last name counts as smooth talking," said Keegan. "Milo is the one who really knows how to get past people. Remember last year at the gathering?"

"Even your dad couldn't get us out of that one," Milo chuckled.

"What's the gathering?"

"A yearly meeting everyone over the age of twelve is required to attend."

"We're here," said Milo, finally. They had reached the end of the long hallway and walked through a narrow doorway lacking a door. There were rows of tables, each manned by one person who sat sorting through piles of paper.