The Death Date

Chapter One

"Put that phone away Trinity, there is absolutely no reason for you to be on it right now." my mother scolds.

I glare at her before pushing the off button and the screen goes black. This day couldn't go any slower. I don't even want to be in this stupid house anyway. I want to get this over with. 

My mom strides towards me, holding a pair of pink sandals. "No way. Absolutely no way." My mother already forced me to wear this frilly, bright yellow shirt. I got away with not wearing a skirt but these white jeans don't have any holes which makes me feel uncomfortable. 

"Trinity Skye, I advise that you calm down before you ruin this day for everyone who came to support you. Please stop being selfish and put these shoes on." Throwing the sandals down on the bench next to me, she stalks away and I groan loud enough for her to hear me. I know I'm pushing my mother's buttons, not wearing a dress to this stupid event, but I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a dress.

That statement is almost ironic considering the circumstances. I'd never admit it to anyone, but...I'm scared. Today is June 19th. I've been dreading this day ever since I can remember. I take a deep breath and turn my wrist over and rub my thumb over the small black numbers etched into my skin: 06 19 28.

"Trinity!" I hear my mother shriek from outside.

I scramble up from the bench and hurry to the door. I open it and glance outside. There are so many people here, I doubt I know even half of them which is really awkward since this is my death day and I don't know why they are even here if I don't know them. Pushing that thought to the back of my mind I force a smile and I step out onto the patio. They all erupt in applause and as I make my way through the crowd to the black limo, I hear people congratulating me, for what? I have no idea. 

I get to the huge, shiny car and smile one last time to the crowd and step inside. My mother and father climb in as well and settle in next to me. I stare straight ahead and try not to think about what is to come. I know if I speak my nerves will get the best of me. My dad puts his hand over mine, but doesn't say anything. I'm thankful for that. He always understood me in a way my mother never has. She has wanted me to be like her my whole life, but I'm nothing like Ciara Skye. I don't even look like her. She has porcelain skin and curly, dark brown hair. Her eyes are a glassy blue that have always reminded me of the sky. I inherited my dad's dirty blonde hair and tan skin. Freckles are splashed across my nose and cheeks and my eyes never seem to be one color. 

As we drive along Central Park I study my features in the reflection of my phone. Luckily my mother is too occupied tapping away on her own phone to notice me. She'd have some lecture about how I shouldn't be vain as I stare at myself. My eyes look dull today. They are usually full of life and color but today they aren't sparkling and they look green. Just green. Not even a hint of blue or gold in them. I guess that's my first sign that I'm supposed to die today. As much as I tried to prepare for this day, I guess it wasn't enough because my legs are shaking and I can't seem to think straight. 

We're driving to the Manhattanville Community Center, which is a stupid name for that building. Thousands of people go through those doors everyday but no on ever comes back out. It's the place to go when your day arrives. When the date matches up with the numbers tattooed on your wrist. 

The limo turns onto Amsterdam Avenue and my breath catches in my throat. My leg stops shaking and I am still. I can't seem to move or peel my eyes away from the massive brick building looming in front of us.

A strangled cough sounds from my throat and I try to gain control but I start into a fit of coughs and I can't seem to stop. 

"Stop this nonsense, Trinity. You need to calm down." My mother says to me. My eyes meet hers and her face softens a little. Even though my father is sitting in between my mother and I, she grabs my hand and rubs small circles over my knuckles. 

We pull in front of the building and tears prick at the side of my eyes. I'm not one to cry, but I've never felt so...worthless.

Everyone is my city has a death date. Some people live until they are 104 and others die as early as 3 months old. It's silly really, I mean how come we have to go to this facility and get our lives taken away. I'm only seventeen years old and I always knew that I wouldn't live passed this day, but I had hope for some reason. No one ever lives passed their death day so I was foolish for believing something might happen. 

The limo pulls into the large driveway and on que, two men wearing white suits walk out the front door. They march over to our vehicle and pull the doors open. One man is holding a clipboard and glances at it. 

"Trinity Skye?" He questions in a gruff voice. 

I nod my head and climb out of the car after my parents. 

After I hug them both, my cheeks are wet from crying. The two men beckon me to follow them and I stumble up the steps to the door. I glance back at my parents. They are holding hands, but my dad blows me a kiss. I pretend to catch it and I hold my hand to my heart as I walk through the huge wooden doors.