The Sunflower Keeper

Stunned, Shocked Faces

Everyone is crowded in the square. A sunflower is engraved into the stone that lies beneath my feet. Chatter fills my ears. The sun hangs high in the sky and barley any clouds float by. Heat radiates from the sun and warms my naked skin. Sunflowers and lavender surround the Fountain of the Flower. A representative from each of the seven districts wait in a line to the left. They stand in numerical order. At least that’s what it said in the textbooks. The guy from district one has dark purple hair and green eyes. He looks as if he lift weights for a living. The girls from district one and two have blue hair. One has short and the other has long. They look especially unhappy to be here. The others, well just seem uninteresting. My eyes pass over them as. They get snagged on a skinny woman. He face is pointed to the inside of the fountain.

          I walk over to her. My parents are too busy expressing the fact that it’s my revealing of the markings ceremony today.

          “Excuse me.” Her face jerks upright and her eyes meet mine.

          “Yes.” He voice is sweet and soft.

          “Should I be nervous? About the ceremony? I asked my mom and she says its fine… But hearing it from a stranger might be what I need.”

          “She steps closer to me and places a bony hand on my shoulder. You’ll be fine. This ceremony only tells you what district you belong to.  It won’t change who you love or who you are.”

          “Thanks.” I smile gently. “Why are the species separated? Why can’t everyone just live peacefully together?”

          Her expression becomes stern as she processes the question. “Each species has its own values and beliefs. The clashing of those values can be catastrophic. For example, vampires think it’s absurd that we rely on the land. They think that it’s hilarious that we find out who we are and where we are meant to be from a fountain. Ignorance jut makes them stupid. You should get back to your family. We’ll be staring to. I nod quickly and scurry off back towards my parents.

          “Please. Please. Settle down.” The tall, skinny women speaks into a microphone amplifying her voice extremely. Everyone shuffles to their seats. My brother, Gavin, and my sister, Trinity, sit by my side. Mother and father on each side of them. Grins are spotted on everyone’s faces as they wait for the Revealing of the Markings to begin. “Now as you all know. When a Snoogle comes of age, they drink from the Fountain of the Flower. As its gifted waters pass their lips something magical happens. Their markings are revealed and they take their place among society. The marking that appears on the back of their neck will decide which district they belong to. There are seven districts in the Snoogle Society. The other species have their own societies and are prohibited from passing between the nations. This goes for all Snoogles as well. If anyone is seen crossing between the districts, they will be exiled from our great society.” She stare into the crowd. She continues, “When the markings of the young snoogles are revealed, the marking at the back of their neck decides what district they belong to. Now…” She pauses and glances around at all the faces who watch her. Pride flashes in her green eyes. “We will go in alphabetical order.” She opens a list that she grasps in her hands. As each of the students drink from the fountain, Oohs and Ahhs are exchanged and pass through the air.

          “Faith Zara…” All eyes focus on me. The nerves start boiling in my stomach again. I almost feel as if I’m turning green because I might puke. “Please hurry up dear.” She waves me to the fountain. My family grins at the excitement of it finally happening. I’m going to receive my markings. She hands me a purple, leaf-shaped cup. She leans over and whispers in my ear, “Just breathe. Everything will be okay.” I smile and grip the cup. No doubt it’s purple because it’s my favorite color. Each snoogle who drinks from the fountain receives a leaf-shaped cup that states the made it. That they are a part of society.

          The water passes my lips and I feel a tingling sense ripple over my entire body. I turn to face the crowd. They clap and gawk at me. The woman moves my hair off to the side and traces my new found mark with her fingertips. The touch is soft and gentle. She gasps and steps away. Fear rises inside me. A look of shock and fascination takes control of her face.

I hold my hand to the back of my neck and ask, “What’s wrong?!” Tears fill my eyes as my heart comes to a pause. She shakes her head and smiles.