Tattooed

III

The hot iron rod pressed against my skin drawing me out of my shock. I cried out and looked down on my left wrist. A simple spiral, the symbol of creativity, looked back at me. It hurt a lot, but not as much as I anticipated. Maybe my shock numbed the pain. I got out of the chair and made my way back to my row. Creative. I was in the Creative Stratum. I would not be going home with my family.

I sat there numbly as the remaining people got branded. I tried to make a mental note of who got in Creative too but my mind was just out of it.I barely even noticed when the last person got branded and families stepped up to say their final farewells. Tears, laughter, and words of comfort were passed.

"Cecil!" cried out Elise as she ran to hug me. Her eyes were shining proudly. "Congratulations Creative is the perfect place for you." My dad was behind her smiling.

"She's right Cessie, I had a hunch Creative would be for you." I hugged him and then my mom. They were all beaming at me, not the least bit upset I would be leaving. But then again this was how it worked. They always knew the possibility of me moving to a different Stratum.

I knew the possibility too of course, but I always thought Clement was for me. The fact I was branded to Creative surprised me. I guess I was a little creative, I always did come up with creative ways to do things. Maybe I've always been destined for Creative but was blinded by the fact my family was in Clement.

I suppose I made this a bigger deal than it really was. I'm eighteen, I wasn't going to be living with my parents forever. But the fact I wasn't allowed to see them ever again still weighed in the back of my mind. I couldn't be as happy and excited as I should be.

My mother pulled me to the side and pulled out a beautiful silver locket.

"I want you to have this Cecil. No matter what, you still have your family." I opened the locket, inside was a small picture of the four of us. I remembered taking this picture not that long ago. It was a beautiful photo.

I tried my hardest not to tear up. "Thank you so much." I said hugging her tightly. "I love you mum." She stroked the back of my head then pulled away.

"Well we have a bus to catch, and you do too." I nodded. I watched as my family walked away then made my way to my own bus.

The ride to Creative Stratum was...different, in a refreshing way. I was seated in the back along the window side and watched as we passed sights I haven't seen before. I’ve never been outside of my stratum. Who knew so much could be different within the same state borders? With all the creative people it wasn't a surprise how beautiful everything was.

The bus let us off at the city center and a lady in blue was there waiting for all the newly transferred. She handed me a brochure of the city along with a key and card that had an address on it.

"You're new home." She tittered. She had a rose tattooed on the side of her face. "Just take the tram four miles and look for the number on your card."


The sun was setting by the time I found my address. It was a quaint peach colored one story home with a gorgeous front yard and a rocking chair on the porch. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. It was fully furnished with everything I needed and more. I placed the papers on a sleek glass table and looked around.

It was quite homey. The kitchen was stocked, the fireplace was stoked, and my bedroom and bathroom were extravagant. My closet was way bigger than it was at home and it had a touch pad where I could order any clothes I wanted. I didn't know if this was how all transfers were treated or if Creatives simply go all out.

The whole place was amazing and I could definitely get used to living here, but something still felt off. It was lonely, empty. I don't even have my cat anymore. The pang of sadness was back. The house suddenly felt too big.


I ate dinner alone that night and decided I had to shake off the nostalgia. I ordered a warm jogging outfit and it magically beamed into my closet. I changed clothes, took my key, and ventured into the night.