Beyond Our Fate

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Get going before we get caught!" demanded Aero.

"You are one to talk; I'm farther up than you!" Oasis sneered back at him.

"Both of you have to shut up because if any of us gets caught we are doomed."

We all duck down when the boat comes by. Roof climbing. It involves great views and also great danger. Everyone in Delta lives in 3-4 room apartments, except the mayor. He lives in a lavish mansion. Rumour has it that it has more than 50 rooms! Anyway, that's where we go climbing. We of course are Me, Fedora Par, my best friend Oasis, my annoying brother Aero and Cajun. Ahhhhhhh Cajun.  If the mayor came out of his house and saw us on his roof, we would all get cited.

Citing is the worst, and really only, punishment that you could receive in Delta. Every time you were cited, you got more names put into the fate draw. I have vague memories of my older sister Evelyn on fate day. I was too young to be put into the draw, but I never saw Evelyn again. I let my thoughts wander back to that day,

I remember calling her Eve. Yes that’s right. I was 4 and she was 13, my age, the youngest age you could be to be put in the draw for your fate.

“Eve! Eve! Please carry me, me feet hurt!”

“Don’t complain too much Dora. You’re too young to be cited, but they can still give you youth demerits. We wouldn’t want to have less free time now would we?”

That’s right, she called me Dora. I liked that nickname, but nobody called me it ever again. I think they missed her.

“Where are you going Eve?”

“I have to wait in front of the stage hon, go stand with mamma.”

“No, I wanna stand with you! Please?”

“You can’t! Please I’m scared Dora! Just go stand with mamma!”

I didn’t understand what she was afraid of. Everyone seemed to be chattering normally with their friends. The mayor came out and made his speech, Mayor Cardinway I believe, but I didn’t understand why nobody clapped for him. Behind him there were 2 black balls, 2 silver and 2 gold. The gold one was shiny and pretty so I figured it was the good one, and the black one was old and rusting at places. I guessed that was the one Evelyn was afraid of.

“As our founders have written it, the book of domes states that every year, on this day of August 2nd, we will draw 1 name from each ball behind Me.” he paused for effect, “every person from the ages 13 to 25 has a name in all 6 of the balls. From each of the gold balls I will pull safe names. These lucky young adults will be safe for 5 years. From one of the silver balls, I will pull one safe name, and one fate name. Finally, from each of the black balls, I will pull fate names.” continued the mayor. This was responded to by whimpers from the watching parents.

It’s funny; I don’t remember any of the gold names.

“From the silver ball” he read the name “Cate Amberstone. Miss Amberstone of 14, you are safe until you are 19 years of age.” I could see the look of relief on her face. Being safe was even better than not being called at all.

“From the second black ball,” long pause, “Evelyn Par. Miss par of 13…”

Maybe he couldn’t finish, or maybe I just didn’t hear him, being so small. But I never…

“Hey, Fedora what’s wrong?” asked Cajun

“Nothing, I’m fine” I replied with a smile. God I love his worried face.

"I'm not worried about the mayor seeing us, as much as his daughter" whispered Aero with a shiver.

Are they still fighting?  I could have a nap before they stopped!

"Oh Aero, Jazzy isn't that bad. You guys just haven't seen eye to eye since she broke up with you." Replied Oasis

"Good idea Oasis, I'm just going to stand up and yell her name. Then she will tell her loving father to cite me. She's out to get me girl, I swear."

"You guys are ruining my first roof climbing!" Whined Cajun, "Fedora, make them stop!"

"Sorry, Cajun, no can do. This is way too entertaining. Oh my god! Don't stand in front of the window!" I panicked.

"Ahhhhhhh! Did he see us?" screamed Oasis. “That’s the first rule of roof climbing; never, ever stand in front of windows!”

"My god Oasis you have the brains of a small pigeon! Shut your mouth!" Scolded Aero.

"It doesn't matter anyway! Did they see us?" I asked exasperated “and please don't talk to my best friend like that."

"Quit bickering and JUMP!"

We all jump off the roof. Except Cajun.

Back at the apartment, after running up the stairs, Aero had just realized Cajun wasn’t there.

"Oh my god Fedora; where is Cajun?" Panted Aero.

"Well, he was right behind me a second ago… oh god. He is still on the roof.

We looked out the window, and there he was. On the roof. Of the mayors house. All alone. Aero came and looked at the abandoned Cajun, who despite his instant giveaway appearance; was trying to look normal. On a roof, that happened to be the mayors. Any passer-by would see him as a burglar.

“That guy is a really dumb person. You need to choose smarter boyfriends." Aero taunted with a shove.

            “Shut up! He cannot get cited! He just can’t!” I started to cry. Every time you got a citation you got one more name put into the black bowls. That’s a better chance of receiving whatever terrible thing they do to you when you get drawn. It’s a better chance of losing him, and I can’t let that happen.

            “Don’t cry Fedora. I was trying to make a funny joke; I didn’t think it was that bad. I’ll go help him get off the roof if it means that much.”

“You’re so thick! You’re 8 and he is 13! Does it even register in your brain that that would be beyond embarrassing!” I asked angrily.

            “Fine them I won’t! Stop treating me like I’m 4!” Yelled Aero,

            “At least stop trying to pretend you’re smarter and stronger!”

            “Just admit to wanting me to get him off. I can’t get citations until later and you don’t want a better chance of dying like a coward!”

            “Shut up you annoying little idiot! Just go away!” I stormed off before I said anything worse to him. He constantly bragged about almost everything, including how much tougher he was than Cajun. It was sadly true, but I wasn’t about to admit that.

Cajun and I met up later at lunch. It was normal to not be able to talk because of different class times and break times, but it was the first I had talked to him since roof climbing.