Restricted (EDITING)

2

Have you ever thought about your future? I think about it all of the time. I just don't know why I do.

Around here, we don't get to have choices. We take several different kinds of tests. Mental, physical, verbal, reaction. So many kinds.

Those determine your future, your job, your class: high class, middle class, lower class.

This all happens when you turn the age of eighteen. That's only a couple of months away for me. Only a couple of months of freedom left. Then I'll be restricted forever.

So what's the point of fantasizing about my future when I won't get to chose what I want to do?

There is one reason.

There's a story, sort of like a myth that I've heard. About a place called Silversoar.

A place where people aren't controlled. Restricted. They get to do what they want. Watch whatever movie they want. Have parties. Get to stay out as long as they would like. Get to walk wherever they would like. Not have to be tracked everyday of every hour.

Freedom.

I've heard this from many people. From older folks to people my age. I've even had this one little girl tell me about it.

They would always have to talk about it in whisper, because if anyone speaks in anyway against this city. Jail for five years. No matter what age.

In Silversoar, I heard they could speak their mind whenever and wherever they want. I've never heard of such a thing until I was told that.

I want for it to be real so bad. I want to climb the walls that trap us in this city and run. Run until I reach that freedom, grasp it and never let go.

I could bring my mother with me. She would be so happy, she wouldn't be disappointed in me, she would be proud.

So proud.

"River! It's time to leave, you better have everything!" My mother's yells bring me out of my fantasizing thoughts.

I look around my small room: one bed pushed to the corner, two feet away and dresser and then the door.

Nothing left. I packed all of my five outfits in my duffle bag along with all of my other things. Which weren't that much.

"I've got everything." I reply, not being able to look my own mother in the eyes. Ever since she told me the terrible news, I couldn't bare to look at her.

"Alright let's go." I follow her, watching the back of her head as we walk to the local hoverbus stop.

"I know I probably won't get to see you that much anymore. I just wanted to tell you that I love you, and I'll miss you." I turn to look at my mom, a blank look on my face. I nod and give her a hug. Not looking her in the eyes.

"I want you to take this." She looks around before giving me a rectangular thing.

"What's this?"

"Shhhh!" I didn't even say that loud.

With a lower voice, perhaps a whisper, I ask,"What is this thing?"

She sighs, looking at me with tears running down her face. "It's a cellphone. I have one of my own, but you can't tell anyone. We aren't supposed to have these. Just dial the number that is written in the back and put the number in. I will answer mine and we can talk through it. I'm just giving it to you incase anything happens."

"What could happen?" Looking into her eyes, the first time since yesterday, I see something flass across through them.

Fear.