Sudden Departure

Chapter Thirteen

"What do you mean you weren't assigned?" Nebula sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. "Everyone is assigned."

I lifted my arms in a surrender. "I don't know, he just told me I wasn't assigned and that I have to come back tomorrow."

She asked me what happened so I gave her a detailed account of the experience.

She gaped at me with furrowed eyebrows. "Why would you disrespect him like that? He is the ruler of this, we are here to protect him and the ritual he created."

I shrugged and tugged at the hem of the white dress that I was still in.

Nebula rolled her eyes at me and dragged me by my wrist. "Come with me. We have to get you dressed and give you a bunk."

I moaned and walked with her "But, Nebula. I am dressed."

"No you're not," she returned, "You are still in your ceremonial ritual slash assignment garb."

"Oh."

She pulled me into another room from the center one. Racks of color organized clothes lined the walls. The back wall was painted cream and an ornate mirror was set on it. In the center of the room a circular red cushion was placed with a clear tube acting as a show rack sprouting out of the center.

Nebula waltzed and placed herself gracefully on the cushion. "Choose an outfit and choose wisely, if you get assigned tomorrow it's likely that this could be the last outfit you ever wear."

I nodded and turned towards the clothing racks. There was every color of every time period of clothes available. If it might be the last outfit I ever wear, it might as well be cool. I thought with a smirk on my face. My mom wasn't really a fan of the clothes I wanted to wear and in the Barracks I could wear whatever.

After browsing for a full half-hour (with many objections from Nebula) I had finally found an outfit. I pulled it on and looked over myself in the mirror. I had on tight, low-rise black jeans that hugged my hips. I crossed a studded belt and a silver one over one another on my hips. I had on a loose Nirvana tee-shirt and a leather jacket with small spikes on the shoulders. I slipped on high-heeled ankle boots.

Nebula looked me over and nodded with approval. "Now make up and accessorize."

I gave her a quick nod as a drawer slid out of the wall. I fished out a white feather that reminded me of the souls. I pulled the long chain over my head and peeked back into the drawer. I found little hoops for my earlobes and a stud diamond that I wiggled into my upper cartilage. I powdered my face to coverup all of my freckles and did simple eye work. I braided my hair in an intricate coil on my head.

Nebula grinned at me. "Nice job. Now, let's go and find you a bunk."

We left the little closet and wove through the gigantic crowd. we shoved ourselves into a little elevator on the other side of the room. Nebula explained to me that the levels of the Barracks were the different assignments. Yellow, for Guardians (the people that did the fighting.) Blue, for Receivers (people like Nebula that bring Sudden Departures to the Barracks.) Purple, for Scouts (people who watch for suspitious activity regarding rebellion.) Green, for instructors (the people who train the Sudden Departures for their assignments.) Lastly, White for Commanders.

When the elevator shuddered to a hault on the blue level Nebula ushered me off. "I guess since you weren't assigned, you can bunk with me on my level."

I followed her to a room in the middle of the balcony. The walls were white, and blue cone-like bulbs were pinned to the them. The room was filled with dull chatter, but as soon as I walked in the talking ceased and everyone turned their heads to me. I felt fifty pairs of eyes dance across my back as Nebula showed me to her bunk. It was a simple metal bunk-bed with gray sheets and blue comforter.

"You can have the top," Nebula offered as she flashed me a small smile. "I'll just leave you to get settled." She turned and left the room waving people out with her.

As soon as they left the room the conversations picked back up. They were about me. "What's wrong with her?" "Why wasn't she assigned?" "Do you think she is a rebel and Death knows?"

I sighed and flopped onto the top bunk. For the third time that day I was left alone in a strange world that I didn't understand.