The Unknowns

Chapter 1: Belonging

The first one I saw was standing on the balcony of a beautiful home near the village center. She was taller than anyone I had seen before and had piercing gold eyes. Her skin was pale compared to my own, and a beautiful mask adorned her face. With her shoulders held back, the necklace on her neck stood out and shined bright. She was one of the Unknown. A goddess among peasants, a saint among sinners, nonhuman--better. 

She and her friends took our land 25 years ago. The buildings and skyscrapers we created were destroyed, and in their place huts were built from mud bricks. Our streets and highways turned into fields of crops reminiscent of the land centuries before. Our clothes were tossed away and replaced with simple frocks. They saw us as pests. We killed our earth, and they were here to fix our mistakes. 

Many people tried to rebel against the Unknowns, but they soon found out how pointless their efforts were. The Unknowns didn't need weapons to defeat us. Their presence alone scared most anyone away. Perfection intimidates even the bravest of soldiers, and confidence kills. 

The Unknown had confidence.

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The Festival of Belonging started at 10 PM on August 3rd, 2054. I was required to be at the town center by law of the Unknowns--everyone was. They gave the women festive dresses to wear, while the men were adorned in suits. The lighting on the streets cast an ominous glow on our growing crowd, as we paraded down the streets of Violet Township. It was the anniversary of their conquest and our defeat. 

I made it to the square five minutes early. My auburn hair was pinned in a precarious manner at the crown of my head by a single clip. I did not have enough tokens to afford something more durable. I wore the revealing violet dress they sent to my door the day before along with violet pumps and a silver choker. They liked to pimp out the women--especially those in my age group. Who knew, maybe one of us 20-somethings could pop out a baby Unknown if chosen during the festival. 

The Unknowns could not produce offspring on their own. Due to the dissimilar chemical makeup of earth, the women developed without the reproductive organs that humans possessed, and were unable to bear children of their own. Since they were immortal, it did not matter much, but they didn't want humans to outnumber them. That would lead to chaos. 

My friend, a slight girl with big brown eyes, named Malrien, approached me from behind and squeezed my shoulders.

"I can't believe this is still a thing. I mean, I get it. Babies are cute, but nine times out of ten, this process doesn't work for them. They are not as fertile as our species. Hell, they may as well be sterile." she sighed in contempt, "At least we can have sex. Even if it is with E.T. and his family."

I laughed. Malrien was an interesting girl. With her small stature, hunched shoulders, and untamable chocolate brown hair, one would assume she was timid, but that was not the case. She was judgmental, honest, and brutal with her opinions. If the Unknowns ever heard one of her outbursts, she would be sent to work alone  in the fields for weeks. 

"Well, you know their story. They're dead-set on finding lost relatives. The Assimilators, as they've said. Apparently some of us are the children of their first pioneers. The Assimilators melded into human society and gained intel for the other Unknowns years ago. They were thought to be dead until recently. The Unknowns think those of us with Assimilator blood could be more compatible during conception. Come on, Malrien. You knew that." I took a hasty look around the crowd and whispered, "Its been 4 years of this ritual. Everyone I know has been chosen. What if I'm next?"

"You won't be." she stated confidently.

Bells chimed 4 times and a hush fell over the crowd. The Unknowns walked single-file to the center of the plaza, towering over us. The women wore beautiful ballgowns, while the men stood tall in handcrafted suits. Masks hid their faces from view, but their golden eyes were still prominent. They were as terrifying as they were beautiful. 

"Welcome beautiful Violets. We are thankful for your sacrifice and cherish your existence. Please, those of you whose names I call, come stand before me." a sweet feminine voice emerged from the first woman in their group, "Violet Elian, Violet Starlen, Violet Dasian, Violet Gilian, Violet Redian, and finally, Violet Valerian."

Violet Valerian. My societal name. Not the one I was born with, yet it was still mine. My feet stayed glued to the ground until Marlien's gentle hand nudged me forward. I turned away from the pitying look on her face and walked to the center of the square. It was my turn. 

"The rest of you may go home. Thank you for your time. Violet joy and violet love to all."

Maybe the sex part was a rumor. Maybe they didn't do that with those chosen. I hadn't seen a pregnant woman in my township since I was 16. I turned 23 last spring. 

"Ladies, let me introduce you to your company for the night. They will take great care of you during your stay, and if you show promise, you may end up staying for a longer visit."

A man with dark hair and golden skin stood before me with an uncomfortable look on his face. He seemed out of place--maybe the loner of his group. He made eye contact with me before speaking.

"Hello Violet Valerian, I am Golden Nathaniel."

I nodded, too shocked to speak. Warning bells rang in my ears as I saw him take my hand and kiss it. His voice, his hair, his eyes; they all seemed too familiar. Then it hit me.

Nate.