N429

The Caspian Sisters

As N429 sat with the strange girl in the house, sipping their coco, a faint creaking sounded from above. Both girls looked up as a young girl in a long periwinkle nightgown descended the stairs. The older girl smiled and patted the couch between them, but the little girl sat on the floor beside her instead. No one talked for a long moment as the girls looked curiously at N429.

"Who are you?" The young girl had a chiming voice and reminded N429 a lot of A1153. She blinked her large eyes at N429 expectantly.

"N429," She replied quietly. The young girl's eyes were so much like her own had been when she was younger. And, for that matter, so much like A1153's.

"That's a funny name,"

"Sabrina, don't be rude," the older girl chastised.

"But I was just-," she cut off at a stern look from the other girl, "I'm sorry, Miss N-4-2-9"

"I'm Beatrice Caspian and this is my younger sister Sabrina," said the older girl, turning to N429, "But you can call us Be and Sab, if you want."

"So she doesn't have a number?" Asked N429 curiously.

"I'm sorry?" Asked Beatrice, not comprehending.

"Sabrina. She already got her name? I didn't think that you were allowed to have a name before 18." Both sisters exchanged a glance before looking back at N429 sympathetically.

"What?"

"You're a city child, aren't you?"

"Yeah, what does that matter?"

"We aren't. We got names, not numbers. We weren't raised in a city, we were raised here."

The sentence hit N429 like a bolt of lightning. Her mind reeled trying to think of the possibilities and risks. Not raised in a city? How is that even possible? How does someone live without the rule of a city? With no Wardens, no Council, no cameras, and no laws? How is there not total chaos? Of course, N429 had heard the cautionary tales about the outlaws living in the wastelands and forests that surrounded every city, but they were nothing like this! These girls were civilized, and their features as perfect as if they had lived in a city long enough to earn their own names. "So-so, you don't know what a city is like? Neither of you?" Beatrice looked sideways at Sabrina, who was shaking her head vigorously, large eyes as wide as saucers, but Beatrice made no move or sound to affirm or deny her little sister's claim. N429 exhaled heavily, her mind trying harder and harder to wrap her mind around the information.

"Why don't you tell us about it. Tell us your story. Then we'll tell you our story and what we know." suggested Beatrice

N429 nodded, but before she could speak, Sabrina cut in again.

"So you don't have a name?"

"No," N429 replied surprised, "Just a number. I'm not old enough for a name yet. It's not allowed."

"We don't have rules like that here. Would you like a name?" Bounced the little girl excitedly.

"I've always wanted a name, it's what everyone works towards and looks forward to. I'd love to earn a name."

"I think surviving that forest for even a night warrants the earning of a name." Chimed in Beatrice.

"I agree." Chirped Sabrina happily.

"How does earning your name work?" Beatrice continued.

"Well... you're chosen for the naming ceremony and they bring you up on stage. The council calls your number and you step forward. They ask your parents for your number and the reason they chose it, if there was a reason, like my little sister A1153, and the council tells you to pick a name under the same sentiment. If there wasn't a reason, you pick a name that you think suits you. Either way, the council or your parents have to agree with the name and by way of affirming your name, they perform a ceremony that brings you into your new life."

"Ok. That seems easy enough. Did your parents name you for any reason in particular?"

"No, they asked the council to choose a random number for me."

"Well, then you have the world at your feet. We're your council and since your parents aren't here, we'll affirm your name for you. Do you know the ceremony?"

"Yes. I have since I was little. Every city child memorizes it in school in case of an emergency."

"Well, then you'll have to talk us through it, but I'm sure we can get it, right Sab?"

"Yeah! Yeah! I can do it!"

N429 smiles at the little girl. "You two would really do this for me?"

Beatrice nods without a second thought, "Of course."

Sabrina bounced over to N429 and sat on her lap. "What's your name? What's your name?"

N429 giggled, "I'm not allowed to tell you. Not yet."

Beatrice chuckled, "So, until the sun comes out, tell us about you."

N429 smiled, "Alright."