N429 handed Beatrice a slip of paper with the instructions for the ceremony on it. Beatrice took it and cleared her throat before speaking.
"Please state your given number."
"N429."
"Please state the reason you were given your current number."
"None. I have a randomized number." N429 continued, reciting the lines she had had memorized since she was old enough to read.
"Those with randomized numbers are free to choose whichever name they would like, as long as the council or a parent deems it fitting. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Have you picked a name?"
"Yes."
"Please state your chosen first name."
"Emily."
"The council agrees that this name is fitting. Please state your chosen surname."
"If the family whom the name belongs to will have me, I would choose the surname of Caspian," N429 smiles at Beatrice and Sabrina, "Beatrice and Sabrina Caspian, will you take me in as your sister for better or worse until our bodies come to rest in the ground and our souls take free flight on their ethereal path onward?"
"N429, we do, and farther than that so shall we never part as long as our spirits live." Beatrice responded.
N429's head shot up in disbelief and wonder, "How-?"
"Shh, the ceremony's not over yet." Whispered the elder Caspian sister with a twinkle in her eye. "N429, kneel and be called Emily Caspian from now until the end of time." She places her hand palm-down on N429's head, "Now rise, daughter of Caspian, and lay in the river so shall your number be cleansed and your body revived and then shall you truly be Emily Caspian."
N429 stood and walked to the river. Beatrice placed her hand on the small of her back and the support of her stomach and guided her as the younger girl fell slowly back into the river. 10, 20, 30 seconds passed, all three girls counting. 40, 50, 60 seconds and the older girl scooped the younger up and lied her on the soft grassy riverbank. "Emily Caspian stand and welcome your chosen life."
The middle sister stood, and after a moment of silence, rushed into the older girl's arms. They embraced each other as sisters, laughing, smiling, and as little Sabrina clutched at her leg, Emily Caspian thought that finally, finally, she belonged somewhere for good.
YOU ARE READING
N429
Science FictionA girl wanders through the forest, disowned by her family, cast out of her village, left to wander aimlessly on her own until she dies or finds someone kind enough to take her in. Weeks later, lost, cold, tired, and alone, she stumbles upon a small...
