The Light into Tomorrow

Forgetful

The war had come and gone, us older teens remember when it ended and they took over. Our parents though had seen more of the war and tell us that we should be grateful our leaders came when they did, that they saved us from extinction. The war cost us everything, the world our elders knew was gone and the world us teens knew, wasn't sustainable. Laws were different now. The schools are taught by computers and my generation will be the last born from women.

I had always been a rule follower. Some of my classmates never adjusted to the life of order and, well I never seen then again. In the beginning, I thought they had moved schools. Soon though we all learned the government had put an end to unruly children and adults. There are ten rules we all have to live by, the first five more important than the rest. 

Our town was mostly the same, worn down and surrounded by a wall.  It wasn't like this forever though. The memories of before were removed from us, they were taken and everyone knows. That is the reason for the wall to keep us in. We are the test subjects. All of us came before our leaders took over. We can't be controlled as well, our genes are like a wild card. They didn't create us so they have trouble controlling us. We didn't look like the people of the capital, we had genetic differences, so they didn't want us mixed with their people.

As I comb my hair into the required bun I gaze at my frail complexion. I reflect back on how the officials remind me I could never be transferred to the city as few scholar students had before. I had excelled in school in hope to get to change my life but my genetics were too damaging. I was too different, the city people would notice my differences and they would hate me for it. I had always been punished for my differences, my brain was useless if I was different.

I take one last look into my cracked mirror, I notice every detail in my face and how my eyes long for something better and my mouth aches for a true smile. I push myself out of my chair and through the curtain separating my room and the rest of the house. I notice my father standing in the hallways in his day clothing. That was something we aren't allowed to do, he should be at work. Concerned I ask if everything is okay.

"Mare please tell me you didn't forget what today is," he complains, "you know how important is it to remember things."

I did, I knew that forgetting things caused conflict and conflict caused wars. "I know papa," I say with regret, "but I had trouble sleeping." Which wasn't a complete lie but nobody sleeps well these days. Some argue it's our leaders punishing us for being different.

"Today is our meeting in the city. You know I will have to send in a report for your forgetfulness, this is a punishable offense at your age."

I knew he never enjoyed sending in reports about me but he was right if he doesn't report it we could all be in trouble. On days when families were chosen parents got to stay at home and not work but us kids still had to attend school. We live in one of the poor towns on the outskirts of the capital so it was rare that we got picked for the dinners. I had always wondered what happened during the dinners but it was unheard of for a family to return from one and stay. After some of the dinners families died, some killed each other, and some just never returned. Even with these outcomes, people were enthralled to be invited. I, on the other hand, couldn't be more nervous.

-----Author Note-----

REUPLOADED____ So this is my first book back. I normally would write terrible fanfiction but I want to take a different path. I love reading dystopian novel/series so I thought I would write one. I hope this is a journey we can all take together. More fluffy chapters ahead.

XOXO,

Lexx