Unmarked

32. Distract

Entering the main square, I straighten up and set my face into a neutral expression.

Officials stand guard outside The State Headquarters, more are positioned in the centre of the square surrounding the large metal hanging platform. My eyes are involuntarily drawn to the dangling bodies: vile and decomposing with bulging, swollen faces. The decayed bodies fill the square with the heavy stench of death. Rotten and sickly sweet it clogs my nose and throat, making it difficult to breathe.

Grey tenses beside me and his trembling hand brushes mine every so often. His jaw is set, eyes focussed on the gleaming Reflection Centre up ahead. A throbbing muscle below his temple gives away the fear and panic battling inside him.

"I've never read a book," I say.

Grey's gaze focuses on me and I can tell he hasn't heard me.

"I've never read a book," I repeat. "Not one single page of a book. Not even a sentence."

"Really?" Grey's jaw softens. His attention is on me rather than Officials around us.

"Not my thing." I shrug. "I saw you had quite a few books in your room. What sort of books do you like reading?"

"Mostly factual ones about how the world works. I had a lot of mathematics ones too."

"They sound interesting... if the only other option was to gouge my eyes out."

"I don't like reading books which are unpredictable and end in death," Grey says stiffly. His eyes drift towards the platform and the Officials, his jaw tenses again which is what I'm trying to avoid.

"I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean you're limited to factual books and numbers," I say quickly. "There is a whole range of genres you could choose from."

"Says the person who has never read a book." Grey's lips curve upwards slightly but the warmth doesn't reach his eyes.

"I don't need to read to know you could choose a book within the genres of comedy, romance, cooking, dictionaries..."

"Dictionaries is not a genre of book." He laughs softly.

"You get my drift," I say, waving my hand dismissively in the air.

"Next time I plan on buying a book, I'll take you and you can be in charge of picking one for me. It'll be fun."

"Can't wait." I roll my eyes. "The first book I'm choosing you will be 'ideas on fun things to do' because taking someone who doesn't read books to a bookshop is not fun."

Grey laughs.

"Ok, we're here." I smile.

Grey blinks in surprise as the large glass doors of the Reflection Centre slide open in front of us. I walk directly to the reception desk where a friendly-looking woman sits and welcomes me with a smile. A small circle on her neck indicates her pledge to The State and I hesitate. What if this doesn't work? Then I remember all the people I have dealt with, some with marks sealing their commitment and passion for The State and its laws whilst simultaneously flaunting them behind closed doors.

Marks don't show people's true thoughts, morals or values.

"Hello. We would like to join the local community purity purge on recommendation of Reflection Overseer Flora," I say, pulling Grey forward.

"I'm sorry, all our voluntary spaces have already been allocated," The woman says quietly. Her eyes flick towards her supervisor who is talking to an elderly couple a few steps away.

"Yes, and two of those spaces have been allocated to us. If you check your list you'll see our names. May I please have the time, date and location of where we should meet them? Me and my fiancé want to contribute to the cleansing of the morally corrupt for the sake of our future children, I hope you will not deny us this right.'

The woman's mouth curls in amusement and I know I've gone a bit overkill with the statement but I'm tired. I'm more than that. I'm exhausted and I haven't the energy to play this game.

"I'm so sorry. I should have asked if you were already on our list. You should be able to make it. They are due to meet in twenty minutes on the other side of the city at the corner of Sec Street and Laical Avenue. Let me write the address down for you." The woman scribbles something on a piece of paper and hands it to me. Her supervisor approaches us and she adds, "I suggest you hurry so as not to miss them. They always leave promptly at the time scheduled."

"Thank you for your time," I respond quickly. I pass the paper to Grey and link my arm through his as we promptly walk away.

"I can't wait. Our first community purge together," I say to Grey with way too much enthusiasm.

Grey gives me a tight smile as we leave the Reflection Centre. Walking across the main square, Grey mutters, "The address she's written doesn't match the one she told us."

"Her superior was watching so I guess she had to tell us the actual location of where the meeting is so we have two options: we can join the real purge, hunt down supposed criminals like you and me or we go to the written address to meet the not rebel-rebel group. Which group of lunatics are we going to meet?" I smile wryly. "Your choice."