Tattooed

XX

        Wes and I walked to the same park that I went to with Corinth earlier when I first came here. It looked just as nice at night, almost like something from a fairytale. However I kept looking over my shoulder the whole walk here and even as Wes opened up the picnic blanket and sat down.

        "Calm down Cecy," He teased, "The point of this was to make you less stressed. Embrace your inner rebel."

        He pulled me down next to him and lightly kissed my lips. I let out a small content sigh of defeat. I pulled out the small pastries Wes packed from the picnic basket and picked at it. I really did need to unwind, try to forget the things I've read. Then I wondered again if I should tell Wes about it.

        "Earth to Cecil?" He asked. I slightly jumped. "You kinda blanked out a little there."

        "Oh." I said. I got quiet again and Wes huffed in annoyance.

        "Okay, now you really have to tell me what's going on. I've been trying to ignore it, let you tell me at your own time but-"

        "I found a book." I interrupted. If Wes wanted to know then I was going to tell him. He looked at me oddly. "It's...this book...about our history. The state's history and all the stratums. It talks about our Founders, and life before the Stratums, and why we have our laws..."

        "W-What?" He looked extremely interested, almost scarily interested, like this was something he's been searching for.

        I decided to ignore his reaction though and continued talking about it, grateful to finally get it off my chest. I told him everything I knew. I told Wes about how I found the book in the library seperated from all the other books, and how the Branding Ceremony and our laws were basically nothing but a sham made by rulers who were scared people were going to disrupt the peace. I told him how Colorless people aren't as shameful as we were raised to think they are. I even told him how some relative of mine, Dr. Merzel, was basically the reason Stratums were sorted by our tattoos in the first place.

        By the end of my speech I felt breathless. Wes stared at me in shock. Then he turned away but I could see emotions flicker through his eyes, disbelief, confusion, anger.

        "Wes?" I prodded softly. I knew this was a lot to take in, but he seemed to take it personal. Maybe it was. After all, it's these stupid laws that are the reason he has to risk his life to see his mom and his girlfriend.

        Wes faced me again and opened his mouth to speak when a shout was called.

        "Who's there?" Screamed a guard, "Why are you out past curfew?" A bright light shone on us and Wes and I jumped up. My heart pounded frantically in my chest.

        "Run!" Wes yelled and he grabbed my hand again. The guard pursued us and was gainging ground. We turned in alleys trying to lose him but I was struggling to keep up.

        Wes glanced around the corner to see where the guard was. "Cecil, go back home. I'll distract him for you."

        "What?" I looked at Wes in panic. "No, you'll get in more trouble than I will. I'm just out past curfew but you're in a whole different stratum."

        He kissed me. "You'll get in more trouble if you're caught with me. I won't risk getting you in trouble because of me. We're not that far from your house, just go straight through this alley and take two rights. Try not to get caught." He grabbed my face and kissed me again. I hated how he was acting like we were saying goodbye.

        "Have some faith in your Courageous boyfriend Cecy," he said trying to lighten the mood with his infamous smirk. "There's a chance the guard won't catch me. Now go."

        He ran off and I exclaimed. I quickly slapped my hands over my mouth. It'd be a waste if Wes risked his life and I still ended up getting caught. I swiftly but quietly made my way through the alley and around to my house. Adrenaline rushed through my veins. Soon I saw my house and I ran up the steps, unlocked the door and slammed it shut.

        I slid down the door until I was on the floor. I tried to slow my heart rate down. I was safe.

        Now I just hope Wes was too.