Darcia

Introduction

  The lights shone bright throughout the city and the rest of the country. It was 7am and time for everyone to awaken and get ready for initiation day. Everyone throughout the country at the ages of 24, for work, 28 for husband, 30 for insemination, and 65 for retirement had to be in the closes arena by nine sharp. The others, dressed, fed, and sitting in the family area watching the initiation being held.
   That's how our world worked, we have been split in three for generations starting after the fourth world war. The farthest east, the men, the middle, couples and their children, and the west, women. 
  It's my turn for work assignment. I previously took the test the week prior. I know I passed my health and mental exams with flying colors, so I wonder what I'll be assigned. 
   
   Will I be a nurse like mother, or many a engineer like my father? 

   I racked my brain with questions about my future. I hoped I didn't end up without work. I dressed quickly in the bland uniform dress all women wore and braided my long black hair down my back and out of my face. I wwnt to the kitchen and ordered my flavorless breakfast of eggs and toast. I ate slowly and then left for the train after brushing my teeth and throwing my tray in the cleaning rack.
      The train, just as dull and everything else, was packed with many women of different ages. I found Denise and walked over. We bowed, hands on our chin as a sign of respect and we gathered on the train. When we sat, I saw her twitching her fingers in her lap and knew she was just as nervous as I was. I slightly bumped her and gave her a reassuring gaze. She nodded lightly in response. Her twitching continuing.