The Forbidden Children

Tate

November 3rd, 8018

"We will take one more question this fine evening...ah yes the woman over there...with the red sunglasses please."

"Hi yes! I was wondering if a normal person like me would be able to code my laptop?" An older woman with a pink jumpsuit and frizzy blonde hair called out excitedly, practically jumping in her seat.

"Well technically yes, you can write code on most laptops. Yet, your productivity will improve if you use a machine suited to the type of tasks that you perform. There are different types of development, and various tools are required with each specialization. That is why you should leave coding to the professionals who have graduated job academy. We are not promoting any illegal activity here folks!" The man almost looked controlled as he forced these words out of his mouth with a laugh.

The broadcasted interview practically glitched to a commercial as the business people around me began to disperse with concerned whispers.

That man probably won't be seeing another day.

"Hey kid! What do you think you are doing?!" An officer turned the corner suddenly stopping dead in his tracks as he stared at a skinny boy no older than the age 15.

"Sorry sir, I was on my way to get Mr. Worcester's groceries but this new broadcast diverted my attention." I smiled warmly trying to act as confident in my story as possible. That is the key to lying to someone who decides your fate in mere seconds.

"Ah yes, I've heard of the young man brave enough to step into that old mansion. Good luck sport, maybe ask for new clothes when you are there, not like he'll hear you anyways," and with that he patted my shoulder forcefully as he continued on about his day.

I looked at my reflection in the stained glass of the electronics store that held several TV's now containing constant static. My dirty blonde hair was almost touching the base of my neck which contrasted with my huge jeans and hole filled t-shirt. No wonder that man thought I was up to no good, I looked like I've been through the wringer.

I collected my thoughts together to ease the uneasiness in my stomach at the idea of the cop not believing my story. Thank God the people in Oregon are quite slow, including my older brothers who couldn't' get scholarships to Job academy and therefore couldn't get in. They still left though, I haven't heard from them in ages, guess they were sick of poverty and lies.

Lies.

They are the foundation of my life. I wouldn't be walking in public on this broken down sidewalk if I couldn't lie. My existence is even a lie. I'm not some brave schoolboy who offered to get Mr. Worcester's groceries, that was simply a cover up since he hasn't left his mansion in years and everything thinks his place is haunted.

I am Tate Whiteford, a Forbidden child who CAN lie to save his life. My whole story is quite ironic since my parents Talbot and Silvia Whiteford most likely wouldn't be well nourished or even alive if it weren't for me, but I also could instantly become the reason for their death.

They never seemed to mind though. From all their stories they have told me, rule-breaking runs in the family. Parties consumed their life in high school and they didn't wait around to enjoy each other's presence. The lack of educational desire and the news of my mom's first pregnancy definitely persuaded the high school faculty to let them go. With no degree under their belts, Job academy was never going to give them a second glance. So they ran away together to Portland, Oregon and made a life for themselves on the streets. If I didn't know better, I bet my parents didn't even have an ounce of worry in their hearts once a third kid was coming along.