Short Stories!

Toddler Toss

Toddlers, bound in sin, sitting in highchairs, trapped. No movement is allowed until they are older, that is for sure. For now, they sit.

The large screen in front of them blasts the same teachings over and over, "A is for articulate, articulate means always being on time and clear in everything you say."

Sometimes the toddlers cry. If they don't stop, they are taken away through the metal pipes the food comes into. Those toddlers never come back.

"B is for balance, something you all will bring."

This is operated twenty-four seven. The toddlers sleep in their highchairs, they go to the bathroom in the toilets strapped to them.

"C is for calculated, like everything you will do."

Food is brought to there highchairs through metal pipes in the ground, propelled by air. The toddlers must grab the food, or they won't get any.

"D is for Don't. There are many things you don't do. You don't move, you let us think for you."

Each toddler wears the same dress until they graduate and become citizens.

"E is for enriching, what society will do for your lives."

All the toddlers in this room were put in here at the same time. After two thousand hours of the screentime, they graduate.

"F is for failure, something you'll never be."

Parents watch from behind double-sided mirrors and pick which toddler will be theirs.

"G is for greatness, something you're destined for,"

Even if the toddlers work hard all of there life, it will mean nothing. They won't ever know that.

"H is for hungry, something you'll be if you don't catch your food."

They don't understand.

"I is for the imbecile, those who don't follow our rules."

They won't understand.

"J is for judgment, something you will all live by."

Well, all that survive, that is.

"K is for kindness, something we all give to you."

Well, what we define as kindness.

"L is for listening, what you should always do to others."

Even if they'll never listen to you.

"M is for manslaughter, something we do if you misbehave."

They are too defenseless to escape.

"N is for nap time, a precious commodity."

So are you.

"O is for the obelisk, something we pray too."

I'm sorry. 

"P is for prepubescent, something you all are."

I've tried to help you.

"Q is for quotes, these sayings you will know by heart."

There's no chance at escape.

"R is for royals, those we look to in our times of need."

Grow up and become one of them.

"S is for smack, something you will get if you misbehave."

But don't forget me. 

"T is for tariffs, something you'll pay to live in our perfect world."

Remember me. 

"U is for the upgrade, what society will do to your lives."

If you get to the edge of town, I can help you. 

"V is for a vagrant, a commoner that's bad habits have made them poor."

Edge of town, find me.

"W is for war, a constant battle with others."

She has no jurisdiction there.

"X is for x-rays, to make sure you still have proper bones."

So come and find me when you're older.

"Y is for yearning, something one should never do."

I'll help you if you want. 

"Z is for zoo, a place where animals are breed."

If you don't, I'll have to kill you.