The Gifted

Chapter Three

I just got home from the day.  The whole presentation Rodger gave today had given us all a lot to think about.  It was interesting.  All our lives, all throughout the three years of First-Levels, five years of Second-Levels, and the first two years of Third-Levels, they taught us different was bad.  Different was chaos, different was jealousy, it was pride, and it was embarrassing, all wrapped in one. Now they do a 180° spin and tell us it's quite the opposite.  Now it's to be strived for.

I walked in to the Dining Room right as the Evening Meal was set up.  "James, you're late.  We were just about to start eating without you," my mother explained.

I rubbed my face with both of my hands.  "Yeah, you could say it was a long day," I replied.

"What brought about your lateness?" my father inquired.

"I was just talking with Karly and Charlie after school.  I guess time just got away from us.  Listen, I'm really tired.  Is it okay if I skip my Evening Meal tonight?"  I really just wanted to sit and think by myself without any distraction.

"You really shouldn't.  It isn't permitted and it will only be a few minutes.  You have to have your daily vitamins.  I think you better just-" Father started.

My mother cut him off.  "Go ahead, dear.  Get some rest.  We'll chat later."

"Thanks, Mother."

I started up the stairs and heard Mother and Father talking as I left.

"He really shouldn't be skipping his Evening Meal."

"I know, but couldn't you tell he was just mentally exhausted?  You remember what it was like to first learn about the Capability Test, don't you?"  I stopped to listen to my mother.  "You know, it still confuses me how I can remember it, but not remember it.  Why do everyone's memories just disappear from it afterwards?"

"No one knows.  We shouldn't be talking about this anyway.  An Official could be listening," Father said.

"I know," Mother paused to sigh.  "Well, anyway, it's just a lot to take in.  And it's okay if he skips his vitamins this once.  The Committee isn't as strict once you begin training."

I peeked down the stairs and saw my father nodding.  "Yes, I suppose you're correct."

"You know what else I'm correct in?  That it's not polite to eavesdrop," my mother said.

"Ah, yes.  That is also correct," my father agreed.  Both Mother and Father looked up at me.  "Good bye, James," my father said, smiling.

I sighed.  "Bye."  I trudged up the rest of the stairs to my room.  Once I entered the room, I shut the door and collapsed onto my bed.  I sprawled out across the surface.

I counted on my fingers things I had learned that day:
1. I was going to take something called The Capability Test
2. I would have to go through training
3. The Committee isn't as strict with vitamins during training
4. That's probably why we stopped the WMCE's
5. Every person of their last year--their third year--of being Third-Levels took this test
6. I--my whole class really--was going to all be different in the near future

I let out another sigh.  I hadn't ever heard of this test before.  I bet it was forbidden to talk about with people who hadn't learned of it yet.  That must be why my parents didn't tell me anything about it yesterday, why they lied about knowing why we stopped the WMCE's.  But how did they manage to keep it from everyone?  They clearly had a foolproof way.

I really was just mentally exhausted.  I needed sleep.  I thought about taking my nightly pills or the white liquid that cleaned my teeth, but then I remember what Mother had said before "...it's okay if he skips his vitamins this once.  The Committee isn't as strict once you begin training."  I might as well take advantage of them not being strict.  I guess I can skip it all tonight.  Soon, I was taken over by a deep sleep.