Dire wolf

3

August 2, 2115

The morning was slow. It always is. With only me and my parents in the house, there is no fights or rush for use of bathrooms, table spots, and anything else a big family argues over.

My parents had left for work, so I had the house to myself. They leave to go program weapons and machinery at four in the mourning, so I'm always alone.

I eat a lonely breakfast of whole wheat cereal, with no sugar, then leave on my bike.

The morning is cold, and the wind blows stray hairs from my face. I get to the high school, then go to the gym. The bleachers are unfolded, and only a couple hundred kids are sitting. I scan the room, but don't find Khara or her brother.

I sit a few rows up, then wait patiently as kids file in.

The first tardy bell rings, and Khara and Dylan rush in. They sit down by me as Miss Clee walks in.

She checks the mic, then clears her voice. "Welcome, all fifteen year olds!"

"Thank you, Miss Clee!" We all yell in unison.

She laughs. "You're welcome, students. Today is the day when you find out if you are an ancient or modern. When I call your name, please cross one side of the gym then head into the old theater room behind the stage. You will receive your tattoo there. Go back to your class promptly afterwards. Walla Acumber!" She yells.

We all wait in silence as Walla walks across the wood floor, the sound of her boots echoing around.

We wait three minutes, then Walla comes back holding her right arm. Miss Clee reads off the next names, and the same process happens till I hear Dylan's name.

He takes a deep breath, then goes to the stage.

In a few minutes, he comes back holding his left hand over his right. His entire fore arm is red, and he looks like he is crying.

"Khara Michael!" She says. Khara looks proud as she stands up, but I can tell she is nervous. "Wish me luck." She said.

"Good luck." I replied.

I waited impatiently. My legs started twitching, and the heel of my boot clicks on the floor.

Khara comes back, with her hand bleeding. I can't see well from far off, but her tattoo looks Ancient.

As she walks out, I hear my name. "Layta Mireen!"

I feel like throwing up, but I stand and walk towards the stage. Miss Clee smiles at me, but I don't return it.

I swing open the door, then walk into the room behind the stage.

The room is all white, with a table you see at clinics and a tattooing machine. A woman with white scrubs and a man in a silver plaid suit are standing. The man has dark, short hair and olive skin. He held a clipboard in hand. The woman had fair features, with bleach blond hair pulled into a bun like mine. From their tattoos, I can tell they are both modern.

"Hello, Miss Mireen. Please take a seat."

I do so, and feel the paper crackle under me as I sit.

"As you know, there are Ancients and Moderns. What you don't know, is that we were all once modern. The test was made a few decades ago to help us tell what type a person someone was. Everyone was modern, because they could not pass the test. They could not trust their instincts. About when the Dire wolves and saber cats were revived, someone passed the test. They were the first Ancient."

I thought about my test. I had not saved Rex, so had I failed?

I nodded. "May I see my score? Can I retake the test?" I ask.

"No." The woman says. "Please lay down, and you will get your tattoo."

I wanted to argue, but didn't. The woman slid the machine to my right side, then attached the machine to my wrist and elbow.

"This may hurt. Stay still."

There is a printer sound, and I brace my self. I feel a needle pierce my skin, and the wound stings.

From the movement of the needle, I can tell the lines are straight and turn occasionally.

It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. The woman takes the machine off, then runs it with some sort of gel.

"There. You are free to go." She says.

I sit up, and look at my hand. Straight lines, squares and dots from a design similar to a computer chip. I am a modern.

I get up from the table then exit. I hear someone else's name called by Miss Clee as I walk across the gym.