The Before

After the Great Wars have stripped society as we know it, the Before marks the time from birth to 18 years old where citizens are educated, trained, and equipped to take their specific place in the new Society. This job is given to them by the Government at the Distribution ceremony, chosen specifically to fit their skills and abilities. Everyone seems hopeful for this future, eager to fit into their place in the Utopian-like communities where conflict has been eradicated and everyone has equal opportunities, or so it seems. However, Alexis knows she is different, even before she can put a finger on why. While others sleep soundly, she suffers from night terrors that keep her awake most of the night. She excels above the other students and constantly questions everything around her. As soon as her behavior starts to turn heads, Easton, an Official for the Government who secretly possesses the same gifts as she does, takes her under his wing and starts to teach her about the realities of the seemingly perfect world around her: the good, the bad, and the ugly.