Seeing the Chosen Ones reminded her of the potential of humanity, and though the average person may not be able to attain such a high standard, surely we can improve ourselves in a measurable way? A way that can save us from self-destruction? There must be a way. I will find a way.
Siff practically runs to the back of her school where she knows Noven will be waiting. She can’t wait to tell him about her trip and her newfound decision to pursue politics. Maybe not the part about her plan to change things so dramatically though. She can’t help but grin at the thought of having hope for the first time in ten years.
The back of the school has a field connected by dirt paths to a nearby park. There is a hill with picnic tables and a number of students waiting for classes to begin. Eyeing them all, Siff finds Noven sitting with his friends: four girls that she is not fond of. But today she is in good spirits and rushes toward them to greet him. As she gets closer she sees they are looking over a book; strange, they aren’t the type to study on paper. Siff gets within a few feet and sees the book open laying flat on the table, “Hi guys, what are you studying?”
Noven looks up smiling, and lifts the book to reveal the yellow cover. Siff’s eyes grow wide and her stomach sinks with the betrayal, “You stole that from my locker?!”
“Of course.”
“But…why?”
“How could I not?”
“I trusted you!”
“And I knew something was going on with you. Why do you think I asked you out in the first place? The only interest I had in you was what you were hiding, and now everyone will know.” His arrogant smile can’t wait to tell all about how he manipulated her, “It was tricky though, I thought my suspicions were a dud when I snatched this. But then I realized the back of each page had indentations that didn’t line up with the writing.” He flourishes the journal, “Invisible ink. Very clever. And very enlightening. I’m a shoe-in for the detective program after this.”
The four girls have surrounded her at this point, shocked betrayal giving her pins and needles in her arms and legs. She feels dizzy and weak. She wants to throw up. Her mind races, thinking of all the love and attention he had poured on her, all the lies he had whispered in her ear, and all the ways she might be disciplined because she dared to trust someone. How her life is about to be over. Emptiness fills her soul, and tears start to fall from wide eyes over trembling lips, “You used me…”
Noven continues to smirk, “Of course I used you. Why would I want anything to do with someone like you? Lets have a read, shall we…”
“Give it back!”
Siff grabs for the book but is pushed back by two girls. She punches one in the face and jumps her, but the other three drag her off and beat her, kicking her as she lies on the ground protecting her face. They ease off so Siff can hear Noven speak, “‘I wish it wasn’t this way, why do only the Chosen Ones have hope? The mission has such stupid protocols…’”
He nods and the girls kick her some more, “Having celebrity parents won’t save you from this, scortillum,” he goes back to reading, “‘I can’t believe I have to hide my questions just because some ancient people decided I’m not allowed to choose my own life. What if they were wrong? I want to change and grow and get better as a person. That can’t be evil, can it? Why should I see myself as an irredeemable stain on the universe? I know we can get better than our ancestors…’”
The girls lay into her again as a teacher rushes to the scene and pushes them away, “Exactly what is going on here?!” She glares at Noven who simply hands her the journal and smiles. The teacher is quiet for a few seconds before closing the book. She grabs Siff off the floor by her elbow and marches her inside.
6
Siff sits bloodied and bruised on a chair in the office as security forces arrive and take the book. The tears have given way to shock. The one time she chose to trust someone and this happened. She didn’t just lose her boyfriend, she might have just lost her life. Such materials are treated with zero tolerance and severe punishment. Even voicing questions can make you disappear, as Siff well knows. Images of her best friend being taken away start to resurface from ten years ago. Terror grips her heart and shock gives way to tears again. She can hear teachers talk with security about the possibility of infectious thought processes and the necessity to sterilize her. She is terrified what that may mean.
When her father shows up it doesn’t get any better. He speaks briefly with security and walks over to Siff, “Get up. Get in the transport. Now.”
Outside a security transport is waiting for her. She climbs in and sits between two fully armed officers. The doors behind her close and she feels them moving. Siff stays silent with trembling lip and tears making their way down her fast swelling face.
When the transport stops she is surprised to find herself escorted to her house. She was expecting a prison cell. The security waits outside as she walks into the foyer.
The door closes behind her and she walks gingerly to where three figures are conversing in the living room. Her father is standing there with the chief of security. His name is Mars and he is speaking intensely, holding her notebook in a plastic case, “This cannot happen. Not ever. Not ever again. Understand? I cannot, and will not, protect her a third time. The mission is above all, and the only reason I’m agreeing to this
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