A New Year
The next day comes with a brilliant sun shining and a million questions left to be answered. Galaxy wakes up with the thought that six-year-old’s and twelve-year-old’s are taken from their homes and left without that care to be taken who-knows-where. All her friends have the same thoughts stuck in their mind as they wake up at 6:30 A.M. Galaxy rushes out of bed to make sure Legacy is up. To her surprise, Legacy is up and dressed in her lavender uniform similar to Galaxy’s one.
“I see you are up. How are you holding up?”Galaxy says and asks as she sits down to eat beside her younger sister. “You better get dressed quickly so we can leave. I don’t want any one of the lives lost to be for nothing,”Legacy says seriously. “What do you mean lost?”Galaxy asks seriously, “you don’t think they actually kill people?” “I don’t know,”Legacy says quietly. Galaxy sighs and says, “I guess you are of the introverted type as well. I’m going to get dressed.”
Galaxy walks solemnly towards the Dray train alongside Legacy. “Don’t be so sad,”Legacy says solemnly, “I shouldn’t have told you because then you will fail with school now.” “Who ever said I was passing?”Galaxy says seriously and Legacy laughs half-heartedly. Legacy and Galaxy sit and wait for the train. Faris, Flute, Siren, Stone, Falcon, Clover, 6, Icterine, Major, Nicolette and Navy are running towards the train just as it arrives. Legacy and Galaxy look at each other as the friends are making their way into the train. They get up and rush in after them.
“What the hell happened?”Galaxy asks and they all look guilty, “so no one is going to speak about running this late and almost missing the train?” They all shake their heads. Galaxy fumes and drags Legacy along with her as she sits as far as possible from them. “You almost cost a child her life!”Galaxy shouts at them in anger. “Legacy,”Galaxy says, “please go to your designated class area.” Legacy nods and starts walking towards her grade. Galaxy sits down in the 9th section.
As soon as the train stops, Galaxy steps out and grabs Legacy. Galaxy drags her to the bus and sits down with her so she doesn’t have to see her friends who are hiding secrets from her. Her friends sigh loudly as they watch her personality taking over her mind. Galaxy and Legacy get off the bus and run to their classes because Galaxy is dragging her along. “Galaxy, slow down please,”Legacy says softly. Galaxy sighs and says, “Here’s your classroom.” Galaxy takes off towards her classroom for the homeroom. The routine goes the same as before. The periods pass slowly and as soon as the break comes, four hours later, Galaxy goes to the field and sees Legacy with her classmates.
Galaxy sighs and smiles then rolls her eyes as she sits and sees her group of friends coming towards her. “What do you want?”Galaxy asks with annoyance. “For you to actually listen to an explanation,”Stone says seriously and the others look at him stunned. Icterine, Stone, Falcon, Major, Nicolette and Navy sit down on the grass field. “Speak,”Galaxy says as she shoves a sandwich into her mouth. “It’s nothing big,”Stone says, “we just got caught up by the leaders asking our age.” Galaxy looks at them questioningly. “They are gathering the names that are the age of the leaders’ twins,”Icterine says seriously, “for the marriage to take place on the day of the graduation they have to find the future bride or groom and it seems there is no twelve to take that spot. Either the girl or the boy of the leader will take the lead along with some girl or boy with a lower number.”
Galaxy sighs, “So why didn’t you tell me sooner?” “Our names are all highlighted on the list,”Falcon says seriously and its far too strange to be coincidence.” Major sighs and says, “Nicolette and Navy were dismissed from the conversation but their father called them back after seeing the commotion.”
Galaxy looks at them with worry in her eyes, “What will become of us if we become leaders?” Icterine stays silent and looks at Galaxy with unsaid words. “They have all our information on hand,”Falcon says, “they looked at it infront of us.” “They basically are ready to choose the girl or boy with the highest C’s that doesn’t have any zeroes,”Navy says seriously, “think about it. Would they choose someone who isn’t a leader by nature who has a zero?” “It’s too risky,”Nicolette says in agreement.
The bell rings and Galaxy grabs Icterine. They enter the school together and stop in a corner of the hallway. “Spit it out,”Galaxy says seriously. Icterine gulps and says, “Major’s name was crossed out and a question mark was on Stone’s name.” “They wouldn’t choose Stone,” Galaxy says, “he’s a zero in that his personality didn’t change. We all figured that out.” Icterine nods, “What about Major?” “I honestly don’t know,”Galaxy says as she rushes towards her class at the warning bell’s sound.
Another four hours pass, the group meets in the field again. Dread is their only emotion.
“Everyone to the assembly hall for an announcement!”
The sound plays like a mantra until every class is in the hall that is larger than any football stadium known to man.
“Welcome students! This announcement is mainly for the 9th class but we have also been advised to tell their family. The 9th class will be among those considered to get married to the Future Leader Mazarine or the Future Leader Quade. The name of the future bride or groom will be revealed by the end of the week at the most. You may return to your lunch break.”
Everyone scatters at the words and siblings run towards their 9th siblings out of concern. All Galaxy’s friends gather in the field with their siblings holding tightly onto them.
“Why do they start this so early?”Flute asks seriously, her concern hidden behind a façade. “They want them to get to know each other over the years,”Falcon says seriously and everyone looks at him.
Legacy’s tears fall as she looks at her sister in desperation. “All the things that we were supposed to do will be so different if one of us gets chosen,”Stone says with worry. “Don’t worry, Stone, it won’t be you,”Galaxy says seriously and everyone looks at her skeptically, “what? You can’t tell me you haven’t figured it out by now.”
Everyone’s eyes widen and Galaxy shuts her mouth. Galaxy realizes a shadow is looming over her. “I met your lovely friends this morning,” a man says, “but didn’t have the privilege of meeting you. Please follow me.” Galaxy gets up and dusts her lavender skirt. Her friends look at her helplessly.
“Nice and big friend group,”the man says, “a bit too big. Heartbreak is certain to arrive soon enough.” Galaxy sighs and looks at the man with anger as they arrive in an office. “Name?”he asks. “Galaxy,”she says as she stands straight, her head held high. “Age?”he asks. “Fifteen,”she says. “Living area?”he asks. “3C, waiter, Capistrano,”Galaxy says seriously and he sighs.
“You’re going to be a tough one,”he says and laughs. “Can I go now?”Galaxy asks impatiently. “Your sister,”he says and Galaxy tenses, “almost didn’t make it. She made it by one measly point. Would that have made you hate the government more than you already do?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about,”Galaxy says with anger. He laughs, “You may go but I would be careful about what I say to that large friend group. No one will be loyal forever.”
He opens the door and Galaxy walks speedily out the door.
Galaxy knocks on the classroom door and is beckoned in. “Reason for tardiness?”the teacher asks. “Leader visit,”Galaxy says and everyone looks at her with pity even the teacher. “Sit,”the teacher says and continues the lesson that Galaxy barely listens to.
No other break arrives but her friends watch her walk solemnly towards the bus. They notice the leaders nearby. On the train, Galaxy asks, “Did he ask any of the girls to go to his office?” “No,”all her friends say and tears fill Galaxy’s eyes. Her friends immediately tense at the sight. Stone pushes them away and sits next to her. “Want to talk about it?”Stone asks. “Why do we always have to talk?” Galaxy asks, “why can’t we sit in silence and wonder what the other is thinking instead?”
“It’s easier for others to just know instead of guessing,”Stone says honestly. “You will find out tomorrow,”Galaxy says as the train stops and everyone walks off. Stone and his family head to the orphanage. The triplets and the twins head to 2C while Falcon runs after Galaxy and her sister.
Falcon grabs her shoulder and she stops. “Legacy, go inside its late,”Galaxy says and Legacy runs into the house, “It’s late. I don’t want you getting in trouble.” “What about you?”Falcon asks seriously. “I got a feeling it won’t matter from tomorrow what I do,”Galaxy says honestly and tears fill her feigned smiling face. Falcon hugs her tightly, “Just tell me.” Galaxy sighs after pushing him away. She looks at him. “I will be chosen,”Galaxy says and runs into her house.
Falcon stands outside the house of Galaxy early in the morning. Galaxy and Legacy make their way down at 6:30 A.M. Legacy runs ahead while Galaxy looks at Falcon. “What if a boy is chosen instead?”Falcon asks with hope. “You know they hate girls taking the lead so it’s unlikely,”Galaxy says and heads towards the train with him. None of her friends are in sight which means they are later or earlier.
As soon as they enter the school, the atmosphere is different. Everyone is escorted into the assembly hall and Galaxy gives Falcon a look. “It didn’t take them long to choose the future marriage mate,”Galaxy says as she looks at Falcon. The leader comes up on the stage with a few other people trailing behind him at exactly 8 A.M.
“Good morning! I would like you all to warmly welcome our leader who will be giving over his leadership soon. His daughter and son could not be here today. The leader wanted to make the announcement of his future daughter or son in-law so he came along.”
The leader steps forward and everyone claps.
“I am glad to be here today. I can’t wait to announce my future daughter-in-law or future son-in-law. So I will get straight to it. The future leader who will be escorted to meet the future leader is…Galaxy.”
Galaxy looks at him with fear in her eyes.
“Please come up here.”
Galaxy gets up and finds her sister standing then falling to the ground in tears. Galaxy wants to comfort her sister but, instead, walks up to the leader and stands alongside him as a picture is taken. All Galaxy can hear is her sister sobbing. Falcon gets up and goes to grab her sister so she can be comforted.
Galaxy is escorted along with the leader to a small looking vehicle. The leader goes into the vehicle first and then Galaxy follows with her lavender skirt on.
“You will still get the animal assigned to you but the job assigned to you can’t be had,”the leader says, “I will tell you my name since you will marry my son but you can’t tell anyone else.” Galaxy nods and looks at him. “Aldrich, nice to meet you,”he says kindly. “It’s nice to meet you too,”Galaxy says and barely smiles. He notices her fear. “My wife was the same as you,”he says, “her personality was the same and she was scared.”
Galaxy nods and looks outside the window as she passes all the areas that people live and work. Trees sway along with the flowers and grass, all in unity and all truly free.
Finally, they come to a stop and Galaxy’s phone buzzes. Galaxy looks at the phone and sighs.
“Don’t worry,”the leader says, “you will get used to it.” Galaxy sighs as she gets out of the vehicle. Flashes fill her eyes as people bombard her with questions. The leader grabs her hand and leads her into his house in the leader territory.
“Is it always like that?”Galaxy asks and he nods. “They don’t see us often,”Aldrich says honestly, “so they get as many pictures as they can when we finally show our faces.” Galaxy nods and looks at the house.
The house is larger than all the houses she’s seen and, even, larger than the houses of fellow leaders.
“Quade and Mazarine,”Aldrich shouts, “come down here now.” Two people come down the stairs but Quade isn’t one of them. “Where’s Quade?”Aldrich asks. “He is in his room, honey,”his wife says. “Mazarine, go get your brother please,”Aldrich demands. “Dad, I tried. He doesn’t want to meet her with us around,”Mazarine says seriously.
“I will take her to him,”Aldrich says seriously. Galaxy follows Aldrich upstairs to Quade’s room. “Son, please open up and talk to the girl,”Aldrich says and then the door opens. Aldrich motions for Galaxy to go in. Galaxy’s eyes widen, “Seriously.”
Galaxy walks in and a hand is put over her mouth. He shuts the door.
“Why are you so dramatic?”Galaxy says as the boy removes his hand from her mouth. “I don’t want this as much as you,”Quade says honestly. “I never doubted that,”Galaxy says seriously. “I have to teach you the ways of leadership,”Quade says. “Some things can’t be taught,”Galaxy says seriously. He chuckles.
“It’s nice to see a different appearance,”Quade says honestly, “everyone in leadership looks the same.” “They have all C’s,”Galaxy says and he looks at her. He nods and smiles. “Most of the stuff we need to know is taught in school,”Quade says as he looks at her, his black eyes piercing into her amber ones, “but there are some things civilians can never know. Things that can destroy a person. The answers you and everyone else has been looking for.”
“Like?”Galaxy asks seriously. “We can’t disclose such things until you are married to me and unable to get in touch with others who want the answers,”Quade says and looks at her. “So, why am I here right now?” Galaxy asks. “So you can meet and get to know me,”Quade says without a stutter. “What’s your personality type?”Galaxy asks and he smiles. “I don’t have one,”Quade says, “only normal people have those. I am what you call a zero in that regard.”
“Is that not what they are called?”Galaxy asks as she continues to walk around his room while he sits on his bed. “No,”Quade says and Galaxy looks at him, “only those with no job are called zeroes.” “So?”Galaxy asks curiously. “They are just members of society that have a missing part to them,”Quade says, “they have a name but you will find out later in your studies.” Galaxy nods and sits on his bed.
Quade looks at her and asks, “What’s your personality type?” “Intimidating,”she says honestly and he laughs a little. Galaxy glares at him. He puts his hands up in surrender. “What’s your strength?”Galaxy asks and his eyes fill with mischief. “I don’t have one,”Quade says and Galaxy’s eyes widen. “Wow,”Galaxy says and laughs. He smiles and nods. “Yours?”he asks. “I haven’t figured it out yet,”Galaxy says and he looks at her weirdly. He nods and starts thinking. “Why don’t we try to figure it out since you have to be stuck here anyways?”Quade suggests and Galaxy ponders the idea then wholeheartedly agrees.
After trying communication, good health and stamina, they finally arrive at navigation where she finds her strength.
“It’s such a stupid strength,”Galaxy says as she laughs. “It could come in handy one day if you try and escape,”Quade says seriously and then laughs. Galaxy looks at him thoughtfully and then smiles at his laughter.