Her

Lucas was packing up the last of his things when he heard her voice announcing, “It is time to go.” He made his way downstairs, begrudgingly, and walked out the front door without even saying a word to his uncle Peter--who came trailing after once he saw him pass by. The two of them got in the car, in awkward silence, and as Lucas kept his eyes on his shoes.

“It’s an exciting day,” said his uncle, trying to get a positive response. “It’s career day.”

“Oh, indeed it is,” she said, now speaking through the sound system of the car. “And

remember, Peter, we agreed to pick up Lucas’ friend, Mark, for the exam.”

“Thanks, Iris. You are always watching over us,” Peter responded with a chuckle. “Alright, let’s head out.” With that, the car began to move.

Her voice again. “Scans indicate that you have not had your breakfast this morning, Lucas.”

“Yeah, well, I wasn’t hungry,” he said in a grumble.

“It is the most important meal of the day,” responded Iris, more matter-of-factly than argumentative. But before Lucas could respond, she added, “and there are three acceptable breakfast options on the way to Mark’s house for you to choose from.”

As Lucas and Mark walked into the schoolhouse her voice immediately intruded on their conversation. “Good morning Lucas, good morning Mark. Lucas, I see that you still haven’t eaten your breakfast, it IS the most important meal of the day. Perhaps you can grab a snack from the cafeteria on your way in? Mark, in my scan it appears your backpack is missing your Pinnacle writing utensils. I will inform Mr. Melamed so that you will be better prepared for the written portion of your career day exam this afternoon.”

“Thanks Iris,” Mark said simply, as Lucas intentionally steered them away from the route that led them toward the cafeteria.

When all students were appropriately seated at the exact stroke of 8 a.m. the warm buzz of her voice filled the packed auditorium again. “Good morning Pinnacle students, today in history, our Zenith leaders closed the doors to the outside world for the final time. This ensured the safety of our community for the last seventy one years, as no polluted earth air has ever made its way into us. Blessed is the Pinnacle.”

“Blessed is the Pinnacle,” they all said in unison.

“Alright,” said Mr. Melamed, “You all know that today is the day you have been preparing for all of your sixteen years. As you have been told repeatedly, your exam will consist of a written portion, a thorough medical examination, and a problem solving portion. I remember sitting exactly where you are now, many moons ago, awaiting what my future would hold for me. Will you be one of our Notables working on our scientific endeavors? Will you be one of our Secure, who ensures the security of structures? Will you be one of our Municiples, ensuring the beauty of our community and helping with the work that keeps us all going? The possibilities are vast.”

Her voice radiated throughout the room once again, “Remember, no job is too small when we are working for all.”

“Right,” said Mr. Melamed, clapping his hands together once. “Let’s begin.”

For the next several hours students worked through the written essay questions, submitted themselves through an invasive medical examination of body scans and prodding, and found themselves in front of a mixed panel of authorities asking them questions about complex issues they might one day face in their society. Each one kept a serious expression as student by student went through this process, making sure their face had no tells as to their approval or disapproval.

When the examination was done the students filled Mr. Melamed’s room again. Her voice rang proudly through the room, “Today you showed your dedication to our community. Don’t forget tonight will be the career banquet, in which we will celebrate the unveiling of your life’s purpose. Don’t forget to dress in your banquet clothing, which will be laid out for you upon your arrival home.” Mr. Melamed nodded at them all as a sign it was time to leave.

Lucas sat at his designated table and watched as families celebrated each announcement for his classmates as they popped up on screen. Everyone made sure to take note of who they needed to schmooze and suck up to for the new generation of Notables and policy makers. He couldn’t stand all of the interjections and comments by Iris, giving history or praising the people of the city and the importance of their role in the society. Iris was his mother’s project, and it was her voice! She designed it to help and support people, but the leaders of this city just cast her out and took what they wanted. He needed to get out. With everyone so distracted at the angles they were playing, it was easy for him to slip out unseen. He wanted to go to the park his mother used to take him to, and to remember her in his way--not what they’ve turned her into.

As Lucas sat on the bench, he clutched the heart-shaped locket hanging around his neck, always hidden from everyone under his clothes. It was his last piece of his mom, and he did his best to hold back the tears that were swelling up in his eyes. He was so young when she was exiled into the wastelands and knew that there was no way she could have survived the devastation that existed outside of their protected hub. So, this was the only place of respite he could find to remember her in peace. Only there was no peace for him today as his mind was racing. How long did her lungs hold out in the unbreathable air of the outside world? Did she die from choking, or was it something else entirely that destroyed a person on the outside? From everything he had been told there was no food, water, or place for shelter. The worst part of not knowing is the veritable hell your imagination creates. Defending against these thoughts, his mind jumped back to his uncle. I wonder if Uncle Peter has noticed I’m gone yet. Or if he is proud or disappointed in whatever purpose was chosen for me, he thought to himself. Everything surrounding him became darker and darker as the night went on, but he stayed put, losing himself in his thoughts. A few moments later, he was jerked back to his reality by the sound of alarms and lights shining onto his face by the patrolling security drones.

“Lucas Adams--you are in violation of Zenith’s curfew security protocols. You are now required to report to the Pinnacle building for reprimands by the security director. A transport vehicle has been issued to pick you up.” As the drone finished, Lucas saw the vehicle pull up and open its back doors.

“I’m really sorry,” he began in his defense, but it didn’t do any good. The drone just began to replay its statement--Lucas Adams--you are in violation of Zenith’s curfew security protocols. You are now required to report to the Pinnacle building for reprimands by the security director. A transport vehicle has been issued to pick you up. He knew the drones were recording everything, but he also felt in his gut that he couldn’t let himself be taken to Pinnacle security. With his mother’s history, any infraction could result in his own exile--so, he ran.

“Director,” said a mousy girl who had just been assigned to work for the monitoring bureau of Pinnacle Security. “One of our drones attempted to arrest a boy in violation of curfew and he is on the run.”

“Transfer the feed to the main screen,” he said, coolly. “And who is the boy,” he asked the same girl.

“His name is Lucas Adams, 16 years old. Not much in his file, but his mother is listed as a hostile and was exiled 10 years ago.” The Director watched as Lucas ran, weaving around objects and constantly looking backwards to see if the drone was still in pursuit--which they always were. They were specifically designed to pursue and record.

“Activate audio,” he directed to the girl. “Lucas Adams,” he said, just as calm and cool as before. “Your best option is to simply allow the security transport vehicle to bring you here. You have nowhere to go.” But, Lucas wasn’t listening. He was too scared to process anything other than get away. In his haste to escape, he jumped a nearby wall that had a much longer drop off on the other end. As he came down, he twisted his ankle and found himself cornered. Two other security drones were coming toward him from the other direction, same alarms and messages from the previous one, shouting his name and violation. People began to gather at their windows and see what the commotion was outside. Unable to move, the three drones and the transport vehicle caught up to him. A gurney rolled out of the vehicle and positioned itself next to Lucas. “Just sit on the gurney, Lucas. It’s time to stop fighting.” Defeated, Lucas complied.

Anxious days passed before he was brought before the Communal to discuss his situation. The Director spoke, the recordings played, and he was questioned. The worst of it was when they read through his file and discussed the “pressing issue of his past.” They discussed his mother with words like rebel, hostile, betrayal.

“Stop it!” he demanded. It was an outburst that they were not accustomed to hearing. “You didn’t even know her,” he continued.

“Sit down,” growled the Director.

“I’ve heard enough,” one of them announced.

“As have I,” said another.

“And what is the Communal’s decision,” asked the Director.

“Exile,” they said in concert.

Lucas was immediately pulled from where he had been sitting, and security began to strip him of everything, clothing, belongings, and dignity.

“No--you can’t take my locket,” he screamed. “Uncle Peter, do something,” he shouted out toward the gallery of people who had gathered. “Please.” Ashamed, more of himself than anything else, Peter just looked away, unable to do anything. Lucas struggled, but to no avail. After they had taken everything, two men approached with the branding iron.

“Log him with the number 2091-04,” said the Director. The men pressed the brand to his face, just underneath his left eye, unflinching to his cries of pain and pleas of mercy. Without a word, they walked him through the gallery and the entrance vestibule of Zenith and pushed him through the first set of doors. Many people began to gather in the streets and watch the occasion. It was rare to see, but they seemed drawn to the grotesque nature of it. The second set of doors opened, and Lucas stepped out into the dust bowl raging in front of him and disappearing from the view of his onlookers.

Lucas did his best to navigate his way through the dust storm, but quickly found himself giving up. He collapsed to the ground and decided to just let the elements take him. But after a few minutes, he felt a dog licking his face. A surge of fear surrounded him - what was this creature? It seemed friendly enough, and it seemed to want him to move and follow. So he did. She kept barking so he could keep pace and follow her, and eventually they came through the sandstorm and to the foot of a grassy hill. Brushing the sand from his eyes, he was able to see what looked like a little village at the top, with fields on either side. He could hear children running and playing in the distance. His guide let out one final bark before running up the hill and past a sign that read, “To all who enter here, welcome to the city of Hope.”