Children of the State

The ringing of the morning bell kept blaring. Zarian could hardly open his eyes with the other boys in Bunk Room Two.  The morning was never welcome, and the wrath of Headmaster Clarian.  He wanted all the children at the State Boys Academy to be at the top and serve the state to the best of their abilities.  Still, the headache results from Clarian's minions entering as the Zarian barely opened his eyes.  The mattress was moving as Zarian was still lying.  The cold ground was the result of his fall. 

"Wake up, boys, there is much to be desired of you today," Clarian blared over the intercom.

Each boy scrambled to get dressed without the pushing of their captors. Zarian slowly rose from the ground, throwing his gym shorts and heading to the busy showers. The routine was a relentless cycle, a never-ending loop of the same tasks and the exact expectations.   Each morning, it was the same schedule as it always was.  Since they have been placed here from the State Boys Middle Academy.  The cold morning air was felt as the change of the seasons, and compliance was the boy's goal.  Zarian could only dream of finally being done with the State Academies that he was born.  He dreamed of being in the outside world with a job and more freedom. For now, just the long wait for a free sink and shower to start another day in the city zones. The day had begun with the rumble of the trains in the distance.

Breakfast was as meager as everyone was given what they needed without excess.  Zarian's stomach ached for more than the meager servings but for the glory of the great State of Unity. It was never enough for anyone, but that had been his entire life.  The wandering dream is to be assigned to work on the train just to escape the West Garden City Zone.  Yet the hustle to survive was to eat as fast as possible so the food would not disappear. Silence fell upon the room as the Headmaster stood in all his glory. His sculling looks glanced over the room of boys who needed guidance.

"Let us chant the state motto in unison this time," Clarian announced.

Zarian stood to attention, as all his comrades had done, and looked at the enormous flag in the room.

"The State is our parent and guide to bring us into the light; we are children of the State," All the occupants recited in unison, their voices a mix of conformity and quiet rebellion.

Zarian glared at the flag and wondered if the world would be so different if he had his own parents. The day only blurs as long-winded teachers were drone as he wanted to goof off.  Only the dismay he was now placed in front of the classroom.  The subjects of government were the worst, only going over the so-called benefits of living on necessary means. Though his eyes could hardly stay awake, it was another long day of instruction.  Passing subjects from math to history was never his interest, as daydreaming was the problem.

Zarian still wanted more lunch, being seventeen and still a growing boy. The tastelessness was never helping as his stomach growled. Seeing an opportunity, he stole another roll but was sure they would come after him.  Times seem the same as the dribble of the government propaganda was ignored because everything is limited and not wasted. The outside time was more promising. The recess led the many boys jumping to the outside. Zarian enjoyed the sweet air more than the inside kind. The world was large yet felt so small in the city zones. Alden walked up as he saw his friend. 

"Hey, don't you wish that we had parents instead of being born in an artificial womb?" Alden questioned.

"I wish the families were like those in the old books, but this way, we have no family at all," Zarian replied.

"Well, it's how the government makes sure there are no burdens on society that cost too much, but no family has not solved a thing," Alden replied.

The ringing sounded across the school grounds as everyone gathered to finish their day. Everyone's job was to be good little soldiers marching to the government orders, which dictated every aspect of their lives, from education to career. Zarian and Alden simply lagged the others as they entered with angered grins. Zarian knew that the teachers were pushing them to the next stage, with the graduation test looming.  

There were many jobs out there, but only one was for Zarian, and that was working as a hand on the railroad despite his test might send him to another career.  The higher the score, the better job one will get, but not really since the housing seemed to stay the same.  Zarian sat in the back with Alden as the teacher taught them to pass the graduation test, which would determine their future and freedom.  It was the defining part of their lives as they entered adulthood. Zarian could only write a few notes as they told jokes in the back of the classroom. 

"Zarian 2856413, you are much smarter than this, so pay attention to this," Teacher Armilo yelled.

Both boys put their heads down in shame as the class continued. The day could not go by faster as they stayed silent during this awful time.  The bell ringing was never fast enough as they were excited for the day's last class.  Gym class was always a time to run off some energy as the game was football. Zarian liked to throw the ball but never did make his mark. His face was red, but he walked off the field to take a break.  Suddenly, a plot came; the secret tunnels of the old city remained, and he wanted to find them.  Waiting on the sidelines, his mind twirled for an escape out of this place.  Marcon sat next to him as he whispered in his ear.  Zarian jumped, and before any punch, the teacher stood in front of them. 

"Not today, boys. Act like you are becoming the men we know you are," the teacher replied.

Both sat on opposite sides, and Marcon never had good intentions but to cause more chaos. The last bell rang, and they had free time meant for homework but barely used for that. Zarian and Alden snuck to the school's basement for exploration, only to find nothing obvious about the tunnels. 

"They have either closed or hid them very well," Alden replied.

"That makes it more fun to find one and maybe even escape," Zarian stated, his voice filled with determination and a glimmer of hope.

"You will be caught quickly; cameras are everywhere in every city zone," Alden replied.

A rustle of boots made the adventure less critical as the boys scurried back to the barracks.  The rest of them were relaxing, and an eerie feeling was felt.  Something was not right with night, but with the last chime, it meant for all to go to sleep.  

With a gentle push, Zarian became awake with fists drawn, only to find the Headmaster in front of him.  Confusion as several other boys were behind also. 

"We need to go now with the silence of the night," Clarian whispered.

Loss of words entered the boys' mouths as this had never happened.  Somehow, the world seemed different.  The basements were then entered, as each was never allowed to be seen in such parts.  Zarian could only look around and never understand the reason. The Headmaster turned down a maintenance tunnel and opened a door with a key from his pocket.  Only more confusion filled the air as the situation became more serious.  Zarian could only glimpse that this might be one of the lost tunnels.  Silence was the key as they all entered the chilly underground, and the Headmaster spoke.  "All of you have not been born in an artificial womb but of high officials out of your mothers'.   The government has discovered your existence and will ultimately kill you.  There is a colony on the edges of this empire that will take you and will keep you safe, but you must escape first.  Here are some weapons to defend yourselves against all government agents.  At the four-way crossing, a guide should meet you. If he does this symbol, then he is safe. If not, kill him, or you will be discovered and arrested."

The boys looked in disbelief as they took their chosen weapons. The whole world had lied to them only to hunt them. The new world awaited them, and they had to fight for freedom. Each started down the dark corridors but looked back, realizing they had parents.  

"Zarian, my son, Maddox, is in another city zone and is being saved now, too. If I do not make it at some point, tell him I just wanted to protect him as your parents want to protect you," the Headmaster said gravely. 

"Why is all this happening now?" Zarian questioned.

"That does not matter, and now I must go above to keep the military forces from finding you. Good luck on your journey," the Headmaster replied.

Zarian joined the rest of the boys down the dark corridors for their last chance to escape and hopefully survive being born of women.  The future had changed entirely with just a revelation.    At least it was the start of a new adventure free through Zarian with many dangers ahead.