The Blessed

I remembered the day everything went to hell. I was only ten at the time and it was traumatic for a child that age. We were pulled out of our schools and brought to our homes where we were forced to remain for days. Military men were stationed inside our house and I remember being so afraid of what was going to happen. My sister, Layla, told me everything would be okay as long as I listened to what they said. That night I went to sleep hoping everything would get back to normal, but in the middle of the night we were all woken by those men coming inside the house. I was drug from my bed and joined my family in the middle of the living room. We sat on our couch, me in tears and the men waiting for orders.

By sunrise we were all being escorted away from our homes and into large SUVs. That was the last time I saw my parents. When we got out of the SUV we were taken from them against our will and set in a room of children from ages of five to seventeen. My sister was nearly seventeen and myself eleven, and she could see how scared I was. She handed me the locket she wore on her neck with a picture of her and I in one side and our parents in the other. Telling me to hide it so they couldn't take it we were only together an hour before I was pulled away from her and sorted into a group of ten to twelve year olds. From our group of twelve thousand only 800 came out of the sorting I was one of them. I tried to ask to see my family but after being punished once I learned my lesson. I don't know what happened to her, but I was in that building until I was eighteen and my only salvation was the diary I was given to write in and the heart shaped locket she gave me.

When I turned eighteen I went where I could only assume she had gone after spending a few month until she was eighteen. We were to be sorted again. This time to where our place in society would be. I thought for sure I would be sorted into science division of our new world. My first time being outside since I was ten, well other then the gardens of the sorting building in what was my old home capital city. I didn't expect it when I was sorted into the lowest division possible, hunting and gathering. They lived the worst of life having to farm, hunt, gather and trade to live. I can't say I was upset with it, at least the government would be away from me and I could live freely.

I never went a single day without thinking about my sister though, I forgot my parents after a while, only being reminded when I looked in the photo. They were never really in my life even when I was with them, always to busy with work or with each other. It was Layla that took care of me and loved me. My only hope every day I walked out my door in furs and boots to head into the forest, was that one day I may see here again if she wasn't dead. Sadly I was also mistaken that the government would be off my back. They kept us under strict rules and controlled by what we call peacekeepers. They said they were just there to make us safe, but I knew better.

I've been in this division, under the watchful eye for six years now. The locket on my neck is rusted and I don't open it anymore because of the risk of it snapping in half, but Layla's face is embedded in my brain like a scar I can't get rid of. Mostly I keep my head down and just do what I have to do to survive. I kill and skin my prey using the skins for clothing, shoes and weapons. What I don't use I trade or sell, especially to visitors from the higher divisions. They often use them in their fashion designs in the fashion division of our new world. What money I get I save until I need them for new arrows, bows, or knives. I've never left our little forest covered area, but I finally got enough two weeks ago for a tv and the chance to see what the others saw. I would never have to leave this way.

Today was the first day i turned it on and got the antennas that came with it to finally work. The image of the capital, where the president was at, came into view where the whole of the fashion, technological and science and military divisions were joining him for a speech. I laughed sitting in her makeshift chair watching him make some speech she couldn't really hear because the speakers were out. I picked up something about us living in peace for twelve years now and his plan to keep that going by having another sorting for the lower divisions, that meant me. Freaking out didn't begin to explain how I felt hearing that. It meant another being locked in my home for days, being escorted the same building I had been in for seven years and possibly not come out this time. I almost broke the tv screen when a familiar face came into view hanging on the president's arm.

"My beautiful wife, Layla. Gave me this idea." That was enough to conform it to me what I hoped wasn't true. My sister was not the president's wife. I thought if I ever saw her face again it would be to reunite with them, not see her as a traitor. That was it, I had nothing to live for this time.

I waited for four days after the tv speech aired, and as I thought we were escorted into suvs. At the capitol this time we were handed gray jumpsuits and stripped of all our personal belongings, except my heart locket. This time I wasn't put into a group with others but in a single room. All I was given was a diary and I realized this was pretty much a prison cell. I don't remember how many days I spent in there because eventually the diary paper ran out and I was about to claw my eyes out.

Second sorting day came for my section and I remember feeling how blessed I was when sunlight hit my face from the windows. If I wasn't killed this time, I would feel that sun again. This time sorting seemed different, I was given a number of skills and tasks to perform which took hours. When it was done I waited for my results but was just left in my cell. More hours passed by and I thought maybe this was it. This was the sign that I was going to die. I had been sorted to die.

The realization sat in I was going to die and quickly sought out something to strike with. Breaking the rickety bed with my foot, I sat on what was left my leg jumping around rapidly in anticipation. Feet approaching the room I stood near the door and waited, the rigid edge ready to stab whoever walked in. The door slide open and I went to strike but a surprised yelp and someone dodged it.

"Ryne! It's me! It's me!" I stopped my second attack realizing it was my sister. Dropping the bar two men rushed in but she held up a hand telling them to back off. Stepping away from her I was shocked and now even more scared then before.

"This is it, isn't it? You have come to kill me. This is how I die?" I said with a shaky voice, the most I have said since I got out of this place six years ago.

"No, absolutely not! Ryne, I have spent the last twelve years looking for you. After getting sorted as the president's secretary I used everything in me to get his eye. When he married me I knew I could find you if I did one more sorting ceremony. When he agreed I knew I would find you and I did. You're coming with me, Ryne. To live the good life with me." Layla said holding out her hands. I couldn't believe it. She was here in front of me! Running into her arms I didn't want to let go, but I did when I couldn't get the necklace out fast enough. She gasped softly and took it from me with tears blinding her eyes. "You kept it?"

"Yes." I simply said nodding rapidly joining her in joyful tears. She smiled once more and grabbed my hands.

"You are going to love my home Ryne. We will never, be apart again..."