The Beginning

"You think people would learn by now," Mr. Fleck told me while walking down the road.

"They never will. Unless you find a way to teach them Mr. Fleck," I told him with ease.

He might be my teacher but he is also my uncle. But when we are out in the open I call him Mr.Fleck. It is the highest honor to be able to call an Elder their name out in public. An honor that I not yet earned.

"What are you thinking about Celine?" Mr. Fleck asked.

"Just trying to think what to get for dinner tonight," I told him.

"I will cover dinner tonight. From my understanding you have a big test morrow?" 

"Yes, Mr.Fleck I do but I always make dinner. You shouldn't have to nor do you," I was becoming embarrassed. The people around us was giving me a nasty look for what my uncle was saying.

"I understand that but I believe that I have the right to make dinner in my own home," He told me. 

The year is 2119 and the morrow brings the biggest test of the children turning eighteen. I was one of those students. It was a very sacred test. One that wasn't talked about. This test would not only determine where I would live but what tribe I would be apart of. It was a test that showed our true selves.

"Yes Mr.Fleck," I mumbled. He was apart of the highest male tribe. They ran this part of the world.

The world was split into five different sections. The first section was the home of the specials. They are people who had the highest IQ. They made all our technology. The second section was   the Female Tribe. They ran the government of the world. They were held to the highest of regard. The third tribe was the male tribe. They didn't have females over the age of eighteen. Most of the males raise their children and they get sent to different tribes. The fourth tribe is the warrior tribe. They are the ones that ran the military. They get orders from the Female Warrior Tribe and they do what they are told. The fifth and finally tribe is the bottom tribe. They are the city workers. They are the ones that do all the work on the city. 

There used to be six tribes but when there was an attempt to bring down the Female Warrior Tribe down from government. It failed and the sixth tribe left. They are now known as an outcast. The undesirables.  

"You shouldn't worry about it," He cut in.

"I'm sorry Mr. Fleck. I didn't mean to tune you out," I told him.

"You would think with all the technology we have that we would be able to read each other's thoughts," He told me.

Silently I disagree with that but I knew I wouldn't ever be able to say that out loud. "Yes, sir," I didn't know what else to say. I knew if I said what I really wanted to say then I would get into some serious trouble. Trouble I can't afford.

Mr. Fleck turned to me. "What is really going through your mind, Celine?" He asked.

I tried to keep the emotion out of my voice. "The test," I kept my head held high. It would be a disgrace to hold my head down in shame. I would never bring shame to my family. Not like him.

"You have nothing to be scared of. You will get into any tribe you want," I know he tried to reassuring but at times I feel like he fails.

"Of course," I knew I failed at sounding confident with the look on his face.

I was one of the few children that had a parent figure here. Most of the children grew up without both of their parents. They only had the family of one of the parents to take care of them.I still had my mother and my uncle. They do their best to give me what I need. I can't thank them enough so I do my best in school, sports, and work. They tell me everyday how proud they are of me but I want to make sure I make them proud and they aren't just saying that to me to make me feel special.

As he walked off I stood there and looked around me. There was a possibility I could be staying here. Or I could be going to a different tribe. I didn't understand what Mr. Fleck mean when he told me that I would be able to choose which tribe I joined. The tribe leaders and the test determine what tribe you go into. Everyone knows that you can't tell the younger generations what the test is. I didn't understand what he was hinting at.

"Hello Miss. Celine," Someone said from behind me. I turned around and acknowledge the man behind me.

"Hello, Mr. Fredrick," I didn't know why he was talking to me. It was common knowledge that him and me didn't along.

"What were and Mr. Fleck talking about?" He asked. I knew I needed to choose my words carefully.

"He told me that there was nothing to worry about tomorrow and that he believes I will do just fine," I kept my face blank to make sure he didn't find out.

"You and I both know that him telling you anything about the test is against the law." He circled around me. "Your whole family could get into some serious trouble."

"Mr. Fredrick-" I said with scorn. "I feel like you are threatening me."

One of the males that were watching us stepped forward. "You think you can get rid of me?" He asked.

"I don't need too," He started laughing and walked away.

I nodded my head to the man in thanks and walked home. I hated that people thought I needed help to protect me. It hit me the wrong way. As I walked back home I thought back to the gut that stepped forward to help. He was clearly here to help with the testing. He was in military colors.

I heard my name from a house. My mom was leaning out a window calling for me.

"You're here!" She yelled. Instead of answering her I walked into the house.

I hated when she would do stuff like that. People always stared at us with how out going my mother is. You could never tell that Mr. Fleck was from a different tribe. But my mother you could tell with just one look. And hearing her talk. She didn't want to raise me here but she needed my uncles help and he wouldn't leave his tribe to do so. So she left hers.

"Mom," I said in greeting. You wouldn't be able to tell that we are even related. I looked nothing like her.

"Come give your mother a hug." She grabbed me tight. "How have you been?" 

"I'm fine mother," I have always been uncomfortable with physical touch. My family and doctor couldn't figure out why. My whole life my mother has been touching me and hugging me. 

"I hate when you call me "mother". Call me mom," She scolded me.

"What is for dinner?" I asked. I would never be able to call her anything other than mother. It was a sign of respect to call her by that name.

"Leave her alone sister. You know she is calling you mother because she respects you," Uncle Fleck said while walking into the room.

"I still haven't gotten used to it," She told him.

"Well, you have to. She is now eighteen and taking the test on the morrow. She can't be clogged with all these emotions." He told her while touching her shoulder. "I know you love her. We both do but you need to let her become an adult."