1

I rose early before dawn. I wanted nothing more than to see the beautiful sun rise. I had heard about this magnificent sphere form many citizens gossip, gossip that seemed to spread like wildfire, across the Numerator's town, my place under the dome. I, Aira Johnsten, have been studying the dome for many years, as long as I could look up a the vast blanket of darkness. Even though many of my experiments and theories have been answered, many questions still gather like, for example, how does the dome store the so called "solar energy" I had heard about from my schooling teacher?

The air was crisp with a dewy morning sent. I loved to be outdoors for the ½ of an hour while the dome charged its energy for the long day ahead. If the dome didn't charge its power it would probably die, shutting off the power to whole world under the dome, there would be no electricity, my worst fear, my worst theory.

Although there was no dome at the moment everywhere was still black, if I squinted hard enough, I could see little white specs. A long time ago, for one of my first researches, I learned these specs were known as stars. Stars, I loved stars they were so free. Unlike the captives under the dome.

Free, free, free that is a unique word. I pulled out my little blue notepad and jotted down the word free, what did free mean? To be… I would have to look up the definition later, when I go to the library.

Finally, I reached my destination, the only hill in this flat valley town. I puckered my dirty, lacey, blue dress, my favorite dress, my only dress, and rolled down the hill. When I got to the bottom, I layed down on the cold hard earth. Looking up at the darkness, tears made its way down my rosy red cheeks. The darkness was so consuming, I wondered if there was anywhere beyond it. Or did it just go on and on.

A loud screeching sound penetrated my thoughts. The dome was fully charged, earlier than usual, way early than usual. I looked up at one of the announcers posts, most people just called the posts speakers, there was a slight beep signaling for a message, the voice rang bouncing off the walls "Please stay indoors until the doom is fully over the town". Sighing I walked slowly back to the cottage I would not want to be marked down like my, my dad...

Dad, my dad was marked down when I was a kid. That night I was only 6, a little scrawny toddler, I did not understand the difference between a numerator and a denominator, I did not know that denominators were powerful. I did not know us numerators, were not allowed to have any communication with them or, the Gate of the Middle line so, I followed a denominator to the gate, then my dad started to run after me, he screamed," Aira please!!!!STOP!!! You are going to get cauuu" he was cut off by a denominator, I flung myself around, there my dad was, surrounded, he was crying, my dad never cried. He kept calling my name telling to give my hiding stop and if I did we could both go home. I was a stubborn little girl. I did not budge. I sat shrinked against the fence. Finally they dragged my father away. The next day they announced my father was getting marked down. It was all my fault. I should have known.

But what was a girl like me,

Going to do But, Watch,

I quickly pushed my tears aside. I could not ever be seen crying. My mother would be disappointed.

My mother was tall, she had brown hair blue eyes, the perfect combination for this town, mother always has her hair up into a perfect bun. She never smiled, she gave up on happiness after my dad was gone. My mother once was a beautiful outgoing lady, reckless, could never be caught without a smile. Now I could barely caught her without the glimpse of a frown.

When I reached our white cottage with red trim, I snuck around to the back entrance so that mother would not see me covered in mud but, I did not realize she was in the kitchen, the back entrance leads right where she was peeling potatoes getting ready for something. I slammed the door, accidently, but it slammed loud enough that she looked over and saw me completely in a reck. She let off a short quiet gasp before she spock " Aira, what were you, nevermind, go get cleaned I know you hate it when they come but they have to come monthly it is part of the denominators job. So get cleaned up, find Margaret and I am not putting up with any attitude, got it?"

I let off the mumbling words "Got it" and trudged up the stairs. Why couldn't those denominators leave us alone haven't they caused enough damage to this place. Sighing I cleaned up the mud off my dress pulled my lavender shawl around me and headed for the door. I knew exactly where Margaret had gone, she goes there every time she hears about the denominators monthly visit. I began my journey to the Middle Line.

"Skip, where are you come on, MARGARET ANNABEL JOHNSTEN! We are both going to be late!!" I hollered on the top of my lungs. I heard giggling coming from wall that held back sand from eroding on to the road. I started to whistle "Oh I wonder where that little rascal skip went." I said in a sing song tone. Suddenly, Margaret tumbled over the wall screaming with laughter " Boo! Here I am Airy!! Right here!!" I swiped my little Skip in my arms " Got you! Now promise me you won't ever grow up little skip ok, or at least take you good old time!" We both tumbled down to the street laughing, I grabbed her again swung her onto my shoulders. " Enough play for now we need to get home and get you dressed!" Margaret tried to protest but I already was headed home. " Airy, why do the dimators come?" She looked so confused, and angry "DE-NO-MIN-AT-OR, and I am not quite sure Skip but they do come and we can't do anything about that." Margaret seeming to be satisfied with the answer, started babbling about her schooling teacher and her strict rules.

Finally, we reached home. I saw mother through the window talking to the group of men dressed in their superficial suits with their badge signaling they were Denominators. All of the men stood at about the same height about 6ft, with brown hair and the same blue eyes except the one on the end who stood, still, about 6ft but, he had bleach blond hair and vibrate chocolate brown eyes. He surely stood out from the rest.

"Aira go to your room and take Margret with you!" My mother spoke very quietly, she did not want to sound like she had utter control. The Denominators looked at Margaret and I, I quickly patted Margaret on the back and whispered to her " come on Skip lets go upstairs, we would not want to upset mother more than she already is." I slightly pushed Margaret forwards and we both walk briskly up the stairway.

Once upstairs, Margaret looked at me I could tell she was clearly upset, then she exploded crying allowed " Airy this is not fair, I want to go down stairs and I want dem demiters gone!" I was upset too but, I knew I had to calm down. I needed to be an example to Skip. " hey Skip, its ok, this is just how our community works and we can't change that." She still looked angry but at least she wasn't saying so, I quickly changed to subject. "Now go get you cleaned up Skip, who knows maybe Mama is going to serve dessert."

- Aira Johnsten -

"Johnny!!! Johnny Michael Weston!!!! You need to get ready to go, you have to be at Mrs.Johnstens house by 10:00!!!!" "Haaaa I am getting up mom!!" Every morning my mother would holler at me to wake up and every morning I'd sit up and respond the same way. Slowly pulling myself out of bed, I got dressed and walked down the old creaky stairway. Mother ran over to me, wet her hands in the fosset and began fixing my massacre of curly blond hair. "Mom stop it I can fix it myself" She replied to me in her soft, sweet tone " Oh sweetie I know you can, you're a big boy now, it's just, it's your first day on the job and you worked hard to get this job so, I want you to look your best!" With her meek smile she continued to tame the beast and rid the knots in my hair. "Ok mother I have to go or I will be late!" Finally freeing me of her motherly grasp, I though my jacket on and was on my way. Excitement, coursed through my body as I walked up to the front door of the cottage with its sweet white walls and delicate red trim. Mrs. Johnsten greeted me at the front door "Hello, alittle late don't you think Mr. Weston?" Even though she seemed polite I knew that she must have been acting one way or another. Just the way she looked at me made me caution weather or not to reply to her question. Umm, yes so-sorry about that, is all forgiven?" This lady seemed vaguely familiar, I knew I have seen her before but where? "Yes all is forgiven now come in the other denominators are waiting for you." When I walked into the room everyone stood perfectly in a line all at which were looking directly at me with their meager glaces, they gradually began to subside with their anger towards my tardiness. "I will go make dinner we're having mashed potatoes and gravy!!!" Mrs. Johnsten quickly exclaimed before swiftly walking back to the kitchen.

I heard a door slam followed by feet pattering into the house. Mrs. Johnsten said a few words that i could not quite understand and then I heard a muffled girl voice curiosity struck me immediately. "who was That girl, was it a girl? It had to be?" My mind began to spin 90 miles a hour, curiosity became almost unbarable. Then she walked out into the room.

she had brown hair that went down her hips and she had his color of chocolate brown eyes. Next to her almost completely hidden behind her was a little girl that had to be at least 5 or maybe 6. She had red hair that was tinted brown, looked almost like little silk barbie doll curls. Her eyes were almost hypnotizing they sparked green with dazzling shades of blue, her rosy red cheeks and little freckles stood out.

The older girl noticed me she looked at me for a few moments she looked sad, confused I wanted to go up to her say hi but that would break the line and besides, she was a Numerator I am here to help but that is all. "Excuse me sir?" The girl whispered "You're not wearing a name tag what is your name?" Mrs. Johnsten immediately cut her off "Aira!?!" "Aira that is a pretty name."

Everyone sat there silent no one wanted to break the awkward thread. Silence is the weirdest most unusual thing, when it starts it's hard to get out of. Then, Mrs. Johnsten spoke "Aira go up stairs and take Margaret with you!" Aira patted Margret on the back " Come on Margaret lets go upstairs, we would not want to upset mother than she already is." They both walk up stairs the little girl looked as if she was going to cry. After they left I asked the mother a simple question I didn't know would cause so much greif " Mrs. Johnsten what happened to the father to this house?" There was another moment of silence. Then the silence was slipt almost instantly " Do, do you really want ot know want happened to my husband" Mrs. Johnstens temper began to rise "He was taken away by you people because he ran to the middle line searching for his dearest daughter who is real, oviously. Why didn't you check his file, or maybe his familly statis? We needed him but you took him away from us! Does That answer your question?" She began to heave bitterly. she ounded like she was sobbing but I knew she wouldn't, because around here crying was a sign of weakness and expecially numoraters didn't want to look weak.

"Johnny! Leave admeditly! We need to talk to you about closing your month!" A man towards the front of the line hollared at me, must have been one of the high denominators. I trudged towards the door then before I lefted I turned around and said looknig Mrs. Johnsten in the eyes. "I am sorry we stoll your treasures gold, but know your heart can hold, the dimonds that you don't quite know, that are more pure than the winter snow." Then, I walked out of the house close the door politely and started on my way home. I hoped she would appricate my poem.

- johnny Grey -

I heard the door shut and thinking the demoninators were gone I walked downstairs, which probably was the worst mistake of my life. The demoninators were all there exept the one with the brown eyes. My mom sat down. She looked shocked. Her skin was pale and her eyes became almost blank. I quickly ran to her "mom wh-what happened? You look as if you just witnessed the beyond!" Every demoninator started to get edgy. Finally one of them wispered "we-well everything is going very smoothly at your house and we will be back next and by then we will have that man whipped in to shap, o-ok Mrs?" Then my mom began to half grin. "Tell that man thanks he opened my eyes, he is a good poet" The denominators stood there confused. trying to put together what had just occured. " We will make sure to inform Johhny about that. then, all the demoninators quickly hurried out of the house. I stood there, I rarely get confused, confusion was a word that I made sure stayed ut of my vocabulary, when I was confused it was only because I did not get all the facts in the lesson, most certainly not by my mother.

"Aira get over here please." I walked slowly over to my mother. I did not know what to do. This was the first time I had felt real confusion. "Yes, mother." I wimpered. "Will you take Margret with you and go to the store and buy something to eat for dinner here is some canned peaches to trade." For the first time in a long time my mother was grinnig her whole mood had shifted, she had not been this way since dad.