Katie is excited about some new pieces her school choir has been working on, until a girl named Mia starts making fun of her.
Read part 1 of this story here.
The next several days, we worked again at the music, and Mia was always waiting for me at the backpack table as we went out. She always had something to say. According to Mia, not only could I not sing, but I couldn’t read music, I couldn’t say things the right way, I couldn’t dress right, I was stupid, and I was a showoff.
Have you ever seen some clothing on a line?
Sunny flapping, bleaching white
Bits of fabric, strings, straps hanging fine,
They put up with the wind, they wave, they fight.
The second period bell rang shrilly in my ears. My history teacher yelled something about homework at our retreating backs as we hurried out of his classroom. I headed towards the large classroom where Miss Whitley taught second period choir. The rest of the girls who had chosen the choir elective moved in a surging crowd ahead of me, chattering and laughing. The place started to sound like the bird exhibit at the zoo. The boys went on to whatever class they had next—only trebles practiced second period, and the boys practiced fifth. This was easy to do in a small middle school like ours, and only about thirty girls had chosen the choir elective anyways. Besides, I doubted the teachers or rest of the students missed us much.
Tracks happen at the beach
Tracks like whispers in the sand
Hermet crab
Seagull
Pickup truck
I, a hawk, sitting high up in the trees
Looking out over my kingdom, I’m thinking
What do I have which makes me powerful?
Once, long ago, a young girl lived. When she was a baby, she cried just as loudly as the other babies. When she was a child, she played with her simple toys just like the other children she knew. When she grew a little older, she had races and games just like the other children. But there was one difference which separated her from others.
She was the best artist in the entire world.
This is a continuation of a story started earlier. Lydia has always lived in the Establishment, where each action, word, and moment are exactly identical. Now she has an idea about leaving or changing the Establishment. She thinks it’s worth the risk of her life. Eager to discuss it with somebody, she breaks the rules and speaks with her Visiting Partner, Charlie. He is reluctant to admit that they need change but is willing to hear her plan. The next day, Lydia has already come up with the plan, readying herself for escape. She would go to the Head of the Establishment and through the Great Discard Chute, break the pane of glass which separated the Establishment from the world, and jump free. She shared it with Charlie, who refused to go with her. Lydia decided to go without him, and waited until night came.
Are you new to this story? Welcome! Make sure you catch up on the action by reading the last three parts, listed in order below.
When she was sure that the correct amount of time had passed to ensure that the Head of the Establishment was asleep, she crept out of her Person Cage. She considered bringing food, but she had eaten it all for that day. Besides, the Head of the Establishment was also where they stored all the food needed until the next import of supplies, and it would have plenty in case Lydia got hungry. She just carried the lightbulb, which lit the way in front of her.
This is a continuation of a story started earlier. Lydia has always lived in the Establishment, where each action, word, and moment are exactly identical. Now she has an idea about leaving or changing the Establishment. She thinks it’s worth the risk of her life. Eager to discuss it with somebody, she breaks the rules and speaks with her Visiting Partner, Charlie. He is reluctant to admit that they need change but is willing to hear her plan. The next day, Lydia has already come up with the plan, readying herself for escape. Read part one of the story here: The Way of Life
Read part two of the story here: The Way of Life Part 2
The Visiting Period that next Earth Rotation was announced by the shrill ringing of the alarm. Lydia walked hurriedly to the Person Cage across from her, where she knew Charlie was waiting. She waved her hand over the door and Charlie let her in, even if he probably didn’t want to, because that was the law. “Greetings, Visiting Partner Lydia,” Charlie said.
This is a continuation of a story started earlier. Lydia has always lived in the Establishment, where each action, word, and moment are exactly identical. Now she has an idea about leaving or changing the Establishment. She thinks it’s worth the risk of her life. Read part one of the story here: The Way of Life
The alarm went off. Visiting Period. Simultaneously, exactly half of the great circle of Person Cages lining the edge of the Establishment came alive. Everybody, Lydia included, walked out the door and to the Person Cage directly across from their own Person Cage by way of the great network of walkways intended for this purpose.
Lydia was hungry. She waited, because she knew that when she felt hungry, it was almost time to eat. There! The alarm went off everywhere around the enclosed glass Establishment. That was the signal to begin eating. Everywhere around her, people were bustling about, preparing their morning meal. Now Lydia prepared her food, too. She took a plastic-cased container from the Freezing Unit and placed in on the Food Platform. Seconds later, intense heat rays beamed down on the container. The plastic wrapping split down the center and fell away, like it was supposed to. Everything happened like it was supposed two. Ten seconds passed. Food Platforms everywhere stopped in unison with hers. She took the container and ate the contents at the Feeding Area of her Person Cage. All the food was in the form of small, round pellets. They were colorless and tasted the same with every bite, but they contained the nutrients she needed.
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