“Are You Ready?”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

“Abe,” I call. “We’re going to be late.”

Just as the words finish leaving my mouth, my little brother’s head pokes out from the bedroom. “I’m right here,” he says.

I nod and begin walking to the door. Abe is right behind me and he locks the door as he exits. Side-by-side, we walk to the elevator.

Elder Hic is at the elevator already. When we approach he turns to face us.

“Bea, Abe,” he greets us. “Are you ready for the ceremony?”

Abe and I exchange a glance. I look at Elder Hic.

“We’re ready,” I tell him. “Thank you.”

Elder Hic nods again in acknowledgement and returns his attention to the elevator.

The three of us stand in silence. The ding of the elevator arriving breaks the silence.

Elder Hic motions for Abe and I to enter the elevator first. We nod our thanks and walk inside.

We ride the elevator in silence as well. Again, the ding of the elevator arriving at its destination breaks the silence.

Abe and I lead the way out of the elevator to join the already-forming crowd. Abe cranes his neck to look over the crowd.

“My group is near the front,” he informs me.

I nod at him. “I’ll see you after the ceremony.”

He twitches slightly, as if making a move to wrap his arms around me, but he stops himself. I stare at him. He turns and disappears into the crowd.

My group is closer to the back of the room. I join them and find myself standing next to Eli.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

“I’m ready,” I reply. “Thank you.” I take the appropriate pause before saying, “Are you ready?”

Eli nods. “I’m ready. Thank you.”

We turn our attention to the front of the room. Superior Ike stands up.

“Welcome,” he addresses us. “We shall try to keep the ceremony brief. We have only one case this year–a record, in fact.” His gaze sweeps across the crowd and he clears his throat. “If I call your name, please join me at the front.”

Again, a pause.

“Abe Dinory.”

I see Abe standing at the front with his group. He doesn’t move.

Guards grab his arms and drag him to the front. He waves his arms and tries to escape. A sure sign of a Sentimental.

Abe is placed on his knees in front of Superior Ike. Superior Ike says, “Abe Dinory, you have been accused of being a Sentimental. What plead you?”

Abe doesn’t say anything. Liquid runs down his cheeks. I’ve seen this before. It happens to all Sentimentals at their ceremonies.

Superior Ike repeats, “Abe Dinory. What plead you?”

Again, Abe remains silent. For some reason, he’s shaking.

Superior Ike nods at the guards. “He is guilty.”

The guards nod at Superior Ike. They grab Abe’s arms and begin pulling him away. An infernal sound rises from his lips. A sound I’ve come to associate with ceremonies.

The crowd follows the guards and Abe through the back door.

I find myself next to Superior Ike. He nods at me.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

I nod back as we walk through the door. “I’m ready. Thank you.”

Final Comments: Wow, who knew that a simple building could be so inspirational?! Seriously, though, I really enjoyed writing this one. I can see the possibility of more Utopian stories in the future…

Overall Rating: 😮