sister. They all died in a house fire. They knew it was coming, of course. He grew up in one of the most depressing households, knowing it would be just him after they all died. No one else would step forward to take him in, so he’s in an orphanage like you. Lots of Shymers are sent to the orphanage when their parents—usually the ones living in the Future territory—decide it isn’t worth raising them for a short time. Sometimes the parents are offered good jobs in the Future district and can’t afford to be degraded in Society because of their children.”
All of this is too much to process. My heart sinks even deeper for Harrison and all the others who were abandoned when their parents didn’t want them. How could a parent show anything but love for their child? Taylor told me there was a time in the old world when mothers were allowed to kill their babies before they were born in a kind of medical procedure. This almost seems like a perverse solution. How would it feel knowing your parents didn’t want you?
“Another bonus to living in an orphanage is that you won’t ever get to experience your playlist,” Kai says. “Sorry, but it’s not looking too promising for you.”
“What’s a playlist?” I ask, hoping to focus on something else.
Kai guffaws loudly, bringing on another coughing fit. The larger girl beside her reaches out to smack her roughly on the back a few times.
“This is why that crap is illegal,” Bree says in disgust. “You’re essentially killing your lungs, you know. I’m surprised your DOD hasn’t changed because of it.” Kai only waves her off, smirking.
“Wait!” I say, grabbing her arm. “You mean DODs can be wrong?” My parents never told me a DOD could change. Does that mean there is still hope for my new friends?
Bree tips her head. “A DOD doesn’t make you completely invincible from death. One can change over time, although it almost never happens and they don’t always catch it. Most people who know they will live past eighteen skip their yearly evaluation and don’t learn of their changed DOD. We’ve heard of people who were given the wrong DOD and died well before their given time, or even far after. The Seers aren’ t alway s right.”
“No one in the government would ever admit the Seers can be wrong,” Kai adds with a roll of her eyes. “They want everyone to fear their DOD, like some kind of threat.”
“What’s a Seer?” I ask.
“It’s just like it sounds. They’re people who can see your death,” Kai answers. “Or as I like to call them, ‘a bunch of weirdoes with freaky abilities.’ Once the government discovered Seers could tap into the unused part of their brains, they made them their slaves. The wonderful DOD system wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Bree shoots Kai a cross-eyed look. “Anyway, a playlis t is kind of what it sounds like, Olive. It’s a list of things a Shymer wants to do or see before they die. Whenever a Shymer is missing from school, it’s usually because they’re out working on their list. Not everyone gets to actually do theirs though. If their family doesn’t have very much money, it doesn’t happen.”
As a little girl I always dreamed of things I hoped to be able to do one day. Wanting to swim in the ocean that I have only seen from a distance was high on the list, followed closely by seeing the market where my mother spent all her time away from me. But at the very top was to be a part of a musical festival. I guess I already have my ow n playlis t —I just never knew there was an actual name for it.
I jump with the loud buzzer. Will I ever grow used to the invasive noise? My new friends moan, some of them rolling their eyes as they rise to their feet.
“Time for lessons,” says Bree, pulling on my arm. “C’mon. I’ll show you where your next classroom is.” The others raise their hands to us and mutter goodbyes as they shuffle under the canopies, back toward the building.
“I
All of this is too much to process. My heart sinks even deeper for Harrison and all the others who were abandoned when their parents didn’t want them. How could a parent show anything but love for their child? Taylor told me there was a time in the old world when mothers were allowed to kill their babies before they were born in a kind of medical procedure. This almost seems like a perverse solution. How would it feel knowing your parents didn’t want you?
“Another bonus to living in an orphanage is that you won’t ever get to experience your playlist,” Kai says. “Sorry, but it’s not looking too promising for you.”
“What’s a playlist?” I ask, hoping to focus on something else.
Kai guffaws loudly, bringing on another coughing fit. The larger girl beside her reaches out to smack her roughly on the back a few times.
“This is why that crap is illegal,” Bree says in disgust. “You’re essentially killing your lungs, you know. I’m surprised your DOD hasn’t changed because of it.” Kai only waves her off, smirking.
“Wait!” I say, grabbing her arm. “You mean DODs can be wrong?” My parents never told me a DOD could change. Does that mean there is still hope for my new friends?
Bree tips her head. “A DOD doesn’t make you completely invincible from death. One can change over time, although it almost never happens and they don’t always catch it. Most people who know they will live past eighteen skip their yearly evaluation and don’t learn of their changed DOD. We’ve heard of people who were given the wrong DOD and died well before their given time, or even far after. The Seers aren’ t alway s right.”
“No one in the government would ever admit the Seers can be wrong,” Kai adds with a roll of her eyes. “They want everyone to fear their DOD, like some kind of threat.”
“What’s a Seer?” I ask.
“It’s just like it sounds. They’re people who can see your death,” Kai answers. “Or as I like to call them, ‘a bunch of weirdoes with freaky abilities.’ Once the government discovered Seers could tap into the unused part of their brains, they made them their slaves. The wonderful DOD system wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Bree shoots Kai a cross-eyed look. “Anyway, a playlis t is kind of what it sounds like, Olive. It’s a list of things a Shymer wants to do or see before they die. Whenever a Shymer is missing from school, it’s usually because they’re out working on their list. Not everyone gets to actually do theirs though. If their family doesn’t have very much money, it doesn’t happen.”
As a little girl I always dreamed of things I hoped to be able to do one day. Wanting to swim in the ocean that I have only seen from a distance was high on the list, followed closely by seeing the market where my mother spent all her time away from me. But at the very top was to be a part of a musical festival. I guess I already have my ow n playlis t —I just never knew there was an actual name for it.
I jump with the loud buzzer. Will I ever grow used to the invasive noise? My new friends moan, some of them rolling their eyes as they rise to their feet.
“Time for lessons,” says Bree, pulling on my arm. “C’mon. I’ll show you where your next classroom is.” The others raise their hands to us and mutter goodbyes as they shuffle under the canopies, back toward the building.
“I
Similar Books
