Number 5

Chapter 1

Sorting day. I've been summoned.

My dress is ironed to perfection. There is not one crease, not one crumple but my hands still trace down the front of the lilac blue bodice, gently smoothing the soft fabric. A slight case of neurasthenia? I think so. 

I shift the shoulder of the dress so it covers my brand. I feel uncomfortable with it hidden. For me, brand is everything. It always has been from the moment I found out about the segregation of people.

"Almost done Elle." My mother says softly. Her fingers continue to weave through my hair as she braids it down my back. In the mirror in front of me, I see her face poke out from behind my head to receive my approval. I smile weakly.

'Hair must be tied back and out of faces'. That's what the letter had said when it arrived on the morning of my 16th birthday. My twin sister Ana also received hers. The summoning is today. 'Please arrive promptly.'

"Finished." My mother sighs contentedly. She steps away from me, admiring her work. I smile at her, before pulling the long braid over the front of my shoulder to rest. Small opal daisies are delicately embedded within my hair.

"Thank you mum." I say. Her eyes gleam. She quickly lifts a finger to brush away the tear that skims her cheek. I step forward and take her hand.

"Ana and I will be fine." I say. "It made you happy."

"Yes it did." Mother replies. The frown lines on her brow relax slightly. "Remember that you can always come home if something goes wrong."

I try not to roll my eyes. It is rare for someone to be allowed back into their old dwelling after they have been matched. It is a way of ensuring you stay with your match.

It is a relief I can at least calm my mother even if I cannot soothe myself. Of course my mother was happy. She moved from the fourth dwelling to live with the man of her dreams; intelligent, handsome, funny, caring and a 3. My mother could not have done better for herself if she had tried.

Mum fumbles around in the pocket of her dress and extracts a small velvet box.

"For you." She says opening the box to reveal a thin silver chain. A small charm of a crescent moon slides down to the clasp of the necklace. "It was delivered this morning. Your match will have the other half."

"Where is-ah there's my other beautiful girl." My father exclaims walking through the door frame. Ana trails behind my father, clenching her hands together so tightly that they blush red. The fashion of her light blue dress is identical to mine but my mother has braided her hair in a different style.

My father wraps his arms around both Ana and I and presses kisses on top of our heads.

"Careful of their hair John." My mother scolds half-heartedly.

"Feeling okay Ellie?" Dad asks lightly. I nod my head, trying to overcome the nauseous feeling in my stomach.