Heightened: The Federation Series Read Free Page A

me, heads into the bathroom and closes the door. I feel sorry because she will have a mark on her daily report and will lose an education point, all because I angered her.
    I walk downstairs and sit at the table with my parents. Again I find myself looking around at all the things that I won’t get to see anymore. The family picture over the mantle, the rocking chair by the fireplace, my life, my family. I wait for the twinge of remorse or sadness, but I am numb. All I feel is anticipation for the Heightening and my new life. The thought of being able to say what I want, do what I want is too powerful; even if it’s just for one day.
    “Are you complacent?” My father asks. He’s fidgeting with his tablet, flipping through the news and weather, no doubt. He is a member of the agricultural council and the weather this season has been a source of stress and worry. He has tried to manage his emotions, but his program has had to dull him on several occasions, and he’s received marks on his daily report.
                  “I am,” I lie because that is the answer he is expecting. My father is not like me, but I can tell he’s feeling something emotional about my departure. “I look forward to becoming a productive citizen.”
                  “You’ll do fine,” he said, still not looking, still fidgeting.
                  “If you get Agricultural first, we’ll get to see you every day.” My mother is always the optimistic in the family, even when things seem dire; she still manages to find the positive.
                  “You’ve raised me well,” I say. My mother smiles at me; I can sense her enthusiasm and confidence. If she’s upset or worried; she manages it well. I don’t think she’s ever received a mark on her daily report.
                  I look past my father, out the window. The sun is up and touching all our fields. We are a fifth generation, farm family. My ancestors owned our land before the Federation of Territories was formed; when it was still The United States of America and before the second civil war. Civilization had reached a point of no return; disease and crime ruled the land. The government was corrupt, and the people were angry. At first the citizens were unorganized, but over time they joined and fought. But in the end they did not win, the government initiated the first receptor program. They forced citizens to comply or face imprisonment. It took less than a year for the government to gain complete control of the population, and the Federation was formed. And now we live in peace, and prosperity. I can’t imagine what the world would have turned into if the rebels had won. We are very lucky to be citizens of the Federation. We are safe.
    “May I be excused,” I ask? “I’d like to take a walk down to the orchard, one last time.”
    “Yes,” says my father. “Be mindful of the time. You don’t want to be late today.”
    I grab my coat and walk out the back door and down the path to the orchard. Growing up, I spent many days daydreaming and resting under my favorite apple tree. I look out over the fields, and I can feel the tears dance at the corners of my eyes. I sit with my back leaning against the trunk of my tree. I know in my heart that this will be the last time that I will ever sit in this spot, and I ache. There are so many thoughts mangled in my mind, and I try to focus on just one, but a sharp pain seizes my head, right behind my eyes. I grab my face, putting pressure on my temples. I barely have to time to react, as a gut wrenching wave of fierce pain makes me convulse. I turn my head and vomit, just missing my shoes.
    I try to catch my breath, but another course of regurgitation sends me to my knees. I heave and moan. The pain is white and piercing, but it ends, and I fall onto my side. I look up through the branches. The morning sky is crisp and clear.
    I can see him in my mind, and not just his eyes;