Just another sign that someone does exist on planet Relient-Only. I'm starting this because I just feel like doing something...new i guess. I will start on the next chapter of Unforgettable Past either after I post this or tomorrow. Determination is the greatest motivation :)

Disclaimer: I think it's covered that I don't own the Clique, that all belongs to Lisi Harrison.

Summary: This has become a world where government controls everything, and who controls them is hidden. That's what has become of us - of humans. Yet, that's the very reason he had come to them right? To lead them out of the slow darkness clouding over humanity. Rated M just to be safe.

Gentle wafts of bananas and strawberries assaulted her nose. She twitched slightly but otherwise did not show any displeasure at the smell.

The candle irritated her, annoyed her, and yet she couldn't say anything. Not a word, not a sound, should escape her while in the room. Any weakness and any reason for disobeying their set rules, she would get jumped on like an infection in the population - a flaw; defect.

Their rules were a set of ten meant to discipline those in the age group of 13-14, which was considered the most untamed group. They, the Government as they seemed to convince themselves they were, had been enacting the rules since the late 2020s (which was about fifty years ago).

The 13-14 year's rules:

1. Do not speak unless spoken to by someone of respectable age

2. Do not touch what isn't specified as suitable for your age group

3. Do not entertain ideas or thoughts about the opposite sex

4. You may only go to the restroom facilities twice during the day (times to be decided according to district)

5. No food should be traded or sold away during lunch, you will eat the lunch decided for you

6. No weapons of any kind will be permitted at all, they are to be thought of as violent, and a threat to yourself

7. None shall be able to contact parents during the hours of programming

8. Any disrespect for programmers in any way will result in serious discipline and punishment (that the headmaster will decide accordingly)

9. You are to forget all sentiments that you deem "important" and focus on those that are important (as classified by the Government)

10. You will remain stoic and emotionless at all times, trivial emotions will only interfere with your programming

The punishment for disobeying or breaking any rules became unspoken of rule number 11: If you fail to follow and live by the said rules until your next set, you will be punishable with death. This applied to all ages, no matter the difference in rules, it was a way of the Government to scare us into obeying - whether realized or not.

Those who did understand what happened always kept quiet. Never disagreeing with the treatment, never agreeing with it, and that infuriated her to no end. That seemed like the coward's way out - if you went against it you would be against the government and if you were for it, you were against your own people. The obvious answer for the cowardly was to not pick.

The notion to roll her eyes great, yet they were always watching. As ridiculous as it seemed, the programmers had even gone as far as to install cameras. They hired people to watch the cameras around the clock and rarely did anything ever escape their notice. Those who were against the Government quickly were weeded out and placed in programming facilities made for those who stood out in society.

So like the obedient puppet Massie Block had been made into, she kept her eyes forward, and mask in place. Only this class left, then she could go home and smile, laugh, make biting sarcastic remarks in the safe estate she called home. You did not cross the Blocks, in fact you didn't cross any family that had a large amount of money. Another developed, unspoken law in the community the Government had made.

They disgust me. Massie swore that someday, somehow she would change the nightmare of society the Government had created - whatever means necessary.

The pure torture of the feeling of helplessness and not being able to do anything about the issue, killed her. No license, No Government System Identification Card (GSI Card), and no window of opportunity on the horizon. Of course that probably was the reason why the Government did that, the seed of doubt and skepticism easily rooted itself in minds of young.

That after all became the purpose for programmers, they would mold the minds of them all into those that fit their society.

Not Massie, not her. She would never allow herself to fall to that, not ever. If she did, that would break her. That would be the last crash to the small glass figurine her sanity had become. Her will to live - to survive - would be gone.

Yea, I know, I know. It's unbelievable short. I just wanted to see what the response to this story idea would be. Then I'll either make a longer chapter on the next one or take it down and probably rewrite it. Or just trash the idea and focus on the stories I have going right now... Anyways Read, Review if you will, just tell me what you think.

Layta - Relient-Only