Chapter 3

Cale followed Katharine leave the House of Old. Cale had been aware of the Annex behind the building but never really took notice of it. The door had always been locked, and Cale had never seen it open. Katharine looked back, turned to the door and opened it.

"What are you doing Cale!?" it was Arabella. Cale turned around and quieted her.

"I'm following Katharine. Don't you want to know who she is?" he whispered. Ever so softly, he added, "I think she's the Reciever."

Arabella nodded, and followed Cale to the Annex door. There was a little buzzer and the building was windowless, unusual for a building in the Community. Arabella glanced at Cale, and he smiled back at her and gently pressed the buzzer.

"Hello. Is this Cale and Arabella?" the voice said.

"Yes," Cale said into the buzzer and a little click told them the door was unlocked. The two of them smiled at each other and opened the door to go inside the Annex. There was an attendant, then another locked door on the left, presumably Katharine's room. Another click, the door to Katharine's room opened and Cale opened it. Katharine was alone in the room.

He looked around and saw all the books. He saw the elaborately carved furniture and all of the lavish luxuries Katharine had. He took the magnificence of the room in, then wandered up to the bookcase out of curiosity.

"Yes. I did the same when I first came here," Katharine said. To Arabella, she added, "You can come in. We're not animals you know."

Arabella! He had nearly forgotten all about her. She tentatively walked around the room, touching the furniture and rich curtains and blankets while Katharine watching them with eager eyes. Cale turned back to the bookcase. When he was close enough to see the titles, he realized that they weren't just the standard rule books.

Of course they were rule books, he thought, there is only one rule book, and Katharine has thousands. It was overwhelming how many books she had. All these resources and power at her fingertips…Cale couldn't image power like that. The Reciever was the most honored and powerful Elder on the Committee. Even the Chief Elder wasn't as powerful as The Reciever.

"Done looking?" she asked.

"I apologize if we have interrupted you," Arabella immeadiatley apologized. Cale echoed her apology. Katharine almost smiled, but did not reply in the standard response. Arabella paused a moment, then continued, "Do you mind if I ask a question?"

"Go ahead."

"How come everything here is so much more fine than the standard furniture, if you don't mind me asking," she asked. Cale admired her. He would never have had the courage to ask. It was a one-in-a-lifetime experience, and Cale was missing it.

"My standards are higher. Everything I see has more detail in so many more ways than you can imagine," Katharine said simply. Cale could tell she was holding something back, but didn't mention it.

"Why were you at the House of Old if you are The Reciever?" Cale asked, knowing he might have interrupted her.

"Privileges. I consider it a privelage to be bathed by another," Katharine replied with the same simple tone that seemed to hold something back. She smiled at them, and glanced at the clock on the wall, "It is getting late and your family units will be expecting you."

Cale nodded in agreement. Arabella had already turned to leave, but Cale lingered in the fantastical room.

"Can we come back?" Cale asked quietly before leaving Katharine's room.

"You may. But do not bring anyone else," Katharine replied with emphasis on the second sentence. Cale nodded, then slipped out to get back to his family unit.

"I apologize for being late. The House of Old was very busy today," Cale announced when he got to his home. Mother was just sitting down for the evening meal.

"We accept you apology," they replied. Tanya, his younger sister, smiled at him and turned towards the table.

"Anyways, I am happy today because I got a 100% on the quiz we received yesterday," Tanya explained. "She said that I had the highest score in the class, privately of course. She said that the Committee would be told."

"That great, Tanya!" Father exclaimed. "What about you Cale?"

"I am…eager for the Ceremony of Twelve," Cale told him, thinking of it on the spot.

"Its getting late Tanya, come on. You should get some sleep," Father said, putting Tanya and his tray away, then leading Tanya to her sleepingroom. Cale sighed, and got up to put his tray away for the Cleaning Crew to pick up later.

The amount of homework that was sent home from class was lessening with the coming of the Ceremony of Twelve. Formal schooling mostly ended and adult training began. Cale was excited for the Ceremony, but he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to hear it. It would mean the end of friendship. He wouldn't have time to visit Ava or Arabella or Isaac. Even Katharine, his new friend. There may not be time for even The Reciever.

Today is an unscheduled holiday, the Speaker announced. Cale smiled and said goodbye to his parents and Tanya. He got his bike out of the port to find his friends and quickly biked to the Recreation Center. There was an ongoing game of war. Cale was about to join them, when he saw the robes of an Elder watching them. It was Katharine.

"Coming to play Cale?" Isaac called at him as he ducked under one of Ava's imaginary shots. Cale shook his head, and jogged up to the Elder.

"Going to play with your friends?" she asked sourly. Cale shook his head.

"I…" he didn't know why he wasn't playing. He had always joined in their games, but he just didn't seem to have the heart to play. "I was wondering if I could go to the Annex to read some of the books there. I have never seen some of them before."

"That's fine. The attendant should let you in. I would find Arabella. She may be disappointed if you forget her," Katharine suggested.

"I would never!" he objected as he ran off to get Arabella.

Another Elder walked up to Katharine. It was an old male with pale eyes. He was seemed weary and every movement he made looked pained.

"Well?"

"I can't tell. They're too similar."

Hope you liked!!! Still need that character!!!!!!!! At this point, I can't complete Ch. 4 unless I have it. Sneak peak: Ch. 4 is the Ceremony of Twelve!!!!!! (I bet you are all dying to know who the Reciever is, and if you aren't, than read the chapters again!!!).

PLEASE, if you've got time, read and REVIEW because I'm feeling kinda...bad about the story because NO ONE IS REVIEWING!!!!

Thanks for reading and REVIEWING PEOPLES,
Marionettes
[if you review, I'll give you a virtual cookie :). I make good cookies]