Chapter 1:
Lily sat up with a gasp. Her body was covered with tiny droplets of sweat. It hadd been that dream again, the dream that wasn't a dream, but a memory. She hated having it. She hated lying, as she would have to do. She couldn't tell her family about this dream.
Lily showered and changed into her Nurturer uniform. She pulled back her hair, and sat, waiting for the rest of her family for the telling of the dreams.
The dream played over in her mind still. She couldn't shake it. The boy's eyes, staring fixedly at nothing, still haunted her. She could still smell the blood, hear the cries for help. She knew no one in her family would understand the concepts of "war", of "death". She didn't want to tell them either. SHe wanted to protect her family, especially young Jonas. Jonas was a seven now. He was a curious boy, who often would ask "why", even if no one knew the answer.
Lily saw her family come down. She smiled, and bid them goodmorning. Her insides turned to mush when she suddenly realized what day it was. It was her finale day there with her parents and her baby brother. Tonight she would be paired with her lifepartener. Soon she would be able to start her own family unit.
"This is our last dream telling as a complete family unit," her mother said. Lily smiled slowly. She saw a frown crease her brother's face, his dark eyes shining sadly. She longed to cuddle him like she did the newborns she did at her job. She was going to miss the little guy almost as much as she missed Big Jonas.
They began the telling of the dreams. Jonas' dream was rather boring, and it involved him wandering around their home, in the dark. He had felt fear, and then had awoken.
"You feel like you are being left alone, since Lily is going to her new family unit, don't you?" questioned their father. Jonas nodded. Lily felt herself smile. She quickly schooled her smile. It was inappropriate.
"Thank you for your dream," Lily said along with her parents.
Lily's lie was complete. She hated to do it, but she had been blessed with an imagination.
"Did you dream?" he father asked. Lily nodded. She took a deap breath and began.
"I was an eight again. I was standing at the bridge out of the community. Suddenly, the bridge disappeared from under me, and I could not get out of the water. Jonas tried to save me, but he couldn't. Father, and Mother, you both tried to save me, but you couldn't. Suddenly a man reached in and pulled me onto the banks. I couldn't see his face. Then, I woke up."
Her family all looked thoughtful as she told them this lie.
"Are you anxious about your life partener?" her mother asked at last.
"Yes, mother," she replied.
"I think you will adapt to your own life," her father told her. "You will be fine." Lily smiled.
"Thank you father, mother, Jonas, for a wonderful childhood."
"Thank you Lily, for your dream."
