The White Tag Girl

"Cyanide!"

I came to my senses when mommy called me and tapped me lightly on the arm. Earlier I was looking straight ahead while watching what our heads were doing.

"Why mommy?" I asked her because there was no emergency around but she called me.

"The Chairman has been looking for you for a while. Isn't today the day to choose your path?"

I want to laugh because of the depth of mommy's words. We don't talk like this normally, and we don't talk like this at home.

I snapped my fingers when I remembered what mommy was saying. My mouth dropped open and my eyes widened as I looked at her.

"As expected you forgot," mommy whispered to me because we can't talk like that here.

I stood up against my will. I frowned at mommy but she ignored me so I just walked away in the direction of the Chairman.

"Good morning Chairman." I bow to greet his presence.

I close my eyes when he blows the smoke of the tobacco he is smoking at me. I want to cough because I'm not used to that smell but I can't move without permission.

"Cyanide," he calls my name in a low voice that terrifies me.

"Sit down," I nodded in agreement. I sat in the chair near him but with a few intervals.

"I want to know if you have chosen your destination?" he asked while looking ahead.

"Yes," I answered in a low tone. I lied because the truth is I had no choice. He turned to me so I immediately looked away.

"I know you're confused about what you should choose but you've been given a green tag so I hope you choose our department. We're green keepers after all."

I didn't utter a word because I don't want my life here. I want to choose what will set me free.

"All right, you can leave now." I stood up and paid my respects to him before turning away.

I lazily sat in my chair earlier while frowning. I watched the people in the middle of the room. They are downstairs so I can see what they are doing.

In the center there is a large bowl where the names of today's selectors are placed. They will pull a paper from there and call the name written to go to the front. There are also three glasses in which the drink is colored. The person called will choose which department he or she wants to work in. The glass on the right contains the blue drink, it represents the blue-tag organization, they are the people who work for us. They are tasked with planting, doing business, communicating with other cities, and providing food for everyone.

Followed by the green-tag or the color green. It is from our lineage that symbolizes intelligence. We are the ones expected to make decisions whether small or large. In the clan we are also askedto make decision for leader or what they call Cascade. No one has seen his face yet, though I am also curious to see him. He always hides in his mask and black coat.

The next glass is red or the red-tag, it comes from the lineage of the brave. They are the police and soldiers of the alliance. I haven't seen them fight yet because we haven't fought anywhere else but they are the ones who keep the alliance peaceful.

There are only three glasses in the middle of the table but there is another to choose from. The black placed near the edge. It symbolizes being free for me. You are not really free because you will come back and come back to the place where you came from but you can leave this place with permission. The are sent to make mission, to kill, and to spy.

On the screen you can see what name was drawn and what was chosen. This is done annually as part of the alliance's founding celebration. Selectors are between the ages of 20-23 and when you exceed this age of not being able to vote you will be forced to be blue-tagged.

"Give respect!"

The formerly noisy room became quiet when the man in front spoke. Everyone stood up so I imitated them because it would be embarrassing if I didn't.. At once we stood up and bowed to the man walking toward the center.

"Is that Cascade, mommy?" I whispered to mom but she slightly shake his head to keep me quiet.

"Good morning to all of us! It used to be just part of the celebration of the establishment of our alliance but now it will be the center of the program because this is where the future of Akuji will begin!"

His voice is low but I think he's in his late 20's. He is said to be the son of the former cascade so even when he is young, everyone here follows him.

"Today is the selection and acceptance of the departments that will happen here at the front. I hope the ceremony will be peaceful."

We heard footsteps leaving the hall so I immediately peeked secretly. Mommy pulled my hand so I could look at Her. She didn't say anything but she looks angry.

"We can now stan! Long live Akuji!"

We stood up while Akuji shouted for life! Akuji is the name of our alliance.

"You Cyanide, behave," mommy whispered to me as we sat down.

"I am not doing anything," I denied to herimmediately even though I knew I had done something.

"You can't peek at Cascade, ever," mommy said in a serious voice.

"Don't make any noise because this celebration is important," she added.

I wanted to ask her more but her face was too serious so I just nodded. I covered my ears with the sound of the gong but those next to me seemed to be unbothered. It was a sign that the calling of names had begun.

"Mallory Sanchez from red-tag!"

His name appeared on the huge screen in front. I shifted my gaze at him because he's from red tag. He confidently walked to the front with eyebrows met, and expressionless eyes.

He went in front of the blue glass so everyone was quiet. Will he drink that? I raised an eyebrow when he turned his gaze to the green and this is what he drank.

"Green tag!" the man in front said loudly, we applauded. I even saw a man hug him in front before sitting down. My clan was so happy to see another person chose us.

"Calvin Tristan Flores from red tag!"

The man walked to the front, acted softly, and bent down to approach the glasses. He doesn't look like a typical red tag because of his softness. He did not hesitate to drink the blue drink. We applauded again when the man said his choice.

I haven't listened to the so -called names because there are too many of them. I looked at my finger because I had nothing else to look at. Mommy slapped my hand so I was able to sit up.

"Brianna Anderson from blue tag!"

That woman caught my eye because she was still dressed. She prepared too much for the day. Her face was very clear, and smooth. Almost all the men in the blue tag were looking at her as she stood up. She smiled at the man in front of him so her narrowed eyes came out.

"Red tag!"

The department shouted at the same time a man in his late 40's from the blue department stood up. He was wearing a formal dress, his posture was also different from most of the men here. It couldn't believe the woman's choice so he started crying.

"Brianna is the heir of their business but look at her, choosing different path," mommy whispered to me while looking ahead. I thought we shouldn't make unnecessary noises mom? I laughed at her in my mind. She's going against her words.

"That's the friend of your cousin Aziel," she added

"Atropine Aziel Davis from the green tag!"

I immediately looked to the front when Aziel was called, she walked up to the front, and smiled slightly at the man there. Her brown hair accompanied her walk, and the heels of her shoes could be heard throughout the room. She did not hesitate to take the green drink. She even raised her glass and smiled at the deputies. As expected, Aziel will not let go the department.

"Green tag!"

Mommy was one of the ecstatic as Aziel returned to her seat. Her smile reached her ears and there was an accented shout. I noticed that the Chairman smiled slightly so I looked down and became even more nervous.

"Aziel should just stay here with us because she's smart." mommy said while still clapping.

"You're also epected to do the same, Cyanide. The chairman is still expecting more from you." she added

I didn't say a word and just looked at Aziel.Our eyes met so I smiled immediately but her complexion just increased and she ignored me. It's not new to me what she's up to because that's how she treated me from the beginning.

"Cyanide Belle Davis from the green tag!"

My lips quivered when I heard my name. I stood up to go to the front. I feel the eyes of my departments especially the Chairman. I don't know if it's because of nervousness or fear that every step I take is so heavy.

I looked at the glasses in front, I repeatedly looked at each glass. I took a deep breath before finally approaching. Everyone is quiet, I know they are also looking forward to what I choose. I turned to the department and I met the Chairman's gaze. I bit my upper lip because I could feel the ferocity in his eyes.

What should I choose?

-------