Kill School: Slice Read Online Free

don’t want to be myself today. I’d rather be a bird soaring over the
lake, or a mouse hiding in the grass. I’d rather be with my brother, no matter
where he is.
    Baby cries and I walk to her room when no one else appears
to console her. She greets me with a smile and a sniff. I take her in my arms
and cuddle her. Mom has been avoiding Baby ever since her last delivery ended
in death. It’s not unusual for a family member to take the life of another
member. After all, it’s how we got Baby.
    Mom appears at the doorway. She is dressed in a sharp red
suit and matching pumps. Her eyes dart across mine and to the empty crib.
    “Are you going to be alright today?” she asks without
taking her eyes from the crib.
    “Are you?” I ask, jostling Baby in my arms.
    She nods and stares at Baby. “I’m sorry I can’t come with
you.”
    Mom has to debrief the Regulators today. Every time someone
uses his or her token to kill, everyone involved has to report to Clarkhaven
House. That means the girl will be there, along with her whole family. The boy
with blonde hair will be there as well.
    “You look amazing,” Dad says from the hallway. He appears
at the door and places a hand on one of Mom’s shoulders. He turns to me and for
a brief moment, they are a frozen picture of love.
    “Today’s the big day. Just you and me. Are you excited?” Dad
rubs his hands together.
    “Dad, really?” My eye roll makes my dad frown.
    “Yes, really.” Dad puts his hands on his hips. He is
serious. “You’re sixteen. Regardless of what else the day means, it’s your
birthday and we are going to celebrate. Cake, ice cream, and party hats.”
    “Can you drop Baby off for me?” Mom asks. “I don’t want to
be late.”
    “Sure.” Dad takes Baby from my arms. “You ready to go?”
    Time to break the news.
    “I want to go on my own,” I say.
    “Not today,” Dad says. “You need us.” He glances at Mom.
“Well, me. You shouldn’t do this on your own. You will need someone with you
when you open…”
    I cut him off with a hand wave. “Please, Dad.” I don’t want
him there. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.
    Baby grabs Dad’s nose and pinches it, as if she’s pleading
my case too. I love Baby. She always makes me smile.
    “Let her go on her own,” Mom says. She smells of vanilla
bean coffee.
    “You sure?” Dad asks.
    “Of course, I’m sure,” says Mom. “I have to run. I am proud
of you.” She brings me into her arms. “Don’t fear anything or anyone. Don’t
think about your brother or me or your father. Today is your birthday. You have
two years to get through the rest of it.”
    “Group hug,” Dad says.
    Dad steps forward and embraces me with his free hand. As
corny as it feels, it also feels good to be in the arms of my parents. Baby
seems to enjoy it too because she breaks out into a giggle and pulls my hair.
    Mom and I walk out of the house together. We wave to Dad
and Baby. She enters her PRT and I walk to the MagLev. It is three stops to the
post office. My journey will be swift. The end of it will change my life
forever.
     
    The
post office is an imposing stone building with a row of white marble columns
and a red roof. It sits at the far end of an oval green where shops,
restaurants, and offices line the walkway. On weekends, the green is filled
with families picnicking, musicians strumming and kids playing. Today red-cloaked
officers mix with blue suited professionals in an ordinary workday.
    One day I may be sitting on the green with them, enjoying
my lunch, excited to go back to work. Today I must walk through their quiet and
disrupt it by my mere presence. I step into the green and watch the faces turn
toward me. Some people actually pick up their lunches and leave. Others stay,
but watch my hands as I walk past them.
    I want to wear a big sign on my chest that says I don’t yet
have my token. They know where I’m going. Kids my age aren’t let out of
school unless we have to pick up our