A boy with bloody colored hair and scarlet hued eyes stares into my own, their frazzled hair, not so much cared for, falling down to their collarbones; their eyes a deep red that would remind you of the losing of blood, the remains of humanity left spilling... a deep-seated horror for those left too pungently rooted in terror.
The boy seemed unnatural from any given angle, like he was simply just not born for this world, never intending to conform to society's mundane standards.
An anomaly, he was: 'Why do I look like this, was there at any point given a reasoning; a deeper purpose?' he'd always think to himself, yet no response would ever be given, he had been given this life to own and cast upon the world.
...with no going back, no questions answered, he has only himself to blame.
~
'Enough of this, I need to focus on what I know.'
I take my gaze away from the mirror, that subject of self-inflicted pondering torment forgotten, 'It's been four years since I've discovered what this world truly hides from sight, and now it's my birthday again and we're celebrating my eleventh year from birth in this life... I wonder how it will go this time.'
Picking up my Level 1 Clearance Badge, I strap it around my neck and open my bedroom door, leaving the room and entering the hallway; It was dark, the lights were not on, I look across the way and note that my parents' room were shut tightly. I take a glance at the end of the hallway and see that my mothers' office door is cracked slightly open.
'That's strange, that door is always left shut... mom would never make the mistake of leaving it even slightly cracked as it is now, I suppose I'll be nosey.'
Tiptoeing slowly towards the door, I reach it in but a moment and peer through the crack of the door, only for it to burst open and two lengthy slim arms pull me into a bearhug.
"Happy birthday my dear! You're eleven now, how does it feel to finally be of age? Now we can properly align you into the facility as a scientist, but only if you pass the test... you've been doing your homework, correct?" my mother's voice sounds in my ear and I accept and even reciprocate the hug she's giving me.
"Yes mom, I've been doing everything you told me so that I can become a scientist," I push myself away from her gently, "When is the test?"
I take a look around the room; this was the first time I've been in here before, so I try to quickly take it all in, analyzing everything there was to see.
She nods, proud and satisfied with my answer. Pulling her office chair away from her desk that was just a bit from the door, she waves for me to come closer, which I in turn do and when I get closer... I see that on her desk, atop a pile of papers, was my name listed on the top of a page along with a multitude of questions to answer regarding the requirements that it would take to become a scientist.
"Right now. Take a seat Ember and remember to answer every single question truthfully and don't rush, there is no time-limit to this test and if you need all day then even that is fine. If you need me, I will be just in the right here filling out forms but remember, I cannot help you with your answering."
My mother puts the paper down in front of me along with a pen before she takes a step away from the chair while I take a seat; she moves toward the corner of her office where another table and chair were setup. Taking a seat, she begins to do her job while I was just a bit away.
'I've never seen her work before; I wonder what kind of things it is that she is writing in those forms there...' I think to myself, 'Well anyways, I should get started.' Picking up a pen from beside me and putting my attention to the paper in front of me, I begin to read the questions listed on the page before me.
[1. Explain the primary differences between Safe and Euclid class anomalies, providing an example for each.]
My brow furrowed in concentration, 'This was a foundational question, something even Level 1 personnel such as myself would have learned in basic training for Foundation children.' I think, 'Safe class anomalies were reliable, predictable, and easily contained with my quote-on-quote "current knowledge." Euclid class, on the other hand, were less understood, unpredictable, or required more active containment procedures. My mind, quick to categorize and recall, organized the information I'd absorbed over the years from general briefings and observation.
Picking up the pen lying to the side, its smooth casing cool against my fingers... The quiet of the office was broken only by the soft, rhythmic scratch of my mother's pen from her corner table, a comforting sound that spoke of diligent work: She was immersed in her forms, trusting me to focus on my own task.
Drifting my attention back to the paper, I began to write, carefully choosing my words: For Safe-class anomalies, I wrote of a simple object, such as a box that always produces a perfectly ripe apple once an hour, with the key being its' predictability and passive containment. For Euclid, I wrote of their unpredictability and/or need for more active management: a plant that grows considerably fast when observed, but with no consistent pattern. My pen moved steadily, forming neat, concise sentences.
[2. Describe the steps you would take if you observed an object exhibiting unusual, but seemingly harmless, properties in a non-secure area of the facility.]
This question tested about alertness and proper procedure. Not interacting beyond observing and immediately notifying a superior... It was basic safety. I described how I'd ensure the area was clear, prevent others from approaching without proper clearance, and then contact the nearest Level 2 or 3 personnel to report my observations, describing what I saw and where.
[3. Why is accurate and timely documentation crucial within the Foundation?]
This question... spoke of what was fundamental to everything they did: How every anomaly, every experiment, every incident needed to be recorded with precision. I wrote about how it ensured research continued, that it improved personnel safety by providing detailed and critical information, and helped maintain the vast, complex history of their mission to better understand and contain anomalies in the future.
[4. Define, in your own words, what a "Site" is within the Foundation, and explain its general purpose.]
A Site... I lived in one. It was a secure, often sprawling complex, usually located underground or in a remote area, dedicated to the containment, research, and study of anomalous objects and phenomena. Its general purpose was to protect humanity from dangerous or world-altering anomalies, and to maintain global normalcy by keeping the existence of anomalies hidden from public knowledge.
[5. Why is it critical for Foundation personnel to avoid discussing their work or the existence of anomalies with unauthorized individuals, even family members not employed by the Foundation?]
This was the core of the Veil Protocol, the very reason we lived how we did...
I wrote about how it prevented mass hysteria, maintaining the secrecy to protect the unaware public from the truth of their dangerous reality, and the dangers of anomalies being misunderstood, exploited, or accidentally exposed by those without proper training or clearance. It wasn't just about control, but stability.
[6. If you were given access to a new research database (without classified information), what kinds of subjects or anomalous phenomena would you be most interested in studying, and why?]
This question felt different, a little more personal, allowing for genuine interest. My mind, usually so disciplined in its filtering to only include what was appropriate, allowed a momentary glimpse of broader interests.
I focused on subjects that defied simple explanation but weren't overtly dangerous. Writing about wanting to study objects that subtly altered perception, or phenomena that hinted at unseen dimensions, emphasizing understanding how they worked and their underlying principles, rather than just what they did. It showed a natural scientific curiosity, fit for a future researcher.
When I finally put the pen down, the last word drying on the page, the clock on the wall above me had shown me that hours had passed, yet it felt like minutes...
My mother cleared her throat, a gentle sound that pulled me from my intense focus. "Finished, dear?" she asks, peering over my shoulder quietly. Her scarlet eyes, so like my own, softened as they met mine, a proud smile spreading across her face.
I nod in affirmation, handing the test paper towards her. "Yes, Mom. I'm done."
She takes the paper from my hand gently with a practiced hand, her eyes scanning the page, moving quickly through my answers. Her expression remaining neutral for a several moments, a slight furrow in her brow as she absorbs the content. Pausing briefly, perhaps taking note of the thoroughness or the thoughtful nature of some responses, before the proud smile returned, wider this time.
"Excellent, Ember. Truly excellent," she murmurs, tapping the paper. "Your understanding of protocol and principles, even at your age, is very strong. Your father will be very pleased."
She pulls my chair away from the desk, encouraging me to stand up. "Come now my dear baby, enough of this for now. It's your birthday today after all so let's enjoy it! Your father should be back any minute, and we have a celebration waiting for you."
She moved towards the door, her midnight-black hair swaying slightly. I followed, feeling a lightness in my step, a sense of accomplishment warming me. The test was over. The next stage of my life within the Foundation was about to begin, but first I suppose it's for the best that I should enjoy my birthday with my parents, hm?