Dubius by el.smith (mystery books to read txt) 📖

Six types of destinies: 1. Intrepidus –fearless people
2. Custodes-keepers of records and history-in charge of the six nations called destinies.
3. Agricolae- peaceful farmers
4. Operarios- laborers, slaves
5. Medocris- average people, kind and unselfish to everyone and everything
6. Principes- government officials and important people


Dubius- undecided, unsolvable, uncertain.
Certus- decided, sure, certain.


Dubius
By: E. L. Smith


Chapter 1

I SIGHED AS I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW OF THE BUS. It was sprinkling now. I looked over at my brother Tom; he was standing up and holding onto the pole as we rounded our street corner. Tom has dark brown hair that falls over his eyes sometimes, bright blue eyes, and very pale skin. But almost everyone in Medocris has pale skin.
He was so nice, always giving up his seat to someone else. He was definitely a true Medocris. Here in the fifth destiny, everyone is average. There’s nothing special about Medocris, we are just all nice to everyone and unselfish.
Tom is a natural at it, always helping people whenever he gets the chance. Today is the day before final exams. The exams will predict which destiny you are sent to, and Tom will surly choose Medocris. I’m like his complete opposite. I forget to help people, and I’m not anything like a true Medocris. I sighed, and gently rose and exited the bus to our street.
The ground is now dotted with dark spots from the rain. I quickly walked behind Tom, while he helped a lady carry her groceries up the street. He led the way up to her house, and came jogging back to me. He grinned hugely, as he approached me.
I grinned back at him, “Tom, do you think mom and dad will be home for dinner tonight?” His expression grew puzzled, “I don’t know, maybe. They said that they were going to work overtime at the volunteer center.” He shrugged, and we walked towards our house.
The volunteer center is a rundown building in the center of town. They take in those who are homeless from around the whole country, and the people who are kicked out of their destinies. Everyone is required to volunteer there, but since everyone here in Medocris is selfless and kind, they are willingly doing it. I don’t think there was ever a time someone was forced to work there.
My parents volunteer there every day after work for a few hours each day, then all day on the weekends. I tried working there once, but I couldn’t stand to look at all the homeless people, and those who have nowhere else to go. I know I’m not a true Medocris, but I try to be one.
I shrugged it off; I quickened my pace to match Tom’s. He was still smiling, so I smiled to. We walked up the driveway to our house. Tom stopped just I stepped up to the door, and grabbed the hidden key from under the flower pot and unlocked the door.
Tom strolled down the hall to his room and closed the door. He’s probably off to read or research something like usual. My parents don’t know that he does that though, in Medocris, its considered self-indulgence like celebrating your birthday or a holiday. We just treat it like any ordinary day. Or looking in a mirror to admire yourself, or to buy things you don’t really need. If you do any of these things, its considered being selfless. But that doesn’t stop me or my brother.
I strode into the kitchen to start dinner. I had just taken the chicken and bread out of the oven when Tom came in. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt and jeans. He smelled the chicken and smiled. “I see you’ve made your famous lemon pepper chicken.” I smiled back at him, “Yeah, do you think we should wait for them, or put a plate aside for them.” He shrugged, and meandered to the cabinets were we keep the plates. “Let’s just eat, and we can always put a plate for them. I just received a message on the I.M.S that they weren’t going to be back for another two hours.” I nodded. The I.M.S is an instant messaging system that each house has. Our parents probably sent it from the one at the volunteer center.
I started to dish out their plates first, and then I did Tom’s plate. He thanked me, and dug in. I had just dished out my plate when Tom spoke. “So Theresa, are you ready for the final exams tomorrow?” my eyes widened in panic and my breathing accelerated. I shook my head, “No, not really. Are you?” he grinned, “Yeah, I think I know which one I’ll choose.” I knew immediately which, he’ll definitely choose Medocris. “Well good luck tomorrow.” And with that, he gently rose, cleared his place, and headed back to his room.
I sighed, final exams. It felt like just yesterday that I turned eighteen. My birthday was actually only two weeks ago, but we didn’t celebrate it. My stomach lurched and I didn’t feel like eating anymore. I put away my parent’s plates, and headed to my room.
I closed the door behind me, and shuffled to my window. I threw it open even though it was raining, and watched the sun set. I saw my parents coming up the drive, and quickly shut it. I threw on a plain grey t-shirt and shorts, and got into bed.
I listened to my parents in the house, they were eating and discussing about the final exams tomorrow. I heard my mother say my name, and heard her coming down the hall to check on us. I quickly threw the covers over my head, slowed my heart beat, and listened. I heard my door creak open, and my mother’s head peak in and then she closed my door. I sighed, and rolled over and closed my eyes. I slowly fell asleep, wondering what final exams will be like.
In my dream, my parents are hand cuffed to a chair. The room has mirrors all along its walls. I stare at myself before I realize what’s going on. Standing over my parents is a man with a mask on. I can’t see his face; only that he is muscular, and holding two syringes full of a black liquid. I try to move from where I am, but a glass cylinder has blocked me in the corner. I watch helplessly as the masked man presses the syringes into their necks. Then they start twitching, which changes to thrashing and screaming.
I stare in disbelief as my parents thrash from the pain, and slowly die in front of my eyes. I scream until my voice is gone, and bang against the glass. But it just won’t break. When my parents are slumped over dead, the masked man turns to me and removes his mask. But just as he pulls it off, I wake up.
I’m in my clean organized room, lying in my bed, half-asleep and half-awake. I wiped the sweat from my brow, and glance at the clock. It reads just after six. I groan, and get to my feet. Soon I’m dressed in a grey t-shirt, jeans, and a grey sweatshirt, the usual attire for our destiny. I padded off to the kitchen to start breakfast.
I pull a frying pan, eggs, and ham out, and place them on the table. I start the coffee machine, and toaster. I fry up the eggs, and ham. I had just started on the pancakes when Tom strolled in looking tired, but still smiling. “Hey, need any help?” he said, yawning hugely. I smiled back, “I’ve just about finished, unless you would like to make mother’s tea?” I said teasing, I saw him cringing as soon as I said it. He laughed, “Okay, I’ll go see if they’re awake yet.” He meandered down the hall to their room. Chicken I muttered, if mother doesn’t get her tea exactly right, let’s just say she’s not a morning person. The tea wakes her up, and if it’s wrong then she’ll be cranky. I popped in her tea bag, and waited exactly the right amount of time before pulling it out. I placed it in her spot and father’s coffee in his. Then I poured Tom some orange juice and myself some milk.
I had just placed the last of the food on the table when Tom brought in our parents. I smiled at them, and served them their breakfast. “Thank you Theresa, and Tom.” He winked at me before taking a bit of toast. “Thank you as well Theresa, and Tom.” She said, I nodded and started on my eggs. “Well I’ve got to go, see you kiddos Tonight.” My father said, “Really Marceline, do you have to go already?” She smiled at him, “Yes Edward, and so do you.” They smiled at each other, and I quickly cleared the table as they left. Soon only Tom and I were left.
“So, you ready for final exams yet?” Tom asked as he washed the dishes. I dried a few and put them away before answering. I shook my head, “Not one bit you?” he smiled back at me with his one dimpled grin. “I guess so, I wonder what’s going to happen?” I shrugged, “I don’t know.” We went back to washing and drying, my words still hung in the air.
Before long it was time to go to school, and we walked out to the bus stop in silence. The bus pulled up and we both got on and sat across from each other, not talking.
By the time we had gotten to school, I was frightened and shaking about today’s exams. I turned to Tom, and hugged him goodbye. “Good luck.” I said as he walked away. I would see him at lunch, and then it would be time for the exams. I shuttered at the thought as I made my way to my first class.
The day flew by quickly because of the shortened schedule, and by now it was lunch time. I grabbed my tray and headed to the table in the corner. The Medocris table, and sat next to Grace Toll, my best friend here. She didn’t seem to notice me; she was staring at the Intrepidus table. They were laughing and shouting like they didn’t have a care in the world. The other tables, the Custodes, the Agricolae, the Operarios, and the Principes all were talking, but softly to themselves.
Grace soon realized I was there, and she perked up. “Hey Theresa, are you ready for the final exams today?” she sounded scared, so I said, “No, not at all. I’m terrified. But what about you?” She panicked, “Yes, I am.” Her voice cracked, and sounded like she was lying. I just waved it off as Tom sat across for us. Just then the intercom came on and announced the four people from each destiny to go for their final exams. And to my surprise they called Grace’s name. Shocked, she got to her feet, and headed down the hall to the exam