10T have been exploring what the future might look like through the dystopian genre .

Lifeplan- Samantha Robb

Korah couldn’t bring a bone to move while she lay on her bed. She failed to process the information she now stored in her mind. She had only become part of the population three weeks ago on her sixteenth birthday. She liked it back then when she knew who she was and did not know her parents.

She couldn’t think of a single detail about either of them due to the fact she was taken away minutes after being born. But when she envisioned leaving her Raiser’s house she thought of leaping into the warm embrace of her mother and father’s arms. She expected more than what she got. She didn’t get rejected or anything of the sort, but she didn’t necessarily get welcomed either. As soon as Korah’s parents laid eyes on her, her father’s hand was on her lower back and she was being strongly guided to their car. She recalls her mother mumbling, “I’m surprised they didn’t catch us.”

At that point, Korah’s parents just seemed to be different and Korah hadn’t decided whether it was good or bad different yet. They seemed, as her Raiser had said, sketchy. She was warned of sketchy people and how they could be part of the Rebellion. Korah hadn’t heard about the Rebellion much while she was being raised. All she knew was that they were ‘fools that didn’t stick to their Lifeplan.’ She didn’t think her parents would be part of it.

But they were, and now they wanted Korah to join them.

Tears were now streaming down Korah’s face as she thought about the situation. Her Lifeplan did not set her to make this choice, she was lost. These were her parents, they shared DNA, abandoning them was not part of her Lifeplan. As much as she loved her parents, the Rebellion was against the government. They broke rules. They corrupted society. They are the reason Lifeplans are in place, yet they refuse them. She could never be one of them.

“Korah, sweetie,” Her mother entered her room with a sober smile, “How are you?”

“I am fine..”

“Really? Because the tears on your cheeks prove otherwise.”

Korah raised her gaze to meet her mother’s tired eyes. She saw the strength and commitment on her worn face, but also the tenderness mixed with fear. Korah's finger hovered over her phone, set to push the alarm button for her Raiser. 

“I’ll join you,” Korah said finally. Her mother seemed taken aback at her words, staring at her dumbfoundedly.

“You’ll pardon me, what?” Her mother’s eyebrows were now raised. Korah gave her a small smile. 

“I'll join the Rebellion. I’ll fight with you and father, against the government.” A part of her wanted to be with her true family. She wanted to feel the rush of defying the government. She wanted to fight arm in arm with her parents and make them proud.

Her mother’s face lit up. Korah put her phone away.