“Red is the common term used. What is this pairing you mentioned?” I asked from across the long room.
“You select a family to join, and then they accept you and pledge to provide for you. It's one of the few group ceremonies we have.”
“I see.” I finished dressing and walked back towards the food.
“There's a lot to consider like an apprenticeship and religious persuasion, family size, and marriage possibilities. The larger families are fun, more people to rely on, but you can lose yourself in a big group. I like the middle-sized families, like my family, the Prowe's.”
“You mentioned a partner wife?” I asked, never having heard the term before.
“Fran is our husband's third wife. I'm his second. We help run the household with our eight children. Franny lived topside too at one time. Probably why we clicked the first time we met. Our husband is living with our new wife and their young son. He stays with us three nights a week just for the peace and quiet, I think.”
“So, we are fresh meat for a bunch of old perverted geezers.” I tossed my damp towel on the end of the bed.
“No, no. You can choose any of the families looking for new people, but several young men in our camp need wives. They have made more than a few runs topside to bring back women to save.”
“From the asteroid, the comet that’s headed our way?” I remarked.
“Yes, it all makes perfect sense, doesn't it? One of the things we would like to document is your lineage. To make sure you aren't related to any of the families here by blood. Could you tell me the name of your parents and grandparents?”
“Sure, what could it hurt? My mother is Rose Lancer, my father is Jimmy Lancer, and my grandparents on my mother's side were Constance and Edgar Moon. The State adopted my father. His parents were killed when he was a toddler. Not much is known about them.”
“What about your age and any of your special interests. Like what life path did you choose?” Violet asked as she quickly wrote down my previous responses.
“I'm almost sixteen. My birthday would have been at the end of next week. I was hoping to follow the domestic path. My testing requirements are almost done.”
“Sweetie, the asteroid isn't expected for at least another twenty months—plenty of time for several birthdays.”
“Well, what a relief.” I chuckled, straightening the waist of my new shorts.
“Good, good. Looking at you, I'm thinking of a sophisticated sheath for the ceremony. Something classic and timeless. Blue chose a frilly style, and Ellia chose a poufy long flowered dress. Midori wants ruffles, but I hadn't gotten to meet with you yet.”
“I'm sorry, Midori, and who?” I asked.
“Ellia and Blue Bell dear, the other girls who came here with you.” I hadn't even asked the names of the girls that were kidnapped with Blue and me. I was so focused on getting away and our impending death by friendly fire that I never thought to ask their names.
I rubbed my head as the room started to tilt. My mother's voice entered my mind again. Focus on other people, Karine. Pay attention to what's in front of you. Her advice helped me through my dance recital when I was ten. Maybe it would help me today.
“Are you okay dear, have you eaten anything yet today?” Violet asked in a kind, almost motherly tone.
“No, but I'm fine. The dress you’re describing sounds perfect. Thank you, I'm not much for frilly or poufy.”
“Of course not, you seem practical, reserved, no-nonsense. Our family will be thrilled if you select us. Listen to me, I'm sorry this is exciting for us, but it must be difficult for you. Have something to eat, and you will feel better.” I smiled and nodded my nasty string of comments away.
Violet was useless to me, but I didn't have a reason to make her my enemy. I went to the table and pulled a fresh muffin from the basket. I ate while Violet chattered on about the comet and their plan to leave the area to escape the fallout.
She mentioned the family members that worked topside and how the camp gets information about current events anytime they need. Five other camps sat further towards the west, and they would all be merging soon to survive.
When I was done eating my muffin, Violet took me by the arm and led me out of the tent to tour the camp. She had an extra hat rolled up in her bag. She offered it to me and secured it on my head without taking a breath.
She explained how one of the families farmed, one had livestock, one produced clothing, one bakes, and several of their elderly watch the young children during the day while work is being done. Women her age usually teach, but she is too busy with her household still. The volume of constant information she provided was dizzying.
We reached a tent that smelled like coffee and fresh-baked sugar cookies. A nice-looking man around my father's age greeted us at the door. He offered me a tall mug while watching Violet continue to relay all the information she contained about the campsite.
The caffeine hit my bloodstream like a bullet. I reached my saturation point with Violet. Everything she said after the coffee was pure noise.
A young man with tools in his hands emerged from the back room. He was of average height and had a friendly smile. His thick black hair fell into his eyes, and I could see he spent time in the sun from the tan line on his biceps.
“Ezekiel, come meet Karine. She is...well, she's new here.” Violet offered nodding at me.
“Good morning Mama Violet.” The young man hugged Violet and
