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FLAWED: faulty, defective, imperfect, blemished, damaged, distorted, unsound, weak, deficient, incomplete, invalid; (of a person) having a weakness in character.
On Naming Day, the judges decide whether the accused are Flawed. If so, their flaws are publicly named and their skin is seared with the F brand in one of five places. The branding location depends on the error of their judgment.
but it seems stupid, because I’m not, either. I can’t bring myself to. Even though being Flawed isn’t a crime, aiding or assisting a Flawed carries the punishment of imprisonment. Bob
what it means?” I nod. “Circles are regarded as a symbol of perfection. All the radii bear a ratio of one to one to each other, showing there are no partial differences between them. They are proved to be in a state of harmony. Geometric harmony.”
The Flawed seats have bright red fabric and are at the front of the bus facing all the other passengers so that everybody on the bus can see that they are Flawed.
Could perfection be bred? Many ways to achieve this were tried and tested, and what the government eventually settled on was Crevan’s Guild and its Flawed brandings. No matter what you do in your life, your Flawed title can never be removed. You hold it till death. You suffer the consequences of your one mistake for the rest of your life. Your punishment serves as a reminder to others to think before they act.
As he hugs me, my cheek is pushed up against the rough crest on his chest. I am face-to-face with the Guild’s crest and motto, “Purveyors of Perfection.”
I hear the weariness, the genuine discontent, for what is happening. “And we have reached an agreement of three years. But you will be released in two years and two months.”
“Celestine,” he says, “an individual over sixteen can be deemed Flawed, and for a punishment of imprisonment, we can delay the start date until the day of your eighteenth birthday.”
What we discussed here now is what happened, and you will confirm that in court, you will say loud and clear for all to hear that society must seek out and oust the Flawed scum in our society. It is the Guild’s work, and you, in full support of the Guild and its values, were working under its rules. You didn’t aid a Flawed. What you did was aid the Guild and, in turn, aid society.
“We’ve got pale pink, baby pink, orchid pink, champagne pink, pink lace, cherry blossom pink, lavender pink, cotton candy, hot pink.…”
Not important to the story. But I love pinks, so this had to be highlighted.
“Celestine North,” he begins. “You stand before me charged with the offense of being a Flawed citizen of this country, for acting on an error of judgment, and as a result face ousting from regular society. Do you deny or accept this accusation?” “Deny,” I say, my voice tiny in the large room,
“And so it is passed. Celestine North will return to her holding cell for the duration of her trial.” Judge Sanchez bangs the gavel against the block and looks smug.
“How long has he been here?” “A few weeks.” “Weeks?” I ask, shocked. “And how much longer will he be here?” “Whenever you’re finished. He’s a flight risk and has anger issues, obviously. Can’t risk letting him go.
Do you think your friend Bosco will let you go near Art when you get out of here? Even if you’re not Flawed? I’d think twice about that if I were you.
The tide is changing, and whether you wear the branding of the Flawed or you walk out of here a free woman, you’ll never be the same girl you were. They’ll be watching you, all of them, and who would you prefer they watch? You or the girl you’re pretending to be?”
To not be deemed Flawed, I must betray the old man on the bus. To be true to myself, I will be deemed Flawed.
didn’t care if he was Flawed, I just saw a person, a human being, who reminded me of my granddad, who no one was helping. So to answer your question, of what possessed me … the answer is, compassion. And logic.
I join him at the window and raise my right hand up to the cool glass, pressing it flat against his. My hand looks like a doll’s hand next to his, and I realize that the glass that I felt separated us is the only thing that connects us.
“No, but it means he is. And what happens if you have a Flawed person at the head of a Flawed court?”
I yelp with fright. And then a bag comes down over my head and I can’t breathe.
“By the way, Flawed, you have twenty minutes to curfew.” He slams the door to the shed. The bolt slides across, and the keys rattle as he locks me inside.
Because it is Art. And the girl with him looks exactly like me.
The girl is my sister.
“This isn’t what you think it is. She was just helping me hide out. We weren’t, you know…” He runs his hands through his hair, in complete turmoil.
“They put a sackcloth bag over my head, tied me up, hit me, kicked me, dumped ashes on me, stripped me, and locked me in a shed. That about covers it.” I don’t mention their forcing the alcohol into my mouth—that would get me into trouble, even though I had no option.
“You are what the movement needs, Celestine, but remember you don’t need them. Don’t let them use you.”
I realize as I read them all that I have only ever said these words to one person and that’s to Pia. Pia is Lisa Life.
“It’s different when the power is taken away from you,” she says gently. “And there are many more people with these tattoos. We see being Flawed as a strength, Celestine.
Flawed At Birth children? I try not to react to this news, when inside my mind is whirling, my stomach churning. “I’m sure you know the children are not allowed to search for their biological parents. First, they’re taken away from their Flawed parents and locked up in an institution for eighteen years to ‘teach’ the Flawed out of them. As soon as they reach eighteen years of age,
His eyes fill. “If you see Carrick, tell him to visit us again. Tell him I’m sorry it ended like it did.”
And then the riot begins.
Carrick, who I only ever really saw through glass. There’s no glass now. Despite the madness around us, he returns my smile. “I told you I’d find you.”
I follow my mother’s advice. I run.
