Personal Database #25

Subject: Wyn Rivera, MOLT 0, age 0-19.

<Medical Record: see HEALTH DATABASE #475>

<Behavioral Record: see SOCIOLOGICAL DATABASE #373>

Purpose Of Written Study: Pre-MOLT psychological analysis

Time to MOLT 1: 1.5 wks

Intellectual Property of the Governance of MOLT, Central Division

March 30, 2254

Nothing is happening. 

Somehow, that's scarier than any alternative. We've been standing around in this room for almost fifteen minutes, and other than the fact that Terra's still giving me her death stare, no one has really done anything yet. The tension is rising every second, and most of the Birth MOLTs look terrified. The TLOMs, on the other hand, seem to be the ones doing the terrifying. And no, I'm not being biased 'cause of Terra. I signed a contract saying I'd be honest to you Governance people, remember? A lot of the TLOMs are stretching and gritting their teeth and staring the rest of us Birth MOLTs down, almost like they're bracing themselves for something terrible. 

Whatever it is, one thing's for sure. Terra may be a brat, but she isn't alone. All of the TLOMs know something we don't. 

"Get to the top." 

Well, Governance, I have to say, those instructions are pretty...to the point. At least everyone else looks just as confused as I feel after the loudspeaker's latest announcement. Get to the top of what? And how?

I think they're answering that question right now. Nonverbally, of course. There's some ropes dropping down from the ceiling...no...they're rope ladders, spanning the entire height of the room! There's one every four feet or so. 

The TLOMs have already taken off. They're climbing like they're possessed, kicking each other off the ladders to make room for themselves. Some of the Birth MOLTs are following suit now...this is getting really chaotic. There aren't nearly enough ladders for everyone, and the flimsy ladders are swaying under the weight of dozens of Birth MOLTs. 

Terra was one of the first TLOMs to start climbing. I have a pretty good view of her from down here- I'm being smart and waiting until the chaos subsides before I head for the ladders- and she's almost to the top. Good for her. But wait...wait...the guy below her is trying to get ahead! He's stepping on her feet- she's screaming- she's falling! 

Ha! I'm a terrible person, I know, but this is so funny- hahaha! Gosh I'm so awful but this girl is literally falling- ha- from the sky- hahahaha! 

Okay, Wyn, get yourself together. The Governance is going to analyze everything you say into this stupid little microphone. 

I think Terra's coming toward me. Yeah, her knee's all scraped up, and she doesn't look too happy. 

"Climb, you idiot! If you want to MOLT, climb! They won't give you forever!" 

Well, thanks for your kind encouragement, my friend. 

"Can't you see that I'm trying to help you? Climb!" She looks desperate, and you don't want to argue with a desperate person. So I climb. 

I'm about a quarter of the way up the ladder now, and Terra's right behind me. I keep expecting her teeth around my ankle, but surprisingly, she hasn't really done anything to get me to fall. 

"I heard that!" 

Oops. 

Well, Terra's the last person I want to talk to, but this whole thing is starting to get really weird. What kind of test is making us climb a ladder? What is it supposed to prove, and how does it have anything to do with the MOLT? I have a feeling she knows, and that she might tell me...I finally gather the courage to say something. 

"Hey, Terra, I've got a question: what in the world is going on?" 

"The MOLT is promised to all citizens, but the Governance never said everyone has to MOLT at the same age." 

"What's that supposed to mean?" It's hard to talk while climbing this flimsy ladder, but I feel like I'm on the verge of actually knowing something for once. 

"It means make it to the top or become a TLOM, fool! It means be a 'true survivor' or spend an extra year in your vulnerable Birth MOLT regretting your mistakes and doing the Governance's dirty work before you're given the chance to try again! It means crush others for your own survival or be forced to manipulate an innocent Birth MOLT!" 

So Terra isn't rude after all! 

"Why didn't you just tell me!?" Somehow, I'm angry. Not necessarily at her, but at everything. I've been tricked. The MOLT isn't fair. The Governance isn't fair. Nothing is fair. 

"I'd be punished back in the TLOM cities...but it doesn't matter now, because I'm never going back. I've learned what the Governance wanted me to learn. I've become a survivor, and I'm going to MOLT...sorry, Wyn." 

We're halfway to the top now, but I can't take another step. Something's holding my foot in place. The person above me advances forward, but I'm rooted to the spot, losing my balance. I feel a sharp pain in my lower leg and instinctively turn my head to see Terra digging her fingernails into my calf. I try to pull myself out of her grasp, but that only allows her nails to sink deeper into my skin. I'm trying to hold on, but my knees are buckling. 

I can't do this. 

Terra sees my weakness- I know she does. She's grabbing the rung above me, kicking me out of the way. I'm fal-

Agh! Now I know why the floor is padded. My legs still burn enough, though...I fell at least twenty feet. I feel so helpless laying here...people are literally stepping over me. I've gotta get up, I've gotta get to the top. I've gotta be survivor, I've gotta MOLT. 

But then I realize something. 

Terra's my Complement. Whatever the MOLT is, the instructors have made it pretty clear that it requires both Complements. That back-stabber can't MOLT without me! 

I curl up into a ball, pulling my knees up to my chest as I smile in smug satisfaction. 

I think I'm gonna take a nap.