Path to ascension

     I awoke this morning with a start, the girl in the bunk above me had climbed down and shook me awake. "Get up! Get up! It's your 16th year!" she whispered excitedly. I got off my bed and we both ran to the showers to wash up and get dressed. My 16th year anniversary is a special day because it's the day that I ascend!
     I put on my special suit and put my hood in its pocket. We have to wear the hoods or else we will be forever blind in the next life.
     I walked to the mess hall, passing by the nursery. The nursery is where the 1-days through 6-years are raised. They are too small and weak to work with the rest of us before their 7th year. The rate the 1-days appear at isn't consistent, but there are never any problems with space.
     When I entered the mess hall I walked to the peacekeeper at the gate to the 16-year seating and gave him my identification card. He smiled at me as he passed back my ID and opened the gate for me. The peacekeepers are nice. They break up fights, carry off those who are severely injured and need to ascend early, and keep us safe.
     I walked over to the dispenser and got my tray of food, it has an actual carrot! I went to the table and sat down next to a guy who was missing the tops of his ears. I've been fairly lucky enough to not lose anything, the worst injury I've gotten is a 2nd degree burn on my paw. Most of these guys have scars, a lot of them are missing parts or all of their ears. But that's ok, because they tell us that in the next plane all injuries will be healed.
     I finished my food and walked with the other 16-years to the production floor. There were many 7-years there. Every 16-year was assigned 2 to 5 7-years to teach how to operate the machinery. I got a group of 4. They looked pretty similar to each other. They were all paying good attention, especially as I pointed out the dangerous parts when the machine is running. The contrast between the skinny, undamaged 7-years and the muscular and scarred 16-years was incredible.
     After I finished teaching them all I know and said goodbye to my friends I went with the other 16-years to the cathedral. We all sat down and began our prayers. I prayed for the 7-years and for them to remain in good health and to be very productive in their lives up until they ascend. We all stayed quiet until the priest walked in to address us. "As you all know today is the day you ascend to the next plane. It is your reward for your life of service to our land. I hope to see you all again in the next life and that your ascension goes without incident."
     After he finished speaking we stood up and proceeded to the ascension chamber. The floor is stained with... is that blood? It's probably nothing to be concerned about, there are blood stains all over this place anyways.
     I kneel down when everyone else does. 15 peacekeepers walk into the room. Then the chief peacekeeper enters the room, dressed handsomely as always. "Don your hoods!" he shouts. I put on my hood, I have to put back my ears to get it to fit. Oh boy, this is it! "Ready!" yells the chief, "Aim!" Wait, aim? What's goin- "Fire!". Something hits me hard in the chest, it hurts more than anything I've felt in my life. I yell out in pain and then----



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    I watch the cleaners pick their ways over the bodies, pulling off the hoods and shooting them once in the head just to be certain. Butchers don't like them waking up in their kitchens. No blood got on my uniform this time and that's always good. I almost feel bad for them, growing up never knowing what the outside world looks like or even that they had parents. But they die thinking they go to a place where everything is great. For their sake, I hope that is true. Some of the men are heaving, they'll get used to it. At least they better, because we've got another batch to take care of tomorrow. Glory to Bearuskia.