text: [Themes: sci-fi, dystopia, serious]
  
  "Mom, why can't you or Dad walk me to school?" Sam asked her mom who was busy knitting something in her old rocking chair. Mom put aside her work and ruffled Sam's hair.
  
  "Sam, we're both too busy. I have my sewing and your Dad has his work." Sam turned away from her and pouted. It isn't fair! She bet that all the other kids would have their parents walk them to school. Mom put an arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, you won't have to walk there all by yourself. Dad and I called a nice Agent to walk you to school."
  
  [Author's Note: Sam Diamond is a girl born to loving parents. She loves to ask questions just like her mother, but the Sanctimonium does not tolerate questions. This may pose serious problems for Sam as she grows up in the Sanctimonium. A place where curiosity is forbidden and compliance is rewarded. This is the Sanctimonium: inquire at your own risk.]
  
  > What's an Agent?
  Mom was quiet for awhile before she answered "An Agent is someone who is supposed to protect you from Foxes and Wolves."
  
  > Foxes and Wolves? You mean like the animals from Red Riding Hood?
  Sam's mom chuckled to herself. "No, not those kind of animals. The Sanctimonium says that Foxes are those that ask too many questions about the Sanctimonium. Wolves are people who try to hurt the Sanctimonium for people who work for it."
  
  > Does that mean you're a Fox?
  "Right now they think you're a Lamb: someone who is loyal to the Sanctimonium." Mom knelt down to Sam's level and hugged her. "Don't ask all those questions when you're at school or with the Agent. Can you promise me that, Sam?"
  
  > promise
  A look of relief washed over mom's face. "Good. Remember that promise and don't ask too many questions, even if you really want to."
  
  > Okay.
  "Sam, do you have all your supplies?" Mom asked her.
  
  "Sure do! I have my backpack right here." Sam said as she twirled around to show that she had it.
  
  Sam heard a soft knock on the wooden door. Her mom sighed and walked over to the door to answer it. Behind the door was a man dressed in a sharp black suit with a classy hat.
  
  "Hello, is this the Diamond residence?" The man asked.
  
  Mom looked visibly agitated "Y-yes, I'm Mrs. Diamond and this is my daughter Sam."
  
  She stepped out from behind her mom "Hi! I'm Sam."
  
  The man removed his hat and bows "You may call me Agent Jay. Are you ready to go to school, Sam?"
  
  "Sure am." She said.
  
  Agent Jay offered his hand "Right this way." Sam put her hand in his and waved goodbye to her mom who waved back through the window of their cottage.
  
  > The Walk to School
  Sam walked carefully along with Jay down the forest path.
  
  "Did your mom make your clothes?"
  
  "Yep."
  
  "Do you like living in the wilderness?"
  
  "Yep."
  
  "Have you been to school before?"
  
  "No."
  
  "Are you a good Lamb?" This question confused her. Did he mean a lamb like the white fuzzy animal? She wasn't a lamb if he meant that!
  
  "I'm not a lamb. I'm a girl!" she stated. They exited the forest path the city across the vast grassy field. Mr. Jay seemed surprised by her answer.
  
  "Are you nice to your parents? Do you like to help them and listen to them?" He asked.
  
  "Uh-huh," Sam replied.
  
  "That means you are a Lamb."
  
  "Ok." They were almost in the city by now, just a few more steps and they'd be within the city limits.
  
  "Do you know what Foxes and Wolves are?"
  
  "Like animals?"
  
  "They are animals but they look like you and me."
  
  "But foxes have bushy tails and are red. And wolves are gray and look like dogs." Jay sighed. They were within the city now sparkling buildings towered above them.
  
  "A Fox is someone who tries to trick others into doing bad things. A Wolf is someone who does bad things."
  
  "Ok." Sam understood now.
  
  > At School
  They walked through the city until they found a round building tinted light blue. This was the school. Inside the hallways were plastered with posters that said "Lucy Lamb says: Don't be a tricky Fox!" and pictures of vicious Wolves and sly Foxes hunting innocent Lambs. Those pictures bothered me. They seemed wrong somehow.
  
  > stay Silent
  She wanted to ask Jay about the pictures but her parents said not to ask him questions, so she stayed silent until they got to her classroom.
  
  > First day of class
  The class was a bright and colorful place. Children's drawing spotted the walls as did educational posters. There was a green chalkboard on the left side of the room and rows of tiny desks behind it. The right of the room was a play area that had all sorts of toys, shapes, and knick-knacks to play with. In the center of the room there was a fuzzy white carpet and a rocking chair, like the one Sam had at home. Children all in white played with toys and Sam felt a little left out being the only one with hand stitched clothing.
  
  Mr. Jay ,meanwhile, waved goodbye to her saying "Have a wonderful day at school." as he slipped out of the room. Sam noticed there was a bookshelf by the rocking chair that immediately piqued her interest. She walked over to it and began looking through the books. They all seemed to be the same to her. They all had a picture of a Lamb on the cover with a Fox or Wolf being mischievous in one way or another. The books all had different pictures inside but they seemed to be about the same thing. Sam wondered why there weren't any fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood there.
  
  "Alright class! Meet in the reading circle." A voice called out. Sam figured that must be the teacher. She watched as all the kids crowded near her and the books sprawled out across the floor. The teacher, a man in his mid thirties with simple white clothing, seemed unhappy with her. He began silently putting the books back on the shelf as the rest of the kids sat down at the reading circle. The teacher, who called himself Mr. Snow, plucked one book from the shelf and sat in the rocking chair.
  
  "Everyone, every day we are going to start class by reading a story. Today is a story that I'm sure you heard of before: Lucy Lamb and the Sneaky Fox." Murmurs of recognition travelled through the group. Mr. Snow opened the book and began reading.
  
  "Lucy was the perfect Lamb. She was kind to everyone she met and always listened to her teachers. She never made anyone sad or angry with her and things were good."
  
  "One day, on her way home from school, Lucy met a Fox. Now, the Fox was a very crafty creature, so he said to her.
  
  "Isn't it a wonderful day Lucy?"
  
  "Sure is!" Lucy replied.
  
  "You know what would make it more wonderful?" He asked
  
  "What?" She asked.
  
  "Having a friend. No one ever wants to be my friend." The Fox trailed off.
  
  "I can be your friend!" Lucy chirped.
  
  "Really!? Oh thank you Lucy! C'mon let's go play!" The Fox happily led her to a part of town she'd never been before and it was even more wonderful than she thought it'd be. However, before long Lucy realized she couldn't find her way back even if she wanted to.
  
  "Fox!" She cried "Where are we? I want to go home!" She sobbed.
  
  Fox bared his teeth and sharpened his claws. "You sheep are so stupid and gullible. You thought I needed a friend? My only friends are the wolves!" He shouted as a pack of wolves surrounded poor Lucy.
  
  They pounced and Lucy was no more.
  
  Let it be known that on this day
  
  Only the Sanctimonium can keep the Wolves away.
  
  Mr. Snow closed the book. "What do you think we should learn from that story?" He asked the class.
  
  > say that Lucy should've been more resourceful
  "That Lucy should've been smarter about the Fox or she could've saved herself. Like Red with the Big Bad Wolf." Sam answered. Everyone turned toward her their eyes wide.
  
  "That's a good guess Sam, but there's a better answer." Mr. Snow chided.
  
  A boy raised his hand. "That we can't trust Foxes, even if they aren't as bad as Wolves." He responded in a memorized way.
  
  "Very good, Drew. Have any of you met any Foxes before?" Mr. Snow asked.
  
  "W-well m-my mom says that Aunt Lara is a Fox." A girl said timidly.
  
  "Oh, why's that?" He asked.
  
  "B-because Aunt Lara doesn't think Ascensions are good. She think they're very bad." The kids all gasped.
  
  "And what do you think, Christina?" Mr. Snow asked.
  
  She fumbled with her hands. "I-I don't know. I don't know..." She trailed off as tears streamed down her face. Mr. Snow put his arms around her in a loving embrace. She calmed down a bit.
  
  "Let's go to the Education room to help you decide." He lead her out the door. "Everyone stay put. I'll be back in a few minutes." He said closing the door behind him.
  
  Sam frantically looked around the room wondering what was going on.
  
  > ask Drew what's going on
  She tapped the dark haired boy Drew on the shoulder.
  
  "What's going on?" She asked him.
  
  "Mr. Snow took Christina to the Education room." He responded.
  
  "What's that?"
  
  Drew leapt at the chance to explain it. "It's where lost Lambs go to learn."
  
  "But aren't we supposed to learn in school?" She asked him puzzled.
  
  "Yep, but lost Lambs go there. I'm not a lost Lamb. I don't know about you though." He said snickering.
  
  "What do you mean by that?" Sam said irritated.
  
  "Why don't you know all this? How come you aren't wearing what everyone else is wearing?"
  
  "I-I.." She trailed off. Sam didn't know why. Her mom always said she made them special but she never said why.
  
  Ten minutes ticked by.
  
  The door slowly opened. Mr. Snow returned without Christina and this only further drove Sam's curiosity.
  
  "Well that took longer than I thought. Ok!" he clapped his hands together "Who's ready for a game?"
  
  The kids all moved to their desks away from the reading circle and automatically stared at the green chalkboard.
  
  > ask Mr. Snow a question
  Sam did the same though she couldn't resist asking a question.
  
  "Mr. Snow why isn't Christina back?"
  
  "She's in the Education room, Sam," he replied while writing on the board.
  
  "When will she be back?"
  
  "When she isn't in the Education room." Sam sat back in her chair unsatisfied with his answer. She wanted to know why Christina was taking so long. On the board was a chart. One side had a frowny face and the other had a smiley face. Mr. Snow then passed out pictures to each of the students. He instructed everyone to place them on the board. Sam had five pictures: a light bulb, a lamb, a fox, a wolf, and a S.
  
  > put the S, Wolf, and Fox on the bad side. Put the Lightbulb and lamb on the good side
  Sam did the same though she couldn't resist asking a question.
  
  "Mr. Snow why isn't Christina back?"
  
  "She's in the Education room, Sam," he replied while writing on the board.
  
  "When will she be back?"
  
  "When she isn't in the Education room." Sam sat back in her chair unsatisfied with his answer. She wanted to know why Christina was taking so long. On the board was a chart. One side had a frowny face and the other had a smiley face. Mr. Snow then passed out pictures to each of the students. He instructed everyone to place them on the board. Sam had five pictures: a light bulb, a lamb, a fox, a wolf, and a S. Sam knew from the story that the lamb was good and the fox and wolf were bad. She wasn't sure about the other two. She eventually decided the light bulb was good because it made her think of ideas and those were good. She thought the S looked like a snake so she didn't like it. She placed her pictures on the board accordingly.
  
  After everyone had placed their pictures on the board Mr. Snow began explaining. "You all put the wolf and fox on the bad side. Good job everyone. Remember Wolves and Foxes are always bad." He looked at the light bulb Sam had placed with a puzzled expression. "One of you put the light bulb on the good side, can anyone tell me why that's wrong?"
  
  "Because the light bulb means different ideas so it's bad." A girl answered.
  
  "That's mostly right but you're missing one tiny thing."
  
  "Different ideas mean curiosity and questions. Curiosity can turn you into a Fox. Foxes are bad. I don't want to be bad." Drew replied.
  
  "There it is! Good job Drew. Couldn't have explained it better myself. It seems that someone" he glanced at Sam, "placed the S on the bad side. Why is that wrong?" Mr. Snow asked.
  
  "The S is the Sanctimonium and the Sanctimonium is always good," Drew plainly stated.
  
  "Right again Drew. The Sanctimonium is always good no matter what. We have time for one more activity today. Let me tell you about Ascension." Mr. Snow erased the board and brought out a glass of water, an ice cube, and a misty jar. Everyone returned to the reading circle.
  
  "Ascension is like these things. If water is frozen it turns into an ice cube, right? Well, if you are Ascended you change into something else but you're still you. Right now Drew, you're Drew, but if you were Ascended you might be born as Alex. Everyone understand?" Everyone nodded except for Sam who was a bit confused. Suddenly a loud bell went off to signal the end of the school day. Everyone packed up their things when Mr. Snow said "Goodbye everyone! Have a good day! Except Sam can you stay a few minutes? You're not in trouble, I just have a few questions to ask you."
  
  > speak with Mr. Snow
  Mr. Snow pulled up a chair from his desk and sat down. Sam did the same with her own desk chair. Sam was unsure what to think. Was he mad at her because of her answers in class? Or her questions? Would Dad be mad too? She looked at the ground and fiddled with her hands.
  
  "Sam, I know you're new here do you have any questions?" He asked. Sam noticed there was book called Guide to the Sanctimonium in front of her. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to take it or not. Mr. Snow probably wouldn't notice if she took it or not. He may even want to give it to her if she answered him correctly.
  
  > ask questions
  This surprised Sam so she asked him a question. "What's the Education Room?"
  
  "It's a room where you learn new things," Mr. Snow stated.
  
  "Like school?" She asked.
  
  "Yes, like school. I can show you it if you want. Do you want to see it?" Mr. Snow offered.
  
  She agreed wholeheartedly. Mr. Snow took her hand and led her to the Education Room. They walked to the end of the colorful hallway where a single door marked by painted rainbows, smiling suns with sunglasses, and written in big bold letters: Education Room. The pair walked through the welcoming door to find a very different room on the inside.
  
  The room was very well lit with bright white lights that hurt Sam's eyes. There rows and rows of desks were arranged in neat rows. Christina, who had a weird helmet on, sat in one of them and looked at a screen in front of the room.
  
  A cartoon Lamb asked Christina "Are Ascensions good?"
  
  "Yes!" Christina answered a bit too quickly.
  
  "Very good! Are Foxes ba-"
  
  "Yes!."
  
  "Very good! You have been a very good Lamb today and that means you're all done. Remember: Be a Lamb in your thoughts, actions, and soul otherwise bad things will happen again. Have a wonderful day." A clicking sound could be heard and Christina removed the helmet. Her hair looked matted and sweaty.
  
  When she noticed Mr. Snow she announced "Mr. Snow I promise I'll always be a good Lamb."
  
  Mr. Snow replied "You did very well Christina. Your parents should be waiting for you," he turned to Sam. "C'mon you two time to go home." He walked them both out of the room, down the hallway, and toward the front of the school. Christina's parents were waiting for her all clad in black. They greeted Christina with a hug and asked her if she was a good Lamb today. Christina happily replied that she was and they walked home together hand in hand. Sam wondered why her parents couldn't pick her up from school instead Mr. Jay was waiting for her.
  
  "How was your first day of school?" He asked her.
  
  Sam simply responded "It was good." Mr. Jay took Sam's hand and they walked back home.
  
  Along the way he asked her "What did you learn?"
  
  "I learned about Foxes, Wolves, Lambs, and the Education Room."
  
  "You learned about the Education Room? Did you go there?"
  
  "Yep. Mr. Snow took me there."
  
  "Were you a good Lamb today?" Sam thought about her response. She didn't think she was a good Lamb like Christina was.
  
  "I don't think so."
  
  Mr. Jay gave her a weird look and then asked "How come?"
  
  "I don't like how Christina and Drew were. They were weird when answering questions."
  
  "What was weird about them?" They were almost through the forest.
  
  Sam shrugged "I just didn't like them. They were kinda scary." They entered the clearing where her home was and she nearly tripped over herself getting there. Mr. Jay easily kept up with her and knocked on the door to announce their arrival.
  
  "Mom! Dad! We're home." Sam skipped inside the house while Jay leaned against the door frame.
  
  Martha hugged Sam and asked "How was your first day of school?"
  
  "It was good.I learned about all sorts of things."
  
  "That's great honey. I'm glad you liked it." With her school day done Sam ran into her room to play.
  
  > The next day of school
  The next day was a special day at school for Sam. She sat anxiously in her desk along with rest of her peers who awaited for the special guest to arrive. Sam wondered who it would be.
  
  > ask Drew about the special guest
  "Psst! Drew do you know who the special guest it?" She poked Drew in the arm who sat at the desk next to her.
  
  "No and we'll find out when they show up. Why don't you ask Christina your Fox questions?" He turned to face the blank green chalkboard. Sam turned to Christina behind her.
  
  "Christina do you know who the special guest is?"
  
  "Be quiet, Sam. Don't ask things like that or people'll think you're a Fox. They might send you to the Education Room."
  
  "I thought you liked the Education Room?"
  
  Christina spoke quietly "I was just pretending. That place was weird and I didn't want to be called a Fox like my Aunt Laura. My mom says bad things happen to Foxes. I don't want anything bad to happen." She raised her voice "Didn't you love that Lucy Lamb story Mr. Snow read?" She looked around anxiously.
  
  "What kinds of bad things?"
  
  The door to the classroom opened while Mr. Snow stepped in with another man carrying a big paper bag. The man had light blonde hair, a sunny disposition, and a suit as dark as night with a garish bright yellow undershirt.
  
  Mr. Snow spoke up "Everyone this is Agent Ray. He's going to be the teacher for today, so I want you all to listen to him like you would me." Agent Ray fished out a few items from the bag, a puppet Fox, Wolf, and Lamb. He stood in front of the chalkboard and set the puppets on a nearby table.
  
  "Hi everyone. As Mr. Snow said I'm Agent Ray and I want to tell you all about us Agents."
  
  "Hello Agent Ray." The class said together.
  
  "As an Agent, I'm supposed to protect you Lambs from any scary Foxes or Wolves. Does anyone know what to do if you meet someone who's a Fox or Wolf?"
  
  Drew raised his hand and said "Tell an adult right away."
  
  "That's right. What if you're by yourself?" Drew's hand shot up.
  
  "Run away."
  
  "Very good. You deserve a sticker." He reached into his bag and brought out a pack of colorful stickers of varying designs. Agent Ray gave Drew a sticker that said Foxcatcher on it with a cartoonish picture of a man chasing a fox with a large net. Drew smiled while Christina tapped her fingers across her desk as she looked around the room.
  
  Agent Ray's mood suddenly grew solemn and serious. "I want to be very clear. Never approach a Fox or Wolf. They might seem nice but they're just pretending to be. They'll try to make you like them and then we'll have a problem." His sunny disposition returned "But I'm sure that won't happen to you kids you're all great Lambs." Christina's tapping grew faster and she couldn't look Agent Ray in the eye. He picked up the Lamb and Fox puppets. "Let's see how much you learned."
  
  In a sneaky voice the Fox said "Hey little Lamb aren't you sad that it's raining today? Aren't you mad at the sky for making today so miserable?"
  
  Agent Ray asked "What should the Lamb do?"
  
  Everyone collectively called out "Run away!" Agent Ray switched out the Fox puppet for the Wolf puppet.
  
  The Wolf said "Don't you hate that it's raining today, little Lamb? Why don't you help me blow the clouds away, it'll be fun."
  
  Everyone shouted "Run away!" Agent Ray put down the puppets.
  
  "Wow, I didn't even have to ask you that time. See I knew you'd be good at this." He handed out stickers to everyone that said Super! on them. Sam proudly put her sticker on but Christina just rolled it in her hands. Agent Ray glanced at Christina who then immediately put her sticker on. He returned to the front of the class. "You've all been such a great class today. I just have one more thing to tell you about." His serious side resurfaced. "Agents are supposed to protect everyone. If an Agent says you should do something, listen to them. They all want what's best for you, even if you are a Wolf or a Fox." Christina looked away. "So I want you to feel safe in telling me if you have Wolfish ideas sometimes." He walked to the side of the room where Christina and Sam were. "It happens to everyone, even me or Mr. Snow. We can help you stop thinking those scary things. Does anyone want to tell us anything?" He looked directly at Christina who shrunk back in her desk. The rest of the class was dead silent until Drew spoke up.
  
  "Christina and Sam do!" He pointed at them.
  
  > shout back at him
  Christina put her head down on her desk while Sam shouted back at Drew. "No we don't! You do!"
  
  "Only a Fox or Wolf would say that!" He retorted back. Pretty soon the class was in chaos and uproar over who was a Fox or Wolf. Kids pointed at each other and shouted, others threw things, Mr. Snow stepped in front of the class.
  
  "That's enough. Everyone except for Sam and Christina may go to recess. Follow Ms. Hart's class outside." The rest of the class gathered their things and left in a flash. Drew snickered and thumbed his nose at the girls. Mr. Snow and Agent Ray both pulled up chairs and sat near Sam and Christina.
  
  Mr. Snow began "It's okay girls, you can tell us. Do you have any of those bad ideas? Do they make you angry or sad?"
  
  Agent Ray added "You won't be in trouble if you do. That just means you need to be extra careful around real Wolves and Foxes."
  
  Christina looked up her face red "Sometimes Ascension scares me and Agents scare me too. I don't like that people say Foxes are bad. My Aunt Laura is a Fox and I love her." She scooched her desk away from Agent Ray.
  
  "Why do they scare you?" Agent Ray asked.
  
  "My Aunt Laura says really bad things happen to people who are Ascended. She says they get hurt really really bad. I don't want Agents to take away my Aunt because she's a Fox."
  
  "And what do your parents say?"
  
  "They say everything my teachers always say."
  
  "Your parents are good people. This is what happens when you listen to a Fox, they try to scare you with all these made up stories. I'll make sure to-"
  
  "You're not going to take away my Aunt, are you?"
  
  "Of course not. I'll just tell her to not scare you with any more of her silly stories." Agent Ray turned to Sam "Is there anything you want to say?"
  
  > Drew says you ask too many questions
  "Drew said I ask too many questions." She pouted.
  
  "Why don't you follow these easy rules, so you know when to not ask questions. Okay? " Sam nodded. "Rule number 1: you can ask questions if an adults asks for your questions. Rule number 2: don't ask questions unless you are given permission. Rule number 3: questions about the Sanctimonium are big no-nos, they are never okay to ask. If someone wants you to ask questions about the Sanctimonium they are not your friend, they would be a Wolf or Fox, and the best thing then is to?"
  
  "Run away." Sam answered. A bright smile lit across Agent Ray's face.
  
  "Very good! See? I knew you were a good Lamb. Just remember those rules and you'll be a-ok." Christina, meanwhile, glanced around the room and squirmed in her seat at the mention of Foxes and Wolves.
  
  "Christina, is something wrong?"
  
  "No I'm okay. I'm fine. I'm fine." Sam thought she was clearly not fine something Agent Ray said bothered her and Sam wanted to know why. She didn't ask anything.
  
  Mr. Snow spoke up "Well that settles that. You can go outside and play with your friends." Sam and Christina bolted for the door not thinking to even grab their jackets. Once they were outside Sam said to Christina "You were not fine."
  
  "Neither were you!" Christina retorted.
  
  "If that happens again we help each other out." Sam said.
  
  "Good plan. Wanna play hide and seek?"
  
  "Sure!" The girls spent the rest of recess running around, hide and seek, and just being the kids that they were. Though Sam couldn't let go of the lingering stress in her. Mr. Snow, the Agents, and all other kids besides Christina had said different things from her parents, who should she believe? Her parents had to be right because they loved her and were always super nice. Maybe Mr. Jay could help her decide? He was an Agent, but he seemed to be best friends with Mom and Dad too! And he was always asking questions too just like her. While Sam hid from Christina she thought up all the questions she had for Mr. Jay
  
  Christina and Sam waited in front of the school to be picked up. Sam's mind buzzed with questions that she wanted to ask Mr. Jay, but Christina interrupted her thinking.
  
  "Sam, are you okay?" Sam was jolted out of her thinking.
  
  "Yep! I'm just thinking about stuff." She chirped. Christina eyed Sam suspiciously but then let it go when she saw her family waving at her.
  
  "Gotta go! See you at school tomorrow, bye." Christina waved and returned happily to her family. Sam happily waved back to Christina, but as she did Christina's mother got a look of disgust on her face and said.
  
  "Christina, I don't want you around that girl. Look at her clothes, she's on the verge of becoming a Fox any second. No daughter of mine is a Fox. Let's go home. I got a call from your teacher too about your disruption in class, you will have three markings today."
  
  Christina looked at the ground dejected and simply mumbled "Yes, mother." Sam watched as Christina was dragged by her wrist home.
  
  Sam was about to say something to her mean mom when Mr. Jay shouted "Sam! Over here." He ran up to Sam and changed his tune when he noticed Sam's saddened expression. "Are you okay, Sam?" Sam nodded. Mr. Jay just shook his head "No, you're not okay. Did something happen at school today? I know! Why don't we go get some ice cream? That'll cheer you up." Sam took his hand as they walked toward the ice cream parlor. Sam could use some ice cream after what just happened.
  
  The ice cream parlor was much like the rest of the Sanctimonium, sparkling and white. Although it did have a black and white checkerboard floor and really tall stools that Sam couldn't reach. Mr. Jay was nice enough to lift her on the stool so she could see the workers make the ice cream. They weren't exactly making ice cream though, they just pressed a lever on a machine and ice cream came out then they scooped a bunch of topping like sprinkles. Sam ordered chocolate ice cream with a lot of sprinkles and Mr. Jay picked vanilla. Sam shoved scoop full after scoop full into her mouth until she remembered she wanted to ask Mr. Jay things. She hoped it was okay to ask him, as she remembered the three rules Agent Ray told her.
  
  > ask Agent Jay about marking
  "Mr. Jay, Christina's mom said she was going to mark her for getting in trouble at school what does marking mean?" Mr. Jay looked at her in surprise.
  
  "Sam...remember what your teachers said about asking questions." He warned.
  
  "But it's not about the Sanctimonium! I just wanna know because Christina seemed really sad when her mom said that and that made me sad and then`"
  
  Mr. Jay held his hands up "Slow down...you're right it isn't about the Sanctimonium. I'll answer your question," Sam's face lit up. "But just this one time alright? After this I'm not answering anymore questions, I don't want you to turn into a Fox because of me. " Sam nodded vigorously.
  
  "I want you to imagine that you had pet dog that you really love. You tell him not to go into the forest because he could get seriously hurt, but he does it anyway. Luckily, he isn't seriously hurt. To stop him from going into the forest again you give him a special collar that will shock him a tiny bit if he goes near the forest. It stings a little bit, but he would be hurt a lot more if he went in the forest again. That's what marking is like."
  
  "But, people are different from dogs!" Sam protested.
  
  "You're right we are different, but if you were in that dog's place you would stop going by the forest, right?"
  
  "I guess so...but if it's just a shock why is it called marking instead of shocking?"
  
  Mr. Jay took a look at his wristwatch. "Would you look at the time, we have to get you home."
  
  "But why is it called that?" Sam asked again.
  
  "You've used up your one question. No more questions." Mr. Jay helped Sam off the stool and together they walked home. Sam was still annoyed he didn't completely answer her question.
  
  > The S.F.C. Talk
  Back at home Sam's mother sat her down in the kitchen and had a talk with her.
  
  "Sam. I've heard from your teacher and Agent Jay that you've been asking a lot of questions."
  
  "But I haven't been asking that many questions. They're lying!" Sam threw her hands up in the air.
  
  Mom sighed "Even if they are they've insisted that you be sent to a new school. A school for kids that ask questions like you do."
  
  "Do I have a choice?" Sam asked.
  
  "No. I don't have a choice whether I send you there either." Mom gritted her teeth "It will be a better school than the one you're at now. You'll be able to ask all the questions you want and learn things that kids your age wouldn't normally learn."
  
  "Really?" Sam asked with amazement.
  
  "Really. Aren't you excited?"
  
  "That sounds great. Am I leaving tomorrow?"
  
  "You sure are."
  
  "Oh boy, I'm going to go to bed now so it's tomorrow faster. Goodnight Mom I love you."
  
  Sam ran to her room and hopped under the covers eager for the morning. She could hear her Mom say that she loved her too. It was so exciting a school where she would meet kids like her and learn all sorts of new things. Sam could not wait.
  
  > The S.F.C
  "Sam? Are you ready to go to your new school?" Dad asked. Sam energetically skipped out of her room with her pink backpack on. In it was her favorite doll: Little Red Riding Hood.
  
  "I can't wait!! It's going to be so much fun! I'll learn all sorts of new things and play games and make new friends and just have fun!" Sam cheered.
  
  Dad and Mom simply looked at each other nervously. Mom straightened out Sam's messy hair with her hands and then kissed her on the forehead.
  
  "I love you so much Sam. I want you to remember that no matter what happens, if you scrape your knee, or get lost, or if someone isn't nice to you, that we all love you very much." Her voice cracked as she held back tears. Dad put his arm around her to comfort her.
  
  Dad also had a few words of wisdom to share. "Remember that you are a smart, strong, and curious girl. If you always try your best things will turn out okay."
  
  Sam stopped prancing around in her excitement and simply asked her parents.
  
  "Why do you seem so sad?"
  
  A knock was heard on the door.
  
  "That's the A- the school teachers.. Must be time to go," Mom stammered as she quickly hugged Sam one last time. Meanwhile, Dad opened the door.
  
  They were greeted by a woman in a tan uniform, named May, that could be interpreted as either a exceptionally odd teacher or a military commander. Next to the woman was a most familiar Agent: Jay.
  
  " Mr. Jay!" Sam exclaimed "Are you going to the new school too!?
  
  "No, I just wanted to say goodbye to you and your parents," he replied looking at Mom more than Dad.
  
  "C'mon Sam! Are you ready to go to your new school?" May asked.
  
  "Yeah! Let's go!" Sam hopped from foot to foot. May led an elated Sam to the yellow school bus that waited just outside the house. May helped Sam climb aboard the tall steps and onto the bus. Sam sat right up front and plopped herself down on the dark green seat. She looked outside and waved to the small wooden cottage that she had called her home. May sat herself down at the driver's seat and turned the key. The engine made a loud rumbling sound as the bus drove off. Sam looked out the window and saw Jay still outside talking with her parents. Sam wondered what it was about, but then promptly tossed aside her worries because she was too excited for the new school that awaited her.
  
  > The Bus Ride
  They had reached their last pickup destination as a few more kids climbed on to the crowded bus. Sam looked out of her seat to see who was coming on the bus and saw Christina.
  
  "Christina! Over here!" Christina's expression changed from sad and dejected to overjoyed. She rushed into the seat next to Sam. Sam noticed she didn't have any things with her.
  
  "Sam, I'm so glad I know someone. I was so scared I'd be alone." She smiled at Sam thankful to have a friend.
  
  "Well have no fear, Sam is here!" They laughed together. "Aren't you excited for the new school?"
  
  Christina looked at Sam in surprise. "New school? Your parents didn't tell you about the S.F.C?"
  
  "What's that?" Sam leaned in eager to learn something that had been a secret to her.
  
  "It stands for The Sanctimonium's School For Foxlike Children, or the S.F.C. for short. It's not the perfect school you're thinking of. They don't like questions even more than our old school. It's a school where they teach us to be Lambs, instead of the Foxes that we are." Christina spat the word Foxes like it was poison.
  
  > ask for more information
  "Why did your parents send you here? I thought Agent Ray talked to your Aunt."
  
  "He didn't just talk to her. My Aunt Laura woke me up late at night, she lived with my family, and begged me to come with her. I asked her why and she said she was going to run away from the Sanctimonium so they wouldn't get her. We heard someone knocking at the door so I went with her to answer it. It was Agent Ray." She paused as she drummed her fingers on her leg. "I had my Foxcatcher camera with me, so I was able to record the whole thing." She pulled out a small purple camera from her pocket and showed Sam the newest video.
  
  The video was grainy and dark so Sam couldn't see anything, but she could hear the whole conversation.
  
  The first voice a woman's was Aunt Laura. "I'm leaving here with my niece. We just want to get away from it all."
  
  The second voice was definitely Agent Ray. "I completely understand miss, but shouldn't you ask Christina's parents first? I'm sure they'd be very worried if they woke up and their daughter was missing."
  
  "They've bought into this insanity. I can't let them drag down Christina with them. Excuse me."
  
  Based on the sounds she heard Sam thought Aunt Laura tried to leave with Christina but Ray stopped her. They got into some sort of argument which ended with Aunt Laura hitting Ray, at least that's what it sound like to Sam. "You're a rabid Wolf aren't you? Christina, I know I said I wasn't going to take away your Aunt, but if she hurt me she could really hurt you."
  
  "No! You promised! You promised! Let go of her!" Christina looked away from the recording.
  
  There was a sound of scuffling, shouting, screaming, and then finally dead silence. Christina's crying could be heard faintly. Agent Ray spoke up again. "Christina, don't be so sad. I just had to knock an evil Wolf like that out. If she was a Fox it would've been different. Don't worry, I'll get rid of this monster masquerading as your Aunt. Now, I want you to go back to bed and forget this happened. This was just a bad dream, okay? Do you understand?"
  
  She sniffled "O-okay." Quick small footsteps could be heard.
  
  Christina switched off the camera and returned it to her pocket. Sam put her arm around her friend to comfort her.
  
  Christina continued her story. "The next morning my parents yelled and called me a Fox. They said I wasn't their daughter anymore and called the S.F.C. to take me. I tried running away but the Agents found me and now I'm here." Sam didn't know what to say. She couldn't imagine having something so terrible happen and for her parents to be like that. The thought horrified her, at least she knew her parents loved her to pretend the S.F.C. was actually a special new school.
  
  Sam wanted to help Christina in any way she could so Sam said. "Remember what we said at school? We'll look out for each other. You'll help me and I'll help you. No matter what."
  
  "Thanks, Sam. That makes me feel a little better. We never leave each other alone. Sounds like a plan."
  
  "When we get out of the S.F.C. you can come live with my family. I'm sure my parents would be happy about it."
  
  Christina giggled. "Really?"
  
  "Sure and we'll water plants and explore the forest and..." Sam babbled on the whole bus ride to the S.F.C. She talked of wondrous things that made her think of home and her family. It made her feel better and judging by Christina's reaction it made her feel a tiny bit better too.
  
  > The S.F.C.
  The bus stopped at its destination. It was gray dreary place at least from the outside. A black bricked wall lined the compound with barbed wire along the top. The ground was nothing but soil, not brown earthy dirt, but gray ashen soil and dust. The place they had entered from was blocked off by a solid black metal fence with two unmoving guards in black military uniforms.
  
  We always stay together." Sam said as she turned to Christina.
  
  "Always." Christina nodded.
  
  The kids shuffled off the bus single file and were herded toward the gleaming white building within the compound by black coated guards with nightsticks. Sam and Christina locked arms so they wouldn't be separated by the enormous wave of children that surrounded them. The inside of the building was a sharp contrast to the outside. Everything was sparkling white, sterile, but still empty. The boys were immediately and forcibly separated from the girls. Friends and siblings desperately tried to stay together. Terrified screaming filled the hallway as the guards beat back any dissenters. Girls were slammed into walls and boys dragged off in the opposite direction. Christina and Sam moved out of the guards' way and lined up against the wall like they were directed. A few rebellious girls persisted in trying to escape. Some tried to run, older girls tried to fight the guards. The guards caught the escapees and beat them back to the wall, but the fighters were different. One girl acted like a wild animal, kicking, scratching, and biting the guards in order to escape. The guards didn't like this. They ganged up on her where they each took turns beating her with their nightsticks until she was barely alive. Her skin was covered in dark purple and blue bruises from the beating. When they were finished she crawled to the wall and whimpered in defeat. Sam quickly looked away from the sight of the battered girl.
  
  The girls were marched to a room with worn out spring mattresses if you could call them that. They were so worn out that it was no wonder springs didn't stick out of the paper thin mattresses. Sam noticed two clear beds directly next to each other and said "Christina, let's go over there." Christina nodded in agreement and began to arrange what little she had on the bed.
  
  Sam took her Little Red Riding Hood doll and hugged it to her chest, hoping that it would make her feel better. Christina had nothing but her purple camera, so Sam shared her doll with Christina. They felt just a little bit safer with the doll between them.
  
  That is until a towering guard ripped their belongings away leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
  
  > fight Back
  "Give it back!" Sam grabbed for her bag but was easily pushed away by the guard who ripped it from her hands. Sam was ready to lunge at the guard when. Christina grabbed her arm.
  
  "Do you want them to hurt you like they did the older girls? Just do what they want you to do. We're never getting out of here unless they let us out. "
  
  Sam pushed Christina's arm away "Fine. It's just a stupid doll anyway."
  
  Once it seemed like the guards were finished taking everything, still they took more. The girls were each given very plain white clothing with names etched into the fabric. One girl no more than five stated "My name isn't Rachel. It's Vanessa." Similar sentiments echoed throughout the room until a guard put a stop to it.
  
  The lead guard was a gruff woman with sharp black rimmed glasses. She looked to be about forty and everything from her attitude to her appearance said not to mess with her. "Silence," she began pacing back and forth across the room "you have new names here. You will be referred to your new name. You will not respond to your old name or you will be punished. You will not ask questions. You will not disobey. Understand?" Silence. "Good. Change into your clothes. I will be back." She closed the door behind her and locked it tight. Two guards remained in the room guarding the door with their backs to the girls. Everyone immediately changed into their new clothes and the guards confiscated their old clothes. Once everyone was changed Wolf Lady ,the younger girls called her that, returned.
  
  "Follow me." Everyone obediently followed. They followed her to a room lined with solid wooden chairs. These chairs had open metal cuffs attached to the arms and legs of each chair. No one knew what exactly these chairs were for but they knew they weren't anything good.
  
  > sit in a chair
  Still they obeyed because they felt they had no other option.
  
  Christina and Sam sat next to each other and one by one each girl sat in a chair. Once they were all seated, predictably, the cuffs closed around their arms and legs rendering them immobile. Wolf Lady pulled down a large projector screen in front of them. It was so large that it was the only thing they could clearly see in front of them. Lady Wolf stepped in front of the screen with another person beside her. This person was a small scrawny man in a white lab coat that was nowhere near as intimidating as the Wolf Lady.
  
  "Hi everyone! My name's Mr. Smith and I hope I don't intimidate you like she did," Mr. Smith explained as he gestured toward Lady Wolf.
  
  "Sorry about the chairs but they were the best we had. What are your names?" He walked down toward the end of chairs and asked a young girl the question.
  
  "My name's Vanessa," the girl answered.
  
  "Really? That's not what your name tag says," he pointed out.
  
  "The name tag's wrong. My name is Vanessa not Rachel," she said. Mr. Smith walked away a brief moment leaving the room empty. It gave Sam a chance to finally speak.
  
  > say real name
  "Mr. Smith returned with a bizarre box that had various dials and knobs on it and something that looked bit like headphones. He placed the headphones on Vanessa's head and turn turned the dial up a little bit.
  
  He then asked her again "What's your name?"
  
  "Vanessa." He flipped a switch on the machine and a buzzing noise could be briefly heard throughout the room.
  
  "What's that?" Vanessa asked startled.
  
  "I'll ask again what is your name?"
  
  She sighed "Vaness-" She was cut off mid sentence and yelped.
  
  "What's your name?" He asked yet again.
  
  "Rachel. My name's Rachel," she whimpered.
  
  "Good. Very good Rachel," he said. He continued this line of questioning along the row of girls. Christina obediently said the name on her name tag but when it was Sam's turn she refused.
  
  "My name is Sam Diamond." She glared at Mr. Smith.
  
  He chuckled and said "It says on your name tag that your name is Grace. Isn't that correct, Grace."
  
  Sam took a breath and said "No. My name is Sam Diamond." Mr. Smith placed the contraption on her head and flipped the switch. A jolt went through Sam's body, but she wouldn't give in.
  
  "What is your name?"
  
  Sam gathered all her courage and looked him straight in the eye "Sam Di-" The jolt was more intense and long lasting the second time. It almost felt like she was being cooked from the inside out. "My name is Sam. Diamo-" The edges of the world became blurred and indistinct. Sam was able to notice Mr. Smith dial up the machine to the highest setting, she assumed.
  
  "Your name is Grace. I will say it again your name is Grace. For the last time, what is your name?"
  
  > Sam Diamond
  Sam knew that this would probably be the last thing she'd say. She would not let the Sanctimonium take who she is. She took a deep breath, glared at Mr. Smith and nodded at Christina.
  
  "My name is SAM DIAMOND. And you can't ta-" The last thing she heard was the sound of a buzzer as the world blinked out of sight.