Clackers

Clackers - Part 2

"What about the Helper?" I say.

Mara laughs, "Everyone who reads The Coming asks about the Helper. It's not clear how this all works. Most interpret The Coming to mean the Helper protects the Gravidarum until the Unum is born and then the Helper dies. The Helper must be with the Gravidarum for the Unum to be born."

I wait for more but Mara is looking around the apartment; she is happy with her work. Mara has long delicate fingers, a slight upturn to her nose. Mara's blouse flatters her slim shape. A stark white to contrast the tailored navy blue skirt.

Mara says, "I'm looking forward to orientating you. Your age test came back: seventeen."

I could have told you that.

Mara says, "You're only a year younger than me. It's been a while since I've orientated a girl my age. We'll be like sisters. Me and my pony," Mara laughs.

Ouch. Mara's got to stop this pony thing. It's not funny. It's not cute. It's....Back home when I told a funny joke my sister Sophia would laugh so hard that she'd make a high pitched squeal like a pig. I need to get home to Sophia.

Mara says, "How do you feel?"

"Not sure. How are you supposed to feel?" I say.

"Everyone's different. One of the good things about clacking is that you don't remember where you clacked from. Makes the whole thing easier."

I must be the only person who has clacked and remembers home. Mara's got one thing right: remembering home makes things much more complicated.

Mara goes to the cabinet and takes out two glasses and pours a bright red drink, "Try it."

Strawberry soda that is not sweet with a hint of mint. Nice.

Mara sits on the gray couch and pats the spot beside her. I sit down.

Mara says, "I've found over the years that the best way to handle new clackers is to just tell you the big things up front and then if you have questions, feel free."

I'm not sure I want to hear what comes next.

Mara's smile evaporates, "Saffire takes some getting used to."
The bomb is about to drop.

Mara says, "On Saffire you will age, but in reverse. Each year instead of getting older, you will get younger."

I grip my glass tightly.

Mara continues, "You will reverse age and as the years pass you will become a child."

"So in ten years I'll be seven?"

Mara says, "Yes. And no. You will look like a girl of seven. The same size, same voice and you will go through all the life stages in reverse, with one exception. Brain power is not lost, it increases."

"In ten years I'll look like a seven-year-old girl?"

Mara says, "Yes. But a very, very smart seven-year-old."

My mouth hangs open.
Mara says, "Reverse aging occurs only for those who clack under thirty, that's why age is important. You get younger and smarter. The Octavo tells us that long ago on another planet we all aged and children were born."

"What happens to the over thirty people?" I say.

"The O-30s continue to grow old and don't get smarter."

I say, "They grow old and die."

Mara says, "Yes."

Suddenly much of what I've seen on Saffire falls into place. The young people are in charge.