A quick glance in the mirror this morning has confirmed yesterday's incident has completely messed up my chances of becoming a butt model. Then again, my lack of marks had already hinder any prospects within that line of work so I'm hardly devastated.

Every movement causes the material of my clothes to rub against my red raw backside. The intense stinging across my legs, bottom and back eases when I lay on my front completely motionless. The only problem is you don't get many excuses in everyday life to lay on your front and not move.

My pathetic excuses for not being able to join the family at mealtime were ignored. Apparently, family's eating at the table for breakfast and dinner is compulsory. It's another ridiculous State advised recommendation on prompting pure and wholesome family values. After a few days of living like a normal citizen, I've learnt how important it is to conform.

I would love for them to drop the perfect family act for once and eat food somewhere other than the table. Or maybe even skip a meal or eat straight out of the containers without heating the food or eat with their hands whilst laying on their front like a normal person. My kind of normal anyway.

Standing in the front garden, I suck in the late evening air which is heavy with the cool scent of fresh decomposing leaves, everything is shedding in preparation for winter. This is usually my favourite season as it gives me an excuse to wear lots of layers. Now, I hate it because it reminds me I have to hide. I don't want to hide anymore.

In the last few days, I've seen how strained life is for normal law-abiding citizens experience. It reminds me of Grey and how he was punished because society is corrupt and unfair even though The State tries to make everyone believe the opposite.

My anger towards the injustice has been slowly building up inside and the last hour spent with Aidan lecturing me while I sat in agony has tipped me over the edge. Right now, I would love to punch Aidan in the face. Not because it would change society but purely because it would make me feel better.

The door opens and shuts behind me. Max steps in front of me and glares. I'm not in the mood for his hormonal tantrums right now.

"I think it's time for you to pack your bags and leave," Max growls.

"Of course you do," I say, without looking at him.

"I know what your hiding." Max straightens up.

"And what exactly would that be?" I look up and search his face for any evidence of what he thinks he knows. I've been careful not to expose my skin. I haven't given him or anyone else any reason to think I'm unmarked which means whatever he thinks I'm hiding, he's going to be wrong.

"You can't read," Max says.

He's not wrong.

"What are you talking about?" I try to sound flippant but my mouth sticks together at the end of each word.

"You can't read. It's why you refuse to read books to Pru, why you often flick the pages of books ridiculously fast or too slow. You're pretending. You even had a book upside down the other day. But this evening with Aidan only confirmed my suspicion. You didn't once read from the book, you kept asking him to paraphrase it and explain what it meant. So unless you want your secret out, I'm telling you, go pack your bags or I'll tell."

"I'm going inside, Max. I suggest you redirect all that hormonal teenage angst into something more productive than forming false accusations against me."

"If you can read what does that banner say?" Max points at the wide banner hanging between two lamp posts. It looks identical to all of the banners hanging on every street across every city, mainly, because I have no idea what the bright gold writing emblazoned on a green background featuring a gold circle says. The banners I've passed every day and never been able to read, never had any clue to what their purpose is.

"I don't have to prove anything to you," I say flatly and turn away.

"Not to me but you do to Aidan," Max says. Stopping, I face Max and if we weren't in a public place I would seriously smack the smirk off his face.

"Why would Aidan care if someone could read or not?" I ask.

"Because if you can't read it means you must have some sort of learning difficulty. I've heard about it, it's classified as a genetic disorder but it's not one that can be tested at birth but is discovered when you go to school and when they identify it, they sterilise you. You've been hiding it all along, haven't you? Your fiancé doesn't know and The State doesn't know so if you want it to remain a secret, pack your bags and get out of our lives. Leave my mum alone, and let her focus on her family."

I stare at him blankly. Now he really is wrong but his version is preferable. Him believing I should be sterilised is a lot better than knowing I'm Unmarked and should be hanging from a platform.

"If you don't leave I'll inform The State. You'll be punished for lying, for conning your fiancé and trying to taint your future generations with your bad genes." Max has a strange look of elation and repulsion. He's happy that he's caught me out but also disgusted by what he thinks I am.

This is what The State does; produces so-called well functioning, members of society who thrive on others failure and have no compassion.

"Max, if you mention anything to anyone, I will inform The State of your stash of naked photos in your bedroom," I say flatly.

Max's jaw drops and he gapes at me in shock. "You're disgusting... they won't even believe you. My parents will know your lying... I will tell them you're just trying to deflect away..."

"They will believe me, Max, because they'll find evidence, incriminating photos. Lots of photos of men and women with everything on show in various graphic and horrifyingly revealing positions. It's bad enough having photos of the opposite gender but do you know what they do when it's the same." I tut shaking my head. "You'll be hung, Max, and your poor family will have to live the rest of their lives in the shadow of what you were accused of."

"Your bluffing... how would you even get the photos..." Max splutters.

"Max, I've managed to hide my reading affliction for years and I didn't do it all alone. I know people. People who can get me anything I ask. One phone call and those photos will be hidden in your room within minutes. I'll hide them so well you won't find them but The Officials will. I'll make sure of it. In fact, I'll organise those photos now just as an added incentive to keep your mouth shut.'" I pat Max on the shoulder. "And a friendly warning; next time think twice before attempting to threaten me."

Max steps back, shaking my hand off his shoulder. "You're vile."

"No, I'm just trying to keep the people around me alive. Maybe you'll understand one day, maybe not, but what I'm doing is for your benefit as much as mine," I say wearily.

"Is everything ok?" Isiah asks as he walks towards us.

"I'm good. Max?" I arch an eyebrow at Max.

"Fine." Max huffs, storms back inside the house and slams the door behind him.

Isiah looks at me questioningly. I shrug. "We just had an hour with Aidan going over Fundamentals."

Isiah nods as though that explains Max's behaviour. He holds a plate with a slice of cake. "I saved you a slice from Neighbourhood Day."

"Thanks, Isiah." I take the plate.

"How was yesterday?"

"Good." Isiah shrugs and glances over his shoulder towards Aidan who is in his front garden raking imaginary leaves as usual whilst glaring at us suspiciously. Isiah faces me and stuffs his hands in his pocket while looking at the ground.

"Why do I get the feeling you gave me this cake to soften me up before you tell me we shouldn't speak anymore?"

Isiah frowns.

My eyes widen. "Wow. I was partly joking."

"It's not for my sake but yours. People have already started talking about you coming back late last night. I was also out late they seem to have put one and one together and made-"

"A completely made-up story which involves me sneaking out with you." I shake my head and chuckle. "I have to say, I have a very active love life. Fiance in the day and you in the evening. I wonder if I can fit someone else in during the middle of the night, you know, so I have access to men around the clock."

"Cady, you should be worried-"

"I'm not worried about a bunch of interfering gossips. We aren't doing anything wrong. But I understand if you want to distance yourself from me."

"I don't want to."

"Then don't."

A car parks up in the street and Zed climbs out. He looks at me with a look of awe and disbelief.

A bolt of red hot anger sears through me. He left me and he's only arrived now to check on me?

"Hold this, please," I growl as I shove the plate into Isiah's chest.

I stride down the pathway towards Zed, clenching my teeth to stop myself from crying out in pain from the road burn on my body. Lifting my hands to push Zed he grabs my hands, rests them on his chest and pulls me close.

"Remember, we're meant to be a happily engaged couple," Zed whispers in my ear.

"You left me. I was dragged under that truck and now have most of my skin missing off the back of my body," I hiss, curling my hands placed on his chest, I pinch his nipples between my fingers.

He takes a sharp inhale as his eyes widen. "We had to leave. I sent people out there to look for you but no one could find you. We thought you were dead. It's why I'm here to tell the family you went missing." Zed shakes his head and smirks. "I can't work out if you're just lucky or some sort of superhero. When those Official's arrived we thought that was the end of you."

"You should have known they patrol that road."

"It was a mistake on our part. It won't happen again."

"It better not because next time it won't be your nipples I'm cutting the circulation off to." I pinch his nipples even harder.

"Just so you know I get off on this sort of thing." Zed grins but I can see I'm hurting him. He's such a liar.

"You won't mind if I pinch you harder then."

"Cady?" Isiah says behind me.

I let go of Zed and spin round to face Isiah. "Isiah, you remember my fiance Zed from yesterday."

Isiah nods.

"Zed was just confirming that we'll be getting married in two days. Aren't we, Zed?"

"Three actually."

"I thought-"

"The Reflection Overseer made a mistake with the date but it's only three days." Zed brushes his lips against mine and I pull back not caring if Isiah notices. Zed looks at me cautiously. "Three days. You'll be fine."

Three days of pretending I love The State and trying to act like a perfect moral wholesome citizen. I can do that. Maybe.