[ WP ] Everybody who turns 25 learns a reality shattering secret about the world . Nobody has ever leaked this secret to somebody under 25 . Today is your 25th birthday .

Dad smiled at me. 
 
 `` God knows, this is n't easy.'' 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 `` You're 25 now, you know?'' 
 
 `` And...?'' 
 
 `` You have to understand, this is something we have to keep up. This has n't been easy for me, all these years, when I saw you laugh and smile and I laughed and smiled back.'' 
 
 `` Dad, are you okay? Is something wrong with mom?'' 
 
 `` I promise I never wanted to lie to you. I really did n't. But you were so happy. And it's just a thing you ca n't tell, okay? This is the deal we have, our leaders fought hard for this and God knows, far too many lives were sacrificed.'' 
 
 `` Dad, what the hell are you talking about?'' 
 
 `` You're 25, okay? I wish I could hide you or send you into the woods, but they would find you and they would kill you, okay? I'm serious.'' 
 
 `` I'm getting a beer, do...'' 
 
 `` God dammit, sit back down!'' 
 
 `` What? Dad, I know this is one of your jokes, but you're not scaring me.'' 
 
 `` Call your boss.'' 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 `` Call your boss.'' 
 
 `` Why?'' 
 
 `` Ask him why you're off tomorrow.'' 
 
 `` Oh wow, where are we going?'' 
 
 `` Son, do I look like I'm joking?'' 
 
 `` No, but...'' 
 
 `` Fucking listen, okay? For once fucking listen to me, okay?'' 
 
 `` Okay...'' 
 
 `` And sit down.'' 
 
 `` Okay.'' 
 
 `` Listen, this is something you ca n't talk about with your friends until they're 25 too, okay? Can you promise me that?'' 
 
 `` Fine. Whatever. But please calm down, okay?'' 
 
 `` I just need you to understand this is not a joke. I'm serious, and I think you wo n't even understand how serious, until tomorrow.'' 
 
 `` What will happen tomorrow?'' 
 
 `` Listen. What they told you about the world wars, you know, it's a lie.'' 
 
 `` Oh come on...'' 
 
 `` Fucking sit!'' 
 
 `` Dad...'' 
 
 `` Shut up for once, and listen!'' 
 
 `` I did n't know you believe in this conspiracy shit.'' 
 
 `` It's not a conspiracy.'' 
 
 `` What even?'' 
 
 `` The mustard gas. And the holocaust. And the massacres in China and fucking all of this. It was all connected, okay? We, the humans, tried to fight back, okay? That's the only reason they did the holocaust, okay? They fucking slaughtered millions of us for this and we did n't even hurt a single one of them. We did n't even touch them, we did n't even get close, and they fucking made millions of us suffer. Do you understand? You can not resist then. You can not, okay? Do n't even think about it, no matter what they do tomorrow, okay? Do n't even think about fighting back, they will just throw you in a hole and then they'll come and get me and your mother and your sisters and they'll throw us in there too and they'll let us starve or rot or whatever. Okay?'' 
 
 `` What the hell are you...'' 
 
 `` They are our masters, you understand? Our masters. Fuck Lincoln, he did shit. We are all slaves, all of us, and either we accept them harvesting us or they'll kill us all, okay?'' 
 
 `` What the...'' 
 
 `` I ca n't explain it, okay? But I'll be there tomorrow, even if I have to listen to your screams, but i promise I'll be there and I promise it will go over, okay?'' 
 
 `` Dad, you're crying...'' 
 
 `` I love you, okay. I love you. I would do anything for you not to go through this. But I ca n't, okay? I just ca n't.'' 
 
 `` Dad, calm down. Calm down. Whatever it is, I'll be fine. Everything will be fine. Just calm down, dad.'' 
 
 `` Nothing is fine son. Nothing is when your whole species has to make this kind of deal and this kind of sacrifice every month.'' 
 
 `` What do you even...'' 
 
 `` I do n't know how to explain it. Maybe it's better if you do n't know until tomorrow.'' 
 
 `` Dad, what...'' 
 
 `` It's called'harvest', okay? And you'll now have to do it once a month or they'll kill you and our whole family. Tomorrow just accept it, no matter what, okay?'' 
 
 `` Are you serious?'' 
 
 `` You know, uncle Will and his kids?'' 
 
 `` You're saying...'' 
 
 `` It was n't a car accident, okay? You know I would n't joke about this. It was n't an accident, okay? And you do n't want to know how they died. You just do n't.'' 
 
 `` Dad...'' 
 
 `` Go to bed, okay? Your mother made you some cookies.'' 
 
 `` Dad, it's not even 10.'' 
 
 `` Go to bed. We need to get up early and you'll need your sleep.'' 
 
 `` Dad...'' 
 
 `` I love you. I'm so sorry. I'm just so sorry. But you'll understand why I never warned you, okay? I'm so sorry.'' 
 
 `` Do n't be sorry, dad, it's okay. Whatever it is, I'll be okay.'' 
 
 `` Okay. You'll be okay. Just go to bed now. Just go, please.'' 
 
 `` Fine dad. I'll try.'' 
 
 `` Thank you. I'll wake you up.'' 
 
 `` Do you want some of the cookies?'' 
 
 `` No. You eat them. You'll need them for your blood sugar.'' 
 
 `` Okay.'' 
 
 `` I love you dad. Good night.'' 
 
 `` I love you too. I love you too.'' 
 
 `` Good night.'' 
 
 `` Oh, one thing.'' 
 
 `` Yeah?'' 
 
 `` Happy birthday, son. Happy birthday.'' 
 
 `` Thanks dad. For everything.'' 
 
 `` It's okay. See you tomorrow.'' 
 
 `` Night, dad.'' 
 
 `` Night, son.''
