[ WP ] At a certain age , everyone is assigned their dream job and given to tools to perform it . You 've been given a scythe and a cloak .

`` How does it feel?'' I breathed. 
 
 Three men draped in dark cloaks towered over me. I could n't see their faces but I was n't worried about their faces. My eyes were drawn to the long wooden scythe held out before me. It appeared old, aged, yet somehow untouched by time. My heart raced as I followed the wooden handle all the way up to the curved blade baring the marks of many conquests. 
 
 Finally the hooded man replied in a voice that sounded low and calculated, `` It feels cold.'' 
 
 I returned my eyes to the men in front of me. I could hardly believe what was happening. I was n't sure if it was the weight of my backpack on my back or what but my chest felt tight. I mean I'm only fourteen! Just minutes ago I was walking home from class and now... 
 
 I swallowed hard, staring at the men. `` You want- want me to co- come?'' 
 
 The hood nodded and reeled his arms back, placing the scythe upright. 
 
 I straightened and asked. `` How do I know this is n't a setup? How do I know you're not going to kill ME?'' 
 
 The three hoods looked at each other before turning to me. The one with the scythe replied, `` You would n't know. You would n't hear us. You would n't see us. You would simply die.'' 
 
 A pang in my chest caused me to grip the straps of my backpack and readjust. `` I just- I do n't understand. How can THIS be my job? Usually you are n't assigned a job till you're sixteen. Plus this is n't even a job. Do you even have a boss? Do you get paid? Raise a family? I just- I do n't understand.'' 
 
 `` This is a job.'' The hood spoke. `` Yes we have a boss. Yes we get paid. No...'' His glove hand squeaked as it tightened around the wood. ``... we do n't have families.'' 
 
 My thoughts raced as fast as my heart. Shocked, I scrambled for more answers. `` So you DO work for someone? And you're given money? But how? Why? I don- I know I keep saying it but it's true - I do n't understand.'' 
 
 The hooded man replied. `` Stop.'' He comanded. `` You already know you have two choices. Choice one: you take the job assigned to you. Do this and you become one of us. We will show you the art and beauty of death. Your mind, body and soul will be transformed - for better or for worse. Choice two: you refuse your assignment and go with the dissenters.'' 
 
 I gulped. `` What about my...'' 
 
 `` Choose.'' 
 
 I closed my eyes knowing I only had one real choice to make. I could n't go with the dissenters. They lived in the Outskirts from where no one returned. To be thrown out and join them would be a decision worse than death. 
 
 I pressed my lids tighter. My family appeared before me. What about them? My mother? Father? Little brother? I would n't see them anymore. A lone tear escaped and strolled down my cheek. Not seeing your family was the case with everyone who was given their assignment. Most of those in the Society were dispersed from their families. 
 
 I knew what I had to do.... 
 
 I opened my eyes and declared, `` I will go with you.''
