Paper

We stand outside in the pouring rain, I can feel the frigid water pouring down my shaved head and I have to supress the urge to shiver. I watch the floating sentries out of the corner of my eye, their floating, vaguely birdlike shapes give me the creeps. I don't know why they watch us so closely, we stand in straight lines and we do what we're told.

" _If the paper does not have your number, pass it along. If the paper contains your number, hold in your right hand._"

That recorded voice plays about every 45seconds, but it seems I am the only one who notices. A paper is pushed into my hand.

It has my number.

I glance side to side and then back down at the paper. A sentry turns and floats in my general direction, so I make a quick decision. A flick of my fingers and its all over. The paper floats down the line. The sentry continues ominously towards me, and I see a second coming my way out of the corner of my eye.

_Shit._

Suddenly I'm not shivering because of the rain, and my brain churns for a solution.