3 lies. That’s all you get; ever since the law of 2134 passed, that is. I remember my grandmother telling me of the past, where people could lie as much as they wanted; before the marks appeared. Everyone gets their marks, the number of marks depend on how much you lie, and if you go over three… Let’s just say it doesn’t end up good.

I have two marks on my arm; they’re long, thin, black lines that represent the amount of lies you’ve told. I was always told to be careful, especially since my family holds one of the most important secrets around town; the secret to being down the Markers, or the people who make sure each person has their correct amount of marks, and believe me they do a damn good job.

“Oliver,” a voice called my name from down the hall I recognize the voice instantly, Trenton.

“Hey Trent,” I smiled at my best friend. His shoulder length blond hair was wild and pinned halfway up. It looked good on him, suited his oval face. “What are you doing here?”

“Is it true?” He questioned, a harsh tone coating his voice. It sounded as if swords were cutting at his throat, forcing his voice to take this unknown harshness.

“Is what true?” I examined his face, his solid expression not moving in the slightest. Dark bags hung below his eyes, along with tear stains painted onto his cheeks.

“You-“ he mumbles his words but stoped, as if it became to hard to speak. His voice sounded strained, as if she was doing everything in his power to keep taking. “Your family, it’s a lie right!” Tears trickled down his puffy cheeks, rewetting the darker tear stains.

I bit my tounge. My family? What about my family? He couldn’t of found out, right?

“What? What about my family, did something happen?”

He shook his head. “You have the plans to take down the markers. Or your family does,” tears streamed down his face, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to move. How did he find out?

“Who told you that?” I chose my words carefully. One more lie and I’m dead.

He reached to his pocket, pulling out a folded piece of yellow paper. He stuck his hand out, waiting for me to take the paper from his hands. I took it, carefully holding it as if any second it would explode. Once the not was unfolded I knew exactly who wrote it, Oliva, my twin sister.

Trent,

I’m sorry to tell you like this, but my family holds the plans to take down the markers. I need you to confront Ollie about this. I owe you, once again I am sorry you have to find out this way.

Love,

Liv.

“So, Ollie,” the words were like venom on his tounge, he spat them at me,”Is it true?”

I spoke without thinking, “of course it’s not true.”

My heart stopped, everything became still. I could feel the air leave my lungs, escaping as if it need to be in the open. Everything went dark, damnit. 3 lies is not enough lies. Damn the markers.