I, Sage, was born with a mission. Just like everyone else, I too wanted to know who I was; who I wanted to be. All of this was necessary to know before the age of eighteen to be able to become successful in the year 2036.

Ever since birth it wasn't that simple, especially for my family. Born as triplets, my identical sisters and I have had to work even harder than others. As the System is reluctant towards accepting twins, and they rarely ever accept triplets.

It may sound bad but it wasn't even close to the worst of it. My sisters, Liv and Emma, and I had a lot of trouble growing up. We were cast aside in school and at home, leaving us to only have each other to rely on.

Eventually by the age of eight, work was forced onto us, while still balancing school assignments. But we didn't mind it too much. Because at least we would be helping our mother who looked after us all of our lives. No matter how hard it got, she had never chosen to abandon us. When she came bearing the news that we would have to work, she cried. Her tears flowed down her face, one after another making a pool on our rough, worn down tile floor. We didn't hesitate for even a second. She was there for us and now it was our time to do the same; something our father couldn't do. He had left shortly before we were born, only with a few drops of ink that made up a few words, "I'm sorry" and with that he disappeared.

Work became harder during the summer. Puddles would lie beneath us as we would tend to whatever was left of plants on Earth. Unsure whether it was our sweat or tears, either way, we didn't have any time to waste to ponder over it.

As eight years passed and we became older Liv became ill, unable to get up from the bed. We wanted to stay by her side every day, although there was still work to be done, in school, and caring for the plants that are left. Mother stayed beside her, picking up her old hobbies like knitting while she slept and telling her stories when she was awake.

Emma and I worked hard to support the family and went to school just the same. Later coming home to help look after Liv and catch her up. I walked over to her while Emma fixed dinner and Mother took a nap. I look at her and try to swallow down all my emotions and tears. Trying desperately not to show how sad it makes me to see her like this, because I knew better than anyone that it would only make her feel worse.

"Here Liv this is the work for this month. I'll help catch you up so that once you return you'll be prepared."

She looks at me, moving herself inch by inch slowly to lay towards me. She opens her lips looking as though it was painful even to part them so slightly. Her dry voice then escapes saying one word. "If."

I shoot her the look. The one she always knows. The one I always use whenever she mentions her death. I come closer to her, leaning in and saying "I'm not going to let that happen."

"But you can't control that!"

I look at her, slightly shocked. Her face began to turn red. This was the first time I have ever seen Liv snap. Being the oldest she would always hide what she was feeling even when we tried to convince her otherwise.

I sigh. "You're right. I'm sorry."

I get up off my knees, dusting them off, beginning to walk out the door only to be interrupted. "It's not your fault I just want to talk to someone about it. I mean if I die I just want you guys to be happy and listen to Mother. Don't be too sad, just remember I am accepting my fate and I'll always look out for you all."

I turn around and smile. My tears uncontrollably begin to fall down my face as I come over to hug her. Not wanting to let go but I do once Emma and Mother come into the room with dinner and we all sit down to eat.

It continued like that for months although I never heard Liv snap again.

Emma and I shout out goodbye as we leave for school. The sky dark and gloomy as though something was destined to happen. Regardless we run to school so that we won't be late. The day going past ever so slowly while glancing at the clock every few minutes. The bell rings and we begin to leave for work. All of a sudden I feel a tight pain in my chest and grab Emma.

"We have to go now!"

Emma looks at me confused. "Why?"

"Don't ask any questions, I think something bad happened to Liv."

Suddenly Emma and I find ourselves running home as the rain begins to pour. Every memory reflects in those puddles as my feet move without my mind.

I open the door suddenly to find Mother passed out from drinking wine at the kitchen table. I go over and begin to shake her awake.

"Mom...Mom, wake up. Where is Liv?"

"She's gone. She's dead...."

And just like that the house became ever so quieter. The only sound is the sobs that lie just below a whisper.

A week went by as we did work from home still trying to get used to the empty room at the end of the short hall where the leaks were no longer taken care of since none of us dared to go near. As Emma and I got better, Mother only became worse. Refusing to believe that Liv was truly gone.

Some nights we would find her at the old table, drunk staring at Liv's room. She would tell us that it should have been us and that it would have been better that way. But no matter how much her words hurt, we put up with them.

As the days went by I finally dared to go into Liv's room. The blankets where she used to lay were now bare. She was most likely taken by the System's workers.

I rummage through the room. Past all of the memories and clothes she had. Suddenly I found a letter addressed to me and quickly opened it up. While reading it my tears began to fall and I felt broken inside, but this helped a lot.

When night fell and mother was asleep I told Emma about it showing it to her.

"She knew this was going to happen and she wants us to be happy. She also knew how Mother would take it and told us we should try to help her cope."

Emma also began to cry as I told her about the rest of the letter and we decided it would be best to continue school and work.

Three weeks went by until one day we found mom mostly sober, sitting at the table waiting for us after work.

"I want you guys to become Liv."

I looked at Emma as we exchanged looks. I began to speak "Don't do this Mother."

"No! You are going to become Liv. You guys will take turns and go to school and work. No one can know."

Irritated that she interrupted me, I shot her a glare, although Emma whispers to me about Liv's last wishes.

Emma and I look at each other and agree for Liv and our Mother's sake. Switching turns once a week.

It went on like this for years and eventually we became eighteen and we were forced by the System to choose what we wanted to pursue in our future. Emma and I hugged each other tight, we got to go as ourselves for the test.

We went to our school which was one of the places the test was held and began. It ended sooner than we thought but we went home and awaited our results.

One month later we get our results. Emma and I open our results together only to have different answers.

Emma's letter said she was to become a Doctor and mine was to become a Musician. Emma looks at me and says "We're separated."

"No! Let's leave the System, give most of our money to mom to survive and we leave and find our own journey. Liv wanted us to be happy."

She looks at me shocked but then smiles as we tear our papers and leave money and a note to Mother. Simply saying sorry and explaining everything.

I guess we weren't any better than our Father, but we are happy. We packed our bags and left. Running towards the sunset, leaving the System's control to begin our adventure.