"Theoretically, if someone didn't have proof of identification, or even any proof of existence before today, and didn't have parents, what would the government do to them?"
"..."
Silence, then a concerned tone.
"Is this the young man from earlier?"
I suppose she didn't forget my voice.
"That depends on the answer to the question, Miss Grace."
A concerned sigh, and an increasingly concerned tone.
"We'll check for records with your DNA and look for any family or relatives, but if there aren't any, as long as your DNA shows you to be human we can have identification made. There have been cases of amnesia, disappearances and reappearances- commonly referred to as 'blips'- and other such anomalies appearing since the Mana Apocalypse, so, although it's extremely rare, we do have a protocol. Are you okay? Have you just been wandering through that neighborhood?"
I suppose that makes sense. I don't trust the government, but I decided to make this call and take this risk, so I'll trust what she says. Her eyes didn't seem like the eyes of someone corrupt.
"Okay. Well, yes, this is the young man from earlier. I woke up in an alleyway earlier and didn't know anything about where I am or the creatures I've encountered, so I was wary of telling you the truth, I wasn't sure if I'd be treated as a monster or taken in for questioning and quite frankly I'm still scared that could happen, but your eyes seem trustworthy, and I don't want to live the life of a fugitive, so I'm sorry for lying, and thank you for giving me your card. My name is Buford, by the way, Buford Presley."
"You don't need to apologize, Buford. I'm glad you survived the encounter with the creatures, Unawakened individuals are rarely fast enough to outrun them, you did well."
"Outrun them?" I blurt out, my relief coupled with my decision to trust the woman lowering my guard slightly.
"Did you not?" The woman's concerned tone was partially replaced with shock, her mind reeling at the possibility that an Unawakened she assumed to be 13 or 14 was able to survive an encounter with a Gate Wolf.
"Well, um, no, they were only level 1, so I managed to kill them both fairly easily."
"Do you know how old you are?" She asked.
"I believe I'm 15. How does one awaken by the way?" I ask, wanting to learn the normal way for awakening. I assume my system is going to awaken me when the timer ends, but I'm worried about that arousing suspicion.
"Everyone has a random chance of awakening between ages 15 and 23. Past 23 it's extremely unlikely, but still happens from time to time." She explained.
"So if I'm right about being 15 I could awaken at any point in time then. That's good to know. Does it hurt?" I ask, eliciting a slight chuckle from the woman.
"How about we meet at a coffee shop and continue this conversation. Stay at the phone booth you're at, I'll be there in a few." She says.
"That sounds good. Promise you're not gonna dissect me or lock me up or throw me in a gate?"
"Like I said, as long as your DNA shows you to be human you'll be given a proper identification, and I'll arrange living quarters and a monthly living stipend for you until you're old enough to work." She said with a slight chuckle, before ending the call.
Waiting around for a bit, eventually I saw a futuristic and sleek SUV approaching, coming to a stop near the phone booth I was next to.
The woman inside clicked a button and motioned me over. I walked over and opened the door, Julia's smiling but concerned face greeting me as I did.
"Get in. I'll buy you a meal, too. Then we can get you processed and somewhere to sleep." she said, looking at the bags under my eyes that I hadn't realized had formed.
"Thanks." I nodded, settling myself comfortably into the passenger seat of the vehicle, surprise coloring my face as it started moving without me even feeling it.
As I relax into the plush seat of the vehicle, I find my fatigue hitting me all at once, my eyes slowly closing as I drift into a comfortable sleep.