A Trip of Fate

Saturday

Callie Hinsen- 8:29 a.m.

Loud blaring of my alarm awoke me on New Years Day. I'm not one for partying on New Years Eve. Plus it's not even like I have that many friends to do that with anyway. Going away from that- today is the day! Today! The mail I look forward to each year. The day when everybody in the world gets a letter sent to them. That letter gives the directions of where the receiver is being sent to in the world. Last year I was sent to Spain.

"I better get dressed," I said as I passed by my reflection in the mirror. Rules state that once you get the letter you must immediately go to the airport to go to your designated location. Once I was  ready I headed out of my crusty, old apartment and down to the mailboxes. There were already  a few people down there. I could hear the distant conversations as I was walking down my staircase. 

"Oh this is great!" one of my neighbors said, "I'm heading to Brazil this year! I might just pay the extra fee!" I smiled as I opened my own mailbox. The voices of everyone around me faded out as I grabbed the neatly packed envelope. This year is only my second time participating so I'm super excited. My shaky hands gently but quickly opened up the envelope. 

"Vietnam!" a voice called out next to me.

"Panama!" another said.

"New Zealand..." 

I finally reached the thick piece of paper. Everyone was already heading out but I still stood in front of my mailbox. 'Here we go... Where am I going?' 

I read the information on the document

Name: Callie O. Hinsen

Date: January 1st, 2022

DOB: April 23rd, 2002

Home State: Montana

Designated Location: Greece

If you wish to stay longer, you will be presented with an offer at the airport on the day you leave.

"Greece?!" I yelled in excitement, "I wonder what city I'm going to!" I hugged the paper close to my chest. The lady next to me smiled at my joy, "That's a wonderful place. I remember when I went it was so beautiful." I giggled, "That's good to hear! Might I ask, where are you heading this year?"

We both started to walk towards the main parking lot of the apartment complex, "Oh I'm getting sent to Belarus. I'm pretty excited, it's just that I'm getting to the point where I've almost been everywhere. The government is going to make me pick somewhere to live- whether it's to stay here or go somewhere else." I nodded, "I never knew that would happen. Why do they do that?"

"Oh well as you should know, everyone in the world travels on January 1st, whether you consider it New Years for you or not. They're doing this to 'decrease the population' in America. I think it's kind of stupid." I hummed in response, "I guess it's kinda stupid."

We said our goodbyes and parted ways. I headed to my car and started towards the nearest airport. 

I held my paperwork close to me as I entered the airport. This is by far the busiest day of the year at airports and pretty much everywhere. Even though the government is trying to control over-population they still allow foreigners in during this period. Hotels that are specially picked to house visitors get a lot of business and every store, bakery, restaurant, you name it- gets good business.

If navigating the airport wasn't stressful enough...

"Excuse me!"

"I need to get past you, sorry!"