From Earth

The Announcement

We enter the Square at 11:15 the following day and it's already way above the normal temperature and packed with people. We try to find a spot where the six of us can stand together amongst the sweaty crowd.

Eventually at 12:15 the Saviors come out and step behind the podium. I recognise the woman speaking as Claire, the lead scientist of the Change operation.

"Humanity. It is a fragile thing, and in grave danger, you can already feel how hot it is getting and the Saviors and I don't think that humanity can survive here much longer. My fellow Saviors and I have created an alternative world where everyone can live and prosper, everyone will have an equal say in who runs the new government of this new world, everyone will have jobs and all the children will go to school." she is speaking very slowly as if to let this information sink in, she is trying to sound like a savior. "This place will meet all your necessities, water, food. Air, clean air, it will become a thriving metropolis ruled by the adequate government, I trust you all to make an educated and wise decision about which governmental pay should rule. This new world is on Mars!"

Murmurs erupt from the crowd immediately.

"Everybody, quieten down!" Claire instructs. "The Saviors have made sure that the living quarters on Mars are livable and safe to be used as homes. We sent numerous volunteers to Mars to live there for the past year and they landed back on Earth about two weeks ago. Amongst these brave explorers are Susan Abrahams, Joe Daniels, Ellen Furrows, Zach Smith and Catherine Davis."

Did she just say Catherine Davis? I look around confusedly at my friends, they just stare back with the same expression on their faces.

My full name is Elizabeth Grace Davis. My mother's name was Catherine Grace Davis. The Saviors told me that my mother died in a car accident a year and two months ago. I even saw her car after her body had been taken out of it and put in a coffin. It was so convincing. After Claire had said all the names there were more than a few gasps from the crowd. Everyone is realising that all these people had been claimed to have died more than a year ago.

"We needed to tell everybody that the Explorers had died because the operation was meant to be kept secret until we were sure that we could transport people to Mars and ensure them that their lives will go on as normal and not result in death. All of the Explorers are still alive and have had no damage or harm come to them. They will be reunited with their families after the announcement has come to an end. We will start transporting people to Mars as soon as possible. People will go in capsules big enough for seven people." that is a relief, the Fighters can go with my mom.

"There will be a roster that will be put up with the departure times where groups will fill in who will be going in one capsule. Nobody needs to pack anything to take with them, the closets and kitchens are filled already. If people do not want to go to Mars they will not be able to survive on Earth, it is a big decision but we hope that everyone will make the wise choice to go. Those people whose family members went to Mars, please go back to your houses, your family members will meet you there. That is all for this announcement. Thank you." finishes Claire.

I can't help but rush home. I thought my mother was dead. I thought my mother was dead.

I burst through the front door and am engulfed in a hug. I am crying and I didn't even realise it. So is my mom. We stand there in the doorway, crying on each other's shoulders, for what feels like hours.

She eventually pulls away and I wipe my eyes dry, I never cry. I finally get a good look at my mom. She hasn't changed much, she still has the same wavy brown hair and shocking blue eyes now surrounded by redness, she just looks older than when she left.

"You've matured so much since I left, become so independent." she compliments.

"Why did you leave? So soon after dad died?" I ask. My dad died about a month before she left.

"I left because he died. I couldn't stand to look at you that entire month after he died." she states like it's obvious.

"And you can look at me now?" my anger is flaring.

"It's because I have met another man."

"On Mars?"

"Yes, Zach Smith. You really need to give him a chance."

"I never said I wouldn't give him a chance!" I yell. "Sorry, this was all just a huge shock. I'm just glad that you're back."

We go over and sit on the couch so that I can just cry it all out and I tell her about the Fighters, I'm going to tell Gale and Nicola to form a governmental party together. There is no more use for the Fighters even though we never got to do anything to fight against the Saviors.

Humanity is going to Mars.