The X Games

Nora

"Take good care of him for me please," I said to Mrs. Knowleson. I was standing on the front porch of the young adult in front of me. "I don't know how long I'll be gone for."

Mrs. Knowleson nodded. There was no one I would trust with North more than her. She was born five years before me, but that didn't mean anything to us. We had lived next door since I was born, and have been friends ever since. She had been Matched at sixteen, and was married two months later. Her and her husband have five kids, one for each of the years she's been married. The Leaders require marriages with plenty of kids like that. So she's been so busy I haven't talked to her often.

"I'm... I'm worried about you," she said, dropping her voice down to a low whisper. I knew why, there was definitely a chance that a Leader could be listening to us.

"I've heard of these things," she continued in my ear. "It's a national television show, you know, and only the Elders, Leaders, and Followers get to watch them. I've watched them before.... are you sure you want to go, Nora?"

I swallowed the saliva in my mouth and nodded confidently. "I have no choice, Nita, this might be the only way I can make sure North doesn't go to the Box soon."

She only nodded back, silent tears streaming down her cheek. "Do what you think you need to, and may Heron give you speed."

"May Heron watch over you," I responded back to her in the correct way of speaking. "Goodbye, Nita."

I walked away with my messed-up feelings breaking my heart, my little brother taking pieces of it with me in Mrs. Knowleson's house.