PAST

7-Even Day's Challange

"YEA, IT WAS AMAZING!" I exclaim brightly. "The roller coasters were all like: whoosh, loopy-loop, drop, and drop again!"

Me, Lucas, Alvin, and W.O. were sitting at a round table, chicken wings and breasts on our plates. Lucas smiled as I recalled our simulation. Alvin looked strangely troubled, eyeing his food the whole time.

"So, which ride did you go on first?" W.O. asked, taking a bite.

At the same time, Lucas and I said, "Goliath," and smile appeared on W.O.'s face.

"Well, good job." Alvin said, looking up. There were bags under his eyes. "I think we need to head up and get ready for tomorrow."

Lucas nodded his head. "Well, Stephen, I guess we'll see each other tomorrow in the simulation room #34. Okay?"

I smiled. "Okay. It's really fun working with you."

Something snapped in Alvin's eyes, but he remained quiet, and said a stressed, "goodnight." We then walked to our room in silence.

Once I closed the room's door behind us, Lucas pulled off his light jacket and sighed. "Tomorrow will be a challenge. Even for me. Do you know why?"

I looked around, and sat on my bed. "Is it because...hmm...well you did say odd days are just good times-today-while even days are just bad times. Right?"

Alvin lets out a strained smile and stands up. "You're close, but not close enough." He put his hands on my shoulders, his grip tightening. "You'll be a soldier in the war that almost wiped out humanity!"Alvin loosened his grip and lowered his rising voice. "You may not be harmed physically, but there is a high chance you will be mentally."

My mouth felt as if someone filled it with dry sand. I'll actually be in the war? I never seen a war, but from what I heard from Mars, was the worst approach to peace humans have ever created.

Alvin jumped on his bed, and bent over the side. After searching, he retrieved a notebook. He tossed it at me and looked me in the eye. "The drawings in here are what I remember most about the battles. The war will scar you."

I flopped open the book half-way and gasped. The drawn picture was really realistic. Dead bodies savaged the ground, and a tower was lopped sided behind the bodies. I flipped the page and cursed loudly, throwing the notebook.

"What did you see?" Alvin asked, not bothering to retrieve the notebook.

"A face," I gasped, "Beyond messed up. Couldn't even find some of the facial features you and I have.

Alvin went awfully quiet and rubbed his chin. "Tomorrow, I want you to die in the simulation fast as possible. Then, when you wake up from the simulation, run to this room. I'll open the simulation room doors as soon as Lucas leaves and I'll be waiting for you here. Understand?"

I almost fell back. "What's going on?"

Alvin hesitated. "I know a lot more about Asect than most people here. I needed some boy like you that I could take and carry out my plans."

I nodded and held my breath. "What's so great about little ol' me?"

Alvin shook his head quickly and held his breath also. "Asect finds you more important than you probably imagine."