Spark

Chapter 5

We had stayed out longer than anticipated and I'm a grumpy mess the next morning and want nothing more than hide under my covers for the rest of the day. But Mom won't let me.

"Sweetie, you need to get up. This is an important day. Breakfast is almost ready."

I force myself out of bed and open the window. At this time of day, the air is still cool and refreshing. I don't mind the heat, I'm used to it, but I sometimes wonder what it would be like to feel cold. Only the east has a similar climate to New America. The north is a desert of ice and snow, nearly impossible to survive. The south is almost uninhabitable, the heat even more scorching than here. In the past the places had other names. The West was the continent America, the North was called Europe, the East Asia and the South Africa. There had been a time when there were five continents, but one of them, Australia, had been flooded completely. Swallowed by the sea. The four states coexist peacefully for decades. The peace is crumbling though.

For maybe five years there has been a boiling conflict between the West and the East. The relationship is difficult, with New Asia demanding to stop the gene therapy. The side effects are often lethal, and in New Asia's opinion an unnecessary decimation of the human race. Even though I know nothing of politics even I understand that an escalation is inevitable, only a matter of time.

The people who hold the power in the West have other and in my eyes highly questionable values and creating human weapons with invincible powers. It would make New America the most powerful nation and guarantee control over resources, high living standards and an unmatched military force. Geographically the West provides the best living conditions. New America would rule the world. The elemental soldiers could make it happen in case of an attack. They were superior to any weapon.

"Stella!" Mom's voice pulls me back to reality. "Get down here, pancakes are ready."

The two hours that follow while Mom tries to make me presentable put me in a really foul mood.

Shower, picking an outfit, hair and make-up. In the end I am ready to scream. Maybe it would have helped to have Sara over for support but she's at school. I never thought I'd want go to school rather than anything else. Seems having to face the final test that would confirm my element and meeting the president is the exception.

When Mom finally ushers me in front of the full body mirror in my room I'm relieved. She hasn't turned me into a stranger. I still look like myself. But she'd put me into a dress, far tighter than the clothes I usually wear. Although it isn't revealing it shows more of my body than I'm comfortable with.

"Mom, I don't think –"

She smiles at me in the mirror. She's talked me into heels and like this I'm taller than her.

"It's going to be fine, baby. You are beautiful. And we will love and support you no matter what."

I try to return her smile, but it's wobbly and weak. She squeezes my shoulders.

"You are okay. We'll get through this. Promise."

I breathe and swallow the hint of panic. Then I grab into my hair and muss up the neat curls so they look more like my usual floofy mop. Mom huffs but it's more amused than disapproving.

I practice a genuine smile for a moment. When I decide it's convincing enough I straighten my posture.

"Let's do this."

The bodyguards arrive not a second late to pick me up. I climb into the back and when the car starts moving I have to remind myself that I'm not going to my execution.

My two bodyguards don't give me the chance to retreat into my thoughts when they introduce themselves.

Trevor Boyle – thirty-six years old, tall, dark hair, short beard – is unmarried and has no kids. He isn't much of a talker and doesn't take off his sunglasses. The other, Ryan Billyard, is twenty-six, tall and blond. He has a wife but no children.