Survival Games

Orientation

           I woke with a name burned in my mind. Katie. I couldn't remember who the name belonged to, but I knew I needed to get back to them. Even though I couldn't remember my own name, I could remember hers, so maybe she had some answers. I sat up in the bed and noted with dull surprise that I had fallen on the floor and that something must have moved me.

          GOOD MORNING

           Ah, yes. Hello, strange disembodied voice. I decided not to answer it and was quickly rewarded with a sharp felling of pain.

          I SAID GOOD MORNING

         I rubbed my head and replied, "Mornin', what's the plan today? More disturbing stuff?"

         OF COURSE

         The walls, so familiar, quickly changed to glass, and I saw about 2 dozen other people in rooms similar to my own. Some were crying, some were punching the wall, and still others were staring in wonder at the change in scenery. My eyes fell on one of the rooms directly next to mine, which contained a girl who was staring back at me.

         "Hi"

         Her voice shocked me out of my thoughts.

         "Hello"

        "Do you know who we are?"

        I was not surprised by the question, as it was one I had been asking myself for the last day. Rather, I was surprised that she was so calm.

         "No, do you?"

         "Nope"

          ALRIGHT, EVERYONE GET ACQUAINTED WITH YOUR FELLOW CONTESTANTS.

          My new acquaintance cringed. When I saw this, I sighed with relief.

          "So I'm not crazy. Good"

          "Either that or we both are"

          We stared at each other in silence, then we shook off the depressing thought.

          "So", she said, "What should I call you?"

          "I'm not sure...", I thought to myself for a second, "Hmm... how about Jacob?"

         "Nice. Going by that you can call me Jane"

          "That's a pretty name, did you just come up with it?"

           She smiled, "I see you're in the same trouble I am"

           CONTESTANTS, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT I SAY FOR IT COULD MEAN LIFE OR DEATH. TOMORROW YOU WILL BE RELEASED INTO THE TRAINING ROOM, THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU PLAN TO WIN THE FIGHT. CONTESTANTS WILL BE ALLOWED ONE PARTNER OF THEIR CHOOSING. CHOOSE WISELY.

           Well, that was really helpful, annoying voice. I began to think to myself what we were doing that requires training rooms and partners. So consumed in thought was I that I did not notice until it was almost too late that the walls were returning. I ran to where Jane was standing.

           "Will you be my partner?"

           "Wow, a proposal, right here", she grinned mischievously, "Joking. Sure, I'll be your partner"

           I let out the breath I had been holding. "Alright. Well, goodbye I guess"

           "Goodbye"

           The walls closed and I was left to my thoughts. In the room, there was nothing to occupy my time with but sleep. I fell into the bed with barely a thought.