All A Dream

   Is this how the world is now? We have to be tested to see whether someone is worth living? How long has it been since the last time I heard the sounds of children laughing, birds singing, or teenagers calling out to their friends? Now, it is just an empty, overpopulated world, with everyone so scared for their lives that they're afraid to laugh at a simple joke. As I stand in line, my hands shaking from the nerves, I wonder if this is what the government had imagined the world would be. Did they predict it would be this populated that they woud have to start killing the people who are not "worthy?"

I watch my line getting shorter by the minute, sometimes a survivor coming out of that silver, unbreakable metal door, but most of the time it's the instructor who comes out to call the next person in. I see parents of innocent 16 year olds weeping when it isn't their child who comes out of those doors.

No one came from my family. My father had to stay home with my brother Adam, who is still too young to even be at the ceremony to watch. And my mother is dead because she tried to stop the people from killing innocent kids. I don't blame her for leaving us. I'm not only scared for my life, but also angry at the government for doing this to us. Did they know it would have to be like this? Did they predict that the world will be so overpopulated that they will have to start killing innocent 16 year olds?

I want to fight back. I want to finish what my mother didn't finish. I don't know how I'm going to do it, only that I need to finish this job. Adam can't grow up fearing for his life, and I'm not going to let my father lose Adam, if that's what it will come down to.



"There's nothing to worry about," Lyla, my instructor, assures me. "What's your last name?"

"Teehy," I say, blankly.

"You're Allison's daughter?" She seems surprised, maybe even scared.

I nod in response, and her eyes widen.

"I was your mother's friend. Or maybe helper would be a better word," Her tone is strained, like she's trying to hide something. "When your mother died, I found a note in her pocket. It's supposed to be for you, but I couldn't help reading it."

"What did it say?"

"It's a goodbye note. She knew she was going to be killed," It's like she wants to tell me something, but is still deciding. "At the end, she told you to find me and finish what she didn't finish. It's your choice. Whether you're going to say yes or no, I'm going to act today."

It feels like a dream. I only thought about wanting to end this, but never did I think it would fall into my lap so easily. I stare at Lyla, and notice a tiny scar hidden behind her jet black hair. If I want to do this, I might end up dead. But Adam will be safe if I die after I finish my work.

"Okay," I say, quietly. "But why today?"

"It's the only day when the rules book is brought out into the open. It's our best chance." She sounds excited to do this.

"How are we going to break the law book when it's engraved in metal?"

"I've got a plan."



The sound of another guard slamming down to the ground fills my ears. Lyla's plan turned out to involve punching guards and breaking into the control room, instead of quietly sneaking in like I'd expected. To my surprise, I've already knocked out about four guards.

Lyla hurries me to get into the control room, and with one last glance at the fallen guards, I follow. There wasn't as many guards as I thought there would be, but then, I've never done this before. The control room only has a plain computer sitting on a desk, and a storage room tucked in the corner.

Immediately, Lyla walks to the storage room and tries the door. It's locked. No surprise there. However, after kicking it on the fifth try, the door flings open with a creak.

"How did y..."

"Years of practice," She replies before I could finish my sentence. "C'mon."

Walking into the storage room, a chill runs down my spine. I walk around, feeling my way through the darkness, sometimes bumping into Lyla. I stumble on something and fall, and the awful stench of fresh blood fills my nose. I scream in horror. A dead body lies there, blood still dripping from the side of their face. Hurriedly, I get up and brush myself off, but the goosebumps won't go away.

"Someone's been here," I whisper-scream. "We need to get outta here. Now!"

"I found it," She says, pretending not to hear my last comment.

Before I can say anything else, she hushes me.

"Did you hear that?" Lyla asks, panic rising in her voice.

Leaning in, I listen. There is a rustling sound, like someone trying to get up.

"We need to get out. Now!" She's almost screaming now.

"That's what I said a minute ago!" Even at the most dangerous times, I still can't learn to just shut my mouth.

"Shut up and..." The door slams shut. "Oh crap. We're trapped."

And that's when I hear my name. It's faint, but you can still hear it calling out from the deepest shadows. Chills run up my back for the thousandth time today, and I freeze. A body, the body that I fell on before is in front of us now, its eyes empty like a ghost. And before I know it, the person is attaching me with its hands, punching and scratching. I want to fight back, but I can't seem to move. I beg for Lyla to come and save me, but she just stands there, her eyes filled with fear.

"Look at me..." It says while trying to look me in the eye.

I refuse to look it in the eyes, if it has any at all. How did this all start again? Why am I here? I'm losing consciousness, but maybe that's a good thing. Slowly, I drift off to sleep, with my name still being called.

"...Maddie," A voice says. A kinder one. "Get up, Maddie."

I open my eyes to the bright sunlight piercing through my bedroom curtains. Adam stands in front of me, frowning in concern.

"It was just a bad dream," His sweet voice reassures me. "It's over now. You're awake now. And it's time for testing day!"

It was just a dream? I ask myself. Thank god.

"Alright, sunshine," I reply, forcing a smile. "I'll be down in five minutes."

He leaves my room, skipping. For him, testing day is explained differently. It is a celebration, a holiday. It's explained to every little kid like that, until they find out the truth at around thirteen.

When I go down to get some breakfast, I feel a jab of pain in the side of my stomach. I lift my shirt up a little to see the cause, and find three bright red marks, still bleeding.

Was it all just a dream? Because I couldn't have done that to myself.