Until the Dawn Arrives

7:00 P.M.

Jasmine Carpenter sat on her bed. It was time. She was of age now. Today, her fate would be decided. She had been dreading this moment for as long as she could remember. She had turned 16 yesterday. All the contestants were 16. They always had been.

Ever since that day hundreds of years ago, unusual things had been happening. The government claimed they could keep the people safe. And they could. They proved it by shoving ten teenagers into the Arena for ten hours. Every year, like clockwork. One contestant died every hour. She wondered how long it was until they would take the contestants.

"Cora, what time is it?" Jasmine called.

"It is seven hours and one minute post meridian, mistress," responded her walls in a mock feminine voice. The AI unit controlling her house often seemed like her only companion.

"Cora, do you realize what this means?!"

"What does it mean, mistress?"

"Cora, I'm safe! I'm not chosen!"

"Mistress this is very goo-" her voice changed to a monotone sound,"Government announcement. Please hold."

The familiar wrinkled face of the king appeared on the wall. He had a pleasant grandfatherly look to him. He was a benevolent ruler, the Arena aside.

"Hello King Doug. I apologize for the state of my bedchamber, I've been a bit frantic today," she said to the hologram.

"It is no matter," he replied kindly,"I am sorry, Jasmine Carpenter, but it appears a contestant recently passed away. They experienced a severe and sudden cardiac arrest."

Jasmine inclined her head as was custom and replied the words from rote memory, "I offer condolences and love to the family of the one lost. Their time has ended, and I will not mourn, for I need to make the most of mine."

King Doug smiled, "You are a good child. You must be wondering why I have called you."

Jasmine pulled at her hair, knowing exactly why he had called her to relay this news. However she replied,"I will admit that I am  perplexed."
Even as she said it, she saw the panel in the wall slide open and the syringe come out. This was no routine medical injection. 
"You have been chosen, Jasmine Carpenter. You were next in line. I apologize."
She felt the cold metal of the syringe on her wrist before the tranquilizer had its effect. She collapsed on the bed, inwardly hoping it was all a bad dream.
_____________________________________

The room was completely black. Black as pitch. Jasmine blinked several times in an attempt to adjust her eyes to the darkness. She saw the silhouette of  several other people around her. They were all seated on chairs, hard metal chairs by the feel of it. But, metal hadn't been used in furniture since before Jasmine was born. To preserve resources, the government had decided to use metal only for tall structures, and the wall. The wall is what kept THEM out.

As if commanded by God himself, bright spots of light came to life above each of the contestants. Looking around, Jasmine saw that three people she recognized from classes would also be competing. She saw a girl she had a slight connection to- Ginger. Ginger had very few friends, and parents who ignored her. Jasmine's first meeting with Ginger was when Ginger tried to steal Jasmine's belongings satchel. Jasmine, always slow to violence, had sat down with Ginger and talked to her. They still hung out together from time to time.

The other was a barista at Jasmine's favorite café. Jasmine believed her name was Maya.
Lastly was Jasper, a boy Jasmine had known since Class 1.

There wasn't time for introductions however. Somebody stood on a stage in front of them. A light illuminated the stage. Jasmine could see it was a middle-aged woman with a long jagged scar down her face.

"Welcome to the Arena, contestants," she said,"You are not meant to be working against each other inside. You are working against THEM. I know that a winner is designated every year, but..."
She trailed off, the words-'No one survives' ringing in Jasmine's ears.

She continued-"You will be assigned a weapon that you are apt to learn the use of quickly. You have 30 minutes until eight. You may proceed."

Jasmine realized that she hadn't been able to stand before. Now, as a pistol was placed in her hands, she felt as if she had been released from the chair. She immediately turned and rushed to Ginger.
They caught each other in a quick hug.

"Jasmine, I'm glad to end up here with you," said Ginger.

Jasper joined them as well saying, "This turned out well. None of us will cry for lost friends because we will all be dead."

Jasmine looked him dead in the eyes. "Not all of us will be dead," she said with certainty, "I've been preparing for this my whole life. One person will survive. They'll survive and tell everyone what's out there."

Jasper tilted his head, "And you're saying that will be you."

Ginger said, "I believe that Jasper is just trying to keep us from getting our hopes up. We don't know what happens in there. We don't even know anything about THEM. Let's just try to stay alive."

Reluctantly, Jasmine nodded, "Yeah. Let's just keep each other from dying."

Jasper said,"What if we are entered at different locations? Where do we  meet?"

"The green lady. That's the only thing we know is in there. She's dead center. What do you say?"

Ginger agreed, "Run straight ahead wherever you're placed. You'll find her."

Maya walked over to the group. "Already plotting?" She asked.

"Hello, Maya," Jasmine said.

"Ahh, Caramel Mocha. How do you do? Mind if I join?"

"Of course not!" Ginger said,"We're meeting at the green lady."

"That's do able," Maya replied.

"It is time to proceed to the Arena," the middle aged woman announced,

"Remember, death is only the end of an adventure. Make the most of your adventure."