Winning The Impossible

Chapter One

I don't remember much of my past; only these three things- my father's grimacing smirk as he was saying goodbye to me, my mother's crying eyes that I know used to feel joy, and the feeling that I was about to lose everything.

I woke up on a street in front a burnt down farm. People were milling around crazily, clearly not seeing me in the madness. I got up to run but was pushed down again by a man in a guard's uniform. He asked me questions trying to figure out what happened to my family. I didn't know then and I sure as heck don't know now. The guard had taken me to 'Mary Catherin's Orphanage' to live until I got another home. That was nine years ago. I wish I could say that I was now living a great life in a loving family who took great care of me. But I'm sixteen now, still haunted by the memory of the fire, still in this awful orphanage. I have tried again and again to make friends...but everyone who I start to care about leaves me. They've all been chosen. I've given up trying to find someone to love me. I'm hated by almost everyone-the staff, the kids there with me, and the families that come searching for a son or daughter. I've become the troublesome child that they have to keep an eye on. But they can never find me because I sneak around, hiding in my own special places no one can ever find. The only time I show myself is when we have to eat, sleep, or when the families come hoping to find another child.

I wake up before everyone, like usual, and get my daily clothes. I always dress like a boy, because I don't like wearing dresses and skirts and fancy clothes. I prefer blue jeans, a plain shirt, and going barefoot. The staff members always complain, saying I would get chosen faster if I dressed the way other girls my age dressed and if I acted like a lady. I'd rather go fight in a war than wear a dress and act like a lady.

I sneak into the kitchen hoping no one is there already. Maybe I can go exploring today and be back around 'Adoption Time', as the girls here say. That name makes me sick. It makes me feel like I'm a dog waiting for a family to come and pick me so I can do anything they want me to. I find some bread and meat and put it into my little sack, just as one of the staff members walks in.

"Put away that food right now!" She rushes toward me, catching me by surprise. "You are not supposed to be going anywhere today. We are having a special guest today and you need to be there. Who knows, maybe you can go with him."

A special guest? I think. Who could it be? The last time the orphanage had a special guest was about twenty years ago, way before I was here.

I reluctantly put away the food I had stolen and went with Maggie, the staff member, to the huge walled grounds. I breathed out, annoyed that I couldn't enjoy time by myself. I am curious to see if I'll get a family today or if I'll be here for a few more days, or months, or even years.

As we walk into the big outside meeting area, I see a strange man with brown hair and tan skin. He's wearing all black with a sword in a scabbard at his hip. I'm surprised that Mary, the lead director, let him in with wearing a weapon. Weapons have never been allowed until this man came.

"This is Axel Hughes." Karen Blare another staff member declares, pointing to the man. "He is here to take some of you to train to be soldiers. He has seen everyone here and has picked ten of you to go with him. We will call on those he has picked and you must come quietly and quickly. You will wait until he tells you what to do. Those of you with special items may go back and grab them if you want them. And be respectful or you will be chosen if Axel chooses to do so."

Mary Catherin steps forward on the stage with a piece of paper that I'm guessing has the names of the ten chosen kids. "John Malom, Chris Bursley, Rylan Teira, Zack Nolese, Stephen Xyla, Sam Abiva, Caine Dolete, Liam King, Michael Falson, and Danielle Gold please come up to greet Axel."

I hesitate. I'm the only girl chosen and everyone has noticed. I slowly walk toward the stage, trying not to get look scared. I hear whispers from the others and lots of snickers. I see Bailey Eve talking to one of the girls my age. When I'm a few steps away, he sticks out his foot, thinking I won't notice. He has been my least favorite person here and I don't like anyone. I stop and look him in the eye. Then I ball my fist up and punch him in the gut, making him stumble backwards. He looks as though he's about to throw up and is in tears already. He runs toward the boys' room as fast as he can. I've wanted to do that since I met him but would've been expelled if I did. Well, I'm leaving today, hopefully never coming back. People gasp and back away, but I start walking to the stage, this time full of pride. I finally reach the stage, all eyes on me.

I walk up to Axel expecting him to say to the staff to take me back but he doesn't. Instead, he surprises me. "Good job out there. I'm glad to know that my suspicions were correct." He smiles ever so slightly so that only I can see it.

"What suspicions?" I wonder. What has he heard about me? What does he think about me?

"I thought I would never meet a girl who could take care of herself until I heard about you." He whispers to me. "I just wanted to see you stand up for yourself and now I know who my second trainee will be. I can only have two trainees and I already have one. You'll meet him soon. He won't be impressed when he sees you, but I want you to let him know that you will outnumber him in most things. I'm yet to see you in an argument though." He pauses for a second. "Do you have anything you need to grab before we leave?"

"No. I don't have any possessions of my own." I answer him.

"Well then you can wait with the others while I talk with the staff." He nods towards the boys who are looking at me with something like jealousy. They have gotten their possessions and are standing in a small group, clearly trying to keep me out. It doesn't bother me. I'm fine being by myself. We wait for five minutes until Axel comes to get us. He walks us swiftly to the exit and I feel something I've never felt before-excitement.

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I hope you all enjoy this book I'm writing. Please feel free to comment any things you would wish me to change or anything you liked! I'm hoping to actually finish the book and maybe maybe a next one. Thank you for reading!