Chalice

Chapter 1:The Beginning

"Chalice!"

 "Yes?"

"Come down here, you need to finish up with your governmental patents."

Chalice Abernolsky sighed. Work,work,work, that's all she ever did. She didn't even get the pleasure of going to school, as she had finished high school when she was 13. She was now 16, and had gotten a job. It was not your typical job, as most adults didn't even know it existed. She designed spaceships and high-tech robots.

"Mom, I'm not done with this design yet. Try again tomorrow."

Now it was her mother's turn to sigh, albeit with more feeling. Why was she the mom of a teenage genius, instead of a normal girl? She sometimes wished this when Chalice taxed her patience, but having a mastermind around had its perks. For one thing, she had the best Internet on the block. She also had a better phone, a robotic cook, and a high-tech security system. Also, Chalice was her daughter, so she felt that she should accept her for who she was.

She went to check her e-mail in her holographic internet room, and saw that Chalice had a new message.

It said:

Chalice, under orders from our president, it has come to our attention that you have extraordinary intelligence, and so qualify for the Genius Convention held in Seattle, Washington State. It will begin at 9:00AM on July 18 and will end at 12:00PM on July 20. Bring any achievement or invention that you are proud of. There will be a competition and the top four winners will become entrants in the Genius Games.

Sincerely,

Dias Badgenome

She stared at the message for a long moment.

Chalice finished her design. It had taken her three weeks, longer than usual, to figure out the correct formula for the shoe jet-pack. She ran downstairs to finish the patents. At the bottom, however, she saw that her mother was on her e-mail again. She was crying.

"What's wrong Mom?"

"You..have...to..promisemethatyouwon'tDIE!

"Wait...WHAT? "

"Read it."

Chalice read the e-mail. It didn't seem that deadly. It was probably going to be like a science fair or something like it. But her mom didn't get hysterical and panicked that easily, so she must have a solid reason for going bonkers over an e-mail.

"Why would I die if I went to this convention?"

Her mother had calmed down a bit, but was still shaky.

"Because the prize is not really a prize- it is a contest to the death, and the other entrants are all adults."

Chalice felt a chill run up her spine. To the death?