Moon Angel

Chapter 9: A Decision

Chapter 9: A Decision

"I wish we didn't have to go," Em said. It was the last day of camp. We had spent the morning packing up our gear and we had walked back down the mountains to the air strip below, where we were waiting on the tarmac for our planes to arrive to take us home. In the end our team had won Camp. The points from the final challenge boosting our total considerably. For the prize, each member of our team had been the latest model of hunting bow and a quiver of arrows. We also got to choose from a range of sweets and chocolate. In my opinion the two prizes couldn't have been more different, but I couldn't wait to try out my new bow once I got home and I'm sure the other children were thinking the same. It turned out we all knew how to shoot.

"I know the feeling," I said. "But I'm sure we'll see each other again."

"I hope so," Em replied.

"Time to leave," Mr Carter called over to me. Our plane had arrived. I turned to Em.

"I'll miss you," I said, giving her a hug.

"Me too," she said, hugging me back.

"Selene!" Mr Carter called again, getting impatient. I picked up my bags and hurried towards the plane, climbing the stairs to the plane's door. I hesitated at the door. I had never like planes. They seemed so small and made me claustrophobic. I turned to wave to Em one last time but when I turned, she was busy with her guardian. I turned back to the plane, going inside. I wished we didn't have to fly. I always felt so unsafe. I would fly myself back home and not have to feel constricted the whole way. But I couldn't. Mr Carter would never allow it.

I mentally pushed all my nervous thoughts aside and walked briskly down the aisle of the plane, finding a seat and stowing my bags. I sat down, readying myself for the trip home. At least I had a window seat and a view.

The plane finally started moving, taking off and flying over the landscape below. I started the countdown until the plane would land at home.

***

It had been three weeks since camp and life had gone on as normal. In some ways, it was better. Now that Mr Carter knew about my wings I didn't have to hide anymore. I guess it was a renewed sense of freedom. But in other ways, I wasn't sure. My classes had intensified after Camp. Mr Carter worked me harder in the areas of skills, strength, academic and agility. Mr Carter even trained me while flying, using my wings to my advantage. Before camp, the classes with Mr Carter had seemed to be preparing me for something but I hadn't realised or noticed. I had thought that they had just been for fun, life skills. But after camp, when the classes had got harder, that was when I had realised that Mr Carter was training me. It wasn't until another week had passed that everything came together.

It was a Thursday morning. I remember that clearly. I was sitting at my desk in the study. My tutor had just been in for the morning's lessons so I was looking over my chemistry homework when Mr Carter came in.

"I have important news to tell you," he said.

"What is it?"

"As a part of my work, there is a programme for talented children like yourself, the Omega programme. Selene, your name has been put forward as one of the leading candidates to start in Omega. For the first part of the programme, all the candidates will live at the Omega training base and be put through their paces in a series of training exercises over a course of three months. After this, the highest achieving candidates will be selected to move into the next stage of the programme, but that will be explained at a later date, once your place has been confirmed, that is, if you get in. I need to know if you are willing to enter the programme. If not, your name will be withdrawn and someone else will be selected. We will just continue on our original programme here." Mr Carter looked at me, expecting an answer.

I thought over it. It sounded like a good experience, but three months? And then maybe longer? I didn't know if I wanted to be away for that long. I weighed up all the options. If I didn't go, would I regret the decision? Would I be making the right decision? It did sound like fun. I would be around a whole lot of other 'candidates' who I guessed were other children around my age. I would probably gather new skills as well. Mr Carter was still waiting for a decision. I needed to make mine fast. I finally came to some sort of decision.

"Yes," I said to Mr Carter, who had been standing patiently and waiting. "I'll go."

"Great," he said. "The programme starts on Monday but the training base is two days away and I thought you would like some time to settle in before the programme gets underway. We will have to leave tomorrow. I'll give the rest of the day to gather all your things." He turned and walked out of the study.

I sat there for a long time after he left. Tomorrow? I had one day to pack and say goodbye. Who knew when I would get back? Omega. The word rolled off my tongue. I wondered what it would be like. Would I know anyone? Would anyone from camp be there? Would I like it? Or hate it? I wondered if I would come back here, to this house, and if I did come back, would it be the same? I got up, piling my books into my arms and headed to my room. As I walked I pondered my decision. Had it been the right choice? Was it a good idea to go to Omega? I didn't know it at the time but I would ponder those questions for years to come, for that one small decision that I had made as an eleven year old had changed my life forever.