Project 14 (BEING REWRITTEN)

Chapter 1

I ran to the field to meet my friend. I managed to sneak past the barriers that kept us inside a total hell. The mountains stretched as far as the eye could see. It was nearing spring, which meant that one kid from each Colony will get brought into the Government’s “Experiment”. If you get chosen, then you get taken to the Convoy Americas which is the second part of the United States. There are fifteen Colonies. They will always have fifteen Experiments. Most years, they can’t find any newborns, so they have to stick with kids’ ages two years to sixteen years.

          My friend is really my only friend. His name is Junior. He is truly one of the only people who I can talk to without him telling anyone. The fields behind our Colony were finally turning green. I saw Junior up ahead, starring off into the mountains.

          “Hey!” I called to him.

          Junior’s head snapped over at me. I jogged up to him and gave him a big hug. “Well, it’s about time you showed.”

          “Yeah, I was doing chores and had to help mother with cleaning up the house for the Chosen today.”

          “Ah. I knew I was missing something.”

          I sighed. Every year, every Colony has a dance in celebration of the new Experiment. The girl, or boy, gets dressed up and the people of the Colony have a big party. Junior smiled.

          “Imagine if I got chosen. There would one girl I would have my dance with.” Junior sat down in the grass. He patted a spot next to him.

          “And who would that be?”

          He looked down at me and chuckled. “You, obviously.”

          I felt the heat rise on my cheeks. “And do you know who I would choose?”

          Junior shrugged.

          “You,” I smiled.

          The intercom buzzed over at the Colony. Loretta, the head leader, was making that the name would be announced in the next few minutes. I gulped down fear. Junior got up and gave me a hand. He cupped my face. His lips met mine. I pulled away and rested my forehead on his.

          “I wish you luck.”

          “Thanks.”

          With that, Junior ran off. I was alone in the field. Junior’s lips still felt like they were on mine. I let out a shaky sigh and went across the field. I headed inside my small one-story home and went to the living room. The small box shaped projector released a small picture on our wall. Mother wrapped her arm around me.

          “Hello boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen. I am excited to have you all watching the sixty-seventh annual Experiment Day. This year’s Experiment had taken a long and dreadful discussion, but I am happy to announce the Chosen.”

          Loretta paused and breathed in. “This year’s Chosen is,” there was a pause, “Cassandra Lea Roosevelt!”

          I gasped. Mother jumped to her feet.

          “Cassie, this can’t be happening!” She exclaimed.

          “Mom,” I felt tears threaten my eyes. I got my feet and gave her a hug. “I love you.”

          I gave her a kiss on the cheek and left. I walked to Colony Circle, the main part of each Colony. The audience members took in my looks. Loretta smiled.