Kyle
Tap. Tap.
The sound comes from somewhere near me, but with no distinct direction. I look around for soldiers, cameras, or anything else that might indicate the hell I've gotten myself into.
I know the chances of survival my best friend had going out there, or anyone in that matter. If the soldiers don't catch him today, they will tomorrow, or a few days later. Dead. Which means I would oversee taking care of Jackson's family. That idiot never thinks anything through. I saw his face when that little girl broke down on stage. I saw the anger in his eyes when he turned to look at me. The confusion, sadness, pity, guilt. The emotions all mixed and matched into anger. Anger he had no control of, the anger that is leading him to death at this very moment.
My shoe catches on a foreign object underneath me, and before I can restore my balance, I feel the cold earth pressed against my cheek. I lie there on the dirt for a while, the fresh scent of pine and dirt a refreshing smell. At least nature kept some of its elements.
When I get up again, the tapping noise can still be heard. I listen closely for any sound of footsteps, but the strong wind was the only company I had. Looking up at the sky, I notice the storm clouds slowly rolling in from the east, a dark shadow overcasting anything underneath. I swear silently, and hope Jack gets arrested before the sky opens. At least then he will have shelter over his head. Maybe he will be sent home with a few days to live. One can only hope, right? A distant rumble of thunder answers, telling me to pick up my legs and keep going.
To my surprise, by the time I get back to the Dome, there was no encounter with any soldiers. Neither were there any at the Dome, which was odd since there were always a couple guards surrounding the exterior of the place.
I walk to the side of the Dome and peer inside. A blink of blue light catches my eye. I squint to see better, but then realize the light was coming from my side of the window, close to me.
My heart skips a beat when it hits me. It wasn't coming near me, but in me. My fingers shake as I run them along the left side of my neck, feeling the bump that shapes into an X. The chip. The chip that tracks my every move, my position, my identity, my location.
The chip that everyone has. Including Jackson.
End of chapter 10
YOU ARE READING
Eternal Flame
General Fiction"How can she be so sure that I will do well? I think to myself. But I can't screw it up either. I need this prize. This is what I've been waiting for. This is what I've been training for. This is my only chance to give my family a better life...
