The Element Games

10

We are stood in a line, Phoenix in front of me and Triton behind me. We didn't have to line up in any specific order, except that the siblings had to stay together. I saw Triton and I, Phoenix, and Flame, and, Feather and Tranquility!? I had never known that Feather had a sister, much less the meanest person here!

When it was our turn, Triton and I got onto a tram that took us to the interview. No, the tram was the interviewer and this was the interview! The speaker blared to life with the screams of joy from people who are watching all over the Sectors. The robotic voice came on. "From the Water Sector, please give a warm welcome to Triton and Rivers Brine!" The crowd cheered again as Triton gave the camera in the wall, the smile that the girls melted over. I just looked out of the side window, taking in the view. The forested area blurred past as Triton pulled me to his side.

"Aren't you going to answer the nice interviewers question?" He put his arm around my neck so I wouldn't lose concentration.

"I'm sorry, what was the question again?" Triton did the best fake laugh he could as the robotic voice restated the question.

"How deep would you say is you're relationship with your brother?" Ok, that's a sensitive topic.

I find a response in my head that would give the crowd a good show. "Deeper than the sea," I halfheartedly laughed and returned to looking out of the side window.

He ruffled my hair, "A bond that even death can't rip apart." That made my eyes go wide. It was true, even in the darkest times like when our parents died, we were still as close as could be.

"It looks like the audience members aren't the only ones reduced to tears." That was also true, the memories that were brought back made me tear up.

...

It had been such a beautiful day in the Water Sector for such a grim occasion. I was curled up next to my brother that morning. The nightmares had hurled themselves at me, one after the other the night before. My parents had been murdered right I front of me. Triton had been at an after school program and I was home with them. Anyway, it was the day of there funeral, and I couldn't function properly. That morning I just stared at my cereal. That was when Triton, instead of mourning, he became the loving, protective brother he is now. After a few years, the nightmares went away, and I grew up, becoming more independent. Except when I was in pain, or angry or sad, he would always be there.

...

I came back to reality when we came to a screeching halt in front of a tall, grey, dome like building. "Once again, give it up for Triton and Rivers, our Barnacle Brothers from the Water Sector!" This time, the cheering and applause came from outside rather than the speakers. As we walked out of the tram, I saw the crowd. Hundreds of people to the left and right of us. The FBI had roped off a walkway down the center, a red carpet entrance. Triton and I both waved, Triton had his looks going for him when I had nothing. I mean, people say I look "nice", but not as "nice" as Triton.

When we walked into the building, everything was bleached of color and it got twenty digress colder, all of the kids were standing in a small room. Phoenix and Flame were in deep conversation, Feather was deep in conversation with Tranquility, and Leaf was coming toward us. Without talking, he slipped something small into my front pocket and walked away. I put my hand into my pocket and fished the item out. It was a flash drive. As the last of the kids walked in, we were ushered to our rooms. This time, each Sector had a room. After everyone from my Sector was in the room, the official who had guided us left the room and locked the door from the outside. Our belongings lined the wall farthest from the wall, in each of our bags were one square of that substance we had for dinner on days one and two. Great, at least we know the Government cares about there lab rats. I sighed as I lied down on the bed next to Triton's, slipping into deep thought.