Before We Fall (Wattys2017)

Beginnings

I, Riley Elizabeth Grinsly, am turning 17 on February 28th, 7127. Where I will be leaving on project #2543 with 1000 other valiant souls.

Mother passed away shortly after she gave birth to me on May 26th 7110, due to her cancer spreading. A close friend of Mother's took me in as her own. Edwin James. Her skin a beautiful tan, hair fluffy but silky smooth, hazel eyes with one single dark brown freckle on the side of her lip. Edwin is beautiful. She will be taking commander on project #2543.

"We're leaving Riley!" Edwin shouted up the stairs to my bedroom.

I started roaming the upstairs rooms for the last time, sliding my hand across every bump, slash, or rail in the wall. How I'd miss this so imperfect world. Though, never miss the people.

"Coming," I spoke clearly as I said goodbye to the house for the last time.

When I got downstairs, Edwin greeted me with a smile. She handed me a last snack before my sleep of 200 years. When we awake if all goes as planned, it will be February 28th, 7327. It was a long, annoying drive to NASA. When we arrived we were welcomed by our trainers who had been working with us over the past month. One by one, I saw families come saying their goodbyes to their kids and loved ones, who they would never see again. Some looked older, and some younger.

"All astronauts going on project #2543, please make your way to the spacecraft."

The voice was male and strong. The message repeated more than 5 times before everyone was on board. I looked over at Edwin before she walked into another part of the spacecraft where she would be with another 100 commanders, engineers, and trainers. She gave me one last smile before I wouldn't see her face for another 200 years.

The voice spoke once again, repeating over and over.

"Everyone, please be patient till your trainer arrives to shut your pod and release the gas."

I laid down on the white padded bed. My dirty blonde hair scattered and tangled across the pillow tilting my head up, my arms became frail and rested by my sides.

"Goodbye," I whisper to myself.

The man came over to my group of pods, I watched as one by one as each closed with the simple sound of "thump"—the sound of the giant pod closing—followed by a quick "click"—the button of the gas released. I watched as smiles turned to expressionless humans and eyes closed rolling back ever so slightly.

"Thump, click." Repeated 4 times, then once more when it reached me.

"Thump, click."

I looked up at the pale males face, brown dark hair, and green eyes more vibrant than grass. A horrible stench came over me, as my vision became blurry then black, my eyes rolled back.

"Goodnight." the soft voice whispered.

I tried to make a squeal but at this point, my body too weak to move at all, my vision was gone, and my sense of feeling, touch, taste, and smell had disappeared.

"I became the start of something new."