Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter one

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CHAPTER ONE

Autumn

They've been advertising for months:  Get in shape; start studying; start getting your applications ready; everyone has an equal chance of being recruited for this adventure.  It's a bunch of crap, if you ask me.  I don't even think they are going to choose anyone or, if they are, they have already decided from some perfect, rich families that have the best tutors and trainers money can buy.  I didn't even want to put my section of the application in, but Kyle insisted we get ready and apply.  He is convinced we are exactly what they are looking for and has a completely different view of the whole "mission" and what life is really like.  Sorry, but I tend to take the more realistic side of things in the family, which is why I'm always taking notes or writing things down so I have all the facts.  Maybe I should start with some introductions, so that you can see why I think my family would be the last family chosen for this, "for our future mission." 

First, there's me, of course.  My name is Autumn and I am 18 years old.  I just graduated high school and I'm getting ready for college with no real goals besides to have fun and learn as much as I can.  I love to read, write and usually take the place as the family mediator, because I'm good with facts and details. 

My brother, Kyle, is 16 years old and he is the family dreamer.  He is athletic and considered good-looking I guess, but has never really had an interest in girls or studying; he just wants an adventure and to experience everything he can from life. You probably guessed we don't agree on a lot, but we really are close and share pretty much everything with each other.  We have this unusual balance when he is being too carefree and I'm being too stiff, that we just meet in the middle and it works out better for both of us. 

I also have two younger twin siblings that are thirteen, a boy and a girl.  But, man, they are less like twins and more like rivals. They are at that awkward phase where they just hit puberty, and they don't want to be treated like children any more. God, it's awful! They fight constantly!  And it's funny because they are exactly alike.  But if you tell them that, good luck to ya.  I don't really know who they will become since they are still growing, learning and changing, but I have my theories.  Hannah is my animal soul and connects with most wildlife naturally.  She feels things deeply and can be sensitive, but she has an aggressive side I've seen a time or two when she is defending her brother or beating him up, it just depends.  Heath is also sensitive, but complicated.  Sometimes I think he doesn't care at all about something, or anything for that matter.  But then he will make a very intuitive comment that lets me know he cares in his own way.  There aren't really any loners in our family, but Heath is the one that prefers the most distance from us, that's for sure. 

My mom and dad are typical parents who struggle with daily life and just want the best for their four children.  They both work and always have, so we've all gotten used to splitting up and taking care of the household tasks.  There is definitely no housewife or maid in our home.  My mom is successful and hard-working.  I've heard people comment how she makes more than my dad, and I don't know how my dad feels about it, but they've definitely never discussed the finances with me.  My dad is very friendly and everyone always likes him, but then he is also hard-working in his own way.  He just usually goes about things at a less stressful pace than my mother.  They aren't all lovey-dovey or anything, but I'm pretty sure they are happy and love each other.  I mean, they have been together for a really long time. 

We also have two dogs, Nook and Nala. They are Siberian huskies and are pretty much the family protectors....and, conveniently on occasion, handy garbage disposals.  We have had them since I was ten, so eight years now, and I'm pretty sure they think they are people who absolutely must be included in all family activities. 

Well, that's my family.  And, like I said before, Kyle was convinced they would choose us.  "How could they not with those awesome credentials?"  That was sarcasm, by the way.  I use it a lot if you haven't noticed yet.  But, I mean, come on....they're only choosing 200 families out of the whole wide world and, let me tell you, everyone is applying. 

Here are the basic application requirements: You must be a family with a minimum of 3 members applying and with a maximum of 6 members. (Another reason Kyle thought we would be perfect) You cannot apply if you currently have pending trial charges or are already serving time. (It's okay if you have had past convictions or are currently on probation; I found that interesting)  No one applying can be diagnosed with a terminal illness, serious mental illness or any contagious diseases. (It makes sense, why waste time if they are already dying, can't handle the trials, or could infect others)  Also, anyone with a physical handicap that would make them unable to compete cannot apply. (This took out the biggest chunk of people, because a maximum body fat percentage was also included before you could submit your part.  Luckily, my family has stayed in decent shape) You must have at least one male and at least one female applying. (So it can't be like all girls or all guys in a family because it might lead to an unfair advantage, I guess)  And then the final specification:  All members applying must be related genetically. (So it doesn't have to be your immediate family -- it can be your grandpa, aunt, uncle, cousin -- but they do have to be of your blood) So that's it, if your family can pass those six simple requirements, you can apply.  

I bet you've been wondering this whole time what exactly it is everyone in the world is applying for.  Why would they only choose 200 families that fit into those specific criteria? What does it matter what kind of shape we are in and why would we want to compete for only 50 slots in the first place? For that tiny hope against hope that we might be chosen for a mission, an adventure they call it sometimes, that will change the rest of our lives forever and shape human history at the same time. Why, you ask? Because we are going to be the first families to live in the colony they have finally completed after 50 years of development. We are going to expand the human race, leave everything we have ever known behind and start over to build a whole new life while the whole world we left behind watches...on Mars.

(((**Chosen.** is a passionate writing idea i've had for long time, intertwined with real world issues that I believe will need to be addressed one day, in one way or another.  I believe our future lies in the hands of the youth, right now, and we just have to be brave enough to stand up together and make a difference.  I hope to do more than just entertain with my writing, I want to make you think deeper....even if it's only in a small way. Thank you so much for reading!!)))