Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter three

CHAPTER THREE

Kyle

I don't know why I'm awake...but I know I couldn't sleep if I tried. I turned our application in last week and made sure it was received, a few times...... okay, seven. I don't know, I guess I just want to see the announcement go out that applications are closed and then do a good-luck dance after or something! I know, I know, I sound like an idiot. But ever since they sent out that first announcement to our local Government, it's all I could think about. My parents don't work for the local office or anything, but my little brother, Heath, does have some serious hacking skills at his age...and I have a job, so we make it worth each other's while.  But ever since then, I knew this was it, this was going to be my life.  I don't want to sound cliché or anything, but I don't belong here, I know it, and this is my chance. I just have to find a way to drag my family with me and win one of those 200 slots. Okay, I'll admit, not going to be easy. I look at the clock on my bed stand.

11:57 pm

Okay, close enough. I get up and head for the living room as quietly as I can.  Once I get to the couch I hesitate in the darkness for a second, and I realize Heath is curled up with a blanket already waiting.  Maybe he cares more about this than I originally thought.  No wonder he has been so supportive – okay, well not supportive, but not unsupportive.  We don't say anything because we both don't want to wake anyone, even though they probably are all lying in bed awake.  So we just give each other a look of understanding , and I sit down on the opposite end of the couch. 

Time is endless when it wants to be....

I check the clock on my watch, again.

12:00 am

A woman's face appears on the hologram of our portal, and just like I knew she would, she announces that the final applications have been received and that registering for the Mission is now closed.  To my surprise she adds:

"The rest of the application process will be announced tomorrow morning at 8:00 am.  Do not miss your assignment date or you will not be considered further. Good sleep to all, for our future."

Wait, what?! "Rest of the application process?"  Oops, that was out loud.  Heath shoots me a look, and I shrug.  What does he expect?  I worked forever perfecting our application. Trust me, our family is average and even more boring.  It took weeks of spicing that baby up.  Ugh, and I hate how they always end those things with 'for our future.'  They know whoever goes is never coming back to save this full, damaged planet.

"What do they mean, rest of the application process?!" I turn and see Autumn standing in the hallway outside her door.  Like I know any more than she does.  When neither of us responds, she comes to sit between us.  I think she must have just wanted to say it out loud, too.

We all sit in silence for awhile.  Nook and Nala come in and lay at our feet.  They aren't used to this much excitement at midnight in the Barloc home....when our parents are here, that is.  Heath is the first to get up and start walking back toward his bedroom.  Autumn calls goodnight after him, but he seems deep in thought and just continues on down the hallway without a word.

"Well, looks like they've got a few more questions before they make their decision," Autumn says, trying to get me talking.

"Yeah, I guess. I just wish I could get some more information on what they were looking for, so I could prepare somehow," I reply more to myself than to her.

"Yup.  Well, Heath already tried, and if he can't find anything....I mean, at least we know it's probably for real then," she adds after a moment.

"It's real, I have no doubt about that. And we are going!  I'm telling you, Autumn!  I know you think I'm crazy, 'Oh, Kyle you're such a dreamer', but this is going to happen. I can feel it in my bones." I practically shake her while I say that last part. She stares at me for a long second.

"For some reason, I think I might believe you.  I don't know, though, Kyle, this is crazy. Is this really what we want as a family?"  She gives me this searching look, and I can tell she's afraid.

Before I can argue with her that this is going to be the best thing to ever happen to us, her expression changes just as quickly and she responds nonchalantly, "What am I thinking?  We are never going to be one of the families chosen, so it won't even matter after the New Year. I'm going to bed, Kyle. You should get some rest, too. Obviously, we have an early day tomorrow."  Autumn quickly gets up and heads for her bedroom.

I sit there for a little longer, thoughts bouncing around in my head.  Autumn is like my conscience in a way, so I really try to consider what she said, even if she didn't want me to take it seriously. Is this what's best for our family?  No brainer, this is going to be the most epic thing to ever, ever happen to the Barloc family. If we get chosen for this thing, it's going to be the experience of ten – no, 100 lifetimes! Autumn worries too much sometimes, but I know she cares. That's just how she is.

Monday, 12/22  07:55 am.

We have all been awake and waiting in the living room for nearly an hour. Work has been delayed due to the unexpected announcement for the Mission today, so what else did we have to do but wait?

8:00 am

The hologram on the portal lights up and the voice begins, "We are pleased with all of the applications we received, but there is one final assessment we need to make and, unfortunately, it can't be done through the portal.  We have found a way to organize our scientists, manage our time frame and set up a temporary testing facility located within each of your primary government offices.  Each family will receive a scheduled date and time to arrive for their last part of their assessment.  If all family members are not present at your family's designated time period, you will not be considered further.  We thank you for your continued participation and enthusiasm for the Mission. These final assessments will be completed by the following Monday and then we will have all the data we need, so from there we can finish our analyses.  As previously stated, the 200 chosen families will be announced on New Year's Day. Do not worry about any unfair advantages or being pressured to reveal what your final assessment consisted of, you will have no memory of the event.  Please log on after this announcement and find your time for the last part of the application process.  Good luck to all, 'for our future.'"

Barloc Family:  Wednesday 12/24, 11: 00 pm.

Well, I don't know if I should consider it a good sign or a bad one, but it looks like we will be spending Christmas Eve getting tested and then wake up Christmas Day with no memory of what the hell happened.  This is going to be much harder than I anticipated....

'Sometimes, I wonder if we could go back to that night and decide whether or not to finish the Mission's application process....if we would.'

(((Hannah's perspective is coming up in Chpt 4.  And, remember, she's only 13, so a younger view of the Mission and everything going on. Wonder what the last part of the assessment will be?! :-) Hope you want to keep reading!)))