Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter nine

Chapter NINE

Autumn

Wednesday, New Year's Eve.

Well, this is it. Tonight we will know who the 200 chosen families are and life can begin to get back to normal.  I've started putting in my college applications for the New Year and Mom and Dad are proud to have their first child continuing on with their education, go me.  We really are lucky compared to most.  My Mom and Dad didn't come from wealth and didn't have the option to go to college when they were young.  I don't know all the details, but Dad received a lot of benefits from his first real job and then he met mom.  They turned it into more money and then they both took turns going back to school to be the successful people they are today, you see pretty inspiring. 

Anyways, while I've been filling out endless questions, the other three kiddos have to get ready to go back to primary school on Monday.  I figured that Kyle would be partying it up for his last week of freedom, but he has actually just been hanging around the house with us.  Heath and Hannah have still been fighting pretty much every day, except when Hannah is busy saving anything with four legs or Heath is locked in his room building who knows what.  Mom and Dad were talking about us taking a summer trip to the beach or anywhere near a large body of water and few people.  It's kinda funny, but ever since our last part of the assessment we have all had this craving to be in nature that actually has some wildlife and plant life.  There aren't really a lot of vacation spots left that are open, natural and free from the infestation of people, save for  an expensive few. If we all save and contribute some over the next six months, mostly Mom and Dad, we can go for a short get-away though.  So that is something to look forward to at least, I know after tonight Kyle and Heath will be heartbroken for a while.  No one remembered anything from the last part of the assessment or for hours after if you want to get technical. I'm not surprised, but I'm glad the rest of my memory seems to be intact.  I read through most of what I've written and it all felt the same, I'm so relieved. 

It is getting close to the announcement time and we are all hanging around the living room portal, distracting ourselves in any way possible. Everyone is acting anxious even though the odds are against us, but I know we aren't the only ones.  The streets have been empty for hours and the portal has been nearly silent, everyone is waiting to see if they, or someone in their family, or someone they know has been chosen. 

"I can't believe we are staying up to watch the announcement with the kids. You know we should both be in bed before work tomorrow." Mom comments to Dad like we can't hear.

"Well I have to admit I'm kind of excited myself.  I wonder if we will know any of the chosen families Cat."  She hates it when Dad calls her Cat, so he usually does as often as possible.

"I doubt anyone from our state will be chosen, let alone someone we know, its 200 families out of everyone on the planet, professor Griff." Mom has her own nicknames. 

"Well, then go to bed, if you're so sure." Dad responds less amused. Mom doesn't say anything after that, but doesn't leave either.  She must be, at least a little, curious.

It's almost twelve now and we've all slowly shifted to the couch in the living room.  They never really specified if the announcement would be right at midnight or tomorrow morning, they just said New Year's Day.  So it would be pretty sad if everyone gave up their night out and stayed around a portal for the announcement, when it isn't happening until 3 pm tomorrow or something. I can't seem to sit still and no one is feeling very talkative...let's get this over with. The countdown begins finally....until it's 3...2...1...

12 :00!!!

Unlike all the other announcements for the mission, this one starts off with trumpets blaring and some kind of 4D fireworks shooting out of the portal, it's amazing! It's the same woman who usually speaks, except she is dressed in a festive uniform and has more make-up on, what a difference. She is smiling and laughing amidst the beautiful combinations of colors surrounding our portal in the living room.  It really is a spectacular show, Heath and Hannah haven't moved an inch since it started, and even Mom and Dad are captivated.