Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter 13: Part One

The Trials: Round One

Chapter THIRTEEN:  Part One

Autumn

01/05, Monday, Barloc Family Cabin, 6: 16 AM.

They have been fighting since the hologram ended on what we should do next, "Let's get a craft; we should study the book; we should split up with the map; we shouldn't work with other families;" and, "Maybe we should just start with breakfast," Hannah's idea.  I really don't know what I was expecting for this first day of the Trials, but a scavenger hunt was most certainly not on the list.

At six am, we were dressed and waiting in the front room of our cabin.  For once, none of us had any trouble waking up on time; that is, if they slept at all.  I kept waking up and freaking out like I overslept, and then eventually I just gave up trying. After we got back from our evening jaunt, I think we all realized the seriousness of the Trials and that this is definitely not a game.  Kyle tried to lighten the mood and get us pumped for tomorrow, but me and Hannah were pretty out of it and stayed quiet until they both finally crashed out.  When Mom and Dad came in at 5:30 to wake us, I was already dressed and sitting on my bed. 

The hologram appeared from the portal in the front room, which until just now wouldn't turn on or work for any of us.  It's the same woman looking very serious in her uniform, but I can tell underneath her outward expression that she is excited by the way she can't seem to stand still and how her voice keeps getting more shrill at times. 

"Good morning, chosen families.  I hope you were all able to enjoy your time on the Main Island yesterday and got a full night's rest, because the Trials have officially begun and will not be completed until the end of this month. I expect that will be the last night of good sleep while you're here at Mibhar Isles.  As you have been told repeatedly, assume everything from this moment on is a part of the Trials and that you are constantly being assessed."  She pauses, and the board from last night appears on the hologram next to her, "The rankings will reflect how closely our scientists are able to monitor every family's status and your moves here at the Islands. Every second, you should be trying to find a way to secure your family a slot for the mission because there can only be 50." I find our score again with my eyes....

186 - BARLOC FAMILY  

If the elimination was tonight, we would be going home with the other bottom 20 families on the list. I'm not sure how I feel about that after our little shock last night, but I can see Kyle hasn't changed his mind about the mission by his focused look right now.

She continues slowly, "This is not a vacation and should not be treated as one. In fact, this will be extremely dangerous, and I'm sorry to say that our staff will no longer be able to assist you with anything besides to continue to serve your meals at the scheduled times.  Which leads me to my next point, your camp on the Main Island is a Safe Zone and its running will remain the same for however long your family is here.  You will not be permitted to enter our camp on the other side of Main Island, as we have stated previously, unless accompanied by a staff member.  But our camp is a Safe Zone as well." I wonder what she means by 'Safe Zone,' but I do have an idea on how they plan to enforce it.

"You see, the Mibhar Islands used to be inhabited by the Mibharian tribe that survived quite well separated from the rest of the world with the resources that surround us.  They had some primitive methods and traditions, but most would be considered brilliant if you take into account their lack of technology and information of the outside world."  Images of barely-clothed warriors flash on the hologram behind her, along with their tribes, and then more images of tools and other items flash quickly.  Some look simple and obvious; others you wish would stay on the screen longer so you could study them more. I wonder what happened to them.