Atlas Towers

One.

The hills are spotted with red poppies, but they effortlessly fall into a seamless line of blood tainted thread, weaving throughout the tilted waves of green as I run over and through. I feel the wisps of my hair tangle in my eyelashes as the rest of my hair follows behind me, chasing me and kissing my ears.

"Eleanora"

The wind calls my name softly. I can feel her reaching for my hair, but she can't seem to grasp it. I brush the whispers off, I need to focus. I need to run. The flowers graze my ankles as I sprint far past. I can't seem to get far enough.

"Eleanora"

My name rings as the sky starts to grab for me, she's becoming aggravated. I can tell. I feel my body feel lighter and lighter, as if gravity suddenly became distant.

I'm not fast enough, I want to scream. I want the world to hear and know my frustration. I can't contain this all.

"Eleanora, where are you going?"

I want to grab my ears and try to somehow push away these voices that fill my mind to the brim. My feet suddenly are far from the green and red carpet beneath. I find my legs moving and running far far far, yet I am still. I'm hovering high over this sea of color, still.

I can't feel my legs beneath me.

"Eleanora!"

She's laughing now. Her tone is fire hot and ice cold. Her voice tastes like dark fall nights. I can feel the crunch of dead leaves echo as my name fills the air.

"Wake up, Eleanora!"

I'm jolt awake. Beads of sweat line my forehead. For a second, I'm not sure where I am. I feel as if I was taken away from my home, ripped like a bandage off a wound, and I'm left exposed and bleeding. I rub my eyes, trying to adjust to reality. Directly hovering above me is Eleanor. She's shaking my shoulders.

"Mag, is this really important? I was having one of those dreams again," my voice crackles, "good morning, I guess."

"Morning," she tugs at me, pulling me out of bed, "today is Fate Day, you got to get up and get ready! You know how important this is for us. It's everything." Her face lights up, but is shortly followed in fear.

"Oh yeah," I pause. I can't seem to find the words I'm searching for, "Fate Day."

One.
Two.
Three beats.

"Fate Day." Her voice follows mine, laced with an uncertainty. I feel it, too.

We've been anticipating this very day since we were born and put into the system. This day determines our lives. This day determines our careers, determines if we marry, determines who we marry, determines which floor we live on, and determines if we live or die. For some, this day represents a start to a life only those fortunate dream of, but for some this day represents a beginning to a quick end.

Maggie digs through the shared closet, searching frantically.

"Elle, I can't find my left shoe! Have you seen my left shoe?" She's so worked up, she begins to fall into a childish fit. Her temper swings back and fourth. She begins to sob in frustration. I notice the shoe across the room, neatly tucked under her bed.

"Hey Mags, you're okay. It's okay. Your shoe is right there," my finger directs her to her missing shoe. She scurries to it and pulls it on, a weight is visibly pulled off her shoulders. She looks up at me, tears glistening on her freckled cheeks.

"How are you so calm? I'm so scared."

"Because I know we have no control. There's no point in having fear. Whatever happens will happen. We've studied for this day since forever, Mag. You've always maintained some of the highest scores, you're the last one that should be worried. You're going to be fine. Maybe you'll make it to the Sky Floor!"