The Game

Taken

“On the day of the event a rule was declared. It stated that whoever thought of the game lost. In the space of a year that rule has been elaborated on in many different ways but after a while it all came down to one: DO NOT THINK.” – The Gamers’ Guide to Survival; Article A Page 1.

 October 6th, 2014

Manhattan New York, 8:55 am

Kaelyn

I maneuvered my way through the crowd of students looking for that familiar flash of bright red hair. My eyes darted in every direction scanning the crowd; my gaze not holding another’s for more than a few seconds. Phoenix where are you? I had lost track of her the moment we stepped out of her mother’s black sedan and made a move towards the lines.

“Kaelyn! Hey Kaelyn! Over Here!” yelled a familiar voice.

I turned my head in the direction that it came from and started scanning the crowd until I saw her. There she was, Phoenix, standing in the line, her arms flailing and her vibrant red hair blowing in every possible direction. Her piercing dark green eyes locked with mine and she motioned for me to come over.

I made my way towards her; stumbling with every step as I bumped into many of my classmates.

“How did you get so far up?” I asked as I approached her.

 She was only about five people away from the checkpoint.

 Instead of answering she smirked at me. She then grabbed my hand; her small bony fingers wrapping around mine before she pulled me in front of her. A chorus of “Heys!” filled the air and many people glared at me.

“Maybe I should just-"

“No,” replied Phoenix fiercely, cutting me off.

She then turned to face the remainder of the students behind us and gave them her ever so famous glare. Phoenix had a way with words and could make you do anything, and once you had a good look at her dark green eyes there was no going back. Silence reined the crowd and no one dared to speak up or retaliate. Smirking, she turned to face me once again.

“You know you didn’t have to-"

The look she gave me made me shut right up. She then took her phone out of her pocket of her grey jeans and starting texting, which was her way of saying that the conversation was now over.

 Phoenix was always looking out for me whether I liked it or not. She was a year older than me and had been my friend from the time I was 6 years old. Even though we had known each other for a while she didn’t really take up “the big sister role” until I arrived on her doorstep a year ago soaked from head to toe in rain water. That was also the day her mom had taken me in. I honestly don’t know what would have happened to me if she didn’t. Dark thoughts filled my mind; well they were more like memories. Memories of the event which left me parentless and memories of the days I had spent alone after it. If I had not found my way to her doorstep I would have probably died from hunger or hypothermia from the nights I spent in the rain.

“Next!” yelled a voice bringing me out of my thoughts.

I cringed slightly and walked towards the booth as quickly as I could, not wanting to face the wrath of the two men that were guarding the gates. I approached the guard at the desk and waited for him to give me permission to speak. He gave me a look which said to go ahead and I spoke.

“Kaelyn Winters; age 17,” I recited looking directly into the man’s dark brown eyes. He stared at me for a moment; his dark brown eyes peering into my very soul. I mirrored his action, refusing to be the first one to look away. A glint of amusement flickered in his eyes and his lips turned up ever so slightly in the corners. He smirked at me right before he looked at the other two guards; that was my cue to leave. I then walked over to the two burly men wearing dark blue uniforms. I stared at them expectantly my eyes darting between them both before settling on the taller of the two with his sky blue pools and his wispy blonde hair.

He motioned his hand towards mine and I took that as an indication to raise my sleeve. I slowly took off my plain black hoody revealing my grey undershirt. I then brought my left hand over to my right and pulled up the sleeve giving full exposure to the very reason that I was currently in this line; my tracker.

 I held out my hand to the guard and he moved the scanner up and down my arm. I stared intently at it and the memory of how it came to be hit me instantly. The shooting pain I felt which lasted a couple minutes and then the burning feeling that came afterwards. All of that took place before it appeared on my arm the next day. It resembled a barcode of some sort and it inhabited the arms of every person on this planet at the time. Soon after, the checkpoints appeared. Checkpoints were small booths that were manned by guards. One did the paper work from inside of the booth and the other two stood guarding the doorway to your destination. You would then have to present yourself to one and then allow the others to scan you tracker. These were built for two reasons: one, to keep track of people and two, to make sure you were who you said you were. It was not above people to steal identities. If your name matched, the scanner flashed green and you were free to go. If it didn’t, it turned red and you were taken to who knows where.

“Miss, you are free to go,” said the taller of the two guards. He then reached towards the small remote in his pocket, picking it up, pressing down on the button and opening the gate.

 I walked calmly through the gates; my eyes focused on the ground below me. My feet thudded lightly against the dirt and the wind blew slightly. I brushed my fringe out of my face with my hands and picked up my pace as I made my way across the courtyard. I hopped up the steps one by one and pushed open the glass doors so I could enter. When I stepped inside I was greeted by the familiar white tiles, long hallway and the huge banners with the overused school motto; “We can do it”.

Instead of going to find my locker, I moved towards a spot on the floor and sat down Indian style. I could feel the stares on me but I didn’t dare look up. You would think that they all would be used to it by now. This was a normal for me and Phoenix; we would never leave the other behind to walk alone.

I tucked loose strand of my light brown hair behind my ear and looked up, only to catch half of the school’s population staring at me. Realising that they were caught, they all turned back to their various groups and starting whispering; some even pointing at me and making gestures towards the door. I was not used to this much attention and couldn’t think of a reason that I should be in the spotlight. I forced myself to look down and started playing with the light green straps of my bag.

The sounds of yelling filled the air and various heads snapped upwards, including mine. Groups of students started rushing and pushing, trying to make their way outside to find the source of the sound.

I got up from my position and starting stretching before following the rest of the crowd out of the doors. When I finally made my way outside I was greeted by a crowd of people standing in the middle of the courtyard. I pushed my way through them all eager to see what was happening. Women’s rights clearly meant nothing to these people because I was shoved back by various boys.

 I stood up on the tips of my toes, craning my neck in an effort to see what was going on beyond the crowd. I jumped and the little I managed to see in those few seconds was enough. There was only one person in this school with bright red curls; Phoenix.

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A/n

Okay so I know I haven't updated in a while but it isn't my fault well maybe it is but anyways.So school started back last week Monday so I've been pretty busy.I'll try to update this every Saturday.Key work being "try".Btw the picture on the side looks kinda like their  trackers... so anyways enjoy :D

Makala :)