Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter 23

Chapter TWENTY-THREE

Stephanie Barloc Robinson- Texas

I click off the portal and force myself to focus on the daily schedule at hand, the Animal Clinic, which is very busy this week and needs my absolute attention. 

At first, I barely had any interest at all in all of this Mission nonsense.....but that was before my sister and her family were "Chosen." That was one of the biggest shocks our family has ever had to deal with. Yet even then, I never took things seriously about what this would mean and the big picture at the end of it. Now that they're in the midst of Trial 3, the reality is settling in....my...family...could...be... leaving....forever. (And so many pieces of my heart with them!) Ugh, "Get back to work, Steph!"

The day flies by and I manage to avoid thinking about what is happening on those isles for a couple hours at a time. On the way home though, I know I'll be turning on the portal and waiting impatiently for the evening rundown. Randal will probably find something else to do, but pretty much the whole rest of the world tunes in at 8-9 P.M. every night for the latest Trial highlights. They usually show all the most exciting clips of the day first and then show all the favorite families' progress, along with the latest rankings at the end. It's always an hour long, but sometimes it's so consuming and insane that, before I know it, it's over and I'm left worried sick for my family for the rest of night. Sometimes I think it would be better if I just didn't watch it, like Randal, but when the times comes I'm always turning it on and sitting on the edge of my seat.

It doesn't surprise me that my sweet family is one of the world favorites and there's typically time devoted to them on the recap, so that is another reason I feel like I have to watch it. Right now things seem to be going okay for them compared to what most of the other families are going through in Trial 3. They have grouped up with some of the other favored families and are somehow staying out of the frenzy happening all around them.

Last night we saw one family terminate after a particularly brutal encounter with the North Isle Villains (the nickname they've been given) and it makes me so angry that the scientists don't intervene. I mean, I know they've made it clear they are just there to observe throughout the Trials, and I know, of course, they won't let things get to the point of murder or death--so they say--but there are few times it's been so hard to watch that I have to cover my eyes.

I find myself praying constantly that my family is watched over and protected, and, thankfully so far, they've only had minor injuries. I'm still so worried, though, especially when I see how much weight they've lost in this Trial. Seeing them struggle for food like all the rest of the families has been very hard for me especially. I wish I could somehow send them an Aunt Steph home-cooked meal with lots of love in it to help power them through the rest of the challenge until they get rescued. But then, honestly, I'm not sure if I want them to make it, or if I'd rather them get sent home so we can put this whole nonsense behind us. Needless to say, this has been stressful for all involved, the families in the trial and ones left behind watching their loved ones struggling, starving and fighting for their lives. A piece of me is there with them.

As I click on the portal, I see an ad for T-shirts, hats and all kinds of different memorabilia for sale with the faces and names of the Trial favorites. It sickens me how much the UWG are capitalizing on the popularity of this dog-and-pony show. Although, I'm sure they're expenses have been astronomical for the Mission and any way to rake in some cash to offset the costs is done without hesitation.

The day before yesterday, I saw a few of my co-workers wearing the new "Barloc Strong, Bred Texas Tough" shirt. I mean, I'm proud of my family and all, but this has been so hard for me. Luckily, they know not to bring up the Trials around me, and I am thankful for that. Yet, I still hear the gossip that goes around, and it all seems pretty ridiculous, if you ask me. I guess Griffin has become some sort of silver fox that has many women rooting and swooning for him. Apparently, it's his take-charge attitude they can't get enough of. Autumn has also gotten a lot of attention, and now there are so many girls copying her curly side braid that she usually does. (Being her aunt, I know she does this to get her wild curls out of her face. But, hey, who can predict a new fashion trend, right?) Heath is also becoming quite the heartthrob for the younger girls because of his quiet, serious nature. I find it crazy how obsessed people have become with these Trials. I recognize now that even if they aren't Chosen that the Barloc family will definitely be celebrities when they get back, that's for sure. Life won't be the same for any of us, no matter what happens, really.