In Another World

CHAPTER 9

Province 7 ; Austrium

Mars, Solar System #19

A jolt in my body wakes me up to a very confusing start.

The setting is unfamiliar. It's not the urban test, but it's not Dr. Sutton's room, either. It's an actual bedroom. Feels like I haven't been in a real one for a long time, but to think, it's only been around a week.

No one is with me. I'm on a bottom bunk bed. There's a nightstand next to me, but that's really the only furniture in the room.

I step onto the floor. I'm in the clothes I was wearing during the test, including the denim jacket.

Wait. The number on the bullet. "One". What was that?

And then I realize it. That was my ranking. I try not to scream of happiness. I made it. I am on Mars.

What about Mom? What about Theo?

I open my bedroom door. An enormous cafeteria spreads out in front on me, filled by all the people who have made it to Mars and beautiful sunlight streaming through the windows.

There's too many people to look for Mom and Theo. I start to panic. They had to have made it. I can't be here without them.

There's a tap on my shoulder.

"MOM! THEO!" I hug them both, squeezing them until they choke.

"I'm so proud of you, baby! You made the top ranking!"

I hug them even harder.

"Who cares? All that matters is that we all made it here. We're here on Mars. We have a new life," I say excitedly. I pull back, look at both their happy faces, and hug them again.

"I made #2. You one upped me," Theo says while laughing.

I pull back again, this time to look at Theo by himself. I kiss him faster than he can comprehend. A huge smile spreads across both our faces. I don't even care that Mom is making gagging noises.

"I love you, loser," I mutter.

"Me too," he whispers.

Then I see him. He's behind Theo in the line to get food. My mouth drops. "Wait... where are we?"

"We're in a hotel on Mars, sweetie. People who have came here already established a colony. They even found some folks who are from Mars. They're people, just like us."

That does all the explaining for me.

I run up to the boy behind Theo, ignoring him and Mom calling after me. He's facing away from me, so I tap him on his shoulder.

I try my hardest not to burst into happy squeals when his pale blue eyes meet mine. He looks alive and well. He is an actual, real person, and he lives on Mars.

He looks at me like I'm a weirdo. Right. He doesn't know me in this world. That was only my head.

Don't worry. I told you I'd explain after the whole thing was over, and now I will, I tell him silently.

Out loud, something else comes out of my mouth, not an explanation, as I stick out my hand in greeting.

"I'm Emerson. What's your name?"

He hesitates, but holds out his hand, clasping mine.

"I'm Trent."