The United Territories

Chapter 1

It was the late afternoon, the haze was finally clearing up.It was very common to experience hot dry spells in the metropolis of Portland, Oregon. The sunsets were extrodinarily beautiful during the November - January period, and usually the temperatures will decrease by a couple of degrees but the effects were greatly felt due to the always extreme temperatures.
Hiro was sitting at his typical spot on the K&R building, it was situated near the outskirts of the city and overlooked the Great Pacific Northwest Desert's sunset. He waited everyday at 3 o'clock in the evening for his bestfriend Jinsoo. It was their daily routine to sit and watch the sunset and then, when the sky goes dark and the city lights up, they both race on the rootops of various skyscrapers, everyday to a new district of the city.
Things have changed within the past three decades, it is currently 2050 and all living organisms on earth felt the great impact of global climate change. Due to the ignorance of the global leaders such as China and The United States of America the world fell into a sinkhole of destruction. The average global temperature is now 20 degrees Celsius, sea level has risen by fifty meters since 2020, mass desertification around the globe and there have been over ten thousand extinctions of species including the Panda, Tigers and Koalas.
The governments of different territories of the world decided to poole resources and become five super-nations. They are: The Unified Americas, The Northern Alliance, The Waters of Asia, United Sahara and finally The Earth Enders. Antarctica has been transformed to a completely fertile continent and feeds 90% of all the Territories population
The United Nations has been renamed to 'The United Territories'. Overpopulation is the greatest problem that is faced by all territories. That's why there are special laws in place like the ''Conservation Law" which states that "Any city that has a population of more than 20 million citizens must hold an annual test that will chose 5% of the population at random and have them eliminated. Those legible must be fifteen years and older, and therefore children are unaffected." . This year it is Hiro and Jinsoo's first test and the announcement was to be broadcasted tonight, explaining the date, venue and rules of the test, so tonight their race was to Downtown, Portland. Downtown, Portland is the buisiest district of Portland and consist of some of the tallest megalithic structures as well as major buisness and international headquaters.
"BANG!" , Jinsoo opened the red fire escape door on the roof "I'm here!" she announced with a big smile beaming from her face
"What the keck happened to you!" Hiro exclaimed in shocked, Jinsoo's straight black hair was tangled in a messy bun on her head and her signature, single hot pink streak dangled infront of her face. A part from that she had dust on her face and some bruises on her arms
"Oh its nothing", she shrugged off.
"JINSOO!" Hiro complained "you know what they say..."
" Yes, yes ,I know " she said "That the truth hurts..."
"But secrets kill." Hiro completed, "Good! Now tell me the truth"
"I was just in a small scuffle, thats all" Jinsoo insisted
"I know you better than that Jin " Hiro persisted
" Okay , Okay Fine!!" complained Jinsoo, "There were some bullies and they were taking rations from the homeless children"
"Jinsoo!" Hiro lengthened
"And you know how much I don't like bullies"
"Did they see you ?"
"No, I used my mask and covered my face"
"Well that's good, but next time call me", he said laughing
They both had a good laugh, sat down and talked about their typical day.
"We should go " Jinsoo proposed as she glanced at her watch. " It's getting late, the announcement is 6 o'clock and it will take at least an hour to race to Downtown.
"All right!" Hiro said with entusiasm
With the sun's final watch upon the city ,for the day, behind them, the sky turned a violet colour and small visible stars were outshined by the light pollution from the city. As anticipated, they arrives the Downtown's boarder. All the structures in the areaa were either too high or structurally impossible to conquer, so they took to the crowded streets below. The duo climb down the fire escape of the building and entered a narrow, dark alleyway
Hiro jumped down first and Jinsoo not too far behind. Carefully brushing back his blue tipped hair,Hiro ventured to the brightly lit, overcrowded sidewalk. A burst of conversations, vehicle noises, bright neon lights that hurts your eyes and flashing screens of advertisments, newsalerts, latest trends and global topics. They made their way forcefully through the sidewalk . People were on their nightly commute, some were on their phone, others window shopping and admiring the type of clothes that Hiro and Jinsoo was no where close to affording.
Jinsoo had never looked happier since her mother was alive. Jinsoo longingly missed her mother and wished to see her once more, her father's state was depleeted and does all he can to sustain Jinsoo and her 2 younger siblings. Her mother was the one who taught Hiro and her to roof race, along with Hiro's father. Her mother and Hiro's father were very close friends until the very last day of both of their lives. Hiro's father was also eliminated but three years prior to her mother's death.
Snapping her out of her daze was a red flash of light on all the screens on the street. The phrase " Pending announcement from The United Territories" shone on the screens. The aged face of the representing high councellor appeared. He possessed a gray bun on his head, his wrinkles defined his age and he wore a blue tuxedo. He said in a raspy voice.
"Dear citizens of The Unified Americas, as you know our world is dying and cannot support a very large amount of human life and therefore some of us must make the ultimate sacrifice to carry on the the human race. For those who are unaware, those under the age of fifteen are excluded from the elimination process" The councesllor paused and composed himsef, "The Earth Enders and other farming areas across the gobe are unable to manifacture sufficient food to all fifteen billion plus citizens. That is why The United Territories has decided to hold the test and elimination process tomorrow"
At this statement everyone in the crowd gasped, some pedestrians fell to the ground in tears and others had their mouth open to the ground.
"The announcement of names begin at 9 o'clock in every constituent of each district. Citizens are to gather at the allocated staged area. Unfortunately this year we have decided to eliminate 10% instead of 5% of the population, only for this annum and territory. This hence ends this announcement." With the teary eyed man's face dissapearing and the street was unsettled. Hiro and Jinsoo was shocked. Not only there was a higher chance for them to be killed but also there was little to no time to mentally prepare themselves for what was about to take place tomorrow.
Hiro wanted to cry but was interrupted by the ringing of his translucent phone. The word "MOM" appeared on the screen, as he accepted the call his mother's face filled the screen "Where are you?" she said with worry
"Downtown, Why?" Hiro questioned
"Is Jinsoo with you?" his mother asked
"Yes, what happen Mom?" this time Hio was scared, he had never seen his mother so concerned since his father was eliminated
"Both of you come home now,Jinsoo your father and siblings are here, We need to say our goodbyes, just incase"
With that the screen went blank, "I guess we should get going" Jinsoo said crying. Hiro was shocked, Jinsoo never cried, she's strong, she only cried once in her life and that was when she watched her mother taken away to be eliminiated infront of her face
That night was one of the saddest sights both of them had faced, tears were shed and confessions were made. In the morning , Hiro , Jinsoo and their families were gathered at the constituent's promanade. The triangular are had a charging bull statue which represented the peoples fighting spirit and determination. A stage area was set up and a podium at the left side was where the "Eliminator" stood. His eyes were fueled with fury and his tacktical wear fit him. He was strongly built and appeared fast on his feet.
"Ladies and gentlemen we are going to begin our call for those who are going to be eliminated . Those who choose to rebel at this point will be shot instantly with no hesitation. My advice to you is to willingly be escorted by your very own police officers." With sayiing that the Eliminator was handed a scroll and he began calling names. The Eliminator had a wicked smerk on his face as he called names, it was like he enjoyed watching people families fall apart
" Jinsoo Kyoto!" The name shot Hiro like a bullet. It felt like all time stopped. He turned to hug his best friend who had been through thick and thin with him but she was nowhere to be found. He looked around frantically in circles hoping to see her . Hiro ran out of the gathering crying.
Somthing caught his attention , up above, a girl with a single pink highlight in her hair was jumping from roof to roof with taller figure. Jinsoo was running away from the city and above all her mother was with her. Jinsoo leaped over the last building's roof out of his veiw and it was he last he ever saw of her.