Hostage

The Chosen

I awoke with a start.

Fox.

"Fox?" I called, noticing how shaky I was.

"Yeah?" She answered sheepishly.

Oh thank God. It had been another dream.

"Just . . . Making sure you're okay." I answered, running a hand through my dark hair and feeling numb all over.

Dreams such as these had been coming to me quite often now.

The Organization had been giving out new pills, but something was different about mine . . . They looked the same, but no one else seemed to be seeing things, having strange dreams, or feeling weaker. They just went along with it, and that bothered me.

I lugged myself over to where Fox sat, in the dark, peering out a crack. A tear mark forced its way down her face, and I sat down and breathed deeply.

"You okay?" We asked simultaneously.

Fox answered first. "Jet . . . You know you're my best friend, right?" She asked with a tired expression.

"Yeah, 'course I do, Fox. Why wouldn't I?" I answer, a confused look covering my face.

"Just making sure." Fox smiles wearily. "Now, what's wrong?"

"I uh . . ." I couldn't make the words come out. "I had a dream . . . And you were there. I just wanted to be sure it was a dream." I murmured.

"Don't worry Jett- I'm fine. You're fine. Everything's okay." She said softly, taking my hand in hers. She smiled up at me weakly, and her eyes shined.

"You're right. Thanks, Fox." I smiled back at her reassuringly, my heart still racing from the vivid dream. I squeezed her hand, and then I just looked around.

To my left-
•A small plastic table, not big or durable enough to be used as a weapon.
•A beaten-up cardboard box, filled halfway with raggedy blankets.
•A good one-fourth of my fellow freaks.

To my right-
•A wall with a barely noticeable crack in it.

In front of me-
•a large metal door, with light shining through on all sides.

This was it.

I had my plan, all I had to do was wait for the Battles to begin.

Let me explain why- Once the Battles had begun, no one would expect the hostages to break free. If we could blend in, it was our ticket to freedom. I had already hijacked the security cameras to go off at the press of a button on my collar; it was amazing what you could do while no one payed attention.

I had everything ready- now all I had to do was wait, and get Fox ready.

I looked back at her then; her breathing was even and she seemed to be asleep. I shook her softly, and she awoke with a start.

"Is it time?" She asked quickly, looking over at me.

"Almost. All we have to do now is wait for the Battles to begin." I explained, my voice grim.

"Have they claimed the Chosen yet?" She asked, relaxing slightly.

"No, but it should be any minute now."

"Great, the sooner the better."

It was that moment I heard the heavy metal door being pushed open, and the click-clack of dress shoes against the cold floor.

"Roads, Pine, Wheat, Bleu, Fox, Sloan. Gather your belongings and be in the Arena by noon." The man droned, then tucked the paper back into his tailored suit.

Not again.

Not Fox.

This is their doing.

I flew to my feet before Fox could stop me.

Screw the plan.