Crossing The Mental Line

Chapter 2: From One World To The Next

As Val packed her bag and left for the run-down chemical adversity reaction device,(CAR) she knew that when she left her house, her life and her personality would never be the same again. It would be a total new world, where people lived competitively, competed for life, money and love.

"Never forget us, Val. Come back, even if you have failed in the competition. Do not migrate elsewhere. I know that after the competition, everyone who succeeded in being chosen would be given a chance... to live elsewhere, whereas the winner will get to travel whenever he or she wishes to travel. Please, return home first, see us, then leave to travel, if you're the winner." Her mother pleaded.

Val nodded curtly, as she knew her mother only wanted her to come back because she would already be the pride of her country; also a tool for her mother to boost her popularity. Her father and sister, on the other hand, just hugged her silently. They spoke no words, for words were not needed in the exchange.

"Yes, mother. I will return. I cannot guarantee my safety, for the act of going into this game, is already dangerous. However, I will try my best to do what I can, to make Britaim as proud as they can be. Good luck in your endeavours without me, Mother. I sincerely hope you will look forward to my return." Val stated, the last sentence targeted straight at her mother.

"That will depend absolutely on the manner of your return-- whether you were successful or not." Her mother added, totally contradicting her previous statement.

Val inwardly rolled her eyes and left the house, her sister smiling forlornly at her sister, who was wise beyond her years. The little girl, however, did not know that her role in her sister's world would play such a big part in the future.

Val soon arrived at the abandoned CAR.

"Are you Miss Valerie?" The driver asked. He seemed kind and a little older, but nonetheless still dangerous. In that world, every acquaintance you meet is dangerous.

Unlike from year 2000 plus, most acquaintances don't harm you unnecessarily and most just ask you for directions. In 3847, you need to know each direction by the back of your palm. If not, your safety is not on the "safe" line anymore.

"Yes, sir. I am headed to Singapore. I was told that is where we are competing."

"Singapore? No, dear girl. Singapore is too safe for competition. Singapore is just a checkpoint. You won't be travelling to the competition in this CAR. It's by an airplane. Not that many of those things still work, but it would do. You are competing in Switzerland, genius. If Britain's smartest student is you, I have no clue how dumb the others are."

Not so kind after all, huh.

Val, being the calm person she is, kept silent. Inside of her was a bubbling cauldron, a devious witch waiting until the potion was mixed well enough to pour it out of her. The only thing was, Val never allowed that potion to be mixed up.

The CAR drove off, its rusty steel tires screeching against the metal roads of Britain.

"Stupid metal. Why can't they put tar?"

"Dear sir, it's because the government does not want to contribute to climate change.

Another mistake from any country would seriously cause another world war." Val stated simply, hoping the uncle driving her around did not feel offended.

The man just scoffed, allowing himself to launch a tirade of verbal abuses.

If Val had her earphones, she would have stuffed those small items into her ear and used the noise cancellation function to block out whatever the man was saying. Unfortunately, she just absorbed the information and her mind drifted off somewhere else.