Chosen At Random

Chapter 2

Once we march into the large, pretty square they have us stand in order, the younger ones in front and the older ones to the back. Boys to the left and girls to the right. They have signs strung between the tallish buildings that say "20th annual exam period!" or "you are participating in the 20th annual exam! Smile!"

They heard us all inside, packing us together so tightly we can hardly breathe, much less run. I bite the inside of my cheek, something I do when I'm nervous and a habit I need to correct. Mayor Potter comes out onto a gaudy looking stage, greets us and starts a speech about how we are so lucky to have such a marvelous city. By then I stop listening and move on to more interesting things.

"-And now ladies and gentlemen the moment you have been waiting on. I have to my left, the most advanced computer this side of the world has ever seen. To my right, a copy of the former. In it, there are the names of every teen in this country. We will be selecting two boys and two girls from this city by narrowing the criteria down to the city of Darcaster. Please remain silent if your name is called."

He presses a few buttons on the boy’s machine and everyone holds their breath as thousands of names flash across the big screen on the stage but it finally slows, deciding on two names.

"And the lucky boys are... Kellin Salvatore and Nathyn Hydeman!"

The crowd parts away from a tall, black haired boy whose tan skin is paling more and more by the second and gripping the shoulder of a younger looking boy with a handsome face in desperation. Soldiers walk over to him, confirm their ID and escort them up to the stage. Poor unfortunate souls.

"And now for the girls!" Mayor Potter, (Yes, Izabelle’s father) Says loudly into the microphone and pushes the buttons on the other computer. The names flash across the screen and I hold my breath. Two names comes to stop on the screen. I can't breathe.

"Cassandra Kenton and Romelda Vane!"

The crowd moves away from me and one other girl but I hardly look up, trying to figure out how, from hundreds of girls I am one of the ones who got the death sentence.

The soldiers walk over, look at our student ID and push us to get me moving toward the stage. I walk slowly, feeling every eye on me as I slowly climb the steps onto the stage. What is mother going to do when she finds out?  The girl glances at me but I keep my eyes trained on the ground in front of me. Mayor Potter smiles at me gleefully. I'm his least favorite in the whole town because his daughter had given such shining reports of our relationship. Two burly men shove me, the girl and the boys behind the stage as the other soldiers clear all the teens from the square and sends them back to their schools or homes.

"Stay here. You’ll be dealt with presently."

We sit in the hard, uncomfortable chairs by the doors and wait for someone to get us. I look over at the taller boy, "How old are you?" He looks at me, seeming uncomfortable.

"18. You?"

"I'm 17."

"Ah."

It's silent until the girl starts crying, trying to hide her face with her hands.