Reign

Chapter 1

The rooster crowded as the darkness faded away. Only if along with the darkness of the sky, the darkness of life faded away. My name is Zyla and this is 3040. A time period where our ancestors thought freedom would be everything, no more discrimination, no more living life under control, but the opposite happened. The world has one government, what used to be the US is the center of control, where the 3 presidents live. Each continent is one, with no separate nations. None have a name but go by numbers. Crimes that should only have the guilty imprisoned now have them executed. The thought of going against the government is unthinkable. Each year 10 16-year-olds are sent to the metropolis against their will to become government men and women. Nobody knows what happens there but rumors are that they break you. December 15th the day government officials will show up and drag you out of your home, to force you into becoming a monster. I turned 16 one week ago. I can't bear the thought of leaving my dad and little brother, Odo here. After Mom was executed for a crime he didn't commit right in front of dad's eyes, he had been broken. I became Odo's parent and the "man" of the house, you could say. Tomorrow is the selection, and tonight will most definitely be a sleepless night for me.

As the rooster crowed, my eyes slowly opened only to find Odo with tears running down his face.

"Odo, what's wrong," I questioned

"What if they choose you, y-you could die in training o-or get punished, what would Dad and I become," he exclaimed.

"Odo, we live in the biggest continent of reign. The odds that I would be picked are extremely low. They choose experienced fighters, I only know what dad taught me and even if I got picked, I wouldn't stop fighting because I will never, do you hear me, never leave you alone."

The rules of the selection are that you must be dressed as if it was a celebration, you are to only spend 10 minutes with your loved ones before you are dragged off to become a government slave. What happens in the training is unknown, what they do, what they say, nobody knows except government officials who conduct training, and government slaves or as they call it, the "civil servants", who have been through it themselves. Training is a year and 35 or fewer people of the 70 16-year-olds who go through, make it out alive. As Odo got ready I woke up dad.

"You need to get out of this, if things go sideways and I get picked, you have to be there for Odo, he's only 10, be the father you couldn't be after Mom. Promise me," I told him.

"I-i promise," he stuttered.

As Odo came out of the bathroom, I gave him a small smile and went to get ready. As I stood under the warm water of the shower, millions of thoughts raced through my mind.

"What would happen to Odo without me, he has food, shelter, but emotionally would Dad be able to support him?"

"What if he goes back into depression or denial, he recently got out, how would Odo deal with that?"

Millions of more thoughts ran through my head just like that, but I couldn't think like that. I had to believe that I wouldn't get selected. This one day decided whether my life would completely change or if everything would stay the same, and I could forever be there to protect my family.

Once the family was ready, we opened our door to find a breakfast basket. On the morning of the selection, the government provides food for each family. I did not have much of an appetite but I knew if I didn't eat Odo wouldn't. I served everyone breakfast, the only sounds audible were the wind blowing and the faint sound of our chewing. The clock hit 10 and no government officials showed. I took a long breath of relief and as I was about to address Odo and tell him that they didn't pick me, our doorbell rang. Mom opened the door, Odo's eyes filled with tears, Mom's with fear. The government officials came inside.

"Miss.Zyla Hunter, you have been selected as one of the lucky 16-year olds to become a government civil servant, you have 10 minutes to settle all affairs and say your goodbye. You have no need to pack anything. We will be waiting outside."

Once the door closed. Odo burst into tears and Mom fell to the ground.

"Odo, Odo listen to me. I promise I will stay alive I will fight for you. You need to promise me that you will take care of yourself. Promise Me!"

"O-ok, I promise," he said through his never-ending tears.

I gave Dad a look,

"Remember your promise," I told him.

"Miss.Zyla Hunter, it is time to depart," the government officials said.

I took a deep breath, gave Dad and Odo and a big hug and a meaningful look, and opened the door. It was time to go.

A/N Hey! Thanks for trying my book, add it to your library if you like it. Vote please, don't be a silent reader!