Fearless

Chapter 3:

"Drake, wake up!"

My eyes open and I see mom. "Are you not going to go," she asks. I'm perplexed and ask her the time. "It's quarter to eight." I get shocked and get out of bed. "Quarter to eight?!" I ask. "Why didn't you wake me up before?" She looks at me and sighs, "I tried my best but you just didn't wake up." I don't know why but it's really difficult to wake up. I don't even remember when mom called me. "What're you thinking? Go freshen up," she tells and I quickly rush to the washroom.

I stand beneath the shower and then the first drop falls on me; cold; extremely cold. I let the cold water drain away all the terrible things that took place in my life till now, thinking of how I begin my life from today as fresh no matter what the decision be. I'm already predicting things. Things I have no interest in. Today my life will change. People will come up with different opinions about me — If I leave; I'm a betrayer and if I stay; I'm going to ruin them. It's so difficult to live when people keep making up things, speaking behind your back, telling how terrible you can be but in front just the outwardly smile that is so pleasant. Life won't give you a second chance, the words of father still ringing in my head like a gong struck near my ear. I know I won't be given a second chance so I have to get firm with my decision or end up dead.

"How much longer Drake? You are already late!" Mother knocks the door as she speaks. "I'm done, one minute," I reply.

I wear my clothes and comb my hair. I have never wished of looking my best before but today... I just know that I'm different. "Drake, done?" She asks again and I reply, "Yes."

We all leave the house together and walk down the stairs in silence. Today the ground is filled with people. I look towards my left and see Julie standing. She's wearing a pink jacket and has gotten her hair cut; short; really short. To my right stands Brandon who as always is trying to look his best. I don't know why but both of their faces tell me that this day is going to be the best day of their life. I just hope the same happens with me though I'm not thinking it will.

                                                                                              ***

We see three helicopter in the air. They land somewhere outside in the wilderness, somewhere far from our sight. After about ten minutes we see some people coming towards us; Steffi and two henchmen. She whispers something to the left henchman and then he gives her the keys. She then opens the lock of the first door. She stares at the inside one as she expects our leader to open it. "Johnson," one of the older people call out and he comes out from somewhere inside the crowd. Johnson is from apartment C and is the head of our society. He has all the rights he can get from the higher society- he is even provided with extra food and also decides of how the distribution of food takes place. Even from the food given for all, he takes up the most for himself and his apartment.

The other two helicopters leave, with such immense speed, drifting the sand away from them; creating a sandstorm. One of the henchmen get's a microphone , looks like they've kept all their requirements somewhere nearby.

Steffi clears her throat and begins, "Good Morning!" nobody except Johnson greets back. "Come on," he calls out to the rest and all of us in a monotonous tone wish her back. "So today as you all know is the deciding day." She stops and first looks at kids who are seventeen; probably. Then fixes her sight at me. "Those who wish to bring a change in their lives please take a step ahead." I look around to see how many are there and I'm quite surprised when I see a lot of them have already taken a step ahead.

I am not familiar with many of the faces, actually all of them except Julie's and Brandon's. One thing I know for sure is that all the kids are from Apartment C; none of them come out of their houses or the apartment as a whole, I don't know why? Probably shy or something and that's the reason why I don't know them. They aren't very social but today after seeing them, I'm scared now, even more than I was before. Their broad and strong biceps and the height shows they've been preparing themselves for this day.