Chapter One – Sixteen Years

 

Sixteen years ago today, along with 99 others, I was born. As a baby, I was tested on. Well technically speaking I was tested on before I was born. But then again I wasn't really born. Anyway, because of that, I can shape-shift. It's cool I guess, but it means I have to prove my freedom. When we turn 16, six are chosen to live on a secluded island in the war zone for six months. They're held for two months before being released into the island. Almost no one knows why and no one who knows ever tells. But it might not be me, it probably won't be. If I'm not chosen, I live the rest of my life in a place called Factory, creating generations and generations of babies like me. Well, I'm not a baby, but you get what I mean.

 

So those who are put on this island purely have to survive. There are no rules. Which means if someone wanted to, they could kill you. There's no privacy, as the world watches you. Most people come out alive, but every now and then there's a bad egg. I remember when I was twelve there was some psycho girl who killed every one. She ended up killing herself before she was released.

 

Today is my sixteenth birthday, and today we will learn who will be chosen. All my life I have been training for this moment, along side 99 others. Today I find out if it was worth anything. I run a brush through my blue mop of hair and grab my bag. It's not a girly hand bag with make up and that stuff, it's a black satchel that holds my throwing knives and my phone. It's old, handheld but it's the only thing I could get my hands on. I message Marcus.

 

Mary: Meet me in the cafeteria?

Marcus: Sure, be there in 2 babe x

Mary: Don't call me babe

Marcus: :3 x

 

Egg salad sandwiches, coffee, and an apple makes for a normal breakfast in the Factory. I sit down at a table near the back.

“Hey.”

I look up from my tray and see Marcus.

“Big day,” he says. “You ready?”

“Yeah, I guess.” I reply. “You gonna eat anything?”

He shrugs. “Not hungry.”

I sigh, and look at the clock. “We better get going.”

I stand up, he grabs my hand. I look at him.

“You're strong, you know? So you'll be okay. If you get chosen.”

“Yeah, says the guy who can fly.” I chuckle.

Marcus has powers similar to an old super hero called “Superman”, he was pretty popular in the old world. Marcus looked me dead in the eyes, he was frowning

“I'm serious, I care about you.”

“I know, I care about you too.”

I squeeze his hand and look into his neon green eyes. He looked terrified. This was the first time I'd ever seen him scared, it made me even more terrified.

 

Marcus and I head through the Factory.

“Guys! Wait up!”

We turn around and see our best friend Jacob.

“Thought you were gonna get away without saying goodbye?” he smirks and ruffles Marcus's blond locks.

“It's not goodbye, we'll see each other again.” Marcus claims.

“Yeah, I guess...” Jacob's smile faded.

I rest a friendly hand on his shoulder.

“Well, I gotta go catch up with George, see you guys later. And that's a promise.” he smiles again.

 

 

We walk down the too-white corridor, and stop as it parts.

“This could be good bye...” Marcus says.

“No,” I whisper. “I promise.”

“I... I love you.”

“I know.” I sniff back a tear. “I love too.”

He pulls me into his chest and hugs me. I hug him back. The speakers above us beep.

“Subjects 601-700 please report to the selection rooms now. Girls to room 1, boys to room 2. Subjects 601-700 please report to the selection rooms now. Girls to room 1, boys to room 2.”

I look up “Bye.”

“Bye, good luck.”