Chapter 4

2 days later

I open my eyes praying I can go back to sleep, I know today is the day, today the racers will be chosen.

I roll over in face plant  into my pillows groaning

"Get up daughter" my mom sticks her head in my room

I pull myself out of bed

We have to be in the center of the dome in less than an hour

{~~~}

Once I've showered I put one my clothes, were meant to dress up for this, why dress up for such a gloomy event? You tell me because to me it seems like some kind of torture

I stare at myself in my blush pink dress, I hate wearing these types of clothes I feel like a foreigner in my own body. My long wavy red hair drapes over my shoulders, I take two thin pieces at opposite sides of my head, I braid them until they meet each other. I usually don't wear makeup, but today I do, my mouth hangs open as I apply my mascara, I add a bit of blush and rub vaseline across my lips. It's amazing how you can make almost any product form before by using natural ingredients.

Knock, knock

My mom opens my bedroom door

"Come now it's time" she says

My mom and dad always act so strong on this day, I cannot imagine the fear they face thinking about there child being sent beyond the dome.

I walk out of my room and see my little brother, he's practically shaking today will be so hard for him.

Together as a family the four of us leave are home.

{~~~}

Once we arrived to the center Amani and I are separated from are parents and lined up with the rest of the possible racers.

Alexander stands beside me, his wife is not with us because she's expecting a child, the council won't send pregnant people into the race.

We stand in front of a screen waiting

"In team 1, Jasmine Steel, Marley Burke, Alice Preston and Peter Blake"

The first team is announced and the chosen walk forward, with each name my heart sinks lower. I take hold of my little brothers hand he holds mine tightly, I reach for Alexander's hand and he pulls his away.

I pay little attention to what he's just done as more and more names are called off.

"In team 6, Christopher Weston, Georgia Monroe, Dean Forest and Nova Levy"

"No, no!" I shout out

Mani grabs me holding his hand over my mouth "shh" he says

My best friends just been chosen and there's not a damn thing I can do about it.

More names are called off until they've reached the final team.

"In team 8, Cecelia Martinez, Treyton Lee, Rafael Bova and Azalea Archer"

"Did that just say my name?"

I look at my brothers who's faces have gone completely blank and seeing there complete shock, I know I've been chosen.

I start walking forward leaving my brothers behind

The screams and cries from most of the races sound like something from a nightmare, I look and see Nova she's completely calmed.

"tu pepole no puedes hacerme esto" Cecelia talks to herself in Spanish

A man and woman from the council walk towards us

"Congratulations races, you're about to do the most meaningful thing you can for your people." The woman says

"Before we take you to the training center you all get a chance to say goodbye to your families, let them know how happy you all are." The man says

They talk like there taking us on vacation

I turn around to see the family's have all been rounded up, I soon see my own.

I walk towards them all, first I hug my mom

"Come home to me" she runs her hand across my cheek "you will come home to me" this is an a question or a request.

"I will mama"

I then see Donna and Alexander

She pulls me in for a hug and whispers in my ear "do us all a favor and stay gone"

I pull back

Quickly my big brother pulls me close "I'm sorry bean, I've not been there for you for a long time now." He starts to cry, I've never seen my brother cry before "but I'm here now and I'll be waiting for you to come home."

"It's okay mi hermano, I'll be back"

I walk towards Armani, we hug tightly either of us say a word, because if we do we know we'll both be sobbing in a puddle on the floor.

I hug my dad he whispered into my ear "you've been prepared for this, use everything I taught you and I know you'll survive." He kissed my forehead and pulls away

"Come now racers it's time"