The Selection

by Jason J. Nugent

  CHAPTER 6

  Eron spent his free time at school in the library, researching the Selection. Despite poor grades in history, he actually enjoyed the process of discovery. Connor came in to the library and sat down at Eron’s table. Unable to find him at home after school, he figured Eron would be there.

  Connor tried to persuade him to go outside and enjoy the warm breeze. Temperatures stayed mild year-round with a month or two of warmer weather in midsummer. Lately, days were warmer than usual. Rumors spread it was a sign that Anastasia, the goddess for whom the planet was named, had declared it was time for the Selection. The Selection's timeframe was set in stone and not affected by changes in the weather or public opinion, yet people still whispered she was getting testy anyway.

  "Come on, Eron, you spend all your time in here. How do you think you're gonna stand up to Bello if your nose is constantly in a book?" Connor said.

  "Sorry, Connor, but I'm busy. I've got to know."

  "Got to know? About what? The Selection? Didn't you pay attention in school? Eron, we both know it's necessary and inevitable. Why bother worrying over something that's gonna happen whether we fully understand it or not? You're wasting your time. Bello's gonna kill you out there if you aren't ready."

  "Doesn't it bother you, Connor, knowing we might get killed? It's crazy! Nothing I've found tells me what happens during. Or after."

  Connor shrugged. "I'm scared, too, but so what? People die all the time. At least this gives you a chance to get back at Bello."

  "I can't believe you're ok with this. What if someone comes after you? Do you think you could kill another person? It's bizarre just saying it!"

  Connor hesitated. "Yeah, I think I could. I'd have to. I want paradise. I want my choice of a beautiful bride. To live happily ever after in a land beyond. Just her and me, making sweet, sweet love all the time. Wouldn't that be great? Isn't that worth killing for?"

  Eron thought about Timo. Someone just like Connor would've killed him and not thought twice about it. But what if Timo survived? What if he had to kill someone? Eron pushed his thoughts away. He couldn't break down now.

  "I don't know if it's real, Connor. The paradise, I mean. How do we really know there are girls waiting for us on the other side? We don't know anyone who's been there. How do we know it's even true? For all we know, it could be a trap. I'm not willing to go blindly into something like that."

  "Blindly?" Connor said. "We aren't going into it blind. We were taught survival. We have to be prepared for anything. Anything. No one told us it would be easy. We must be ready to kill or be killed. It's the law of the land. You know this. Don’t you remember? What happened to you? I was in class with you when they taught us."

  Eron shook his head. Why was this ok with everyone? Why was it only males that had to go through something so brutal? Well, at least he imagined it was brutal, but he had no proof, since no one ever really answered his questions.

  "You think Mina will be waiting for you at the end?" Connor said, poking him in the ribs.

  Eron smiled. "I hope so. I'd go through a lot to be with her."

  "Then, you better start talking to her now! She hardly knows you exist anymore. Why are you so afraid to talk to her?"

  "Whatever, Connor. Look, I'm gonna stay here and read for a while. If you want to stay, that's fine, but I'll be researching and keeping busy."

  "I get the hint, Eron. I'll catch you later."

  "Bye," Eron said. Connor left him in comfortable silence.

  Eron dug through all the information he could get his hands on. The library's shelves held about five thousand actual tomes, and also had small electronic workstations called readers that were loaded with countless thousands more books and journals.

  He spent almost three hours scanning articles about different topics, from growing crops and soil analysis to the occasional crime. The colony had an extremely low crime rate, which meant its police force wasn't large. There were ten officers to patrol a colony of about ten thousand. They often didn't have much to do. From what Eron read, Anastasia had always been this way.

  "What about the Anastasian Defense Force?" he said out loud. His father was part of that, right? He thought so; it was what his mom had always said. He chased that thought, but after twenty minutes had passed and nothing came up, he returned to his search on the Selection.

  As he was about to end his research for the night, he stumbled across a curious article.

  An early scientist, Dr. Marsha Freulling, had discovered a virus not found on Earth and nothing like they'd experienced or uncovered previously on Anastasia. She described it as non-lethal but highly prevalent among female humans and almost non-existent in human males. According to the article, it was thought to be responsible for a list of ailments ranging from normal vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue, to more extreme cases involving death. Dr. Freulling implied that the female population was beginning to experience an adverse effect. She didn't expound on the idea, except to say that it was something to keep an eye on.

  The article was short with very little detail, but something about it caught Eron's attention. His interest was piqued by the virus and that it only seemed to affect females. He’d never considered it, but for as long as he could remember, there had always been more males than females, and they were young males around his age or younger. Most all the adults were female. He found it strange almost all fathers were required to enlist in the Anastasian Defense Force. No one acted as if this was an anomaly and it never occurred to him to question it, but the article and the alarm Dr. Freulling had tried to convey spoke to him. Maybe there was a connection between the virus and the Selection somehow.

  If there was, he couldn't process it. Reading all day had turned his brain to mush. He wrote down the important details in his notebook, intending to return to them when he had more mental energy. He was done for the day.

  CHAPTER 7

  The next day, Eron decided to go outside. His room felt cramped and suffocating, and he needed to clear his head. He had a lot on his mind and the idea of getting away from everyone sounded perfect, even with the threat of craates. They weren't likely to be around. At least, he hoped not.

  Packing a light snack of wheat and condria fruit bars, he set off. He could see the delight on his mother's face; she'd been trying to coax him out of his room for weeks.

  Eron headed towards the Gorgia ravine, a lush valley east of the colony. Two rivers and several streams flowed from the mountains bordering the valley. He'd been there before with Connor and thought about stopping by to ask him along, but decided to go it alone. He'd rather argue with himself instead of listening to Connor's constant chatter.

  At the edge of the valley, Eron paused, looking out over the vast expanse of wilderness. A few laths flew overhead. A large-billed hern streaked across the trees, darting after tiny insects. The sounds of the wild were intimidating but strangely comforting. It was as if the valley was a giant, living, breathing organism that welcomed him, yet held an undercurrent of malice. He'd always felt that way when he went outside, which was part of the reason he preferred to stay inside. That, and he hated the ever-present red dust.

  The brilliant red and orange trees in front of him were interspersed with dull yellows and browns. Scrubby brush covered most of the ground with paths cut through it by earlier colonists. It was rumored there was a giant green redwood that grew in the valley. Apparently, it had been transplanted from Earth. He'd never seen it, though. Almost all Earth plants brought to Anastasia didn't survive. The nutrients in the soil were different, the native insects were destructive to most Earth vegetation, and the climate just wouldn't support the plants. Wheat was the only plant able to grow and thrive, which was a miracle for the colony and most likely had saved humans from extinction. Over time, they discovered several native plants humans could consume, though some early trials went horribly wrong.

  Still, Eron doubted the giant green tree existed. It would've looked
odd for sure. He couldn't imagine a tree or bush or any plant being bright green. It seemed weird to him. No plant should be that color.

  He approached the nearest path and entered the valley's edge, kicking up dull red dust as he walked. It was midmorning and the red sun approached its zenith. In a few hours, it would be directly above him before beginning its long descent to the edge of the planet.

  He followed the path up and down tree-covered hills and over one of the small streams that fed into the larger river deep in the valley. Red water swirled in pools and collected brightly-colored leaves as it flowed. He’d read that water on Earth was clear and oceans were a deep blue. They'd probably not know what to do if their waters were clear or blue. He couldn't imagine living in the strangeness of Earth. It didn't appeal to him. It was so different from Anastasia.

  After crossing the stream, Eron came to a fork in the path. He walked left and soon heard the animal sounds cascading over him. It was the reason he came out here, to be surrounded by nature while trying to sort out his thoughts. He remained alert, listening for the sounds of packs of craates.

  Eron's mind wandered. Timo's screams were the first thing to pop in his head. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Not now, Timo; not now. Timo would have to wait. He couldn't spend his energy grieving again.

  Thinking about Mrs. Stephenson and the articles he'd read, Eron tried to piece the puzzle together, the connections failing to materialize.

  He sat down on a fallen tree to rest and eat his snack, when he heard a loud crash behind him. Jumping up and spinning around, he almost fell, but caught his balance. Tree branches were pushed aside as though something big was approaching. Crunching footsteps grew closer and closer. Laths scattered from the trees. The soothing sounds of the wilderness stopped, replaced instead with chittering and angry outbursts as the animals were disturbed. Eron didn't bring a knife or anything else that could be used as a weapon. Near his foot lay a thick, fairly straight branch that looked to be about his height. He grabbed it and held it in front of him.

  Branches and smaller trees stopped moving. The crunch of footsteps on the foliage fell silent. He heard a low, throaty growl. Eron couldn't see more than a dark silhouette through the thick brush. It looked to be about as tall as he, but broader. Eron's arms shook. The growl grew louder and more intense. His senses were on edge.

  A twig snapped behind him.

  Eron spun and swung the branch sword-like in the air. It smacked against a large tree, vibrating his arms as if thousands of bramble bugs were stinging him.

  Nothing was there.

  Behind him, he heard the crash of branches and the furious crunch of leaves as the creature emerged. Before Eron could turn, it slammed into his back, forcing him against a tree and knocking the air from his lungs. His nose went numb and a thin trickle of blood ran down his lips. He felt a heavy thump on his back, instantly sending a shock of pain across his shoulders.

  "Get off me!" Eron yelled. He didn’t have a clear view of what had attacked him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw short, thick black hair on the creature's limbs. He turned to get a better look, but the creature grabbed his head with one hand and forced it away.

  "No," the deep, almost human voice boomed. Eron's eyes went wide. His heart beat faster. There were certain animals that showed signs of intelligence, though nothing humanlike. This was something new. And frightening.

  "I didn't do anything. Let me go!" Eron said. The beast held him against the tree.

  "Don't turn around," it said, "or I will kill you." Eron nodded his understanding.

  "Why are you out here?" the male voice said.

  "I-I I came out here to think. That's all. I wasn't doing anything wrong," Eron said. Blood flowed faster from his nose and splattered on the tree as he talked.

  "That's stupid. Do you expect me to believe you? I know you came out here to kill me."

  "No! I didn't know you lived here. I don't even know who--what you are. Please, I'm not here to harm you."

  The creature chuckled, dark and deep. "I'm certain you won't hurt me. You're pretty feeble for a human." It kept Eron's face pressed against the tree. Eron could feel the bark biting into his face. He didn't dare try to struggle against the creature's clutches.

  "Who are you? What are you?" Eron asked. If he was going to die, he at least wanted to know what it was that would kill him. The creature pushed Eron's head harder into the tree.

  "I am me. I am free. I am what you are, but better. That's all you need to know," it said. "I don't kill for sport. If I let you go, don't turn around. Don't try to get sneaky. Leave and don't come back. Am I clear?"

  "Yes, yes you are. I won't turn around, promise," Eron said. His neck and back ached.

  "And don't come back?" it said.

  "And I won't come back, I swear. Please, let me go and I won't return."

  The creature released Eron and it took a few steps back. "Go!" it said. Eron pulled away from the tree and ran, dropping the branch. He ran along the path toward the stream. Behind him, the growling grew louder and louder. Eron ran faster, wanting to put as much distance as he could between himself and the creature.

  He ran, jumped the stream, and was several meters down the path before he couldn't hear the growling any longer. Feeling that he was far enough away to be safe, he stopped running. He bent over and heaved, spewing the contents of his stomach on the ground. When the convulsions stopped, he wiped his mouth and continued.

  After what seemed to him to be an hour later when he was at the edge of the valley, he finally got the courage to look behind him. He spotted the large, dark, hulking creature in the brush about thirty meters back. Its features were obscured, but he knew it was staring at him. It had followed him all this way.

  Eron ran home. As the sun set, he burst through the front door to a quiet, empty house.

  CHAPTER 8

  Eron's mom was gone.

  Again.

  She'd go for a walk around the colony and leave him a note to let him know what she was doing, but this time was different. The back door of the house was broken and swinging open in the soft breeze. Overturned chairs and papers were scattered everywhere. Eron searched the house and found his room in shambles. His desk was a mess. It was as if someone tore through his research, looking for something in the notes and books and old maps. He noticed his notebook was missing.

  Every room had been ransacked, his mom wasn't there. Something was wrong. He wondered if he'd stirred up trouble by researching the Selection and asking questions. Maybe the creature in the valley was a coincidence, but he wasn't sure. His immediate concern was to find his mother.

  As he was about to search for her, the front door opened.

  "Eron! What happened?" his mother said. She stood in the doorframe scanning the scene.

  "Mom!"

  Running to her, he could barely hide his relief. "I thought you were in trouble!"

  "Trouble? I'm not, but you might be. What did you do here?" She stood with her hands on her hips, scowling at him.

  "Nothing, mom. It was like this when I got here." Clearing a place on the couch, he sat and crossed his arms. His shoulders ached.

  "What's on your face? Is that blood?" she said. Eron touched the dried blood on his mouth.

  "Yeah it's mine. I--"

  "You what? Got in a fight with Bello again? Seriously Eron, when are you gonna learn?"

  "It wasn't him! It was...something else. I'm not sure what. It attacked me in the valley. And spoke to me!"

  "Son, don't be ridiculous! You have got to get your imagination under control. You know there is nothing out there but animals. And they don't talk." She furrowed her brow and shook her head. Then she spoke, her tone less angry.

  "Eron, I know you're worried about the Selection. So am I. But it's something you have to do. Timo did it. You'll do it. If you have sons someday, they will also go through it. But worrying and making things up will not stop it fro
m happening. You'll have to face it. There's no alternative."

  Eron sat in silence, considering what to say.

  His mom sat next to him and put her arm around him. Instead of pulling away, he accepted her embrace.

  "I know it's tough, son. I promise you, if there was another way, I'd do all I could to get you out of it. But there isn't. You have to go."

  "Mom, what is it? What exactly is the Selection? No one will tell me."

  She sighed. "Son, I honestly don't know. I was on the other side of it, where the boys go if they finish. We girls are chosen to be there according to compatibility. We don’t always get paired and have to wait longer. I was waiting for your father there. He made it through the Selection. Not unscathed, but alive. I got to choose between two young men that came through the Selection; your father was one of them. When I saw him standing there with cuts on his face, he had a look of maturity and wisdom I'd never seen in him when I knew him before. It was at that moment I chose him. He graciously accepted my offer. I am forever grateful because out of our union, I had three wonderful children."

  "He didn't tell you what happened?" Eron's mind sparked to life. He'd heard his mother talk before about choosing her mate; she’d just never told him these details.

  "No, he didn't. I asked, though we were instructed not to. We were forbidden, actually. I couldn't help myself. I was curious. He never gave in, though. And after a while, I quit asking. It's just how things are, son. By the way, have you talked to Mina much lately? I know you've had your eye on her for some time. She's an excellent young woman, so smart and polite."

  Eron looked down and didn't reply.

  "Well, I suggest you do. When you make it through the Selection and she's standing there, you'd be lucky to have her choose you."