by Logan Byrne
I gasped for air, my eyes opening, a little fuzzy and unfocused as I looked around, seeing myself sitting in the pod where my journey had begun. My eyes a little squinted, I tried to focus; I looked to my left, seeing Liam, and my heart filled with joy.
The restraints were taken off, disappearing again into the chair, and I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“So, have a good time?” Nina asked.
She walked around front, taking out our IVs, a bandage going on our injection points, before she rubbed a cream on the back of our necks.
“What’s this for?” Liam asked.
“It will speed up the healing process on the cerebral injection point. You guys were under for a while, so I just want to make sure you heal okay. It isn’t procedure, but oh well,” Nina said.
“I can’t believe we did it,” I said, looking at Liam.
“I saw on the monitor there. I was just about to leave for the night, even,” Nina said.
“But it was daytime inside the grid,” I said.
“Time works differently in there. It isn’t lined up with the real world. I thought you knew that. Didn’t they tell you?” Nina asked, looking a bit surprised.
“How long were we in for?” Liam asked.
“About a week and a half or so. It’s crazy, isn’t it?” she asked, wiping off her hands.
“Wow,” I said, before wiping my eyes.
“Well, I think they’ll be coming for you in a minute. I’m going to head out, got a lot to do, so I’ll be seeing you two around, I guess. I’m really glad I got the chance to work with you,” Nina said, smiling, as she took her white jacket off and hung it on the wall.
“Thank you for taking such good care of us, especially since we were out for that long,” I said, smiling.
“Yeah, it really means a lot to us,” Liam said.
“It was my pleasure,” Nina said, before walking out, the door closing behind her.
“Wow…a week and a half,” Liam said.
I looked up at the monitor, seeing Chet on the screen as he talked to a massive crowd the same way he did when the lottery drawing happened. I wasn’t even mad to see him, though I certainly wasn’t thrilled, but I felt myself a little happier, the competition finally over. All that remained was cashing in my wish, and after living through this entire ordeal, I began to forgo thoughts of traveling the country, getting a job, or receiving a bunch of money.
I wanted something else. Something important.
Chapter Twenty-One
“You did it!” Christian said, walking through the doors five minutes after Nina had left.
Liam and I stood up, my legs a little weak after not being used for a week and a half. Liam held onto me, holding me up, making sure I was stable.
“That ending—wow, what a finish! You’re such a sly guy,” Christian said, nudging Liam.
“Thanks,” Liam said, smiling.
“Well, I thought I’d clue you two in on the plan. Chet and President Nilsen are at the venue not too far away. While President Nilsen isn’t on stage yet, he’s there waiting for the winners to arrive so he can grant your wishes on stage in front of millions! Isn’t that exciting?” Christian asked.
I smiled, though I wasn’t terribly happily, as I wasn’t a huge fan of President Nilsen. He was a crass man, more of a democratic dictator; his rise to power was something of a legend, as he demolished anyone who stood in his way. His approval rating was low, his policies redundant, and he was just an overall bad man. Shaking his hand wasn’t going to be a high point of my life, that was for sure.
“What happened to the others?” Liam asked.
“Others?” Christian asked.
“Yeah, the other competitors. Are they here? Will they be at the ceremony?” Liam asked.
“Oh, no, they’re gone. When they were eliminated, if they were eliminated, they were immediately brought out of the grid and carted off to the labor camp to start their three-year sentences. The ones who were still in the competition when you two ended it are just being taken now and checked out. You might even see a glimpse of them when we leave,” Christian said, like it was no big deal.
“All of them? Even the older ones?” I asked, even though I knew the answer to the question.
I knew everyone was taken no matter their age, but there was still this part of me deep down that wanted to doubt it all. I wanted to doubt that they’d take fathers, mothers, grandfathers, and grandmothers away from their families. I didn’t want to think about the toll three years of hard labor would take on their already damaged bodies, the same bodies that likely had already put in years of manual labor just to appease the government and make a meager living for their families.
“Yes, them too. Listen, I can tell you two are nice people, always wanting to look out for others, but this is life. This is my life, this is your life, and this is our life. Some people succeed, like you two, while other people, like the other twenty-two competitors, fail. That’s just the circle of life, my dear. Now, let’s get going,” Christian said, coming behind us and pushing us out of the room.
We were taken through the halls of the building, the bright white walls something of a distant memory when I was in the grid, though now they were back in full force, the last time I would ever have to see them. We had to go through several doors, Christian scanning his key card for each one. I looked down at my right wrist, the skimmer long gone, the purple band still there wrapped around me. I looked to my left wrist, my bracelet still secure, guiding me through the competition like my grandmother was there with me, protecting me.
We finally got into the loading bay we had come in those weeks ago, the rest of the competitors being loaded into a shuttle van, the tinted windows not dark enough to obscure them from view. They looked at us, none of them smiling, like they resented us for winning. I didn’t blame them, thinking I wouldn’t be too fond of some other group had they won the whole thing. I kept walking, trying not to even look at them. I couldn’t.
“This is your transportation to the venue. I feel you’ll find it most luxurious,” Christian said.
We walked up, the limousine waiting for us, completely blacked out, the flags on either side of the hood bearing the nation’s crest. This type of vehicle was usually reserved for someone really important, like the president, but for now it was ours. It was a far cry from all that I had known and grown up with.
“You two will be alone, just with the driver and one guard, though he won’t be sitting back here with you. His pay grade isn’t high enough,” Christian said, laughing.
“And it will take us straight there?” Liam asked.
“Yes, it will. Once there someone else will escort you inside and get you all set up. Well, good luck you two, and I’ll be watching from here!” Christian said.
He leaned in, giving us each a strong hug, like he was thankful to us for some reason. I half hugged back, Liam doing the same, before Christian walked away, someone handing him a digiboard as he went. Deep down, I thought I’d miss him.
Liam and I got into the limousine. There was dim purple lighting up above, and the black leather seats were strung with gold seams and trim, something truly presidential. With the door shut the driver started off, a dark glass barrier between the front and back sectioning us off. I looked out the side window and saw the crumbly gray walls barricading this building in from the rest of the world. I put my face closer to the glass, looking up at the sky that was as black as could be, the moon nowhere to be found, though I guessed it never really was too visible.
“So, it’s all over, huh? Just you, me, and our wishes,” Liam said.
“The wishes,” I said, perking up, before turning around to look at him.
“Yeah, the wishes. We won those, you know,” Liam said, smiling.
“About that. I kind of wanted to talk to you about those. I have something in mind,” I said.
I leaned in, my mouth near his ear, as I whispered my ideas, my hand covering my mouth for privacy, as I was alm
ost sure they could still hear us. They could always hear us, as my mother would say.
“Really? Are you sure you want to try to use them on that?” Liam asked.
“I think it’s the best option,” I said.
“Well, okay then. It’s good, but I wouldn’t hold your breath,” Liam said.
•••
There were dozens of cameras flashing as we got to the venue, the tinted windows having a hard time keeping the bright lights from coming through. I felt both a little nervous and a lot tired, the stresses of being under for a week and a half taking a toll on my body. We had barely been out of the grid for half an hour and we were already being thrust into the spotlight once again, though this time was going to be just a tad different than our interview with Chet before we had gone into the grid itself. This time it was live.
“What was it like in the grid?” one reporter asked, as we got out of the limousine.
“Did you two fall in love?” another asked.
“How did it feel to fight Jason?” another asked.
The questions started to blend together, the multitude of voices and yelling unable to be fully deciphered, let alone answered, as a few guards shielded us, holding onto our arms so that we wouldn’t get lost in the fray. We pushed ourselves through, getting inside the building, a side entrance taking us through a long, narrow hallway with cement walls on either side.
“Hello, my name is Grayson, and I’ll be your coordinator for tonight. We have a big show planned,” Grayson said, introducing himself while he walked beside us.
“We’re ready for them in five,” a person said to Grayson.
“Now, this is what’s going to happen,” Grayson said, stopping. “You’re going to go out on stage, together, and talk with Chet a little bit about the experience. He’ll prompt you for questions, so just answer whatever he asks. The President will then come out, shake your hands, and he’ll ask you to present your wishes, which you will at that time and that time only. He’ll grant them, authorizing whatever you ask for, and you’ll smile for the cameras as you wave to the crowd before we finally cut to black. You’ll then come backstage, be reunited with your families, and then you’re free to go, unless anything comes up at the last minute. Got it?” Grayson asked.
“Got it,” I said, scratching the back of my head.
“Yeah, I got it,” Liam replied.
“Good. Now, let’s get you to the stage,” Grayson said.
There were a thousand things going on at once behind the scenes, people running around, things being carried, and presidential secret service all over, making sure the perimeter was safe and secure. We didn’t get a chance to stop, the adrenaline starting to course through my veins, before we got to the side of the stage, the dark sheets and absence of light masking us as we saw Chet out there, talking to the audience, two other chairs out there just like our pre-competition interviews.
“Okay, get ready,” Grayson said, whispering.
“Now, the moment you have all been waiting for. I have received word that the winners, New York City’s own Alexia and Liam, are backstage, just dying to come out and talk to all of you. So, without further ado, here they are: Alexia Meyers and Liam Jacobson!” Chet yelled, his hand pointing in our direction.
I felt a nudge from behind, prodding me forward, before Liam and I walked out, the spotlights lighting up and shining on us as we walked along the shiny black floor, the roars of the crowd so thunderous and loud that I thought I might go deaf.
We walked up to Chet, still wearing the same clothes we wore into the grid, my hair greasy, wishing I would’ve been allowed to clean up before going through this.
“Welcome, welcome,” Chet said, showing us to our seats.
Liam and I sat down, me closest to Chet like always, though I tried to keep my distance from him, remembering how he took advantage of it the last time. He wasn’t going to be able to get me this time, though. I was guarded and ready for whatever stupid questions he had.
“So, here you are, the two competitors who beat out everybody else, winning it all!” Chet said, smiling.
The crowd clapped, a few cheered, and Liam and I sat there smiling, unsure what to do with ourselves.
“Tell me, what was it like in there? Was it hard?” Chet asked.
“Yeah, I would say it was difficult. It wasn’t a picnic, that’s for sure,” Liam said.
“But it looks like you had some picnics, even one with your other mates from New York. As we saw, though, those people weren’t exactly as kind as they once made themselves out to be,” Chet said.
“No, they definitely weren’t. It’s a shame because we had a pact, but I guess that’s life, right?” Liam asked, smiling.
Liam did much better at this than me, as I didn’t even say a word, my hands in my lap as I more or less kept to myself. I was tired, hungry, and just wanted to see my mother and Saraia more than anything in the world. I knew they were backstage, or just about to me, and I would rather have seen them before talking to Chet.
“You seem awfully quiet. Are you still upset that Liam tricked you like that in the end?” Chet asked, looking at me.
“Oh, no, I got over that,” I said, smiling.
“Was it because he’s so handsome?” Chet asked, prodding the crowd to react.
“After I had some time to think about and process it, I realized that he was right, and that clueing me into the plan would’ve been a bad idea. I’m not the best actress,” I said.
“Well, I for one know that I was hoping something else would come after he blasted that Jason into oblivion. I, and everyone else here, thought you’d kiss. Am I right?” Chet asked, looking at the audience.
They cheered, a few whistles coming forth, causing me to look down and smile a little. I was beyond embarrassed. I looked over at Liam, who had a wide smile on his face, though I didn’t know if he was happy, embarrassed, or just didn’t know what to do with himself. Still, though, it was cute.
“How about one now, folks? How would that be?” Chet asked, looking out to the crowd.
They roared, a bunch of them chanting the word “kiss,” as Liam and I looked at one another. I felt my cheeks get a little warm as I saw his light up as red as blood. I chuckled a little, and Chet started to join in the chants, before Liam put his hand up, trying to get them to quiet down.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Liam said.
“What?” Chet asked, stunned. “You don’t want to kiss this beautiful girl?”
“It’s definitely not that at all. I just don’t want to put Alexia in that kind of position, and also, I’m a little nervous being up here. I care about her too much to do that to her,” Liam said, looking at me while he talked, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Aw, folks, that’s so sweet. Okay, okay, we won’t ask any more, as long as you promise me something,” Chet said.
“Anything,” Liam replied.
“Come back and let us know all about your first date. We’re all just dying to hear about it,” Chet said, before letting out a laugh and looking at the audience.
We both shook our heads, the mood a little lightened, though my anxiety to see my family was still front and center in my mind.
“Well, folks, I’m happy to report that we have yet another surprise. Our faithful and loving president, President Nilsen, is here right now and wants to come on out. How about it folks, would you like that?” Chet asked, standing up.
The crowd cheered, Liam and I standing up as well, before music started playing, the spotlight shining to where we had come out minutes earlier. President Nilsen walked onto the stage, waving and smiling at everyone in the crowd and back home.
President Nilsen was a portly man, his stomach extending further out than anyone’s I had ever seen before, a direct consequence of a sedentary life mixed with pure gluttony and sloth. He had black hair, slicked all the way back, though some streaks of white were starting to push through; it wasn’t the most flattering look in the world.
He was clean-shaven, his chins strangled around the collar of his shirt, his sausage fingers being wrapped with gold rings; one of them was probably worth more than all of the houses on my block combined. He shook our hands in order, Liam, me, and then Chet, before pushing back his blazer with his hands, thick gold suspenders coming out as he did so.
“Mr. President, it is such an honor to have you here tonight. Every year we’re blessed with your presence, and even though you’re the busiest man in the world, you still make time for the little things. We thank you for that, sir,” Chet said, smiling.
“I’m happy to do it! I know how important this competition is, and I can even remember being a little boy, sitting on my daddy’s lap, watching the closing ceremony and being awestruck at how amazing the whole thing was. I’m happy to participate,” President Nilsen said, huffing between sentences.
I tried not to look at him with disdain, a little fearful that he would catch on and something would ensue, if not here then backstage. I didn’t like him, yes, but with millions of people watching and a bunch in the audience, I wasn’t about to try to insult their dear leader.
“Now, as you all know, the winners of the competition, as well as their hacker, who sadly couldn’t be here, all receive the opportunity to have one wish granted. It can be anything, anything at all, and our illustrious leader and wonderful president will grant it to them, changing their forever!” Chet said excitedly.
The crowd cheered, President Nilsen smiling, as Liam and I stood awkwardly, the moment almost here. I knew Liam would go with my idea; it was a great idea, and something he had wanted for a long time. The only question was if this wish would be granted. They did tell us we could ask for anything.
“So, tell me, what are your wishes? I’ll let you present one at a time, and since we have a lady in our presence, please tell me yours first,” President Nilsen said.
