by K. Weikel
Five
Nad
“I think I have everything…”
I’m talking to myself. I’m just so excited for Eenie. Today’s is one of the biggest days of her life, and I’m so glad that I’m going to be a part of it! Oh, it’s just so exciting!
I fix the flower in my hair and flatten out the bottom of my dress. It’s yellow, my favorite color.
I wonder who she would have chosen if I wasn’t her friend. She tells me she doesn’t have any besides me, but that can’t be true. I mean, she is quiet and all, but she’s not that bad. She’s the bestest friend I could ask for. She helps me with things, and I don’t even have to ask her. And she’s really smart. She learns so fast! I mean, having to completely forget all she learned about her top two choices, and learn all about being a Mechaneer… That’s like the hardest thing in the world! I couldn’t ever do that! Well, I did learn to be an analyzer, but the strike that me and my brother got bumped me down to being a Mechaneer, which was my second choice. But I knew a lot about being a Mechaneer anyways because it was my second choice. We train for that one at the same time that we train for our first option, but not as much. I don’t know. It just seems like it was harder for her than she makes it seem. Or something like that.
I walk over to my little bed and pick up my little yellow bag that matches my dress. I’ve been waiting to wear it somewhere, just I didn’t know where, you know? I thought that Eenie’s big night would be perfect!
A knock on my door makes me jump. Who would be knocking on my door at this time? It’s, like, dinnertime. Everyone who isn’t going to the Home Dome to watch the matching should be in their houses waiting for food.
I open the door and there are two men in black shirts and white pants blocking the remaining light from outside.
“You need to come with us.” One of them says.
“Who are you?” I ask, my brain analyzing every little detail.
It tells me I’m in danger.
“You need to come with us,” The other one says, cracking his knuckles.
“I’m not going anywhere until—”
The two men take a step back and people dressed in all black rush in and grab at me. I twist and turn and try to get away, but the hands hold on to me. I can’t get away.
I scream, and someone puts a cloth in my mouth and ties it around my head. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. This doesn’t happen in the Domes.
The people pin me down and I watch as a really tall guy strides in and bangs on the wall above the door. I hear a loud cracking noise over my breathing. My face is soaked with tears.
The guy looks at me and puts his hands behind his back, a white coat draping from his shoulders.
“I’m sorry we had to do this,” He says. “My name is Tanner. Oh, and congratulations. You’re being Upgraded.”
