by K. Manna
Really, how many times do I need to hear it? If I hear someone say it one more time, I will scream.
Our mom and dad told Gage and I to leave the balloon-covered backyard for them to clean later that day. “You need to get some sleep,” Mom said. “You have to be at the Alacorian Center in eight hours.”
Eight hours. What is happening to my world?
After everyone had gone to bed and the house grew completely quiet, too quiet, I laid in my bed in the darkness. Juicy Lucy’s purrs rumbled just above my head as she sprawled out on top of my pillow, leaving me with only the edge to sleep on.
What if this is the last time I will ever sleep in my bed? What if this is the last time I hear Juicy Lucy’s comforting purrs and the last time she hogs my pillow?
Tears filled my eyes, and my hands trembled as I pet her.
What would I do without my family and friends? Could I really be happy at the palace?
Hundreds of questions raced through my mind leaving me unable to fall asleep. Shivers ran up and down my body as my stomach began to turn.
I wish I could be like Gage—excited. I know I should be, but I’m not. A royal name, a palace to live in, and a life full of wealth isn’t really all that important to me, at least right now, but I’m sure that will change. Okay, that’s it. I have to get up and try to clear my head or I will seriously go freakin’ crazy.
The night had grown calm as I approached my favorite willow tree, Mr. Willow. I sat down with my back against the tree trunk. My mom said that I named Mr. Willow when I was a wee thing. She said that I used to talk to the tree a lot, causing her to worry about my mental state. No one knew, but sometimes I would still catch myself talking to Mr. Willow when I needed guidance during a difficult time, or just someone or something to vent to. The cool night air had me bringing my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms around them for warmth.
The next thing I knew, my eyes were gushing with tears. I was bawling hysterically from all the fear, pressure, and thoughts that overloaded my mind. I imagined Mr. Willow listening to my muffled cries and imagined him humming soothing songs. Then I felt arms holding me tight. My eyes felt swollen and hot as I tried to see who held on to me in the darkness.
“It’s all right, Go-Go. Everything will be fine. Shh.”
Eli’s voice soothed me, and I buried my head into his shoulder. No longer caring if I was seen crying, I let it all out. Eli’s shoulder felt completely soaked from my tears and probably some snot, too. It took a while for me to calm down, but eventually it had to happen, and eventually it did.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked, sniffing.
“You always come here when you’re upset or when life gets rough. I have watched you do it for years, Go-Go.”
“I never knew you were a stalker, Eli,” I managed to tease.
Even though I couldn’t see him in the dark, I could tell he was smiling. “I have been for about five years now. But now I won’t be able to, since you’re running off to be with the royals.”
I laid my head down in his lap. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay. Well, how about a present instead? I have something for you … for your birthday. Nothing big, but I bet you will like it.” Eli placed a gift on my tummy. I sat up with a smile.
Eli always made me smile, dammit. My fingers carefully ripped the wrapping paper. “Did you wrap this yourself or did your mom do it?”
“I did it. Thank you very much.”
I laughed. “Wow. I can’t believe it.”
Flinging wrapping paper aside, I held in my hand a book and a stone. I loved stones, crystals, and cool-looking rocks. Their “energies” interested me. Eli knew this and would always make fun of me by saying it’s all a bunch of wizardry. He believed it to be only make-believe and fantasy, but not me.
“Aw, thanks, Eli. What’s this book about?” I tried reading the title in the darkness.
“It’s a book about stones and their meanings, uses, and all that magical junk you believe in. And that’s a jade stone. It’s supposed to be used for power, protection, and lo—”
Why did he stop?
“And what?” I asked curiously.
Eli stammered. “Oh … ah … I think the book said it is for love or something like that, too.”
“Oh. Well, awesome. Thanks. I’ll carry the stone with me everywhere I go.”
Eli shifted his body beneath me. “Cool beans.”
My eyes felt so tired and heavy from all of the crying I had done. I held onto the warm jade stone and returned my head to his lap. “I’m tired. Will you stay out here with me?”
“Sure. No problem.”
With purple and green swirls dancing underneath my closed eyelids, I slowly drifted off into a faraway place.
CHAPTER TWO
THE CHOSEN ONES
Where is this dirt road taking me? I need to find the bridge: the old rickety wooden one that will lead me home. At least when I find it, I will know that I’m heading in the right direction. Ugh, it’s so dang dark out here. How did it get dark so fast? Something could jump out of these trees at any moment and eat me alive. Shivers ran down my spine at the thought.
The sky had grown dark extremely fast, and only orange-dimmed streetlights lit the way. In the distance, wolves howled to each other. Beetles and other loud insects made buzzing noises in the bushes, while the birds had grown silent. I kept on walking down the dirt road, softly crunching the dirt beneath my feet. My arms were crossed, embracing myself, trying to keep warm from the chilly night air.
What is that standing there in the darkness?
“Hello, is anybody there?”
My throat tightened.
A scurrying noise rustled through the darkness, startling me.
The underbrush exploded suddenly as a large wild turkey shot out of the dense trees.
“Whoa!” I arched back with total surprise.
Thank goodness! At least it isn’t some weirdo out to get me.
The dirt road seemed to drag on forever. An owl began to hoot nearby. I wondered where those big owl eyes were watching me from in this creepy place. My eyes bolted in every direction, keeping alert for whatever this strange place had hidden inside of it.
Is that the old bridge there? Yes, that has to be it!
With excitement, I ran for the bridge that lay ahead in the darkness. My eyes were glued to the wooden bridge, never leaving sight of it, when it slowly began to fade from view. Almost like someone had erased it with a pencil eraser. Just like that, it disappeared like it had never existed.
Wait, where did it go? It was right here a second ago. I’m not crazy! Seriously, where did it go?
A large rock now sat in the place where, only seconds ago, I had seen the wooden bridge.
This is the same rock that I passed by when it was still light out.
“Oh, I’m going in flippin’ circles!” I screamed with frustration.
I plopped down on the rock and began to cry. “How will I ever get home? I’m so lost—so alone.”
The darkness seemed to grow even darker in that moment. A chilly breeze crept over my skin, giving me goose bumps.
What the heck is that? Ew!
I began slapping against my bare legs, slapping, slapping …
Jerking awake, my hands flew toward my legs, furiously brushing against them.
Startled, Eli asked, “What’s going on? What’s the matter, Go-Go?”
“I don’t know. Something’s there. Something’s on me.” My hands kept scratching at my legs.
“Okay. Okay. Stop and let me see what it is.” Eli grabbed my arms to still them.
He looked over my legs, and he must have found something because he wiped his fingers against my leg. “It’s only a spider. Well, a dead spider now.” He held up the dead spider that had been squashe
d against my leg.
“Gross. I hate spiders,” I complained. “That’s so weird because I sensed it in my dream.”
Eli gave me a weird look. “Sure.”
“Seriously, I mean it,” I said.
Still, he looked at me like I was half-crazy.
I could hear my dad calling from the house, yelling that I needed to come in and get ready. We had to leave in less than two hours. I knew we had to leave early because it would take a while to get to the nearest Alacorian Center.
“You better go and get ready. Here, don’t forget the present that I gave you.” Eli handed me the book and then the jade stone. “Whatever happens, just know that I’m always here for you.”
I initiated a big bear hug. “Thanks, Eli. You are the bestest and always have been. I will always think of you when I hold this stone.”
“Good,” Eli mumbled into my shoulder.
I clenched him, never wanting to let him go, not now, not ever. Tears began to tumble down my cheeks with the thought of knowing that my life could possibly change on this very day. We parted in silence. Really, there was nothing more that we could say.
This completely sucks! Will this really be the last time that I will ever see Eli?
My backpack was on the bed all ready to go. We were only allowed to take what we could carry with us, that is, if we were chosen. It would be so hard to leave my cell phone behind. Cell phones were not allowed in the palace, among other things: cameras, laptops, weapons (obviously), and drugs (duh, common sense) were all contraband. Anything used to communicate with others had been a big no-no.
“Come on, Go-Go, it’s time to go!” Gage’s voice was loud and impatient.
I scanned my room to make sure that I hadn’t missed anything important that I should stuff into my bag. “All right, I’ll be there in a minute.”
The very last thing that I did, ever so quickly, was send a good-bye text to my close friends. To the girls I texted:
Hey girlz--i will miss you all.dont have too much fun without me. btw im scared as hell! **go-go
Then I sent a separate text to Eli:
I will miss you eli. dont you ever forget about me. i will never forget about you. like i always say--you are the bestest.
And with a little hesitation I made myself type:
Luv ya **go-go
Pressing send, I threw the phone onto my bed without looking back. Outside of my room lay Juicy Lucy, ever so lazy, looking at me with tired, squinty eyes.
I bent down to pet her. “I love you so much, Juicy Lucy. Now you better be a good girl while I’m gone.” I gave her a big smooch right on the top of her soft, fuzzy nose, like I always did. With animals, it was so much easier for me to be my loving, cuddly self.
Out the door I went, hopping into the backseat of our car. The inside of my lower lip already felt torn and sore from chewing on it, a horrible nervous habit. Sometimes, when I really got carried away, I gnawed to the point of bleeding. My dad started the car and began to reverse out of the driveway. Immediately, my eyes traveled over to Eli’s house and, like a magnet attracted to metal, my eyes went straight to a small window on the second floor where he held a curtain back, watching as we drove away.
It was good that we left early because the Alacorian Center was crazy busy. The parking lot was nearly full when we arrived. Dad had a hard time finding a spot. Twice we spotted an open space through the crowds, and twice we had to watch as another car stole our space. All of these people made me feel so small for some reason.
Finally, my dad pulled the car to the side of the road. “Well, it doesn’t look like I will be parking here anytime soon, at least not close by. The two of you go on in so that you’re not late. Your mother and I will meet you inside.”
Gage swung the door open. “Sounds good to me. Come on, Go-Go.”
“Okay. See you inside.” I inched my way out of the car.
Gage rushed ahead of me. “I can’t believe this is really happening. Hurry up, Go-Go!”
“I’m coming,” I snapped with irritation.
The Alacorian Center’s domelike structure towered before us, the sheer magnificence of which inspired awe in anyone lucky enough to stand beneath it. The bright sun gleamed back at us from spotless walls and from glass so clean that you could barely tell it was there. We walked up to the tall, silver double doors. A sign on the door read “Entrance for Zylonian Candidates Only. Parents, Please Enter Through the Back Doors. Thank You!”
“Let’s do this thing.” Gage boldly swung the doors open.
Another large sign stood in the entryway: “Birthday Boys, Please Check In to the Left. Birthday Girls, Please Check In to the Right. Thank You!”
Before I could say anything and without a glance back at me, Gage ran off to the left.
Careless jerk.
I headed down the right hallway, where a line of girls stood waiting impatiently. Unfriendly eyes stared at me, as if I were flirting with their boyfriends or something. I took my spot at the end of the very, very long line. Part of me wanted to yell, “Quit looking at me, and go find something better to do,” but I didn’t, of course, because some of these girls looked like they were the type to start drama. So, I stood in line, trying to avoid eye contact with the other females until my turn came.
Finally!
It had felt like forever and a day standing there, stepping closer little by little while the girls cleared out, but finally it was my turn. I walked toward the next open check-in counter where a weird-looking woman sat smiling back at me.
Can she even see me through that wild frizzy mop hanging in her eyes? What a mess.
Her hair reminded me of a picture of my mom from high school. That hairdo was apparently the “thing” back then, but this lady clearly didn’t want to give it up.
As I reached the counter, she said something to me that didn’t quite register in my brain. She sat there staring at me as if waiting for some kind of answer.
Distracted by the poodle on her head, I asked, “What did you say?”
Poodle Lady sighed. “I asked you for your name, and please, spell your last name.”
“Oh, it’s Margo. Margo Selks. S-E-L-K-S.”
The poodle lady typed on her keyboard. “Thank you. Please put your right hand on the small screen in front of you for identification purposes.”
I did but still couldn’t resist staring at the frizzball on top of her head. It looked almost nest-like.
Holy crap, did something just move in Poodle Lady’s hair?
My mind started to play little tricks on me as I imagined a little critter wiggling its way out of that mess. What I thought I saw moving in her hair was only a small black beret.
Seriously, does she not look in the mirror? How can she leave her house like that?
I vaguely remember hearing her say something before a bright flash went off, almost blinding me.
Dammit! She took my picture when I wasn’t ready!
The poodle lady looked at her screen and smiled. “Got ya. Okay, now you are all set. Walk down this hall, take your first right, and have a seat.”
Before I walked away, I asked, “Ma’am, may I please retake my picture? I wasn’t ready when you took it.”
She smiled. “Nope. Sorry, honey, only one picture per person. Besides, these won’t be used for anything unless you are one of the lucky ones.”
Fine, be that way, lady.
I smiled and nodded. There’s no sense in arguing with that sort of person, especially not when I was just as likely to end up being sent back home, anyway. Trying not to act flustered, I cautiously walked down the hall and found a seat.
At least this waiting room had chairs to sit in. Dozens of girls sat impatiently waiting their turn. Some paced, too restless to sit still, while others spent their time glaring at each other. A few sat patiently, slouching in the
ir chairs and dozing off. Waiting, waiting, and more waiting, with nothing else to do but stare at the little annoyances around the room. A girl sitting a couple of chairs down kept on smacking her gum so loud that the noise filled the entire room. Finally, one girl couldn’t take it anymore and said, “Hey, can you quit with the smacking already? You’re driving everyone crazy.”
That shut Miss Smack-A-Lot right up.
Finally, a short, pale woman called out my name. Grabbing my bag, I hurried toward her. She led me into a smaller room and told me to take a seat. Then she took my right arm and wiped a cold, wet alcohol wipe on the inside of my elbow. “I will be injecting you with a special medication that is needed for the scan you will be having shortly,” she said. “Some people experience redness and itching at the site of injection. If this happens, it will subside on its own within a few hours.”
Another worry tackled my brain as I asked, “Ah, so you will be sticking me with a needle?”
Needles and I don’t get along. We don’t mesh. They make me feel really anxious and lightheaded. Sometimes even to the point of fainting. Let’s just say, a childhood incident had scarred me for life.
“Do you like the new painting on the wall over there?” The lady pointed to the wall to my left.
My eyes followed her outstretched finger to the wall and found a painting of the city lights at night. With my head still turned toward the painting, I responded. “It’s really nice. I like it.”
PINCH!
“Ouch!”
With a smile, the pale lady said, “That’s it. See how easy that was?”
I rubbed at the inside of my arm. “You stuck me already?”
“Yup. You only needed a little distraction.”
With relief, I sighed. “Awesome. I hate needles.”
“I could tell.” She handed me a warm glass. “Here, now drink this as quickly as you can.”
Taking the glass, I downed the warm liquid as fast as possible. A strong mint taste filled my mouth.