Xeption

The Chosing

Shane slowly took a breath, and dropped the folded piece of paper into the spinning wheel. Following her dad, she sat down next to him and her little brother Matthew. He was lucky. He still had 7 years before his name was put in the wheel . He was only 9. 16 is the age you can be chosen to leave home for several years. Shane reached down and held on firmly to Matts hand. She turned her head toward her dad and he gave her a small smile. Shane tried to smile back, but the cheeks were too frozen in fear. Who wouldn't be after their mother was brutally murdered by the Xepted. Shane looked back down at her dirt piled sneakers. In the millions of people in her country, there was absolutely no way she would be chosen. Every state has their own wheel and then they put that wheel in the bigger wheel which holds everyone's names and they pick a single slip of paper and that is the person that must leave home. It's complicated, but somehow it works out. They put the names on the high speed train that takes them to the center of the country within minutes. After several hours of sitting in the hot sun, the names are sent off, and the monitor comes on. Now, the time has come. And today is the day Shane can be chosen because she had just turned 16 today. Shane grips her dads and brother hands tightly and waits for the time of relief. Finally the old woman, sits in the beautiful white leather seat in the monitor, holding a small folded slip of paper in her hands. "Hello citizens. Today is the 145th annual Chosing." Her wide spread smile across her face, looked like she was having the time of her life. What an idiot. "Like always, I have my speech prepared" Her speeches always sound like she is sorry for the one who must leave home. But we all know, she could care less. Finally after her speech, we are ready for the moment of truth. "Now, it's time for the very special man or woman." She slowly flips back the folded side of the paper, and reads the name listed across. She smiles and reads it out loud. "Shane White Talrin!" Her words raced through Shanes mind and she could feel her dads and brothers gaze. But Shanes eyes were still clenched shut. Finally She had the strength to look up. There facing the camera, was Shane's name neatly scribbled onto the piece of paper. Her heart began to beat faster and faster, and She couldn't hear anything other than her heart pounding, and her quick breaths. Tears stung the sides of the eyes and her legs felt numb but she could make out the words of the woman in the monitor. "Please step up onto the stage Shane and wait for the men to bring you to the train." Shane hesitated but slowly got up. Her dad and brother, crying, held her hand and gave her a long hug. After what felt like an eternity, he finally let her go. Shane planted a quick kiss on her brother head, and started walking to the stage. Her heart still beating. She walked up the steps and stood on the stage staring into the huge crowd. All eyes on her. After a second, four arms grabbed her shoulders and quickly lead her to the giant silver train. She would soon be killing off the Xepted and maybe even dying herself. Thoughts raced through her mind and she watched her dad and brother fade into the crowd as the train moved swiftly down the tall tracks. Nobody ever comes back from the wall. They all died. And soon, Shane would be joining them in their lonely, cold graves.