The 18

1

You win some you lose some. A simple yet tragic phrase that has been dancing on peoples lips for ages. Basically saying that sometimes you just get lucky and eventually your luck runs out. Yesterday, April 13th my luck ran out.

I remember vividly every detail of the day, right down to the minute the chancellor called out my name. I was sitting inside with my older brothers Max and Roman. Our helipad TV was on and the volume was turned up enough for the entire community to hear. Although that didn't matter because everyone in Unit 54 and all of Dexton was watching The Call.

Chancellor Kaine stood wearing a stodgy black suit that explicitly matched the color of his gelled hair. He was an old mundane man with a cruel sense of humor and very little patience. Max paced around the room as Kaine cleared his throat and began.

"April 13th, a day we gather to commemorate our fallen soldiers and martyrs who perished at the hands of the Dark Army all those years ago. As most of you know, the Dark Army is getting stronger and gathering supplies to attack once again. We bear the responsibility of subduing them so that the people up above don't have to." 

The "people up above" are the families and mundanes that were chosen early on to live normal lives. The parents that had disabilities and couldn't contribute anything to the UWF took their families and over time and many generations the UWF was forgotten. The other families live in a secret facility, Dexton, with over 500 soldiers training to fight. That's where I live with my brothers.

Roman sat down next to me and nervously cracked his fingers. I hated the noise so I grabbed his hand both out of annoyance and reassurance. He squeezed my hand back and gave me an anxious smile.

"Need I remind you that anyone drafted to The Call is to immediately report to the Center to begin training." The Chancellor continued. "And with that let The Call begin." He then proceeded to grab an envelope from the podium and take out a small piece of paper.

"Taylor West, Reyna Fox, Kira Bundee, Sarah Delray, Poppy Tertog, Della Sinclair, Kane Playa, Jackson Aston, Stephan Smith...." The rest of the names went by in a blur and The list was almost over by the looks of it.

Maybe I'll get lucky....

"Chance Deker, Mathew twist, Aspin Tybold, Veronica Grexton..." My heart seemed to stop beating. He said it. No he couldn't of said my name. Maybe there's another Aspin Tybold.

Roman let go of my hand and looked at me. He was clearly trying not to show any concern, but his pale pink lips trembled. Max hesitantly walked over, his tall lean body pausing and kneeling in front of me. His blue eyes were usually sparkling like the sea, but  now they were dull and grey.

I tried to speak but no words came out. All I could do was sit there and watch Kaine finish the list of new trainees. Once he was finished he took a large breath and said, "As you are all promptly aware, these young people that have been called are anything but random. They have been chosen for a reason and I am sure that we will pick only the very best of them to fight the Shadows in the Dark Army. Their skills will not disappoint im sure." And with that The Calling was over.

His words echoed in my head, their skills will not disappoint, i'm sure. It seemed as if they were meant for me, and me alone.

"Aspin I...I don't know what to say." Roman always had something to say. He was my protector and best friend. He was the oldest in our little family and after my mom and dad were killed in battle I clung to Roman and Max as if they were my life lines.

"We knew this was coming." I said quietly. "When I turned 17 we knew this was a possibility. I'll be fine." But I knew as well as they did that the chances of this were slim to none. When you turned 17 in Dexton, you were studied by the generals to see if you were a good fit to fight against the Shadows. If you are chosen, you train for three weeks and there are weekly evaluations. Only 18 are chosen to become the elite force and fight, the rest are sent as distractions for the Shadows. The generals say that being sent to distract the Shadows is a major honor, but death is certain because of the area they are sent to. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Its suicide. If you weren't one of the best trainees, you were sent to die. To make things worse, every few years when The Call happens if the population is too high, they will select a few teenagers that have no skills and no chance to make it to the elite force to make sure Dexton doesn't run low on supplies. 

"I love you both so much." I whispered trying to subdue the shakiness in my voice. 

"You will get out of this. I know you will." Roman stood and held out his hand for me. I took it gratefully as my brothers lead me to the door. The rules for The Calling are that you take nothing with you except the clothes you are wearing. I will have nothing familiar with me at all. 

Once we got to the door I turned around to face Max and Roman for what very possibly be the last time. I was trying to control my tears and the feeling of horror building up inside me but seeing their watery eyes and concerned faces made me loose it. Hot tears ran down my face and sobs racked my body as I threw my arms around them and squeezed my eyes shut. 

They held me tight and after a few moments, that I deemed the most precious in my life, I had to let go. 

"In case... I don't make it." My voice cracked on the last word. "Just know I tried my best and I went down fighting." 

"Us believing in you is not enough. You need to believe in yourself Aspin. We will see you after you defeat the Shadows. I promise." Roman kissed my forehead and I looked at them and studied every detail of their faces. Who knew how long it would be until I would see them again, if I would see them again. 

I turned around and forced myself not to run back into their protective arms and stay there. I would get through this fight for them. 

I would get through this fight for myself.