Chapter 1
The sun was shining and it was the perfect Autumn day. I made sure to step on each and every leaf making sure they each crunched. My sack bounced at my side as I walked home from school. It held my pencils and folders. It was blue, my favorite color, until I came home. My parents gave me an ugly brown sack from my older brother. They smiled at me waiting for me to take it but suddenly they disappear from view as they board an aircraft. "Mom! Dad!" I yelled but they just waved back.
Bam! I wake up. The year is 2170 in the cold of December. I cuddle the old and torn teddy bear even though I'm 15. My feet touch the cold stone on the floor and a chill is sent up my back. I flop into the kitchen to see my brother in his uniform. He has eggs that I got yesterday cooking on the stove. I am still in my sleeping clothes when Ian bangs through the door.
"He had me working up until the first light of dawn!" he shouts, propping his feet on the table.
I shove them off and slide some of my eggs on his plate.
"Thanks. I haven't gotten a chance to eat yet but you sure? You gave five rabbits and a squirrel for these."
"It's fine. We can get more. Animals late to hibernate and looking for food." I say pushing his feet off the table again.
"It's winter though. It may be hard to find some fat ones."
"Don't care. I just love the woods."
"You seem more relaxed in the woods."
"Duh!"
I am not your normal frilly dress, make-up wearing girl. I was raised as an army girl. And yes, there is war between the Cores. Well a second war. About 100 years ago when everyone was coming together. People used to live in peace and travel freely, for the little time, between them but when the Core ,called Tope, wanted more power than the others…. We all started to fight. Tope had finally overpowered the others and are taking our supplies. We almost drained the lake one summer since Tope was having this thing called "swimming pools" installed almost in every square inch.
The resources were shrinking since we would often trade at the Suecra which was in the middle of all 44 Cores but with the war, no one could give up their main resource without going into failure. Each Core has their own name and produce a special thing everyone wants. I live in Hoi. We produce water products since we live right next to a giant lake. My teacher says they were called the great lakes once and based on the size, I agree. Are products consists of hydro-power, drinking water, and other water things. Once a child turns 12 he or she learns how to purify the water. It's really easy if you know what to do.
Before I was even born, both my mom and dad were registered in the army. That's how they met. During training. As my dad says "It was love at first gun shot" and it always cracks me up. My brother, Sam, and I live in the almost poorest part of town. We share our things a lot. Ian is my best friend and best hunting partner. He can shoot over 20 yards. He is much luckier then me though. Only his dad is enrolled in the Army. I always tell him that but he comes back saying I still have my brother since his brother was in the war and died. We try not to talk about it much. I am very lucky though. Sam and I are very close. He has pretty much raise me since an official came to test him. He had to do a month of tests until they said he was old enough for me. He is 17. I sometimes feel worse for him because when he was 7 mom and dad were called for battle. He must have more memory of what happened. All I know is from the stories. I can only remember my mom crying. Not wanting to leave her kids. Grandma and Grandpa had watched us since. They stop by occasionally with food and sweets and comforting words. I always plea for them to come home.
"We got 5 minutes to get to school. Think I'll beat you guys today?" Ian says.
"Yeah right! We won fastest in our grade twice!" Sam and I shout at the same time.
Ian is actually Sam's friend. So Ian is actually 17. When I first started school I was shy and scared. I didn't want to got close to anyone, afraid they might leave me. But one day Sam brought Ian home just as Grandma finished dinner. Grandpa let him stay since he could never say no to Sam. I was called for dinner and when I first saw him I was angry. He was destroying the one time of day I felt safe. No outsiders. Only my family. Sitting around the table laughing an eating delicious food. But he. He was the first person I very much hated. I would see him in the hall and shove him a bit. He never got mad, never freaked, and more importantly, never hurt me back. Then one day I saw him in the playground. Being picked on by some older kids. I had always thought that's what I wanted for him. To be beat up and bloody. But when I saw it actually happen…. I….I just stepped in. They were distracted enough for Ian to do use his combat skills to get away. To this day I have no idea why I would save the person I hated. Now we're inseparable and always have a good time. I can't even think what he had to do in order to trust me.
"Ready. Go!" I shout as I pull ahead to the stop sign.
"I'll get you one day! Then I'll be better than you!" Ian says panting less than four feet behind me.
'I'd like to see you try!" I say laughing and looking back.
I run and run while looking back. Then I fall to the ground. I look up and see Jackson. He is very mysterious and quiet. He has one of the best scores in at least everything. I might be fast, but he's fast on a whole new level.
"S-Sorry." I squeak.
"It's okay. I usually have to run for school to but I didn't want to miss the chance to see a snowfall."
"Oh yeah today is the first day of winter. Sadly there isn't any snow, just cold wind."
"Yeah." He says smiling.
Ian and Sam catch up and Sam pulls me back protectively. He never has trusted Jackson since he was good at everything during the training this year. He says its always the quite ones that do the most damage. I completely believe him but something about Jackson is trustworthy.
"Lets go Shelby. Don't be late okay? Here's your lunch," Sam says staring down Jackson as he hands me my lunch. Lunch at school cost to much and we barley get by on Mom and Dad's money.
"See you after school. Do you have anything after?"
"Yeah. Archery with Rosalie."
"Okay. Come straight home after that. Grandma and Grandpa are coming over."
"Kay." I say giving him a kiss on the check.
I watch as he stares down Jackson one more time before being pulled into the secondary building by Ian. Jackson looks down at me. He has about three inches on me.
"Sorry if I got your brother mad at you." he says as if its his fault.
No. Its my brother's fault because he doesn't trust you! Is what I want to say.
"Oh. It's okay." I say instead.
"Good because the last thing I need is something else to worry about…." he says with a pause.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh it's nothing." he says smiling.
That's his mysterious side. No one knows his past or really his present. All we know is he lives in house 13 on my street. Once again, no one knows if the 13 adds to his mysterious-ness or not.
I check my watch and see its almost 6:10. I run into the building and set my brown sack on the floor. Just as the bell rings Jackson slips into his desk. How could he be late? He was right behind me.
"Good morning class. Happy Friday. Don't forget about the sports club sign ups tomorrow. Its first come first serve. You can sign up for as many as you want but will only be picked for one this coming summer. " said Mrs. Titus.
I look out my window as I see little white flakes flutter across the brown grass below. Its snowing, Jackson. I look over to find him but he's not there. I didn't see him get up for the bathroom pass. Then again I'm not paying that much attention. Then I wonder if Sam can see the snow. Grandma says he and dad would play in it for hours. Once they played until the very last light on the houses were turned off to go to bed. Now, he doesn't play in it regularly. I guess he's busy with school and his part-time job.
"Okay. Please pull out your math books and don't stare outside, Shelby." Mrs. Titus says.
I blush a little by embarrassment and quickly get out my math book. I'm great at math. I'm even in charge of the money. I take care that the checks we get for mom and dad and the money Sam makes, is used each month so we have a little extra. One month we had 40 dollars left over. At most its 5 or 10 dollars.
The day drags on. At lunch I don't really hear anything Rosalie says. I apologize over a hundred times and she forgives me. When I get to the last class of the day, Jackson is back but with a bruise on his cheek that's being covered up by make-up loosely.
"Hey Shelby. Ready for archery?" Rosalie asks.
"Yeah. I guess."
"You okay?"
"Well. I had this really scary dream last night…"
"With monsters?"
"No!' I say as we begin to laugh.
"I'm just kidding. You can tell me and I'll be serious."
"I-It was about my parents and the brown sack my brother gave to me."
"Oh."
"Then my parents got on a jet and zoomed away. They just waved no matter how loud I screamed…."
Rosalie is speechless. She is one of my closes friends and really understands me. She lost her mother around the time war broke out. She was studying in Core 34 I think. I forget their name but I think they specialize in like cloth. My mother has a dress made from the silk from there. Rosalie's mother was forced to stay there, unable to come home. They didn't let anyone in or out. She was so angry she pulled out her weapon, which is illegal if not training. She was killed on the spot. Her father joined the army right after that swearing he wouldn't leave anyone else unprotected. Right now he's fighting along side my parents.
"Lets have fun today. I heard were going to be shooting far moving objects!" I say trying to lighten the mood. I see a smile crack out of her face. "Of course it will be easy for you since you hunt moving things all the time!" she adds.
After the club, we walk home, bows in hand.
"You hit the bulls-eye each time!" Rosalie shouts.
"I know." I reply, feeling stronger.
"You must get bored."
"Why? When I have a bow and arrow….. I just feel….."
"Like the hardships we suffer are gone?" She says, finishing my thoughts
"Yeah. Oh shoot! My grandparents are coming over any minute! I've got to go! I'm so sorry Alice!"
"It's fine. I should get home. I am hoping for a letter from my Dad."
"Oh Cool. Tell me if you do. See you later."
"Will do."
We salute each other giggling as I make my way up the driveway, onto the porch, and open the door. Grandma and Grandpa aren't here yet. Good. It gives me time to hide my hunting gear. Grandma hates me hunting. She's worried I'll get caught and put to work in Tope or in the War against the Cores.
"Hey." he says looking at my clothes.
"I'll change. Don't worry." I say smiling.
"There are some clothes in the basement. There clean."
"Okay. Dinner smells amazing by the way. Guess those herbs were a good trade."
"Thanks but hurry and change. There're be here any minute!"
I hurry down the stairs and grab a clean shirt off the top of the pile. It smells like lavender. I giggle. The chimes on the door ring and I know their here. I throw my hunting gear in the closet and run upstairs.
"Grandma! Grandpa!" I say hugging each of them.
"We have some treats for you guys since we haven't had a chance to come over in a while." Grandma says.
"Oh you didn't have to do that." Sam says wiping his hands on a dish towel.
"No I insist. First."
"Hot Chocolate Mix!' I shout. Sam doesn't look as excited.
"I put cinnamon in your mix." Grandma says.
"Just like dad…." he says twisting it in his hand.
"I also have special gifts for you two." Grandpa says.
"Oh Grandpa!" I say hugging him.
"You don't even know what it is yet!"
"Oh yeah." I say releasing him.
"The first thing I have is for your Sam."
Sam's eyes widen as he sees the little gold trinket in Grandpa's hand. Grandpa opens Sam's hands and places it in. Then he closes them together.
"Please take care of it. You father wanted me to give it to you when I felt you were responsible."
Sam nods his head quickly putting the trinket in his pocket.
"What did you bring me Grandpa?" I ask.
"Don't be rude, Shelly."
"No, No, No. It's fine."
Grandpa pulls out a beautiful silver looking necklace. It has an angel charm.
"M-Mothers necklace."
I remember always playing with as a little kid. I loved the angel as it twisted and turned on her neck. There was a story with the angel my mother made up to help me fall asleep. Not seeing her for so long has made me forget.
"Yes. Your mother left this with us the day she left. It has much value so I felt I should wait until your older. Like your brother."
I frown a little, not wanting Grandpa to see. Yet he has keen eye sight and notices.
"I know you would take great care of it but I want to make sure. You understand?"
I nod slightly. Grandpa puts the necklace on me. I stand in the mirror looking at the sliver shine next to my blonde hair. Grandma brings Sam over as she helps put the gold trinket on his wrist. Father's watch.
"You can wear it tonight. We have one more surprise."
Grandpa pulls out two envelopes. One is for me and one for Sam. I run up for mine almost knocking Grandpa down. He just laughs and hands me the letter. It feels thick and I feel a slight bulge. I tear the paper slowly and steadily like I'm doing heart surgery. I reach the end and pull out the contents. A letter from Mom and a letter from Dad. Plus, a little package. Very small. About the size of a nut.
"Go on. Read the letter first." Grandma says.
I do as I'm told. Sam closes his letter and looks up at me. "Read yours aloud." he says. I nod as I begin. "Dear Shelby, You are becoming a strong young woman. I got the picture you sent me in October. I have no idea when you will get this letter, I'm guessing you look even older. I can't believe my little girl is growing up. Please be careful of the weather. Here on the battle field, it's getting colder every night. We have been receiving a surplus of blankets, so don't worry." The letter goes on to more things about the war and ends with, "And Shelby, be good. Don't be stupid, Dad." The room goes silent as I skim Mom's letter. The same. Just a few things I don't thing I can read aloud without bursting into tears.
"Sam. Why don't you read yours?" Grandpa says.
"Oh. Okay." He says gently unfolding to paper. "Sam, You're a growing boy and I hope your not overwhelming yourself with chores. Have Shelby help out every once in a while. Please make sure she isn't taken advantage of. And make sure to judge any guys she brings home, hard. Think of how I would do it." Sam pauses and folds the letter up. "That's all I want to read. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Open your packages." Grandpa says. I grab mine and undo the little bow. I am amazed at its contents. A ring. The little card says, "A famous piece of jewelry worn by the girls of Core 5. Thought you'd like it, Mom and Dad." Sam opens his and I see a pouch. He opens it and inside is another ring. The card says, "Popular in Core 5. The men wear it as a symbol of strength and courage, wear it proudly, Mom and Dad." We slip on the rings and it turns out, they are each crescents. Two haves of a whole. We stand in silence.
"How about some of that delicious dinner Sam made!" Grandma says.
We walk into the kitchen speechless. I look out the window at the thin blanket of snow. New little snowflakes fall from the sky. My mind goes back to Jackson and his bruise. I get served mashed potatoes, deer, and roasted nuts. It's Grandpa and Sam's favorite meal. I stir the mashed potatoes until I pour some gravy mix Sam invented a few years ago, in the little hole. I clench the necklace and look out. My mind wanders off to Jackson. The lights of house 13, just down the block, dark.
I know my parents are safe. They have each other and their friends. I am not too worried about them. My grandma notices I haven't eaten much.
"Better hurry. Grandpa and Sam will eat it all." she says smiling.
I smile at her. I know she thinks something is up with me but just continues to eat and listen to Grandpa's old jokes and Sam's stupid jokes he made up. She even tries to include me in the conversation but I answer with a simple "yes" or "no" which I know doesn't please her.
"Well wasn't that nice?" Grandpa says.
"Of course!" Grandma says complimenting Sam on his meal.
"Glad you enjoyed it." Sam says.
"Let's go to the living room. I made a treat for you guys." Sam says.
"Okay." Grandpa says cheerfully. Not only does he love steak, he has the worlds biggest sweet tooth. He loves cakes, pies, ice cream, and pretty much any thing with lots of sugar in it. I feel bad when we have low amounts of sugar. Grandpa just seems so much more depressed.
Grandma stops me as I take a step toward the living room.
"If something is bothering you, you can come to me. Don't keep it bottled inside." she says.
"Okay Grandma. Thanks…" I say maneuvering around her. I sit down just in time for the laughter to stop and Grandpa's face become serious. Sam comes in with a fancy French chocolate cake, which he made. Had to trade half my deer, but I guess it was worth it. Grandpa doesn't acknowledge it.
Now I know for sure something is wrong. Terribly wrong.
"G-Grandpa?" I stammer.
"Although the night was filled with laughs and fun….. I have some news for you guys." He says standing up and pacing in front of the fireplace.
I sit straight up in my chair. Could something have happened to mom or dad? Maybe they lost a limb that they didn't write us about? It has been two months since they got the last letter. What if they were attacked and we weren't informed?
"This may be shocking but…." Grandpa says obviously unsure about what he is about to say. "Shelby, do you know a boy named Jackson Loon?"
I freeze. Why would the news deal with him?
"Y-Yes. Why do you ask?" I stammer over my words.
"Well, as you know we are currently at war. And although your parents look happy and worry free… something big is happening."
Sam slices the cake and hands out pieces. I am to engulfed with fear I refuse. Even Grandpa sets his piece down.
"That boy. Stay away from him." Grandpa looks around, looking for any officials outside. "He is not who he says he is. He is a danger."
A danger?