New Chapter! Hope you enjoy it.
I arrived at school on Monday with a feeling of nervousness. Not so much for me, but for anyone in my family getting chosen for these "games". I don't think I can handle it if someone in my family gets put in them. It's not that I don't think they can take care of themselves, but I fear for the worst that can happen to them. The country is not taking this lightly either. They don't want anyone to try and avoid the drawings. Our school had guys in National Guard uniforms patrolling. They didn't have much for firepower but I'm not going to test my luck with these guys, and I don't think the others from school will either. I took a seat in the auditorium to get ready for the Connecticut drawing. If I remember correctly, each state sends a male and a female who are between the ages of 14 and 18 to an arena to "fight" hopefully without death. I doubt anyone from my school could survive; most of them are extremely cocky and would most likely get shot as soon as they hit the arena floor. No one really knows the rules of the games yet, they're waiting for the "main event" to announce them. Each tribute card had a name and the school they're from, so the guards can be on high alert if someone is called from that school. I sat in the back, alone like I enjoy being. I do have a few friends but I don't feel like messing around with them right now. I've got to listen for a few names that I don't want to hear called. Two of those names go to this school and the third is at another school. I can't do anything about two of them though, because unfortunately you can't be a male volunteering for a female.
I looked to the front of the auditorium to see my cousins talking to their friends; smiling, laughing, acting like this is just another excuse to get out of class. I know how dangerous this can be though. I don't want them to be a part of it. In fact, I hope that they don't even notice the games. We could all do without them if you ask me. The principal started to come up to the stage and we all started to settle down and take our seats.
"Good afternoon students."
"Good afternoon Mr. Molletti."
"I'm sure some of you are wondering why the school has the National Guard here and why you all were called to the auditorium." I'm sure that some people know by now. It was all over the news this weekend. Even kid's channels had ads for these stupid games. "All of you are possible tributes for The War Trials. Anyone here can be chosen to represent Connecticut in this new sport. It is a huge honor and privilege to go so cross your fingers and hope you are chosen." Everyone went silent. No one was going to want to participate in this new 'game' that they have. We have people that talk like they can fire a gun and defend themselves. That may help but these games are more about survival than anything else. Starvation, infection, and not to mention any natural cause of death is a permanent one that not even the special suit they designed can bring you back from. No one in their right mind would volunteer, unless, it was to protect someone. The TV monitor lit up and the creator of the games was speaking.
"Good morning everyone and welcome to the Connecticut drawing for the first ever War Trials." There was an applause coming from the TV screen, I'm really hoping it's fake. No one should get excited about this. "Let's grab our first tribute, boys first." He reached around a bowl that had to be filled with a good 10,000 names and grabbed one. The cards have our name, age, and school we attend so the guards here can be on the lookout for the first tribute. He started to open the card. "Our first tribute for Connecticut, from Bloomfield High School…"
"Oh shit." I said as I listened intently for the name I was about to hear. Bloomfield high school is where I go to.
"… Is Darrell Womack." My heart dropped.
"No way" I whispered to myself. Darrell was my cousin and he was 14. There was no way that I was going to let him participate in this. The guards started to sweep for my cousin who stood up very slowly. I didn't think I got up and started to walk to my cousin's side. The guards were starting to force him to the stage but he was refusing. I grabbed the guards' arm which was a big mistake because his buddy came up behind me and grabbed me.
"Help me cuz!" Darrell screamed in agony. I couldn't bear to watch anymore I just blurted out the first thing that came to my mind.
"I volunteer!" The chaos stopped for a bit and I released myself from the guard's grip. "I volunteer as Connecticut's male tribute" The crowd started to whisper amongst themselves and one of the guards said something in his headset. While he was talking the host on TV had his finger to his ear, like there was an earpiece we couldn't see inside of it. While they were busy I ran to my cousin and hugged him. He was shaking and had tears in his eyes.
"You didn't have to do that." He said.
"Yes I did. There was no way I was going to let you participate in those games." My other cousin, Kenya, came over to comfort her brother. After she calmed him down she punched my shoulder.
"Your better come back alive, you understand?" she said to me.
"I do cousin. I'll make sure I'm back in one piece." Everyone in the auditorium was staring at us some with a look of worry, others with sadness and others with looks of utter shock. The host spoke again.
"It appears we have a volunteer in Bloomfield High School for the males. Why don't you go up to the stage and show us all who you are." Reluctantly I followed the guards to the stage and had a camera pointed dead in my face. I refused to look into it. "What's your name kid?" The host asked. The boom mic lowered closer to me.
"My name is Jerome Betsey Jr."
[Unknown POV]
"What the fuck is wrong with him. He had to volunteer to save his cousin didn't he." I sighed and just accepted it. "Typical JJ. Always wanting to protect everyone in his family. Caring more about them than his own self." I stood up tall and when I felt everyone had their eyes on me I spoke. "I volunteer as the female tribute for Connecticut!"
Woah! Where did she come from? Is she friend or foe? You'll just have to read the next chapter. Until next time this is ragmanthemadman signing off.
