Chapter 280
.
After her shift on Monday December 31st Eve got some groceries, then went straight home. Hope still wasn't sleeping through the night so Eve drifted in and out all night. Although she couldn't talk yet Hope's word of the day was often "Scream" She peed like Niagara falls with as much volume and consistency, and at times was a lactaid-vampire draining mommy dry. Despite all this, Eve loved her, was grateful for this time. Although it had taken much of her energy not to fall asleep at work, Eve still wanted to see mayor Ford's state of the sector address tonight. At midnight the computers would perform the first random lottery drawings. Most from the Brooklyn sector wouldn't be chosen. Likely some would, and everyone was getting anxious, getting ready to see if they would get to live. People would have to make some tough choices, particularly when their loved ones weren't chosen. Mayor Ford would explain the procedure, and likely urge calm above all. Even if one wasn't chosen, they still had five more chances. Eve checked the website. They wouldn't say who was selected until midnight, but the names were already listed. Eve was glad to at least be able to see her and Hope's names on here. Mayor Ford began his state of the sector address at 8pm.
.
Ford: My fellow sector citizens. In a few hours the first will be chosen for the Arks. We hope for the best, but we must also prepare for the worst. Many are anxiously waiting to see if they've been selected. I remind all that this is merely the first drawing. There are five more drawings before impact. Six million people will be chosen overall. 600,000 for special skills, the rest by random lottery. One million will be selected in each drawing. 60% of those chosen this first time will be doctors, farmers, technicians, and so forth. They will be needed to set things up in the Arks. Regrettably, if family members are both selected, they will likely be taken to different Arks. It is important to have a diverse gene pool for the 100 years they will function. Over the next week, those chosen will be escorted out in stages. This will not be easy. Some will have to leave for the Arks, leaving loved ones behind. I cannot claim this will be easy. I urge calm above all. Those who interfere with the departures may be excluded later, they will certainly be punished in here. Good night, and God bless you.
.
Hope woke Eve up in the middle of the night, that wasn't unusual. As Eve rocked her baby to sleep she glanced at the clock, 12:34 am, after midnight. It was now January 1st, 2036. Most of the sector had likely checked the lottery list by now. Those who were chosen would probably keep it to themselves, hence there were no loud celebrations in the streets. When Hope finally slept Eve checked the website. Here was the list of all those in the sector. It said for each name either "Not yet chosen" or "Chosen." Eve checked for "Eve Thompson" and "Hope Thompson." They both said "Not yet chosen." Eve looked at it again and again, hoping it might change, neither did. Neither Eve nor her daughter were going to the Arks just yet. Eve was greatly saddened, but she tried to put on a brave face for Hope. They still had five more chances to be selected.