Chapter Four:

It was another cloudy day. The sun hid behind the clouds yet again and no sunlight was seen. It was gloomy again and you could swear the universe was sending a message to everyone, more specifically the government I liked to think.

I stared out the window of the car as I drove by all the houses. The all looked empty like no one was there, like no one has ever lived there. But that wasn't true. I knew that. They were all at the school waiting for Carter and I to turn up. To give us their best wishes and wish us a goodbye, for them to send their prayers our way.

The thoughts clouded my head and I couldn't get them out so I turned the radio up trying to wash them away and drowned myself in the song. 'That's how you know you fucked up' sang through and after a few seconds of listening to it I turned the radio completely off.

In the corner of my eye I saw Daniel who was driving look at me curiously as his lips twitched upwards but turned his gaze back to the worn out grey road which was filled with pot holes which the car jumped to every few seconds because of how many of them there were.

The reason why I turned the song off was because it couldn't describe my situation any better. I guess in a way it is how I fucked up. Why did I have to be strong? Have a bit of a temper which made me defend myself? Why was I sporty? Or even smart? If I wasn't like this maybe I wouldn't even be in this position.

Daniel had just turned onto the main road which eventually turned left to which where the school was. It was like I was on the road to my death, the highway to Hell, and the tingling nerves in my stomach didn't help.

But before we got to the road where we were meant to go to school Daniel turned right where there was a long road which held many of Redlake's stores. Daniel pulled up in front of Gloria Jeans and we got out the car. I wasn't suppose to be at the school until ten minutes and during that time Daniel and I got ourselves milkshakes.

We walked inside and ordered what we wanted before sitting in the back booth which was pretty gloomy. Barely anyone was here. It was practically empty, and it just proved that everyone was ready and waiting for the school assembly and farewell.

"So," said Daniel and I turned to him where he slurped loudly on his milkshake and let out a loud ah when he drank at least an eight of the cup which made me give him a soft smile. "You ready?"

I almost laughed out loud at his stupidity. I just looked up at the ceiling and stared at the pattern of it how the paint was swirled around before looking back to him.

"What do you think?" I asked him sarcastically.

"I don't know."

We were quiet for a bit after that. It wasn't awkward or anything. I guess we were both relieving these last ten minutes together. My last time spent alone with my older brother before who knows what is going to happen.

I let out a loud breath, "I'm not going to die."

"I know," he replied just like last night.

"I'm coming back."

"I know."

"This isn't goodbye."

"I know," he replied softly and looked me in the eyes during the whole conversation.

The door of Gloria Jeans then suddenly let out a ring as the door opened and we didn't have to turn or look to see or know who it is.

Carter walked up to us after grabbing the milkshake he ordered which was quickly made and he took a seat next to me while his two elder twin brothers Tyler and Darren took the seats next to Daniel.

Within the last week we all properly met each other and it turned out that Tyler and Darren was the same age as Daniel and no doubt the three of them would get along because when I met Tyler and Darren, they had similar personalities to Daniel.

All five of us sat in silence as I heard the faint ticking of an old rusty clock hanging on the wall, ticking away the final minutes of peace I had left. No one started conversation, we were all enjoying the peace. Not only would Carter and I be thrown in shit. Both our families would be chucked into it too. With the possibility of a dead child and having cameramen interviewing them through everything that happens. Good and bad.

For today, Carter and I agreed together to spend the last ten minutes of our peaceful lives at a cafe and that we should both go to the school together. It was suppose to be a tactic for the both of us to look tough so people could not walk all over us, and show an united front to intimidate teams that we are in for the long shot. But I think it was only really decided because I don't think that anyone of us could handle going in there alone, not without at least someone to be by your side and to be going through the same thing as you.

"Two minutes," said Tyler in the silence between all of us.

Telling Tyler and Darren apart was easy. The first thing was that Tyler had blue eyes whereas Darren had green, but mainly it was the way they held themselves and their split personalities. Where Tyler wore glasses and was kind of more on the nerdy side and played sports like his brother, Darren was the player who worked every girl like a treadmill and was more the laid back type. They both had golden/brown hair which was styled slightly different to the other and easily had the face a girl would scream for.

"Yeah," I said silently feeling like the silence between us should now be filled. Filled with something but I'm not sure though.

I put my hand in my signature black Adidas jacket and pulled out an envelope which said Daniel on it and held it out for Daniel to take. He momentarily looked away from his milkshake and stared at the envelope in my hand which had his name on it.

"If I don't make it back," I told him.

"No Bryce," he said pushing my hand back to me but I stubbornly shook my head and slid it on the table between us so it fell on his lap where he then had to pick it up.

"You said you were going to come back," he said harshly glaring at me with anger but really with sadness.

"In case," I told him.

"Just in case."

He sighed and looked at it flipping it around with his fingers, his face contort, lines of worry furrowed his forehead, his eyes distraught with sadness.

"I don't won't a just in case," he said to me, meeting my eyes with his devastated ones. "You're coming back so I don't need it."

I shook my head in response still maintaining eye contact, "take it," I pleaded as he slid it back again.

"No," he said louder then a talking levelled voice, his fists clenching and unclenching, knuckles turning white.

"Take it," I said harder to him now gritting my teeth.

"No," he screamed standing up as he said it and slammed both of his hands on the table causing his milkshake to almost topple over if not for half of it left in it which helped it balance.

"Stop being so stubborn and take the fucking letter!"

Everyone was quiet after that and I was standing in front of him, holding the letter at arms length to him, waiting for him to take it. I felt tears well up in my eyes and could tell by staring at him, that my eyes had turned glossy because my vision had turned blurry and his anger calmed down and he looked at me with hurt seeing me like this.

We stood there for a bit before he took the letter grumpily and sat down abruptly on the brown cushioned seat. I sat down and let out a harsh rugged breath. Tyler, Darren, and Carter stared at us and at our exchange and Tyler and Darren in front of me looked at me with such pity and sadness in their eyes.

"Only open it if I die," I finish and stared at the door in between Daniel's and Tyler's heads.

In response he nodded sharply and tucked it into his pocket. Rage still seeping out of him before he started to calm down.

I don't really blame him for how he acted. If our roles were in reverse I would of probably reacted the same way. If anything, Daniel is just in denial with everything that's about to happen. He refuses to believe that I would die and believes that I could survive. And I know he doesn't just believe that I would survive so he doesn't think of the latter of me being dead. But he really and truly believes that I could make it.

"Time to go," said Daniel and he stood up as the rest of us mimicked his movement and followed him outside to our car which we all agreed on taking together.

Daniel, Tyler, and Darren all personally agreed on themselves to act as our bodyguards in case something were to happen to us and when they first proposed they were doing this it gave a good laugh out of me and Carter.

Carter and I talked about it together and we both also secretly agreed that they were hoping that something would happen so they could get the excuse to beat the shit out of someone.

We all got into Daniel's silver 2015 Toyota Camry. It's a beautiful vehicle having a six-speed auto and the 2.5-litre four-cylinder made a good combination. The upgraded interior, expanded infotainment, and safety technologies like the newly installed gps and navigation system are just other improvements which made it a great car especially with the new leather seating which made it an amazing ride.

Daniel sat in the drivers seat and Darren took the passenger seat whilst Tyler, Carter, and I got into the back and I was purposely placed into the middle as Tyler and Carter claimed the seats on my left and ride.

Daniel started up the car with a quick 'are you ready?' And drove down the road now officially driving me to my doom.

I hugged my black hiking bag to my chest and leaned my chin into the top of it hearing everything inside crumple because of how much I had actually filled it.

Last night after everyone had left the barbecue I helped mum and dad clean up despite all the complaints I got from them. They kept on telling me to go get an early sleep and reluctantly I went to my room, but all I did was continue to pack my bag and double check everything multiple times.

The car ride was silent. We didn't bother with the radio nor small talk. From my left Carter stared out his window looking as if he was in deep thought. He poked his cheek with his tongue and scrunched his eyes slightly, a few strands of his dark hair falling into his green eyes.

I turned slightly to my right to see Tyler staring at the roof of the car, his head tilted back. He also looked in thought but not as deep as Carter. He blew out a bit of a breath before turning his head to me and gave me a soft smile of encouragement and I lifted my mouth for a second before letting it drop and turned straight where I stared out the front mirror and saw the school approach.

Carter seemed to realise that we were getting close and he noticeably leaned away from the window and sat up a bit straighter and brushed his fingers through his hair trying to get the few hairs slightly touching his eyes away only to have them fall back down.

I let out a soundless chuckle which couldn't be heard but he somehow noticed and turned towards me and gave me a lopsided smile.

Daniel slowed the car down as he was almost at the front gate and we saw from where we were a bit back that it was crowded. There were people everywhere. The entire front of the school was filled with people.

I looked at everyone through the front mirror and Carter and Tyler leaned close towards me to see through the same window too. It looked as if the entire population of Redlake was here and everyone immediately turned towards us as if knowing it was us finally arriving.

Looking around all the familiar and unfamiliar faces I saw Coach—Mr Davids, along with janitor Gary, Roger, and a few students carrying a large podium which was like the size of a small stage. They were moving it outside and it was pretty obvious that there were too many people to fit into the gym or even the school's massive hall which could fill the whole school times two.

"Damn," whispered Carter next to me and I felt his warm breath blow onto my cheek softly, caressing the soft, delicate skin there.

We all leaned back from looking and Daniel drove the car slowly around the mansion like driveway. Around the whole large driveway there were cameramen with cameras set up. There were so many I couldn't even count. It was almost like a runway where the have cameras propped up everywhere to get every angle they possibly could.

If anything it felt really overwhelming and I audibly gulped making everyone look towards me.

"If I were to stick up the rude finger to the cameras would they not put that footage up?" I asked.

Everyone pondered over it for a while before Darren shook his head. "It usually would work with any other situation but for this instance... it wouldn't. They would want to show anything they could. Good or bad."

I nodded in understanding. Obviously they would want to show it, to show that these kids were rude and disrespectful. It could probably be used against us on purpose for the government's republic would try and show everyone who controls everything. Like what they already do isn't enough.

"Nice try though Bryce," chuckled Daniel from the front staring at me from the rear view mirror. "You know that you could still do that though right? Please do so."

Everyone laughed lightly and we suddenly looked back forward since the car started to roll to a stop.

It seemed that all the chatter in the air that roamed outside the car had stopped and everyone turned towards us. The stage was just set down with a loud bang because someone had dropped it but no one payed attention. All eyes were on us.

My heartbeat picked up and I felt like I could start hyperventilating soon but I refused to do so. Taking deep breaths in and out I controlled myself until the thumping of my heart was only a distant feeling inside of my chest.

"Let's do this motherfucker," said Carter calmly as if trying to psych himself up and he pressed his seatbelt unbuckling it and turned towards the door placing his hand on the handle but suddenly stopped and her turned towards me.

"You coming or waiting for something?"

I shook my head and then unbuckled seatbelt and turned towards my left where I would exit the car right behind Carter. He stared at me as I strapped my hiking bag onto my back and I raised my eyebrow in question.

"You opening or waiting for something?"

He gave me a smirk and shook his head before opening the car door and stepped out. I waited for him to grab his own large bag from where his feet were before I slid over the backseat and jumped out the car where he closed the door behind me.

Daniel, Darren, and Tyler scrambled out of their doors just after us and in the quiet of the air the beeping of the car was easily heard as Daniel locked it. The sound of the beep echoed throughout the grounds and all cameras were directly faced towards me and Carter, waiting in anticipation for something to happen.

I took the first step. I walked down the newly laid concrete drive and Carter trailed slightly behind me. Our footsteps were heard with every step we made, the gravel under our feat crunched and swirled together as the wind blew harshly dragging the gravel from the grass onto the road and my hair whipped at my face.

The wind made the air grow colder in the said twenty-two degrees weather that was in the news this morning briefly before going straight into the awaiting Resdue. It felt as if it was now fifteen degrees and I wasn't exaggerating.

I began pulling at the sleeves of my favourite Adidas jacket and slipped my hands inside the slightly too big sleeves to keep them warm. My legs weren't as cold due to the tights I had put on. Originally I had a pair of sweats on but mum walked in after just waking up and stared at me for a bit, sadness was laced in her eyes and she had dark bags underneath them. She looked as if she had barely slept last night, too consumed in her thoughts which was probably no doubt about me and today. But all she said to me was something about having a nice image for everyone to first see and left the room to start her morning routine.

Everyone continued to stare and it felt like a huge weight was placed onto my shoulders. We made our way until we were standing just five metres away from the set up stage and suddenly through the speakers Roger's voice echoed as a cough and everyone turned towards him. He gestured for me and Carter to come up the steps and onto the platform.

We made follow and stood behind him after the long drawn out seconds it took for us to walk up. Our steps seemed to have echoed through the front courtyard and everyone continued to follow our every move. The cameras were still on us and I saw a few of them filming the quiet crowd. If anything it was very overwhelming.

"We are all gathered here today to give our farewells and best wishes to this years chosen students to compete in the testing games."

There was a screen set up in front of the school steps and there seemed to be one camera that was projected into it and it showed a clear view of Roger and Carter and I behind him, our packs still on our backs, not daring to look weak by discarding them on the platform floor.

"Every year we go through this and unfortunately no one has successfully succeeded the games due to the hardship of it. Last year we got close, but yet an unfortunate event had ki— taken the lives of two students. I pray and give you my condolences to your lost ones and the ones we have lost in the past. I'd like a minute of silence."

It wasn't really a minute of silence. Everyone had their heads down and Roger announced all the names of the students, people, we have lost to the games and it most certainly lasted more then a minute. But it wasn't because of all the names, it was because of the breaks in between calling them out and the loud sobs heard through the quiet courtyard which was most likely the family and friends of the person.

"Today we are sending off two of our best and brightest students Carter Millers and Bryce Henson." Murmurs ran throughout the whole courtyard and I sneaked a peek towards the electronic board and saw everyone whispering at each other when the camera's angle then changed to focus on me and Carter and I quickly glanced away from it, not wanting to see myself.

"Picking two students is the hardest thing I have had to do and sometimes picking I have to make risks by putting two people together to work as a team and achieve their goals to make it to the end. And as we have noticed, some pairs have... not had the chemistry I hoped they would and... that is where we are left to today."

Everyone was still quiet, it really annoyed me. I wished for someone to speak. What is really worse then having my speech to my death being presented is everyone having no reaction to it. Yeah, they may be in shock or don't know what to say. But could someone fucking say something. It was even really tempting to scream out something of my own just so people could focus and react on that. Not stay silent as Roger said the speech which when ended, meant I was leaving for my signed death.

"This year, Bryce and Carter, I believe, no, I know! That they will be able to get far, and god will it, make it to the end," gasps of shock were heard throughout the courtyard and my and Carter's head turned to Roger so hard and fast I swear I got whip lash. He had never said that to anyone before.

"I have worked with and watched them over the last week and they couldn't work anymore well together. And with that said, good luck. And when you get back I'm going to have a freshly made cheese pizza waiting for you guys so you better make it or so god be it I'll kill you myself."

Roger turned towards us and smiled, I smiled lightly back at his kind gesture and I saw Carter's lips twitch a bit but he didn't smile. He didn't have to. I could see it in his bright green eyes that he was smiling. He brushed his hand through his hair and let out a long breath.

Someone in the crowd cheered and all of a sudden everyone else started cheering. Words were called out and it was hard to decipher what they were saying. Glancing at my right as I saw movement and saw the bus that was suppose to collect us roll in.

It was quite large and it was most definitely the most luxurious bus I had ever seen. All white with some silver lines around the middle and was clearly very comfortable, having felt cushioned seats and most likely had adjustable conditioning.

It seemed that someone had saw me turn since when I looked back everything went quiet and I found everyone staring. The bus then rolled around the front and stopped only about thirty metres away from us.

"Good luck," Roger whispered stepping close to us and I turned to him to see that the grin had slipped off his face and his eyes turned glossy.

Without even thinking I took a step forward and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. Unconsciously he wrapped his arms around me back and we stayed like that for a few seconds before I let go.

"You'll see me soon," I assured him, "you don't think that you are going to live the rest of your life without one other prank from me are you?"

He let out a quick laugh and turned to Carter and held his hand out. After a few seconds Carter smacked Roger's hand with his own and let go.

"See you mate," he said softly and turned to me.

"Ready to go," he asked giving me a soft dreadful smile and I only glanced back softly.

"Ready or not here we come," I whispered.

Seeing this as our moment to go we took the steps down the portable stage and started to walk the thirty metres to our awaiting future. Or the future we will never get. One step is about a metre and it felt like I was walking a mile.

Thirty steps, twenty nine, twenty eight, twenty seven.

Thump, thump, thump, the beat of my heart ringing in my ears as loud as a bullhorn being blown right into them.

Twenty six, twenty five, twenty four.

Everyone around parted like the Red Sea as we walked by and whispers of good luck was said along the way. Looking around some people were crying and others looked at us with pity.

Twenty three, twenty two, twenty one, twenty.

I saw my family, they all stared at me most of them crying. I momentarily stopped and gave a tight desperate hug to Thomas hoping to savour him and I pulled back to see his face contort as he started to sob.

"Shh," I said and wiped his tears, "no tears are to be spilled okay buddy. I'm coming back remember?" He nodded his head furiously and wiped his eyes putting on a brave face. I smile at him and ruffled his hair, whispering I love you as he wiped his eyes with a heartbreaking smile on his face, and moved onto the next person.

Mum.

"Oh sweetie," she said completely bawling her eyes out. She gave me a very tight hug before pulling back and holding me at arms length, her hands resting on my shoulders. She looked at me with sadness in her eyes as her face turned red from the crying.

"You have turned out to be such a beautiful, amazing woman." I felt my own tears prick my eyes and swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.

"I love you," I said and she broke down completely. She nodded fast before saying it back and I moved onto dad who was beside her and he immediately brought me into a hug.

"Oh pumpkin," he said, he wasn't crying before but looking at him now a single tear ran down his cheek. "I'm not going to say goodbye because you are going to come back. When you are there you do what you do to survive, you kick ass like you have done your whole life and you believe. Have hope. Hope is the only thing stronger then fear."

I nodded and moved to Daniel who stood there. He stared at me but didn't cry, he didn't say anything, and he didn't have to. We have already said our goodbyes this morning.

But nonetheless he brought me into one final hug. One I would treasure forever along with everyone else.

"I love you," I whispered and knew he smiled as he hugged me.

"I love you too, Bry."

I pulled back and turned to Harriet and Sandra who were crying and hugged me tightly whispering goodbyes until I moved to the final person.

Soren.

He immediately took me into a hug and I was finally getting sick of them. But I hugged him back as tightly he hugged me since it was most probably the last time I would see him.

"I love you Bryce," he whispered.

"You have been my best friend for so long and I can't lose you so make sure you come back and reunite with your best friend because I would be upset if my best friend died. So don't let my best friend die Bryce."

He started to cry, tears running down his eyes and I smiled at him softly before hugging him again.

"Your best friend is coming back Soren."

He nodded and I pulled back turning to Carter who just finished his goodbyes to his family. Nodding at him we finally took our final steps.

Nineteen, eighteen, seventeen.

I'm waking away from my home town, my home, my family, my friends, my school.

Sixteen, fifteen, fourteen, thirteen.

The people I ave known forever attending classes with them, seeing them in stores, and having fun with them.

Twelve, eleven, ten, nine, eight.

I love my home and I'm going to miss it. My soccer practise in the afternoon where I would complain all night of my sore arm, or sore back, sore foot, some girl who had pissed me off during a game.

Seven, six, five, four.

I didn't know if I was ready. I was scared and I can admit this only to myself. No one knows how scared I truly am. Yeah, people assume that you are nervous and scared, but no one has actually really realised exactly how afraid I was.

Three.

I didn't want Daniel to open the letter I had given him. The letter I had given him was only if I died. So if he opens it.

Two.

I had died.

One.