Four

Anaya dreamed about Ken that night.

He held her hand as he led her through the gym.  She felt his warmth in her sweaty palm.  The bleachers now full of cheering classmates, including Britty. Some even chanted “Go Ana! Go, go!”

They walked towards that gray door.

The boys’ locker room.

As Ken pushed the door open, the school bell clanged loudly.

Anaya jerked suddenly as she opened her eyes.  And groaned.

She was in her bed.

Darn it all!

She turned on to her side, and pulled the comforter back up to her chin and closed her eyes.

A knock sounded at the door.  “Anaya?”

It was Mom.

Anaya pulled the comforter over her head.

The door creaked open.   “Anaya?”

“Yeah?” She mumbled under the covers.

“You need to wake up, dear.”

“What time is it?”

“3:30.”

“As in AM?”

“Yes.”

“Go away, Mom.”

Mom sat at the bottom of the bed and touched the lump that was her feet.

“Anaya, this is important. You need to wake up.”

With a huff, Anaya pushed the covers off and sat up.

“What’s so important, Mom?” She glared at the older woman.

“I need you to get dressed and pack what you can in your back pack and meet us the kitchen in 20 minutes.” Mom stood up and looked down at her daughter’s quizzical expression. “We’ll explain then.”

It was curiosity that got Anaya up and into the kitchen within 15 minutes.

The sleepy Eli was dressed and sitting in his portable car seat at the oval table. Mom was packing canned items into a cloth bag at the counter.  Dad stood at the back door, and kept glancing through the opening of its curtains.

She set her heavy back pack down on the floor beside the other luggage next to the table.

“What’s going on?”

Mom glanced over at Dad who then moved away from the door towards her.

“Have a sit, pumpkin.” He said gently.

She did.

“I received a call almost an hour ago.” He continued. “From, ah, important people and we’ve been selected to go live in a special underground city.”

Anaya felt her mouth drop as she stared at Dad. “What? I-I don’t understand. What do you mean by ‘selected’?”

“The government held a lotto…a random, secret lotto and we’re fortunate to have been picked.” Dad almost sounded angry.

“Secret?” She mumbled as she turned to Mom.

“Yes, dear.” Mom replied. “It was done that way to avoid mass panic and chaos.”

“Will any of my friends be there?”

“I don’t believe so.” Dad answered as he returned to the back door.

Anaya glanced down at her feet.  She’ll never see Britty or Ken again.

Ever.

“They’re here.” Dad said.

“Quick, Anaya, grab your bag.” Mom spoke as she picked up Eli.

Anaya heaved her bag over one of her shoulders and silently followed her parents out the door.

A large black SUV was parked in their drive-way.  As they approached the vehicle, four men in plain suits stepped out.

She held her breath.

They were wearing guns!

The tallest one slid the side door open as Mom, still holding Eli, climbed in.

Anaya hesitated as she looked up at the man’s face.  His eyes were milk chocolate-brown. Emotionless.

“Please step in, ma’am.”  He spoke in a quiet voice.

She nodded and clambered into the dark vehicle and sat in the back seat with both Mom and Eli.  Eli, now asleep, was placed between them.

Dad sat in the middle row with two of the suited men.  The remaining two sat in the front.

Anaya tried to peer through the side window, but it was too darkly tinted for her to see anything.

Mom touched her arm. “Try to get some sleep.  It’s a long ride to where we’re going.”

Copyright © 2012 Carrie Ann Golden

All rights reserved.

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