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The Story:
Even if you dared to cross the barriers to the outskirts of the city, you’d never get through the security of the inner wall. There was only one possible way in.
“Look, Sis, all I’m saying is that we’re not like these other barbarians out here. They could drop a card right here right now, and I’d let you take it.”
“Oh, you’d let me, huh?”
The argument had officially exasperated my brother, and he let out a sigh.
“You know what I mean.”
I smiled at him and nodded. I did appreciate his dedication to protecting me. But the chances of a card dropping where we could get it were slim.
Having a pass to get into the city was the only way to live a long life. The unseens would randomly drop pass cards among us, probably watching as we tore each other apart for it. Some people even camped along the roads, hoping to attack a card bearer.
It was rumored that the unseens placed bets on who would make it into the city. But no one knew for sure because no one that went into the city had ever come back out.
“You’re back late. Did you get the water?”
“Yes, mom.”
Jake and I had made our daily trip to fetch water for the family. We set the buckets down beside my mother outside as she glared at us for taking too long.
“I’m not getting any younger here, while you two take ages to…”
She stopped talking as something fell between us and plopped in the water. We all looked down. Shimmering on the surface of the water was something none of us had ever seen, but we all knew what it was.
I reached for the card, but my hand was slapped away by my mother. She snatched the card and looked at us both.
“I’m 37. I could die any day now. I’m sorry.”
A man further down our row of shacks started yelling.
“Hey! Hey, she’s got a card!”
A sea of people in our crowded community all stopped what they were doing and started moving toward us.
I think it was the fear of dying right then that made her do it. My mother threw the card at Jake and ran inside our shack, bolting the door shut.
“Don’t let go of my hand,” Jake said.
And we started running.