The Lost World

The town was buzzing, as it always and only did on the anniversary. The world was filled with games, excitement and laughter, much unlike the day before. This day in particular was beyond the normal excitement. It had been 100 years since the discovery of the planet Valtira. The day we needed it most. October 23rd 2019. A day that was remembered as the best day, in contrast to October 22nd.

Every anniversary was special, filled with festivals, food, and people coming together. Most importantly every year 10 lucky people were selected to leave the wrecked planet of earth to live in Valtira. All that stood between being selected was three tests. This year in celebration 100 people would be selected.

Today Danae felt like she finally may have a chance. She pulled her thick curls back in a ponytail and quickly pulled on the competition uniform. She took a deep breath before slipping on her mask and leaving the safety of the glass room, causing the familiar screech of the alarm to go off. She walked down the hall each echoed footstep met with another alarm as everyone left their rooms. People pushed past Danae racing towards the building door, pushing to get a spot towards the front. The door would be opened in exactly 3 minutes, and would remain open for exactly 5 minutes. Miss this chance and they would close again for the next 3 hours. Miss the door opening and miss the contest.

Danae took a deep breathe glanced at the crowd and made a sharp turn left. As she quickly made her way down towards the restroom she kept an eye over her shoulder. Now was not the time to draw attention to herself. She quietly slipped into the small room. Carefully she checked under each stall, before slipping into the one furthest from the door. One more minute. Another breathe, Danae counted the second in her head, and finally slipped the panel away, and scrambled out. She quickly and carefully replaced the panel. Time was not in her favor, but she had practiced. Within second she made her way into the line of people scrambling out of the building and into the even larger lines waiting to be let into the tent for the contest.

Danae skillfully walked towards the front of the line, making sure to move with confidence. When there was only five people ahead of her she smiled and held a conversation with the one of the guys making sure to stay slightly out of line. Before long he was at the front got checked in and she slipped in behind him. No one seemed to notice that she didn’t belong. She learned early on that people rarely questioned what seemed to belong, even when it didn’t.

At the front of the line Danae passed through the scanner, it lit up green allowing for her to carry on. All that stood between her and tent was one more person. She held up her hand, as the man attentively pulled the scanner over the tattoo on her hand. A picture of her face flew onto the screen along with a bunch of info, including her age, 22. Danae concentrated on keeping her heart rate steady. At this point she was used to seeing a fake age felt normal. This was the 4th year, after all. But it always threw her off for a second. She had her tattoo modified when she was 16. It was stupid and reckless, according to most. Danae didn’t care though, it had been worth the risk, or so it felt like it at the time. By the time she had turned 18 the risk of changing it back was greater than leaving it as was. So 22 she would be.

Danae entered the tent and was was whisked into a room. Everything was done in private, that’s how it was always done. Danae picked up the chip and slipped it into the mask. In front of her a screen popped up, the contest had begun. Danae’s heart raced as she went through each task, this was everything.

The contest was over, in a matter of minutes. It was always faster than one would expect for something so important; but no one asked question. It was safest to mind your own business. The world had become a place to mind your own business, unless you were expected somewhere, like the announcement ceremony.

The announcement ceremony was one of few events, that everyone was expect to attend. There were several locations of course. The world population was low, but not that low; sometimes it felt like it should be. The world had been slowly crumbling. Danae only wondered why everyone couldn’t be moved to Valtira, she hoped once she was there she would find the answers.

The crowds gathered and stared at the countdown, only a few more seconds and Danae would know her fate. When the countdown finally finished the screen was filled by a familiar face. The president went on with the usual speech. Danae didn’t listen, she didn’t need to. Finally the names were called. As always they were announced in alphabetical order, so Danae would not have to wait long. It was only seconds before Danae’s heart skipped a beat as her name was called. HER NAME WAS CALLED. She couldn’t believe it, She tried to stay calm as she made her way towards the waiting car. She knew the process she had been prepared. There were no goodbyes, they should have been done before. Everything should be ready. Packing was done. her room would be given to her parents; as she had left in the instructions. Everyone was to write down what should be done. Of they won. Danae had done so she was ready.

It did not take long to reach the launch site. An excited crowd was waiting outside. To Danae’s surprise no one had on a mask. The air wasn’t safe. Danae’s stomach turned, she shook her head when told to remove her mask. The attendants glanced at each other but did not force.

Everyone entered the ship, Danae entered last, keeping her head down. The flight should not have been long, not at the speed that the ship could travel. Not based on where the planet should be. Danae was smart, smarter then she was supposed to be. Smarter then she had pretended to be on the test. She knew she had done well the years before, so she had tried something new this year. That should have been a sign, it was one; but she couldn’t imagine what was worse than earth. Now she knew, this was it. The ship was not going to a new planet. It wasn’t going anywhere.

Danae frantically looked around. The ship wasn’t stopping anytime soon, or so it seemed. She looked out the window and was greeted by, as expected nothing but space. She knew now that no one had ever gotten thru this alive, but Danae was different. If anyone were to survive she knew it would be her. She took a breath, and prepared herself. It was time to make a plan.