I rock back and forth on the flimsy mattress waiting for someone to come. I haven't told anyone what I have decided but the other humans have been either too tired or just plain uninterested, no one has bothered to ask.

I suppose they think I've chosen to remain a slave. The vast majority always do because even though a slave's future is bleak, they somehow stay alive much longer. It is common for fighters to die in the pits or if they are lucky enough to join the army and then die and the Plutonian's lovers somehow always disappear after a few years when there are others to replace them.

Which is why my decision today is rattling my mind and each second I spend wondering what is taking the officials so long is another second lost to insanity. I feel crazy.

A soft giggle escapes my lips and I look up from my toes. Thankfully no ones noticed. Everyone's in a daze of fatigue as they get ready for bed. Unlike them I am shaking with anxiety and all the hard labor I've done today has had no impact on me. This is the first time I actually feel alive.

A loud 'beep' sound erupts from the large titanium door that keeps us locked in here and I nearly jump out of bed. It slides to the side and two Plutonian's saunter in casually. One of them holds a clipboard in her hands and she clears her throat loudly.

The room is so silent, when she speaks her voice carries through the air and bounces off the walls, you would think she was using a speaker phone.

"7203, 7313 and 6906," She pauses and looks up at all of us, her cold blue eyes like lasers analyzing our every face until her eyes meet mine.

"You have five minutes to pack your belongings and your time starts now."

The slaves on the bunks near mine stare at me in shock as I get up and grab the few things I want to take. There isn't much, just two pairs of clothes that I wear to work, a comb, a toothbrush and my work shoes. They might not even be necessary anymore and I wish there was something of sentimental value that I had to treasure but when I woke up here the first time, I had been stripped of everything.

I make my way to the entrance with my belongings in hand and try not to notice the blatant looks of pity and disappointment thrown my way. I walk past Mira and she looks away unable to meet my eyes, she shakes her head slightly and I ignore it as I swallow all the worries forming a lump in my throat.

They must think I am suicidal but I am not. I have a plan and I will escape or die trying.

I am not surprised when I see Stela at the end of the room with her belongings in her hands. She looks rather annoyed when she sees me approaching and she shifts closer to the girl next to her. I then realize that the girl standing next to her is the girl who wished me happy birthday yesterday. She barely notices Stela's presence or mine as she stares at her feet looking deep in thought.

Once we have gathered we are immediately lead out by the two towering officers. I remain silent and begin to chew my bottom lip as we board a glider. I look back at the place I've slept in for the past eleven years and suddenly my chest constricts, like someone has squeezed it with their hand.

We pile into the back seat while the Plutonians sit in front. There is a barrier between us and I am unable to hear their discussion as we glide along a narrow pathway that takes us deeper into the city.

"Having second thoughts?" Stela chides from beside me and I seriously consider her words. I know there is no going back now and the idea both frightens and excites me.

The closer we get to the city, the brighter it gets. I hear Stela gasp softly and my mouth drops as well as we take in the brightly lit sky. Brightly colored lights litter the sealed dome above and rest against the clear ceiling, they merge with the sky giving it an ethereal glow.

Unlike our dull grey quarters outside, the buildings here are full of color and florescent lighting. It seems like a different world.

We pass by dozens of shops and restaurants, all of them bustling with Plutonians. I watch them walking along the sidewalks and our glider stops to make way for a group of them crossing the road.

I spot a family in the group. The mother scolds her son for rushing and the father holds on to his daughter's hand tightly as they cross. The sight of them stirs unwanted feelings within me as a memory forces its way into my thoughts.

We suburbans had made a day trip to the city. I was only six at the time but the sight of the tall buildings and crowded footpaths had scared me. I was paralyzed in place, staring at the huge plasma screen on one of the buildings of a man brushing his teeth. And then I felt the warmth of my father's hand in mine and his smile reassured me that everything was fine. I never let go until we were on our way back to our house.

I choke back a sob and the red haired girl stares at me curiously.

"So what did you chose?" Stela breaks the silence and asks her.

"Paramour," She replies after a moment of hesitance. "You?"

"Same," Stela says proudly, beaming from ear to ear as she catches the eye of a male Plutonian who crosses our glider. "They are so gorgeous."

I try not to look so repulsed at how proud she is for wanting to sleep with those monsters.

"I'm guessing you chose the same," She eyes me and even though she tries to look nonchalant I can tell she is interested.

"No, I chose to fight in the pits," I reply and immediately hear simultaneous gasping from Stela and the red haired girl.

"But why?" She asks, her pretty face etched with horror.

"I want to join the army, to fight for the civilization who created and saved us," The words are so preposterous they taste like venom in my mouth, but after years of practice they come out smooth and believable.

"Wow, I wish I had your courage," She stares at me in admiration and reaches her hand out to me. "I'm Casandra by the way."

Her comment brings a smile to my face. "I'm seven- my names Aria."

"That's not courageous, its suicidal," Stela cuts in looking rather annoyed. "You do know that the last slave to join the army was four years ago. All the other fighters have stayed in the pits and died there."

Trust her to bring the mood down. I bite my tongue and refuse to fight back. She obviously knows about the Plutonian lovers who have gone missing over the years but I have concluded that she is insane and there is no point arguing with an insane person.

We have both chosen dangerous but rewarding outcomes and she knows it. I can tell by the way she keeps biting her nails.

We eventually stop at a large white building. The officers in front get off and we follow suit. Once we are in I see a tall well dressed man with dark hair who stands by the counter with his arms crossed over each other.

If it weren't for the black hair and the smile on his face I would have guessed him to be Plutonian and I am shocked when the officers greet him.

One of them turns towards us. "First of all I would like to congratulate you on your brave choices. Your decisions will contribute to the Plutonian workforce and population-" She pauses and acknowledges each of us which stuns me. This is the first time a Plutonian has ever addressed me without it being a threat or instruction.

"Since there are only three of you this month, you will be staying in the same quarters. If you are chosen by a master you will be relocated accordingly. We have Sergeant Atmos, the leader of one of our defense squads here to settle you in. He is an exceptional human, the first who ever made it into the Plutonian army. He will be here to guide you and see that you are trained accordingly. We hope you can achieve a similar feat as well. Good luck."

I swallow my nerves as I stare at Sergeant Atmos. I have never seen him in person but we have all heard stories about him. The first human to ever win a fight against a Plutonian in the pits and to make it to the army. He is a legend that I did not believe existed until now.

"I'm disappointed," He says once the Plutonians have left. "It seems the girls are braver than the boys this time." He smiles like it is a joke but none of us laugh.

After an awkward moment of silence he clears his throat.

"Let me give you a tour of your new home." He gestures for us to follow and begins walking.

We walk along a large corridor with faces plastered on each side. I don't recognize them but they look Plutonian with their pale faces and silver hair.

"As you know this is the human headquarters for fighters and paramours. These faces you see here are the first Plutonians to inhabit Earth. In other words these are your great ancestors," Sergeant Atmos says.

We take a lift and he leads us to a huge hall. There are about twenty humans here, some are eating and the others are lounging on some really comfortable looking chairs watching television or playing with devices in their hands.

"This is the cafeteria plus a recreational room for us when we are free, you can see it is a much easier life than before," He says. "If you make it."

"What do you mean "if" we make it?" Stela asks.

"Well you have chosen to be a Plutonian's mistress but if no one wants you as their lover then you cant be a paramour, obviously," He answers in a condescending manner and I can see that her face has paled.

She proceeds to ask him another question but he rushes off leaving a huge gap between us.

We follow him across a large courtyard with various green algae neatly arranged all over and make our way to the room across.

Sergeant Atmos swings the doors open and walks in. "Welcome to the training room."

This room makes the cafeteria look like a tiny closet. The massive hall is divided into multiple clear cubicles. I see a human shooting a simulation in one, another flings deadly sharp objects at moving simulations and in the centre of the room lies a huge ring where two humans are fighting with each other.

One of them looks at us for a moment and his head swings to the side as his opponents foot connects with his cheek. He falls onto the floor and the other human climbs on top of him and punches his face until he taps onto the floor rapidly.

I wince as he lies there unable to move.

"You will be training here this evening before your match tomorrow," Sergeant Atmos breaks me from my daze.

"What?" I knew I had to fight but I didn't think it would be immediately. "I fight tomorrow?"

He then smiles a sly smile and I get the sense that Sergeant Atmos might not be as noble and great as the stories make him out to be.

"Of course. We need to gauge how capable you are. There's no use training someone who cant fight at all. You need to have it in you already."

"So what happens if she loses?" Casandra asks for me because my throat has constricted and it seems I have lost my voice.

"Well if you live but lose, it will definitely be a shame but do not worry it wouldn't be the first time and you will just go back to being a slave. Simple," He says sweetly.

His words echo in my mind as my gaze returns to that man on the ground. Blood drips from his mouth as they place him on a stretcher and carry him away.

Tomorrow that could be me.