"Amber! You're needed downstairs!" My father calls.

I push my sheets off of me and jump out of bed. I pull on grey sweats and a hoodie, and run downstairs.

I pass Ty, who smiles at me and blinks his dark brown eyes, which are the mirror image of mine.

I follow the sound of my parents talking to the front door.

"Good morning Amber!" My mother says cheerfully.

"Morning Mom."

I try to be as happy as I can around her, knowing the amount of pain I will put her through tomorrow.

"Amber, this officer is here because-"

Wait. An officer? What? I look to the door, and what do you know, there's a government officer there.

"-your mother thought that there might have been some error in your fitness test, as she didn't believe that you would be able to pass it," my father continues.

"Oh?" I say, surprised.

Wow Mom, I think. Way to make me sound weak.

"So I called ADCCG, and they sent an official to have you do the test again, with your father and I watching," my mother says.

"Okay. So I just have to redo the fitness test?" I ask.

"Yes," the official says gruffly, looking at me critically.

I am suddenly aware of my knotted, brown hair and the bags under my eyes.

"Honey, run upstairs and get ready, and then we'll go," my mom says.

"Okay. Is Ty coming too?"

"Yes."

Once get back into my bedroom, I shut the door and I rifle through drawers to find some athletic clothing. I settle on a black Dryfit shirt, and blue Adidas shorts. I lace my shoes and head back downstairs, where my mother waits with a bowl of oatmeal, which I actually hate.

She looks at me sympathetically.

"I know it's tiring, but I'm doing this for you Amber," she says.

Oh, if only she knew. But based on the conversation I overheard last night, I think my dad has figured it out. If I wanted to, I could have failed the fitness test, but I didn't.

I choke down the disgusting oatmeal, and then my whole family follows the ADCCG official to their complex, and takes us to a high tech gym.

+++

An hour later, I'm purely exhausted.

The official tells me that once again, I have passed the fitness test, and that my name will be in the bowl.

My mother's face goes sheet white, and it's almost enough to make me regret my decision. But nothing can me regret it.

I think back to five years ago.

It's the day of the drawing. One boy from each of the thirteen provinces will become government property today, and there's nothing that their parents can do about it. They all signed the contract when their child was born. If they didn't, their child would already belong to the government. I get ready, in nicer clothes than usual. Normally, my family does not attend the drawing; we normally just watch it on television. But today we are going, because my best friend's brother, Mitchel, is in the bowl. Tasha asked me to come to support her. Her brother is like her best friend. Even with the four year age gap, nothing could come between those two. But the government did-taking Mitchel away, and changing Tasha's life for the worse.

Last year, up in the North West Territories, the boy drawn had a speech impairment, and could not speak. But he was drawn, and taken by the government.

I just have to know what happens to these teenagers. I feel like it's my goal in life.

My family walks home together, everyone but Ty silent.

When you're five, you don't understand all of this. Ty knows the basic concept of the ADCCG, because children learn that in kindergarten. But he hasn't fully grasped the concept that I could be gone forever by tomorrow.

"Amber!" Ty exclaims, grabbing onto my leg, "Piggyback ride! Please Amber!"

"Okay," I exhale.

I'm exhausted, but I love my baby brother too much to say no.

I bend down and he climbs onto my back. It's a good thing that he's a scrawny little kid; otherwise I think this would kill me.

"Faster Amber! Faster! Faster!" Ty shrieks with excitement.

"Sorry buddy. Your big sister is slow," I say panting, "You might have to carry me home bud."

Ty makes a cute face of surprise and doubt.

"But you're too big for me to carry, Amber!"

"It's okay bud," I say as I put him down, "I was just kidding."

Ty laughs.

"I love you Amber."

And at that moment, I don't know how I'll ever leave.

+++

After a hot shower, I get ready to go to Tasha's house for the afternoon. I get dressed in jeans and a t-shirt; knowing that Tasha will be wearing something similar, and not really caring if I don't look like a celebrity.

"Amber! I've missed you!"

"I know! It feels like we haven't seen each other for a really long time!" I say.

"Want to go on the balcony?" Tasha asks.

Tasha lives in a huge house. Her parents are really rich, and she's always had anything a girl could want, including looks. Tasha has vibrant green eyes, and strawberry blonde hair, and at the age of fifteen has already had four boyfriends. But she's never flaunted any of it, even though she could. Tasha is one of the most humble and down to earth girls I know, and the best bestfriend I could ask for.

We get up to the second story balcony, which is our special place.

"So, did you pass?" Tasha asks me.

"Yeah. You?"

"Yes. I'm terrified for the draw tomorrow."

"Don't be. If it isn't my name called, I'll be volunteering. I'm probably the only girl in Manitoba who wants to go."

"Amber, you're so weird. But I love you anyway."

Then reality hits Tasha.

"But ohmygosh! I'm going to miss you so much Amber! I'll be best friend-less!"

"Tasha," I hug her tight.

"Please don't make me cry today Tasha. We'll have time for that tomorrow, when they give us time to say goodbye. But today, I just want to have fun with you. Please?"

"Yes Amber. Today, we'll do whatever you want."

"Okay," I pause and think, "We should go get ice cream, and then go to the park."

"Okay," Tasha giggles, "Let's do it."

+++

I really enjoyed my evening with my best friend, but now, as I lay in bed trying to sleep, I start to think of all the things I will miss. But I'm going to do it.

+++

I am locked up in a cell with no way out. "Help me!" I scream, but there is no one here to hear me. I cannot understand why I wanted to do this. I am being starved to death, and locked in a cage, all in the name of government science. This can't be legal! There is no possible way for this to be legal. But they are the government, they make their own rules. Oh why! I should be having sleepovers with Tasha, attending school and watching Ty grow up! Why does the ADCCG exist? What is the point of this? I scream even louder.

"Amber?"

"What?" I groan.

"Amber, honey, are you okay?"

"Mom? What just happened?"

"I don't know Amber. You were screaming the house down in your sleep."

It all comes flooding back to me. My nightmare about the ADCCG. But I can't let that get to me. I can't let fear get in the way. I know that I am a strong person, and I will do this.

"I'm okay mom. It was just a nightmare. I'll go back to sleep now."

"Okay Amber. Goodnight. I love you."

+++

💚😝