Extended Version
10/6/19

At exactly midnight, an alarm went off in the silent house, jarring the sleeping person next to it. Without further ado, a pale hand rose up to meet the off button, shutting down the screaming machine. The body attached to the hand sat up, the covers revealing a recently turned eighteen-year-old boy. He was shirtless in plaid pajama bottoms, his unruly brown hair touched his shoulder through the tangles that captured them throughout the night. After the initial yawn and rubbing the sleep off, his eyes peered blearily through the darkness, green piercing the black.

His bedroom door creaked open and both of his parents along with his younger sister poked their heads into the small room. His mother and sister were carbon copies of each other, their milk chocolate eyes creasing in worry with messy buns encasing their long dark hair. His father had his strong jaw set, but the furrow of his eyebrows showed the boy that he was worried. His father and he were a little similar, but still different. While he himself had the brunette features of his mother, his father was a blonde. They could both show off their green eyes and jawlines, but his short father hid that prominent feature with a neat beard.

"Are you ready, Jason?" His father's gruff voice asked.

Jason put his hands to his temples before saying, "Is anyone ever ready?"

"Get dressed," his mother ordered, worriedly looking back at the front door, "they'll be
here soon."

Jason's family departed to wait elsewhere in the house. The clock read 12:04 in daunting red numbers, the date right next to it. The day was June 6th, 2306, the most terrifying, exciting day of the whole year, this year especially. There were more participants than there has ever been before, but 18 years ago it wouldn't have been a surprise. All able adults planned for this, just like Jason's parents.

You can do this. Yes you can, Jason. You can do this. The brunette hopped out of his bed with a new attitude, shaking all of the rest from his body. Adrenaline began pumping through his veins as he hyped himself up.

Jason strolled confidently out of his room, swinging the door shut behind him. He found his sister in the living room watching the screen absentmindedly as she clutched her favorite stuffed animal to her chest. As soon as he entered the room, her head swiveled to lock her eyes on him. The young girl jumped out of her seat, throwing the toy to the side and dashing straight into his arms. He caught her easily, pulling her into his chest as she hugged him tightly.

"Please be careful, Jay," she pleaded.

"I will, Sara," he assured her, "don't worry about me."

"You'll come right back home, okay? Promise?"

His sister pulled away from him and offered him her pinky. Jason linked his to hers, amazed at how serious the seven-year-old was. Satisfied with his promise, Sara climbed down from his arms and scurried away, but not before giving him a last hug and kiss farewell. Her bedroom door shut for the night with a quiet click. Jason laughed to himself, picking up the forgotten stuffed animal and placing it gently on the couch to please the little girl in the morning. He left the living room and his sister's antics, switching his focus to his parents.

"I made you some toast, honey," Jason's mother said as she greeted him in the kitchen, "be sure to eat, you've got a big decision ahead of you and it helps to have a full stomach."

"Thanks, mom," he said, "but I'm not hungry."

The rumble of his stomach betrayed him. His mother gave him a stern look and raised her eyebrows. Well Jason didn't feel hungry, but he guessed his body had other plans. The moment the burnt toast touched his lips, he became overcome by the need to stress eat. His mother read his mind and immediately began making more of her specialty.

"Don't worry, son," Jason's father said, "you'll do the right thing. I have faith."

Jason nodded in agreement. He'd been preparing for this since he was younger, luckily his sister didn't have to participate since she would be 18 in 2317. If a person turned 18 in a multiple of 6 or in a year that had 6, they had to participate. June 6 was always the date, the government loved play on those numbers. Unfortunately, so did society, even his parents planing for it with him. Any chance to be part of the luxurious law and share their wealth and privilege.

It's always been this way, at least in America. No one has ever taught him different, but this was their chance to show the government that they were like them. The prime age of becoming an individual adult was when they thought they could swoop in and recruit for their army. When they added benefits of luxury, it was a no brainer for the lower class. What people do for money.

The adrenaline rush he had began fading as he continued to resent the game the government and his parents played through him. A hard knock at their door interrupted his thoughts. Jason's parents jumped out of their seats, their chairs bouncing off the wall that had their back.

"They're here," his mother said, both excitement and worry escaping from her voice.

Ignoring their chairs that lay hazardously across the kitchen floor, the family made their way to the door holding back their future. Outside of their house stood a man and woman dressed in black, stern expressions greeting the family. The man was black and tall; Jason could see his muscles flexing through the suit. The woman was surprisingly tan with wrinkles decorating her face, but her graying hair contradicted the youthful look her skin gave her as a strand fell out with every breath.

"Jason Core?" The man asked.

Jason nodded his head quickly, holding out his hand to introduce himself properly. The action was not reciprocated resulting in Jason awkwardly putting his hand in his pants pocket. The woman took a device he didn't see before off of her belt, holding next to his face. A blue hologram appeared, a miniature replica of his image glowing in her hand. She nodded her head in approval, holding her hand out for him to take.

Warily he placed his hand in her palm, then faster than he could react, she whipped out a needle and punctured his skin. His blood poured out of the small wound, making minuscule rivers across his skin. The woman grabbed something else off of her belt, holding it beneath his hand so his DNA could waterfall onto the device. It made a loud beeping sound before glowing green.

"Lets go, Mr. Core," she said, leading him to a small black car with tinted windows.

Jason quickly kissed his mother on the cheek, giving his father a firm handshake and hug before scrambling after the disappearing government agents. They got into the front, leaving him to decide which side of the car to enter. He went to the right, jumping in just in time to hear the roar of the engine break through the quiet night.

When they arrived, he was blindfolded and led through what he could assume was a building. They did so many twists and turns that he thought they got lost and didn't want to tell him. Jason lost track of time, trying to keep his mind busy as he approached his destiny. Suddenly, he slammed into a body, nearly knocking the person over.

"We're here," the woman announced rather aggressively.

Jason had no doubt it was her he ran into. The blind fold was ripped off of his face revealing a door opening to a dark room. There were two spotlights that let pure white light fall onto the items below them. In the left corner centered under the light was a small, slick, black handgun. In the right corner was a plastic foldable chair with a person sitting in it, he couldn't identify them with their back turned.

"What is my task?" Jason asked the two government agents who looked at him expectantly.

The man pointed at the gun lying innocently in the corner. "Take that and shoot him."

Said person turned around and in that moment all the confidence Jason had left him. His heart leapt in his chest and the chill that flooded his veins gave him goosebumps. With blonde hair hanging low enough to brush his shoulders and cover his eyes, Jason was able to recognize his friend. Sky blue eyes found his and a perfect smile was flashed. One would think he just came out of a book or movie. Sitting in the chair was his mentor of whom he was both proud of and jealous to have in his life.

As cliche as it was, Max was the person who had been his support since middle school and Jason followed him around like a puppy dog. Max was someone he went to with anything he needed, whether it be advice or just to talk. Even though they were two years apart, Max was always there for him. Jason considered him his best friend and older brother. There was no doubt in his mind that he wouldn't be able to complete the quest given to him by the higher power of the government.

"No," he said, shaking his head vigorously.

He turned around to leave and face the disappointment of his family and society only to find the two agents gone and the door shut without a handle on his side. Silence met his declaration, his friend looking at him unimpressed. Of course Max wouldn't be impressed, he's already done his task, but he never said it was something as terrifying as this. Max told him he had to lead an army to war and emerge victorious even if he were to be injured or to die trying.

On second thought, that was terrifying in its own way. A blinking light to his left caught his attention, a small, black half circle was embedded in the wall. They were watching him. He had to do this, this is what he's prepared for all of his life. From the moment he could understand words, he's been told he has to complete the assignment the government gave him when he was 18.

If he did, his family would live in luxury, they would never have to worry about money, and they would become part of the government. He had to do this, for his family. He knew financially things weren't going well for his parents and he had a chance to help them... so why couldn't he help them?

His legs trembled, his hands had grown clammy, and a shiver took over his body. Jason couldn't move, his eyes bouncing back and forth between Max and the gun. Anticipation made his hands shake. Make the choice, your family's life depends on it! Jason took a deep breath, his lungs rattling loudly in his ears. Come on, Jason, come on! You can do it. You have to!

"I can't," he whispered.

Max's eyes narrowed. "You must," he said.

Jason avoided his gaze, his spit catching in his throat as he swallowed nervously. He let out a nervous cough, licking his lips. He lifted his hand to drag it across his forehead, scooping up all the sweat that had accumulated there. The room lit up, making Jason squint his eyes to adjust. Through a speaker in the walls, a metallic voice blew up the room.

"Why do you refuse?"

His voice stuck in his throat, he didn't have anything to say. The weight of everything was beginning to get to him. Jason couldn't lift his head up, he was left staring at the hard gray floor. Come on, Jason, come on. Do this for your family, do it for Sara. He took another deep breath before looking at the camera and nodding his head.

The lights went out again, leaving only the spotlights. Jason took a neutral step forward, holding his head high. He took another step forward, and another one, and another. With each step, his heart beat faster. The sounds in his own head overpowering the silence of the room. He tried to take another step, but his leg gave out and he stumbled forward.

Jason caught himself before he hit the ground, but his limbs locked up. He could only see the black metal glowing brightly. The horrifying image of Max bleeding out on the ground filled Jason's vision. The gun was reflecting so much light that he was being blinded. He felt like he couldn't take in any air, his harsh breathing filled the room.

"Do you dare?" The metallic voice taunted.

Jason didn't move nor speak, frozen from the fear. Max stood up impatiently, knocking over the cheap chair with a loud bang. Relief started to run through him, but then his world began to shake because Max didn't walk towards him. No, he went for the gun. Dread replaced his relief, but he still couldn't move, not because of fear though. Shock kept him still, even as Max picked up the gun and turned around to point it at him.

Jason was frozen.

"I do."