My hand shakes as I reach for the Phone, and I set it onto the pillow next to me. The notification hologram floats above the screen, urging me to respond. Reluctantly, I swipe the message open:

Dear HOLLAND RENNER,

Congratulations! You are an official inductee of the 220th Autumnal Equinox. Across the nation, 18-year-olds like yourself will be participating in this rite of passage. Remember to follow all guidelines and rules to value the experience.

Your first task: At 7:45 AM, take the elevator to the pre-designated floor. There you will wait for further instruction.

Signed,

The Equinox Team

"That's it?" I whisper to myself, skimming the message again. No threats or ominous instructions pop onto the hologram. But I know it's not over yet. The seemingly innocent notification churns my stomach.

I roll out of bed, thinking of Stephen. The last time I saw him was on the screen in the Enhancement Project. He was sleeping in a...

I glance at my bed. It has the exact same type of sheets Stephen was nestled in on the feed. I lift one of my cheeks into a fading half-smile. There's a good chance we're both in the same city, maybe even the same apartment complex. My heart pangs, clogging my senses. I subconsciously pace around the room a few times, folding and unfolding my hands.

What am I going to do? Should I search for Stephen or remain stagnant in hopes of staying under the radar? Will Stephen come to me first? I don't even know where to start. All I know is I need to get to the elevator by 7:45 AM before I get screened.

Still nervous, I decide to take a shower before the cameras become too suspicious of me. The Project voice echoes into my ears as the shower water switches on. I drag my fingers through my hair, squinting.

Dangers like yourself can be allowed back into society. So whether you like it or not, this is your final chance, Miss Renner. If you find a flaw in the technology, you will be killed.

The water trickles to a halt, and hot air vents dry my skin. When I step out of the shower, a folded outfit sits on a small cart. I don't know how it appeared there.

I unravel the topmost garment, running my fingers along the sweat-proof fabric. Slipping on the black long sleeve shirt and shorts, I notice white and gray accents lining the outfit. I can't tell which color is more dominant when I look in the mirror. The outfit is so similar to the one from Pod 14's video recording session but also so different.

Looping my hair into a high ponytail, I exit the bathroom and walk into the kitchen. I step onto yet another PrintPad and tear open yet another NutriBar. The Bar is suddenly tasteless and disgusting in comparison to Pod 14 food. I force myself to chew the Bar and swallow. It doesn't stop my shaking fingers or tapping foot.

I check my phone for the time, deciding to leave the apartment in order to find the elevator. After standing on another PrintPad to unlock the door, I tie on a pair of black and white sneakers and exit the apartment, undeniably afraid.

Feeling jittery, I cross the hallway with my arms carefully crossed. A few teens like myself wait for the elevator at the end of the hall. They lean against the walls, talking anxiously. None of them are Stephen, so I don't pay much attention to them.

"So what do you think of the clothes?" one of the girls asks me. Her outfit looks exactly like mine.

I rub the back of my neck. "Um, they're tighter than I thought they would be?"

The group laughs. "I guess they're not giving us a written exam," a boy says. "I feel like I'm going to exercise class."

The cluster of inductees continues to chat as four individual sets of elevator doors slide open. Each cab has a last name printed holographically across its entrance. With a final smile, I watch the girl enter the car labeled REMINGTON.

I shuffle around the equally-as-happy boy and stop in front of my own elevator car. With a shallow breath, I cross through the holographic RENNER. The doors slide shut behind me, and I step into the far corner of the elevator, tightening my pale hands around the railing.

I exhale as the elevator encases me and flies downward. The jolt causes me to tense against the railing. I wish I could warn the other inductees of whatever danger they're zooming towards, but I can't. Their careless fates are safe while mine could vaporize in a matter of seconds. One slip, and I'm done. I can only protect their lives by remaining silent.

The elevator jolts again, this time flying to the right. I nearly stumble due to the force. Then the cab suddenly stops and rolls open its door.

My eyes widen as I face the interior of a glass box. The hologram blocking the door switches off, and a voice in the elevator instructs me to exit the car. I do as I'm told, and the elevator locks me into the unknown.

Three walls of glass surround me, and other inductees occupy the boxes beside me. Bodies dressed in identical clothing turn to look at each other through the glass, some already stepping onto the black platforms in their boxes. As far as I can see, at least a dozen people are to my left and even more are on my right. Our row of glass is filled with people, and the single row in front of us begins to fill with people.

The box directly in front of me remains empty as others filter in. Its elevator doors eventually open, and out of the car steps Nicolette.

My body relaxes as Nicolette's jumps. I see her figure freeze then release. Her eyes meet mine, filling with water. I panic and shake my head, telling her not to give the Project the satisfaction it never earned.

An electric bolt fires into my brain in response, freezing my body as it scolds me. Control returns to my limbs as the glass box says, "Step onto the platform please."

All the people in sight rise onto their platforms. I glance at my shoes to distract myself from the pulsing pain. Taking two stairs to the top of the level, I settle my soles onto the smooth black surface. The aching disappears.

Nicolette's gaze meets mind when I look at her again. We don't move or communicate yet understand each other perfectly. I know she copes with what's going on, and we'll both survive somehow.

"Welcome to the 220th Autumnal Equinox," the voice says into everyone's box. "September 21st is a day of balance due to the 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. That's why it is the Equinox Team's job to use each Equinox to balance society in every way.

"In order to maintain balance, all aspects of each individual will be categorized and analyzed. It is in your best interest to do your best in each task and to remain hopeful. Many generations of Equinox participants have become successful adults, workers, and parents in our strong society because of their experience here.

"The purpose of the Equinox is to determine your future. Whether it be strengths or weaknesses, this program will outline your mental and physical profile to assist your future. Only the best of this year's inductees will become government officials, and the weakest will be given undesirable professions.

"So forget about your past and focus on the present. This is the only way to create a perfect, stable society with stable citizens. Embrace your Equinox tasks. Prove your value to the Team, and the Team will value your abilities. The more dedicated you are to the nation, the more successful you will be.

"So in other words, the 220th Autumal Equinox will begin in 3... 2... 1..."

-- -- -- -- --

haha, i didn't give away any details yet about the equinox. you'll just have to wait until next chapter to find out more...

stephen was the #1 chosen person two chapters ago, but i included nicolette instead. stephen will be coming soon of course ;)

contest winners will be announced in the next update! so watch out for the winner(s)!

@evacious nominated me for the 100 facts about me. I will be shortening it to five facts about me because I'm lazy ;)

1.) my favorite color is red.

2.) i love wearing v-neck shirts for some reason. i legit have like 10-15 different patterns and colors.

3.) i love scifi, but i also like fanfiction ;)

4.) i have long hair for literally the second time in my life. i don't plan on cutting it any time soon.

5.) i am both and early bird and a night owl, which pretty much means i don't get enough sleep lol.

PS: thank you for reading and supporting the best piece of writing i've ever made. thank you thank you thank you, and leave a vote if you like reading Enhancement as much as i enjoy writing it!