Close to Flight

Written by Christina Walker

Dedicated to my family and Christ, who have always inspired me to write and never give up .

CHAPTER ONE
The click of a gun rang through my head. Turning, I screamed when I realized
that a rifle was fixed on me, and the shooter was my father. He laughed wickedly, and
then the last thing I heard was a loud bang.
WAKE UP! someone had screamed into my ear. I kicked and thrashed but hit
something hard with my left foot. I opened my eyes slowly and rubbed them gently.
My brother stood at the side of our bed rubbing his rib cage, wincing in pain.
Geez Kasey! Can you stop hurting someone every time you wake up?! he said,
brow furrowed.
Im sorry. Maybe you shouldnt wake me up screaming in my ear, I reply
bitterly.
He rolled his eyes then yawned, as if he was bored.
Take your own advice; you woke me up with your screaming. I think we need to
tell Jennili about these strange dreams youve been having lately.
I shook my head vigorously.
No way. Never. I could not tell Jennili about the dreams, or else she would report
them to the Board of Leaders. That would be the end for me and my entire family.
Kasey, dreams arent abnormal. Its just, theyve been continuing for quite a
while now and are affecting the way you act and think. Maybe she has a cure for it or
something, Kole said, a serious look in his eyes.
Besides, if you let them continue, then eventually they will become abnormal to
the point youre not normal. They might affect you even more. The Board of Leaders will
notice that.
I shrugged and hopped off the bed, the floor boards creaking underneath the
weight of my feet. Grabbing a pair of dark blue jeans and combat boots, I headed towards
the bathroom to change. Even though Kole and I were siblings, it was illegal to change in
front of one another, even as husband and wife. The punishment would be no rations for a
week and a prison cell as your home for a month.
This was the countrys way of letting us know who is in control and we arent
allowed to show how we feel for others.
After I had changed, I jogged down our stairs and strode into the kitchen. The
smell of beer bread wafted through my nostrils and I smiled.
Hey momma, I greeted to her. She looked up from Kistrin and smiled gently,
but looked exhausted. Dark circles pooled underneath her eyes and her brow was
furrowed.
Momma, were you up all night with Kistrin? I asked with a sigh, and she
nodded.
I was, but its not like I could fall back asleep. I need to get this one back to
health before someone notices, she replied, and then stroked my little sisters sparse red
hair.
I nodded then sat at the small kitchen table. Grabbing a piece of bread, I thought
of how it would be chaos if anyone found out Kistrin was sick. They would report to the
Board and theyd come to collect her. Its not like they would kill her, they would just
take her out of Zaldi to give her a new home in a separate country. The snitch would get

paid 300 dollars for reporting the problem and then we would be next to get collected. I
shivered slightly then spread butter on the bread.
The front door opened and in walked my father, grinning from ear to ear. He
patted my head gently and I flinched, remembering the dream from last night.
He looked at me with concern, but just shrugged it off then walked towards
Momma.
What happened dear? Momma questioned. Father usually never walked in from
work happy. This was a first.
Look what I found on the ground, he said, unclenching his hand and revealing a
bunch of crumpled dollar bills. I could see their worth from where I sat; $100. My mouth
dropped and so did my mothers. She smiled and hugged father, kissing him on the cheek.
I couldnt believe it. Wow. It must stink to whoever dropped that money.
I brought it to Jennili and she said that I could just keep it. So its not like Im
stealing or anything, my father spoke. My mother nodded and smiled.
This is great! Itll feed us for a while! And maybe we can find some new clothes
for Kistrin finally, my mother spoke with excitement, looking in my direction. I smiled
and nodded.
Kole came down the stairs and nodded at my parents then took a seat next to me
at the table.
Father told Kole all about the money, but he didnt seem as excited as all of us.
Kole and father never had a real close relationship. Im not sure if Kole didnt like him
because he didnt provide well for our family or if he didnt feel affection well towards
father.
Kole nodded and then stopped chewing his bread, looking curious.
Father, why are you all clean? Youre usually dirty from all of the gold digging,
Kole questioned with a bitter tone towards father. Father looked at him, daring Kole to
say another word like that again. Kole shrunk down in the wooden chair and looked
away.
Momma realized it too, Yes, why is that so?
Ah, boss installed actual working showers for us. I thought itd be easier so then
you all would have one less person to share bathwater with this week, Father replied
with a slight smile. I nodded at his consideration for us.
Well that was very kind of you dear. Thank you, Momma replied.
In our little town, there are only two large wells that work. We all have to pay
money for water, so we share water as a family for bathing. Yeah, its disgusting.
The sound of a bus engine was heard from inside the house.
Shoot. We gotta go, Kole said with a rush. He grabbed his book bag, as did I,
then we shot out the door, waving at the bus to wait for us. My hair waved out behind me.
Crap, forgot to put it up. Lucky for me, I had a hair tie around my wrist.
We loaded onto the white bus and took our seats near the back. I quickly tied my
hair into a fishtail braid, some pieces sticking out. I huffed and glanced at Kole, who was
already starting last minute homework. I chuckled to myself. Why not just get your
homework done when you get home? It just made more sense.
Suddenly, the bus stopped at a second stop that we usually never stop at. Both
Kole and I look up to see why we had come to a halt. We were the first stop of the

morning, and the second stop didnt come until twenty minutes after ours, and this stop
was two minutes after our stop.
There was a driveway surrounded by a meadow with tall grasses and wheat. A
brick home stood in the distance, probably a mile down the driveway. There standing
before the bus was a boy, looking to be about 15 years old; my age.
He had dirty blonde hair that wasnt cropped short, but wasnt long and covering
his face. His eyes were a piercing grey and blue color and he was tall, almost taller than
my own father. He got on the bus and walked towards the back of the bus. His eyes
locked on me and I looked away, uncomfortable with him staring at me. He took his seat
in the seat before me, and the bus began moving.

 CHAPTER TWO
It was lunch time, thank God. I was starving and the whole day had been filled
with Midpoint Tests. These tests were all about what youve learned and if you still
belong in that class.
My brain felt worn, and I couldnt stop yawning. Olivetta walked over to our table
and plopped down.
I feel as if my brain will burst, she mumbled, head in her hands. I muffled an
agreement.
Yup, 3 down, four more to go, I said, taking a bite of my bread and cheese. She
shook her head at what I was eating.
You need to eat more than that, honey, she spoke, handing me her granola bar. I
shook my head.
Im fine. Not that hungry right now, I said, pushing the bar back into her hands.
She rolled her eyes then figured it was no point in arguing with me. Olivetta
looked up and her eyes were locked on someone behind me. I turned around and there
was New Bus Stop Boy, standing with his hands in pockets. I looked at him, and then
smiled.
Im James, by the way, he said, his lips turning up into a handsome smile.
Kasey, I replied. He nodded and turned on his heels, walking through the rows
of tables to sit with Kole. By the looks of it, those two had hit it off in English class.
Hes kinda cute, Olivetta giggled. I laughed then playfully punched her.
Ohh Olivia, always goggling over the boys, I laughed. She pretended to act hurt
then punched me. Laughing she shook her head. We went back to our usual talk of how
the classes are going and who are our favorite teachers.
*

The bus rolled up to the top of the hill and our driveway appeared into view. Me
and Kole hopped off the bus and walked towards our wooden, broken down, home. We
opened the door and were surprised to see a Collector in the kitchen. Kistren was being
held in the mans hands and mother was dotting her tear streaked cheeks with a napkin.
Father was no where to be found.
W-whats going on? Kole stuttered. Although we knew what was happening, we
were hoping it wouldnt be true.
The Collector turned towards us. His blonde hair was slicked back and his eyes
showed no sympathy or concern for anyone.
Your sibling is sick and must be collected. She will be given to a new home far
from here. You will most likely never see her again. It appears that the injection she was
given as a baby didnt work on her, the man replied, with no expression showing on his
face or a caring tone in his voice. He was like a statue.
Were sorry, he spoke with a snap. No sympathy or even a slight care in the
world that one of our kin would be taken from us.

No! I screamed and lunged at the man. His brow furrowed and he stepped back.
Kole managed to grip my arms and tug me back. Tears rolled down my face and I stared
at Kistren. She will be gone, forever. I wiped at the tears on my face and sniffled. I stood
straight and stopped crying. That was pathetic. Crying was stupid and was considered an
act of cowardice to the Board of Leaders. I hope he didnt report that.
With a sigh, the man walked out of the door and slammed it behind him. We heard
the cries of Kistren as he walked towards his Government car. We all looked out the
window. Mommas sniffles and occasional sobs broke my heart. I knew she was