Token (Token Chronicles) (10 page)

Once again, I am taken aback by the image that is reflected back. I look unnatural. Luckily, she has not painted my skin the same way she has done to herself, but my skin tone is constant from head to toe. There are no visible spots able to mar my appearance. She once again is conceitedly satisfied with her work.

She eagerly asks, “So, what do you think?”

Despite me being annoyed by her nearly every second we have come to know each other, I strangely do not want to disappoint her.

“It is wonderful. Thank you very much,” I say politely. “What is your name?” I ask.

She proudly replies, “Aaliyah, but I guess you could also call me 07751.”

It had never crossed my mind she might be a Hold. I just assumed she was some woman sent here from Knav working for the Grodarian Federation.

“You know, I used to be here on Island 3 years ago,” she says with a sparkle.

I start to do the math in my head. She does not appear to be incredibly old. She must have been a member of the last group to occupy this Island before we came here almost eleven years ago. I begin to change my opinion of this woman as I develop a newfound respect for what she has had to do all these years. She has had to restore and prep all of us to be auctioned as Tokens knowing no one ever wanted her badly enough when she went through. This must be very painful for her. I try to hide this realization in my eyes, but I sense she has detected my comprehension.

She counters, “I love my job though. I have gotten to travel to all of the Islands making everyone so pretty and handsome. It has been so rewarding for me. But I am glad to be back here on 3. It is the only home I have ever known.”

“Have you even gotten to leave from down here, yet?”

She regrettably replies, “No, we are generally just in the mansion. It’s very nice, but they don’t see a need in letting us get out because we aren’t guards. But if I got the chance, I would love to venture out into the forest again.”

Not wanting to leave tomorrow without sharing my knowledge with someone of the most beautiful place on the Island, I ask her to lean in closer. I whisper to her the precise location of Hadley’s and my porch describing every vibrant detail. She is the first person I have ever told besides Hadley. I see her eyes light up at the thought of getting the opportunity to visit such a dazzling place. I know she is someone who will truly appreciate its beauty. I hope she gets the chance to enjoy it.

Just then, a loud knock raps at the door followed by a stern yell, “10 minutes.”

We are both dragged back down to reality instantly, and she walks away and returns with a set of folded pants and shoes clasped tightly in between her palms. She hands them over and instructs me to change quickly.

I don the black and uncomfortably tight pants and slip the shoes on in seconds, and I find it peculiar they have not provided a shirt for the occasion. I guess we have not worked on our physiques for eleven years to hide them now. Before I exit the room, she gives me a hug and quick peck on the cheek and says, “Thank you, for sharing that with me. You didn’t have to.” She stops to wipe a tear away. “I know you will do great. I wish you luck, for the glory of Grodar,” she mechanically chants.

We all gather together in the end room outside our doors as I go stand next to Nayze. I can see his transformation is similar to mine. A Grod begins to order, “When you enter the auctioning ring, you will each proceed to a circular platform with your assigned number inscribed on the center. When your number is called, you will walk up the stairs to the center stage, and you will not move once you are there. You will do exactly as you are told by any of the Elitists. As I call out your name, remember your corresponding number and follow each other down the stairwell.” He pulls out a remote and presses a button. One section of the wall begins to waver until a stairwell appears out of thin air.

“Number 1, Trainee 14973,” he says.

The first one of us is Isamar. I remember her distinctly because she was the first girl I had ever talked to on our Island. When we were younger, she used to help me whenever we were assigned to weaving the cottons to make the fabrics for our clothes. I was never very good at it, but she was a natural. I have always been protective of her. She has been more like a sister to me than anyone else here on the Island. He continues down his list until everyone is called. We all begin to disappear down the stairs one after the other. First, Benja is called, followed by Yency, and finally Nayze. I am once again the last one standing in the end room, when he looks directly at me and says, “You are Number 40, 15892. Good luck.”

I proceed down the stairs as they spiral downward towards the bottom. When I reach the final step, I am staggered by what I see. Or what I don’t see. I guess I was expecting a large crowd of enthused Elitists talking loudly to each other over who they wanted to buy and who they were going to pass on. But instead we are in an enormous ring shaped room without an audience. I look to my left and see my fellow Trainees have taken their places on their assigned platforms. I see mine just ahead of me illuminated by a white light with the number 40 floating in the air above it. As I step on the platform, the number quickly vanishes, and I hear a faint wump. I reach my hands forward to find I am now encased inside of my platform, but I can still hear everything outside.

In the center of the ring, a large central platform is elevated about seventy feet into the air. I have to lean my neck back just to see where the platform ends. Just as tall as the waterfall I estimate. There are four sets of stairs leading up to the stage from every direction. At the top, silver guardrails protecting the sides other than the entry points surround the platform. Judging by the distance the stairs are apart from each other, the circumference of the platform is quite massive.

A robotic womanly voice begins to emanate throughout the ring. “Welcome ladies and gentleman to Island 3’s auction. We will begin momentarily.”

I am confused. I begin to look around frantically trying to discover who the voice could be talking to, but I find nothing. I look to my left and the only one of us still in my sight is Nayze who is about five platforms down. He appears to be just as baffled as I am.

The voice begins to boom again from the speakers I cannot locate. “Number 1, Trainee 14973.” Isamar steps off of her platform with an unsure look as she begins to proceed up the steep and intimidating staircase. As she begins to walk up, she shoots someone a fleeting look. When her eyes finally meet mine, I want to help her be strong so I nod my head up towards the stage to let her know she will be okay once she gets up there. It seems to help as she climbs faster. Once she reaches the pinnacle, I lose sight when a clear shield envelops her. I am worried as she has been in there in what seems like forever, but the shield comes down and a number flashes at the top.
$50,000 currens-Silon Elite
.

She walks down the steps slowly, and I can spot the relieved expression on her face. She is directed back to her platform to view the rest of the auction. We all begin to make the trip up and quickly trickle back down. The process seems to be speeding up as we move through the stages. The numbers and names I do not recognize keep flashing.

$60,000- Ridian Elite, $50,000- Halpa Elite $75,000- Aut Elite, $40,000- Agemo Elite
.

When they reach the nineteenth platform, there is no number that flashes when the shields come down. It is Miles. They have passed on him. Yency and Benja go back to back, and they both fetch identical numbers.
$80,000 both to Silon Elite
. I am relieved knowing they will go to their new home together. As they continue down the line, there is one more person who is passed on. Little Penelope. She has always been so frail and fragile that no amount of training ever seemed to strengthen her body. I hope she will be picked up at the next auction. As much as I found respect for Aaliyah, I do not want that life for her. When Nayze is called at 35, I see him approach the platform. He exits minutes later as the numbers flash
$90,000-Ridian Elite
. I wish he could have gone to Silon with Benja and Yency.

As I am left as the last potential Token standing, my number is finally called. “Number 40, Trainee 15892,” the voice booms. I begin to make my way slowly towards stairs, and I nervously climb them attempting to put on a fearless expression. I have to let them know I am worth bidding on. To let Hadley’s Elitist know I am worth the investment. As I step through the entrance onto the summit platform, the clear shield wraps around me.

I begin to look all around. Depicted on the shield are images of my life playing out in live video format. From my five-year-old self first learning how to work and run fast-forwarding all the way to present day. I see footage of me from my training sessions, my days working hard out in the field, and then…no. I see me jumping off of the lagoon’s waterfall plunging into the water headfirst. I see me emerging on the other side with Hadley already there waiting. I am devastated. They knew the whole time. They were peeking in on our most private moments and conversations and were now displaying them to all these people we don’t even know. I clench my fists tightly, but I try desperately to show no visible expression of emotion.

The voice informs, “Elitists, please submit your initial offers so we may begin the bidding.”

Now displayed in front of me are the images of all the Elitists who are bidding on us. There are about 15 different images of their faces. Most of them wrinkled and old, but some are fresh new faces. I have only heard about 10 different Elite names called so far. Either there are some of them who are not interested or who are constantly being outbid.

The voice speaks again, “The bidding has started at $100,000. The clock is set for 300 seconds. Begin.”

At the top of the screen, the number $100,000 is displayed, but it is rapidly changing. Bright numbers keep flickering and changing. 150, 200, 400. This can’t be right. Before I know it, the final seconds are ticking away and a buzzer rings loudly. “This concludes Island 3’s auction. Thank you for coming.”

I see the number flashing in front of me, but I am still having a difficult time wrapping my mind around the concept. $500,000 currens. This can’t be right. But who made the final bid?

I step outside of the platform and begin to make my way down. I look up at the flashing number behind and see it.
$500,000-Ridian Elite
. Everyone’s eyes are fixated onto me just as astounded as I am at the substantial bid. As I make my way down to the final step, I see Emissary Quinn is there waiting for me. Our eyes lock, and she must know what I am silently asking her. Was this the same Elitist who purchased Hadley? Surely, she will give me some sort of sign. Just when I think I am going to be disappointed, she gives me a smile and winks when she says, “I think you will find everything to your liking with Ridian.” I feel as if I am able to exhale for the first time in months. Hadley and I will be reunited.

Chapter 6

The exquisite food at the Retreat Feast tonight was overshadowed by my mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am sad to leave the Island behind and all my friends I have known my entire life. Yency and Benja will be heading to Silon Elite while Nayze and I head to Ridian Elite. We may never all see each other again. Although I will be departing from the only home I have never known, it will be as if I am not really leaving, but instead returning back to where I belong with Hadley. Unless I have mistaken Emissary Quinn’s words, but no, I couldn’t have. I am certain. The tone in which she spoke to me, the way her eyes met mine screaming the truth. Telling me I will find what I am looking for there. After all, she owed me, right? I have fetched the highest price ever paid for a Token in the history of the Hawk Island program. The least she could give me in return was the answer I have been so desperately searching for the moment I found out Hadley was auctioned. I have decided to put all of my faith in her words. She has come across as many things, but dishonesty has not been a quality I have detected.

As we all begin to make our way back to our shacks for the night, Yency walks up behind me and lightly taps me on the shoulder.

“You looked awfully chipper at the Feast tonight. I was surprised. Is there something you aren’t telling us?”

“Well, yeah,” I say cautiously. I have been avoiding telling anyone as I have this irrational fear saying the words out loud will somehow make them less true.

“I think the Emissary tipped me to the fact Hadley was purchased by the same Elitist as I was. It means I am going to see her again,” I cry out no longer trying to hide my ecstasy.

Nayze comes running up and adds, “Oh, no. Does this mean I am going to have to constantly deal with you two by myself now?”

Benja has now closed in on us all and Nayze looks at them and playfully falls to the ground and sarcastically begs, “Please, take me with you guys to Silon. Anything but this.”

I cannot help but laugh. I am glad I will have another close friend with me in Ridian, as well.

Our lives will never again maintain a resemblance of this moment. Walking down the familiar dusty path to our shack, ribbing each other. I know this may be the last moment we all spend together uninterrupted. None of us know what to expect to happen tomorrow morning, how long we will have left together before we are separated to head for our different Elite camps. This may be our last chance to say goodbye to each other.

I stop a few feet away from our shack and halt everyone right outside the door.

“Is something wrong?” Benja asks.

“Well, we may never all see each other again and before we get separated tomorrow, I wanted to tell you guys how much you mean to me. That no matter where we are, I will always have your backs. I wanted to let you guys know you aren’t just my friends. You are my brothers, my family,” I say with a degree of difficulty.

We have always had an unspoken bond between us all. Nothing has ever needed to be said between us. We all know any one of us would do anything to protect the others. A series of hard one-armed hugs take place between the groups who will be splitting tomorrow.