Locked In

October 20, 3030 5:00 P.M.         "Bennett?" I say, biting my lower lip. "Please say something."         But Bennett doesn't say a word. He just stares off into space, emotionless and unacknowledging.         "Bennett." I scoot to the edge of my chair and grip his hand, squeezing it hard. He glances at me. "Please. Say something, anything."         "What is there to say?" Bennett asks in a whisper, turning away from me. "There's a week left, and there's no way I'm going to change my ranks in time."         "Don't say that--"         "Scarlett, there's not enough time!" Bennett suddenly stands and looks down at me, his once expressionless face now filled with anger.         "We can figure it out. We always do!"         "Not this time," He turns away from me.         "Bennett Hall, don't give up now!" I stand up angrily, my jaw set. "After everything that we've been through these past few weeks, you decide to give up now?"         "Scarlett, I'm not like you. Liam took me down in two seconds, and now I'm back in the forties! There's no hope for me."         Tears start to fill my eyes. "Please don't give up now. We can figure something out."         "No, we can't. What you need to do is keep yourself up in the ranks and survive. Do whatever you have to do to get out of this city."         "Bennett--"         "Promise me, Scarlett."         I shake my head, sucking in a breath. "I'm not leaving you. We're gonna get out of this city... together." I sit back down in the chair. "So, let's figure out a plan to get out of here." *** October 27, 3030 5:55 A.M.         The day has come.         I stand tall with my machine gun heavy against my chest. All of us are in a line, almost like soldiers preparing for war. The directors are at the front, staring down at us. They almost look displeased with most of us, which is more than likely considering more than half didn't make it into the ranks.         President Darlington is up on the stage, making his way to the stand. Penelope follows in pursuit with a nasty smirk on her face.         "We have our top twenty!" President Darlington announced, and the crowd remains silent. "Those of you, please step forward."         I take a step forward, along with the other nineteen kids. I try to stay stoic and composed, knowing Chloe and Bennett haven't made it into the ranks. I knew I wouldn't be able to help them make it in high enough, and I think they knew that too.         "Those at the bottom of the rank," continues Darlington, "drop your weapons!"         There's a loud clatter and I swallow hard. Don't show fear, Scarlett, or the president will kill you himself.         "Top Twenty, congratulations! You've made it. You are the ones chosen to annihilate everyone who is still hiding in the city and the soldiers that didn't make the cut. You should feel honored by this, for you are survivors!"         "Murderer!" A kid, Mason Estrada, yelled. I didn't know him well, only that he was very low in the ranks. "You're a murderer!"         President Darlington moved so fast that I hardly had time to process the gunshot and the sound of a body hitting the floor.          "Does anyone else wish to speak out of turn?" Darlington asks. The room stays silent. "No? Good."         He holsters his gun and sighs. "Let me get one thing straight: I am not the enemy. I am only trying to make you realize that you are stronger than you think. Surviving is the only thing that will make you realize that."         We all stare at him, too scared to say or do anything. My grip on my gun tightens, my heart pounding. I take a deep breath, slowing down my heart rate. I prepare for what's about to come, and I can only pray that the others follow my lead.          "Now, for the moment that we've been waiting for," says Darlington. "My top twenty, turn and face your peers!"         The twenty of us simultaneously turn. I can see Bennet in the crowd. His face is blank but when he looks into my eyes, I can see it. Fear.         "Aim your weapons!" Darlington instructs, and we do as he says. "Ready!" Pause. "Fire!"         The room fills with the deafening sound of machine-gun fire and the bodies in front of me drop instantly. Those next in line step forward. I stare at Bennett, signaling him with a nod. He nods back, and I whirl around to face the president, pulling the trigger.         Silence.         Darlington stares at me, shock paralyzing his body. He glances down to where the bullets had hit him then looks back up. I watch as he falls to the ground, lifeless. The doors slam open, and the guards come swarming in, firing at anything and everything.          So, we fire back.