Author's Note: I took more creative liberty and furthered backstories. If something I write about YOUR CHARACTER is not okay with you, please tell me, I will not continue with it. Anyways, this piece is about 3,000 words, I'm so sorry. I have a problem with writing consistent chapters, but I always want to get everyone included. I hope you like this part!

***

Chapter Four — Leaving pt. 2

T-MINUS SIXTY MINUTES TO LAUNCH

 

The ten amateur astronauts all sit behind a wall of glass, looking into a crowd of reporters, family members, and giant cameras, all pointed at them. Each of them have their own metal name tag in front of them, along with a glass of water and a microphone. They have smiles plastered on their faces, even if they’re not truly happy. But it’s the media that they’re seeing. Everyone knows the media is faker than imitation crab. 

 

The reporters shout over each other, competing for loudest voice, earning the prize of being allowed to ask one question to one or all of the ten caged behind the glass. Of course these humans, barely trained, plucked from the world of amateurs, are way more interesting than the astronauts who have trained their whole lives to be at this moment, the astronauts who are expected to keep these humans alive. Jace doesn’t care about them, though. This is all a publicity stunt. Xe don’t care if the humans are the ones attended to instead of who should really be attended to. Jace wants to go down in history. And there is only one way to do so. 

 

Be the best. 

 

***

 

On the other side of the glass, the reckless shouting is muted by special technologies, the only time audio gets through is when a reporter is handed a special microphone. Every single person behind it is thankful, as they can see the expressions of the aides on the other side; they see the pain, the covering of ears, and the failed attempts to stop the yelling. The media, unfortunately, is relentless. Each of them want to cover this groundbreaking event on their news channel. Each and every reporter follows Jace’s same ideals. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have the persistent qualities; they would be fired, or worse. Demoted.

 

Nova tries their hardest to keep the large smile plastered on their face, but they haven’t had to hold a smile for this long in… forever. Their face is beginning to get sore, the smile faltering. But then the little buzzer in their ear goes off, alerting them of an incoming question. Nova sits up in their chair and they widen the smile.

 

“How can I help you?”

 

“Nova! Nova! There was a missing persons report sent out for you by your parents three days ago, but reportedly, you’ve been here for ten days. How do you think your parents feel right now, watching this, knowing their daughter betrayed their orders to stay home?”

 

This question stings Nova and their face hardens, the smile slipping away and eyes going emotionless. Looking straight into the camera positioned in the back of the room, on the other side of the glass, they speak, as if truly staring into their parents eyes. 

 

“I honestly could care less about how they think. Ever since I came out to them, they locked me away, ‘protecting’ me from society. I know it’s because they couldn’t deal with the fact I was no longer their daughter, but instead, their child. When I came to them to ask permission to come here, they shot me down. ‘How would the public react to your… identity?’ They told me. I couldn’t take their B.S. anymore. So I left. Mom, dad, if you’re watching, I’m about to make history. How do you feel about that? Thank you. End of answer.”

 

They throw themselves back into the chair and switch off their microphone, grumbling. Someone gives them a sympathetic shoulder pat, but the emotionless façade stays. 

 

***

 

“Okay, OKAY. That was Nova’s last question. You all have the chance to earn the last question for each of the remaining chosen. Choose wisely. After, we will be done. We have a rocket to get to. Hurry up, now.” Jace yells into the crowd as the reporters grow silent, listening to xyr words carefully. 

 

But then the zoo comes back to life, once again competing for the attention of the chosen. A reporter’s job is never at rest.

 

***

 

Sam Jersey sits in his chair, fidgeting with the disintegrating plastic, trying to avoid eye contact with the reporters and the camera. He’s always been slightly camera shy, and of course, it worsens when every single person is watching you all over the globe. Luckily for him, there has only been one buzz in his ear so far, and that was only to ask his age and how excited he was to be here. Just a typical, easy to answer question. Sam assumed he was less interesting than the rest, since he was just a normal, fifteen year old violinist. Sure, he did take a role of violin four at a performance in Carnegie Hall when he was fourteen, but that was only for his upcoming Juilliard college application. No one here knew. Why should he tell them?

 

One reporter knew. So, they asked. 

 

The buzz sounded, vibrating Sam’s brain, causing him to flick on his microphone, sit up straight, and attempt to look into the bright light of the cameras. 

 

“Sam Jersey! You go from a fourteen year old Carnegie Hall violinist just two months ago, to the upcoming, first and youngest ametuer astronaut to stand on Mars. How does that feel?”

 

“Uh, well, cool, I guess. So many things were accomplished. Um, yeah. That’s it.”

 

The reporter looks crestfallen at the response, possibly hoping for something more. But they do not demand another question. They’ll stick to the rules.

 

Athene, Zo, and Val all have their ears buzzed simultaneously, but Jace, wanting to keep an orderly fashion, has Athene go first. 

 

You can see the look in Athene’s eyes brighten artificially, masking the fear and anticipation hiding behind. She hesitates before clicking on the microphone. The button flashes red and the cameras zoom in on Athene only. Possible answers to questions run through her brain as if someone was reading them off a list. The question, though, is not one that can be answered by simple, cookie cutter answers, unless you really weren’t trying.

 

“Hi, Athene.” The man begins, his voice calm and soothing, quite unlike the other reporters. “I wrote an article about you… what was it… ten years ago, I think. You had just been adopted by some caring Walmart employee after you had lost your parents in the store and they disappeared without a trace. I’m now thinking of writing an article about rising from the ashes of a tragedy to becoming one of the first humans on Mars.  Could you tell me how you're feeling now?"

 

She's stunned by the request, but does not hesitate. "Um, well, I'm a little nervous, because, you know, the rocket could explode or something and I could go from being human to specks of burning flesh. That would be a fun article to write, don't you think? I also feel invisible, but whatever. And I'm a bit excited. That's all. Thank you."

 

The man tries to wedge in another question, but Jace cuts the audio from outside. Zo goes next, as if turning on a microphone is something she's programmed to do. The reporter asking the question brightens at the speed of Zo's reaction.

 

"Zo! I know you have 10 younger siblings, whom you've all taken care of over the years, and they look up to you. If they were here right now, what do you think they'd say?"

 

Their grin just gets a bit wider as they begin. "Well, the youngest, Jack, is only 6 months and not talking yet, so nothing? Then, Gabe, he's four, would probably be ecstatic and wish it was him who was going, as he is obsessed with space. Greeney, she's five, would just stay attached to Gabe's side, they're Irish twins, closer in friendship than the triplets, and stare at me as I talked. Rhys, he's eight, would talk about the dangers of space flight and try to talk me out of going. Teresa, who's eleven, well, she would throw a fit about how she can't survive without me and that I should cancel everything to stay with her. Yes, she's eleven. Lisa, Lucy, and Layla, they're all fourteen, would pretend as if they didn't care, but they would. Lisa and Lucy would tell me to write everything in a journal for them to read, and Layla would complain that no one would understand her without me there. She's trans, and just generally anxious, but I totally get it. Leo, who's sixteen, would get very protective and tell me over and over to stay safe, where I would tell him over and over again that I was going to be. And finally, Kieran, he's eighteen, we'd just look at each other, it’s kind of a language between us, and then we’d be totally fine."

 

They smile as they lean back and turn off the microphone, comfortably settling into the chair as Val enthusiastically completes the motions Zo did just a minute and a half ago. Her hand briefly skims her chest before she sinks into the chair, prepared to answer whatever random question these people had in store for her.

 

She practically knew what was coming next.

 

“Heyyyyyyy, Valerie.” The lady begins, dragging out the ‘y’ in a sharp southern accent. “I see on your record you had a heart transplant in 2029, followed by an addition of a pacemaker in 2031. Are you nervous about going into space with these kinds of heart problems?”

 

“Quite frankly, yes. I had a small episode before coming here, and it was hard to recover from. I’m worried about the effects of less gravity, but I don’t doubt the astronauts will be able to take care of me.” Val responds with a smile.

 

She, then, flicks off the microphone and takes a deep breath before taking a sip of water and leaning back into her chair, grateful that that was her last question.

 

Without warning, the next question comes in for Sam Dayler, the reporter’s shrill voice stinging the ears of everyone behind the glass, as if they were listening to nails on a chalkboard. What comes next for Sam hurts them, reopening a deep wound they just recovered from last year.

 

“Sam Dayler, in 2033, you went through a very messy, public breakup with actress Alyssa Cortes, known for her role in the world-renowned film Girls Will Be Girls. Afterwards, she published a scathing article about how bad your relationship was, and you countered saying that it was perfectly fine and she was the actual problem. Now, with all this media exposure, is there anything you’d like to say or prove to her?”

 

 

“Why thank you, for that beautiful question.” They begin, sarcasm dripping thicker than corn syrup in their voice. “I’d like to say to you, Aly, that look where I am now. I’m not the worthless piece, like you said. I’m going to Mars. I’d say that’s way more of an achievement than winning an Emmy for a movie aimed at ten-year-olds. How do you like that, hm? Are you going to write another trash article about me? Well, try me. I’m going down in the history books for this.”

 

They realize how they’re now standing, glaring into the lens of the camera faced at them. But they don’t care. They said what they had to say. Sam sits down and turns off their microphone, sighing. That took a lot out of them, but they’re glad they got a chance to make things right. Like expected, Selena’s ear is buzzed next. She repeats the actions of so many before her, microphone on, polite posture, hide real expressions, and smile for the camera.

 

“Selena! Selena! Selena!”

 

“Yes, that’s my name. Question, please?” She snaps, laughing. 

 

“Oh, I’m sorry, miss. Well, it looks like two people in your family are rising to fame in their lifetimes. You’re going to Mars, and I hear your aunt sure is special. Let’s see, who is she? Kathleen Herles, former American voice actress, known for her voice role in popular children TV show, Dora the Explorer? Do you think your aunt is proud of you?”

 

“Yes, of course! We talked right before we left, and she was so excited to see her niece go to Mars. I know Dora the Explorer is a show that is often made fun of, but it’s always been more to me. It taught me Spanish! But anyways, she’s excited, and estoy muy emocionada, too.” Selena smiles at the reporters and leans back into her chair, her smile wider than earlier. 

 

Nathaniel smiles into the crowd of reporters, more like a kind grin, than a fully fledged smile, but it still counts. One hand rests on the metal of his knee and the other ready to turn on the microphone. He’s observed the pattern and realized that he’s next, of course. When the buzz finally comes, he sucks in a breath and turns on the mic. 

 

“Nathaniel! Hi! Last year, you were volunteering at a shelter when a rabid Giant Chihuahua bit your leg resulting in amputation. You then received the first ever bionic leg. Now, you’re one of the first ever humans to go to Mars. Two accomplishments in the span of only two years? How does that feel?”

 

His eyes darken as he taps his fingers on his leg, listening to the clink of the metal. Finn pales to Nathaniel’s right, but he doesn’t notice. 

 

“I wouldn’t say losing my leg was an accomplishment, sir. It was a truly tragic accident. But this whole Mars thing is cool. End of statement.”

 

He grumbles as he flicks off the microphone and leans back in his chair before removing his ear piece and smashing it. Jace says something, but he ignores it.

 

As Finn is wrapped up in the whole smashing and guilty conscience randomness, he misses the buzz of the ear piece in his own ear and is flustered when the question comes through, being completely unprepared.

 

“Finn! Finn Day! Reportedly, you’ve signed a contract with SpaceTV, saying you’ll document the day by day of the mission on your camera and turn it into a documentary. Is this true? And if so, when can we expect it to be released?”

 

He clicks on the microphone and glances nervously around to all the cameras before speaking. 

 

“Um, well, yes it is true. And the release date cannot be determined quite yet, since it should be about a year of traveling, and we don’t know how long we’ll be on Mars, but I’d imagine that it will be ready in 2039, which gives us one year of travel, one and a half years on Mars, and one and a half years to put it all together.” 

 

Finn reaches forward and shuts off the sound as soon as the -er comes out of his mouth, mumbling something about idiocy and dumbness. No one notices and/or cares.

 

Myriad sits in her chair, picking at the cheese that she made Jace bring her, saying she needed a proper last meal. Of course Jace hesitated, but eventually gave in to the girl’s wishes. 

 

There would never be enough cheese in the world to help recover from Myriad’s final question. 

 

“Ms. Finch. Just five months ago, you were involved in one of the biggest murder scandals we’ve seen in almost five years, since the serial killings by Glee Sharp in 2030. You were suspected of third degree murder, assault, and tampering with evidence. After being taken to jail while evidence was reviewed, it appeared that the murder of your twin sister was actually completed by your mother, Miriam Finch, who was immediately put to death. You were left with your mother’s fiancée until she went missing two months ago. Do you know the whereabouts of Stacy McCullers?”

 

Myriad’s world goes black.

 

***

 

When she wakes up, she finds herself crouched in the corner of her childhood room, watching herself, well, her old self, pace around the room. She glances to the shelf where her mother never checked, where she hid everything. A knife hangs off the end, the tip colored scarlet. Myriad knows where she is. The day still haunts her. It was the day everything changed for the worst. She doesn’t want to look at her sister’s bed, knowing the horrors that will be there, but out of habit she does. There, on her own, just three minutes older, identical twin’s bed, is Missy Finch, with multiple stab wounds. Her body is not yet cold, but she is unresponsive. Myriad shudders and looks away.

 

Everything goes black again.

 

***

 

The next time Myriad wakes up, she’s in Stacy McCullers, the MotherStealer’s house. She watches herself, from two months ago, a memory still fresh in her mind, crush lethal pills into lemonade powder, which she then proceeds to dump into a glass and combine with water. Myriad follows the ghost of herself into the living room, where the MotherStealer lounges on the couch. She gives the glass to her and watches with a coy smirk on her face, as Stacy drinks the poisoned liquid. The expression on Stacy’s face turns to shock and her hands fly to her throat.

 

Five minutes later, Stacy is dead and locked in her bedroom, Myriad is out of the house, locking the door behind her, heading for her friend’s house.

 

She will never forget.

 

For the last time, blackness absorbs the memory.

 

***

 

“Ms. Finch?” The reporter calls out, snapping Myriad out of her trance.

 

“No, I don’t. I’m sorry.” She replies, shuddering. 

 

“Thank you everyone, for your questions, but we have to go now. Launch in thirty minutes. See you on the flip side.” Jace calls out, ushering everyone out of the room for the platform.

 

Now, finally, after all the training and questions. They are finally heading for Mars. 

 

Hi, everyone! I'm so sorry I didn't get a part out last Friday. I also probably won't put one out this Friday, either. I'm getting a lot busier because a bunch of stuff I have to do for pre-high school like sign a bunch of papers and choose classes. I also went back to soccer recently, so that is taking a lot of my life up, too. This friday and saturday, I have a compitition for this club I'm the president of (Technical Student Association, in case any of you know about it), so that takes two days that I normally write the most. Also, it's my turn to write the part of my ski lodge, and that sucks all my energy. It is wednesday, and all I have done is describe words. I hope I can get one out by April 2nd (two fridays from today), but I cannot promise. I will not let this die. Camp NaNo might also help, since I do have to write 1,000 words a day, which will all go towards this solo write. I apologize for the inconvienice. Thanks for understanding (of course, if you don't understand, I will be happy to explain my brain to you. :)). 

I hope you all have a good two weeks, and I'll see you April 2nd. 

I'd love to join you on your mission to mars!

Name: sasha

Age: 17

Gender/preonouns:  Female/she/her

Long, through apperence: Long red hair, light skin, tall, wearing shirt that says PIZZA!!! and a blue skirt with leggings that have sequins at rthe ends, earings, blue and purple shoes, bow in hair, roung glasses on face.

Personality in 10 words: smart, loyal to alll her friends, food loving!, really rich.

Luggage: 3 big bags including a laptob bag and pet carrier for her dog, carry on bag also.

Favorite food: choclate-chip cookies

Favorite colar/least favorite color: Favorite color is red/least favorite is brown

What would you do with zero gravity? Challenge all my friends to a jumping contest, of course

How do you react at being left behind? I will get so angry and destroy everthing in my sight

Are you a leader or a follwer? A leader