Chapter 1: Culling

"Whew !!, they allowed us to leave that congested place"

Nyx sighed while moving at a steady pace.

We were headed to a huge building where we were instructed to stand according to our age

"THIS WAY KIDDOS"

A burly looking guard shouted.

As far as I knew the people over here were about the same age as me. Most were in their fifteens-sixteens. The youngest I had met was about thirteen years old. 

As we entered the building we could see hundreds of kids lined up. Some faces are somewhat familiar, some not. Some terrified, some putting on brave faces trying to reassure themselves and the ones standing next to them.

In the end most of us had one goal-- that was to get out of this place and find our family members.

I went to my area where the kids the age sixteen stood. I was headed for the back of the line when suddenly a boy stuck out his foot. If only I was a second early I could have completely avoided the trailing leg. I tripped and fell face first.

I used my hands to limit the damage done and I quickly got on my feet to face the brute.

When I looked up towards the person, this tall kid with a grin on his face looked at me. He wore blue jeans and his shirt didn't fit him. A couple of the people near him snickered. I figured that he was some kind of bully and that it's best that I avoided him. So I dusted my pants and proceeded to find my spot.

" pussy. huh, go back to your spot little boy or you might wet your pants a lot more"

The brute burst out laughing along with his lackeys who started pointing at my groin.

Confused I looked down. To my dismay my pants were soaked wet, but they were wet from the floor on which I had fallen.

I quickly left the area embarrassed without saying anything. Nyx who was following me said in a sturdy voice" why did you not say anything?. Are you just going to keep quiet even though they made fun of you, that too in front of everyone?"

I didn't want to show her that I was scared in any way so I can't replied "There was no reason for me to argue. What if they would start fighting. They had numbers. Think Nyx think"

"You need to stand up for yourself, "Nyx warned me with a concerned look on her face.

I blushed looking at her. Needless to say, she was a very beautiful girl. 

Then a  man's boisterous voice pulled me back to the world.

 "BOYS AND GIRLS WELCOME TO APOLLO'S 1ST EVER CULLING CEREMONY"