Leader Applications ~ July 2020 SWC Application

Instructions

“Kai, run!” My mom screams at me. I bolt to the front door of our house and slam it behind me. I realize too late that I accidentally closed the door on my five-year-old little brother. He’s sobbing and banging on the rattling wooden door. Once I notice, I quickly open it and shove him inside. I put him on my back and we run upstairs into my bedroom and hide under the bed. My name is Kai Robertson, fifteen, and I live in the Fourth community. Let me backup - there are four communities around where I live. The First community is the most wealthy - they have mansions up and down the streets, and all the schools have four floors. The Second community is your average town - regular sized houses, regular sized schools. The Third community is poor, but not too poor. The Fourth community, however, is super poor. You’re lucky to have a concrete floor in your house. The four communities are always at war. Sometimes, me and my brother Jake will wake up and Mom and Dad will be out of the house, weapons taken with them because we’ve been attacked again. There’s a lot of war between the First and Fourth community and the Second and Third. The First community has really strong weapons and the Fourth - well, we don’t. “Kai, help me!” My brother shrieks. I turn to look at him and see that his wrist has been shot. I quickly lay him on my hard mattress and take my last bandage from my closet. I wrap it around his wrist and apply pressure. After the bleeding slows down, I tape the bandage. “There,” I say, kissing my brother’s forehead. Tears are streaming down his cheeks. “Kiss it better,” he sobs. I lean down and give Jake’s wrist a long kiss. His tears seem to disappear almost right away. There’s a loud explosion outside and our house comes down. Jake and I scream as I sprint down the stairs with him in my arms. We make it out the door just in time. My best friend is kneeling outside our house, her face buried in her hands. “Belle!” I run over to her. She lifts her head and stands up to hug me. I put Jake down to give Belle a quick hug. As soon as his feet touch the ground he wails. Belle nods at me and I go pick him up again. “Why’re you here?” I ask. “Oh, right. I…” Belle pauses. “I didn’t want to have to say this. Ever. But… The First community raided most of the houses, and blew up a couple, like yours. Your parents, they… they tried to protect your house but… but…” “Did the explosions kill them?” I whisper, my voice shaking. Belle gives a silent nod. Jake starts screaming and I hold him close as I tug on my dark brown hair. I always tug on my hair when I get upset. Belle stares at me, almost as if plotting our next move. How we’re going to get back at the First community. “We take the bodies of your parents to the Third community,” she mutters, almost as if she’s talking to herself. “What? Why?” I question aloud. “Well, the Third community is very much like us, you know. Weak. Vulnerable. If we carry the bodies there and prove the First community is out to get us, maybe we can team up with them.” “I don’t want my parents’ bodies used as bait to bring the Third community in, Belle.” “It’s the only way! Our community will be destroyed.” “Belle, stop! Go away!” I shout, pushing her away. She looked momentarily shocked before running up and over the hill and to her house. I take Jake to my grandma and I decide to walk over to the Third community. It’s a huge risk, but I need to take it. And I know exactly why. Last night, the Oracle of our town told me to go to the Third community for something very important. It was a seven kilometer run, but I was determined.