18~Prologue (Please Read and Comment!)

by Steven in Illinois

It was the 18th of October in 2818. 18 people were in each squad, 18 squads. The wind was 18 miles per hour. 18 reasons why these 18 year olds were there. 18 different countries, 18 languages thay spoke. 18 generals. 18 planes behind them, ready to roar at any minute. 18 guns in each person's back pack, and 18 different things for First-Aid. The number 18, it was a ridiculous. My brother was one of the 18 in squad 18. He had gone through over 18 different tests to make it to there. I looked at the planes, the 18 year olds, and the generals. Different words were said, and I realized that at 18:00 (6:00 pm) that they would have to leave. I checked my watch. It was already 18 minutes away from the lift. I stared as my brother patted me on the back. "Johnny, I'll be back. I promise." he said. I doubted that, that he could easily die in the 18 months at the planet. I sighed. "You sure?" I asked. He laughed, the warm laugh I guranteed I would miss. "Well, what do you expect?" he asked. I shrugged. he had got me.

The plane was going to lift off in 18 seconds. I watched as the door with a huge 18 painted on the front closed. The engine roared. I knew my brother would have a hard time where he was. I just simply stared at the huge plane, as the 18 troops left, leaving me, my mother, my father, my sister, and my brother all alone. I sighed. I didn't know then what fate I would await, along with my brother.