Sacrificed Chance

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat, you know.”

My hands reach for my feet, my chest brushing against my burning, flat legs as I complete the stretch. I keep my body in the stinging position until I finally let go with a deep breath. I gaze up at my best friend’s green eyes.

“Don’t even deny it,” Mollie warns, swinging her arms to prepare for the semifinals of a race that will determine a life. She rolls her shoulders. “It’s obvious.”

I sigh as I push to my feet. I shake the warm sand wedged between my bare toes off and meet Mollie’s stunning eyes, a vibrant green glinting in the merciless sun. “It is? D’you think Alora noticed?”

“No, not that obvious. But I’m your best friend. I can tell.”

“And she’s Alora. She can practically read my mind.”

“Twins don't grant superpowers, Zadie.”

“Maybe they do.”

We have an unspoken staring contest for a moment until Mollie blinks, glares, and sprints off down the beach. Her worn, salt-studded tunic whips against her thighs as she races towards the pier. I’m amazed she got to the semifinals of The Event, but then again, even a person much slower than Mollie could’ve made it. Almost nobody trained like our trio had, as almost nobody cared for leaving Kiyoki.

That’s stupidity. Our small island in the middle of the Zarenian Sea is neglected and used. Our struggling population shrinks by the day, Vanota taking our fish, pearls, and dried seaweed and replacing them with pathetic amounts of freshwater or clothing. I’m sick of this island, this lifestyle, just diving and fishing all day, trying to survive. I’d do anything to leave, to gain the prize of a boat to land. To escape Kiyoki, even though I’d still be under Vanota’s iron hand.

In a few days, I’ll be turning sixteen. Which means Alora will be turning sixteen, too. Sixteen whole years spent in and out of the ocean or my cabin made of driftwood I live in with Mother, Father, and Alora. Sixteen whole years of my silky black hair billowing in the water, olive skin shining in the sunlight as I walk back to my home with just a few clams.

But today, I have a chance. A chance at freedom. At life.

A chance I must give to Alora.

See, while I love Mollie, Alora means more to me than life itself. She’s closer to me than the clothes I’m wearing. Alora understands me in a way Mollie never can. Alora looks exactly like me: smooth olive skin, flowing black hair, and glittering amber eyes, and she thinks like me, too. Many Kiyokians are fine with this abysmal, boring life, but Alora and I yearn to be free of this island. Mollie agreed with us on that.

Every ten years, Kiyokians under the age of twenty may compete in what we’ve nicknamed ‘The Event’. It’s the only interesting thing around here. The Event is hosted by a person sent from Vanota—the continent far from our island that practically owns us. This Event is a race: the ultimate contest, spanning over one week of sprinting and ten rounds. The final winner receives insane amounts of Vanotan products, which is the reason people compete anyways, and the most valuable thing of all: the decision of a ticket off Kiyoki.

That’s what I want. What Alora, Mollie and I have dreamed of for years. Getting to return to Vanota with the director of The Event, legally allowed to leave this blasted place and explore the world.

Mollie is fair game. I love her, but I wouldn’t sacrifice leaving here to let her win. Alora, on the other hand….

My kind sister, more reserved and mature than I’ll ever be, while wanting to win, has never displayed her enthusiasm as much as I have. But I don’t care. Alora will go. She must go. She deserves it. And I’ll do everything I can to make it to the final three runners, just so I can let myself fail for her.

Our last shot at leaving.

Her last shot at leaving.

Mollie knows my plan. She’s against it, our trio having sworn to try our hardest last Event and this one. But Mollie won’t spill to my oblivious twin, and she can’t stop me otherwise.

*

My body is poised in the runner’s stance as I crouch down on the beach. I glance to my left and right, eyeing my opponents. Five people: Mollie, her friz of blond hair glimmering in the sun; Alora, eyes focused on the ground; a dark-skinned boy who looks a few years older than me; and a fourteen-year-old I know to be named Kyaa. 

“Psst! Zadie!”

I twist my head to my right and see Alora on the other side of Mollie, flashing me an enthusiastic thumbs up. “Good luck!”

I smile. “Good luck!”

Mollie rolls her eyes. “Thanks for including me in this conversation.”

I’m about to retort some sassy apology when the Vanotan director’s voice bounces around the beach from his perch in a metal tower (the only building of that substance on the whole island). “ATTENTION!”

The Event, being something all Kiyokians are required to attend, has Kiyoki’s whole population sitting at the top of the beach, all the way around the island. They all watch with curious eyes.

“Welcome to the Semifinals of Rakidayok,” the brown-haired man booms, referring to The Event by the official name. “Our five contestants—Zadie at age fifteen, Mollie at age sixteen, Kyaa at age fourteen, Janak at age seventeen, and Alora at age fifteen—will compete in a race around this island. The first three to cross the finish line”—he nodded to the red line of seaweed laid in front of us—“will land a spot in the finals. The winner of the finals will get a prize and the option to go to Vanota.”

I shake my head subtly to myself.

“LET’S DO IIIT!” the Vanotan cheers, the Kiyokians erupting in applause.

I see the man brush his shaggy blond hair out of his face from the corner of my eyes. “THREE!”

I twist my left foot in the sand.

“TWO!”

My eyes almost shut, I concentrate on the sand in front of my face. I feel the hum of the ocean, this world I’ve known my whole life. The surf. The sea. Alora. This is my only chance for her.

“GOOOOO!”

My eyes snap open and my feet thrust off the ground.

*

“We’re so proud of you both,” Mother cooes.

Father nods. “We knew you two were the fastest.”

Alora and I trail behind our parents, swinging our arms as we hold hands. Twilight approaches, the sky painted with shades. The race, which ended nearly an hour ago, was a success. Alora and I are going to the finals with that boy, Janak.

After the race ended and my adrenaline faded away, there was a party on the beach. Celebrating the speedy twins and fast boy. Of course, there were a few tears shed for those who were supporting Mollie and Kyaa—Alora and I had to comfort a sobbing Mollie after she came in a close 4th place—but it was mostly a celebration. We danced, we sang, and I even shook hands with the Vanotan man. His hands were soft and smooth, something I had never seen before among hard-working Kiyokian hands. My own hands were carassed to smoothness by the ocean, but creased with wrinkles and calluses from digging in sand and rowing boats.

Alora and I exchange looks behind our parents’ backs. A frown traces my lips but I bite back my words. Actually, we weren't the fastest. The race was close—too close. Kyaa was behind from the beginning, and Janak and I were neck-to-neck for first place. Mollie and Alora were switching in and out of third place from what I’d seen from my glimpses of them while running. Halfway around our island, the race mixed up a little. Alora thrust ahead of Mollie and was even ahead of Janak for a short period of time. In the last dozen yards, Janak had pressed ahead of me and beat Alora, winning first place while I received second and my twin got third.

That was okay. This time. But in the race tomorrow? Only one person could cross the finish line first, and that needed to be Alora.

As we walk back home, the endless sky turns to copper, then to black. I watch Alora’s tied-back hair rustle in the wind, thinking about how in one week, she wouldn’t be here.

Assuming Janak won second.

Assuming my plan would work and I’d take the lead, only for my precious sister to win.

Assuming I didn’t mess this all up.

*

My gaze is fixed on the distance, amber eyes tracing the horizon. The sun peeks from behind the ocean, warming the sky with hues of yellow and pink.

It’s the morning of the race. The finals of The Event. This day is going to be the most memorable thing before a life of swimming and hunting every day. A life of struggle, of simplicity. 

But I’m okay without that. As long as my other half is happy, I’ll be happy as well.

The gentle breeze ripples my tunic, rolling the sand against my limbs. Here, in the cool mist of the ocean, warm of the sunrise, I’m at home. At peace.

I hear soft footsteps in the sand, then the sound of a person plopping down next to me. Without taking my eyes off the rising sun, I say, “Alora.”

“Yes?” her smooth voice answers, a touch of playfulness edging into her words.

“Why are you here? You should be sleeping. It’s too early to be awake.”

“And yet you’re up.”

“I won’t be going to Vanota today.”

“Well, even if you doubt your skills, I want to spend the last sunrise with my dear sister before her departure.”

We turn in unison, her glinting eyes meet my own. “You really think I’ll be going?” I whisper.

She nods. “You’re much faster than me.”

Maybe so, but that didn’t mean I would win.

I just reply with a shake of my head, then change to a more playful subject. “How do you think poor Janak will feel when he loses the race to you?” I ask, my tone light.

She laughs. “I think you mean you, Zadie. But honestly...he can’t be that sad, right? Only Mollie and you care for leaving. I do too, of course, but not as much as you two.”

I knew she was right, but it still surprised me to hear it. “You really don’t care so much? Don't you want to see the world?”

Alora shrugged. “Honestly? The beautiful place I’ve grown up in doesn’t sound like such a bad alternative to foreign land full of strangers. Why do I need a crazy adventure of a life when I can have a simple and full one? This is where my friends are, my family is. This is home.”

“But….” I can’t finish my sentence. 

We watch the sunrise together. The sky turns to blue and before we know it, it’s been hours of sitting in peaceful silence, listening to the waves tug at the shore.

The race is at noon. I have two hours before I’ll be sprinting across this very spot.

*

Soon, I’m dressed in the tunic best-suited for the race. The one that’s tighter around my torso and loose from my waist to my knees. My shorts under my tunic are stretchy for running. The whole outfit is thrown into blue, an expensive pop of color among most gray garments.

Clad in the same outfit, Alora is even more indistinguishable than usual. Her hand finds mine as Mother and Father lead us to the race.

We’re twenty minutes early. The beach is buzzing with voices, people still roaming over the beach because they needn’t sit yet. There are food and drink carts, laughter ringing in the air.

“ATTENTION, ATTENTION, KIYOKIANS!”

My eyes dart to the announcing booth. The Vanotan claps his hands to get the crowd’s attention. “The race will be starting in twenty minutes. You must be seated in ten. As a reminder, the three contestants are Janak, age seventeen, Zadie, age fifteen, and Alora, age fifteen. The winner will receive a prize of twenty gallons of freshwater, fifty pounds of their choice of Vanotan foods, twenty square yards of fabric made into any clothes, and two of the new, rare invention of Clarmkas.” He holds his pale hand up, displaying a flat silverish thing. He opens it, the top part popping up, and says, “Call Bloke Kiserai.” 

Immediately, a hologram of some brunette Vanotan guy appears. The announcer says, “Hello. Sorry. Goodbye.” then closes the gadget. He turns back to the audience. “That way, the winner may communicate with their family and friends back home if they choose to take up the last prize: an option to accompany me back to Vanota.”

He continues on with the details, but I’m barely listening. What?! With that weird device, everything could work out…amazingly. Alora could explore the world and still talk with me and Mollie.

I’m still shocked but excited for the next fifteen minutes. I feel like I’m detached from reality as I daydream about everything awesome Alora and I can do with Clarmkas. I float back down to Kiyoki when Alora nudges me. “Zadie. C’mon. The race is about to start.”

We both sip at a water bottle Mother provided, then migrate over to a new start and finish line, this one made of green seaweed. All spectators are already seated, leaving the beach open for running.

Janak is already crouching behind the line. Alora and I bend down, ready to go. One minute. Just sixty seconds until I’ll be sprinting—then abruptly stopping. 

The seconds pass in a snap, and soon, I’m once again staring at the sand under my face as the announcer booms:

“FINAL RACE STARTS IN THREE…

TWO…

GOOOOO!”

I waste no time. As soon as the man says ‘go’, I take off running.

I was worried I’d be tired from previous races. Worried I’d do this wrong, trip or something. Instead, my experience of sprinting on the beach pumps through my veins.

As soon as my hands lift off the beach, I’m flying on land. My feet barely touch the consuming sand as I race across the surf. My blank mind leaves no room for lingering thoughts. The only things that exist are me, the sand, and Alora running behind me.

As the race stretches on, I expand my focus of running to my surroundings. I’m halfway around the island. Alora is right behind me and Janak is trailing ahead.

Running as fast as I can, I feel at peace. Sprinting is a calming sensation, adrenaline lacing your skin but your mind focused on one task: speed. Dashing across the dunes…it’s as familiar to me as air.

I see Janak press ahead. Alora trails behind me and Janak is right by my side. As he takes the lead three-quarters of the way around the island, I panic. I need to go faster.

I watch as Alora advances on Janak, plopping him into second place and me into third. Then…Janak trips on sand. He falls, leaving me and Alora sprinting. 

I’m smiling wider than I ever have before. It’s just me and my twin, a wise expanse of sand in front of us. I see the finish line a hundred yards in the distance. I slow down a little, but don’t stop. Alora needs to think I’m still trying to win.

Side by side, our feet sprint over the sand. Just ten yards ‘till the finish line. Now five. I’m about to stop myself and let Alora’s unstoppable speed carry her over the line, when I glance over.

I glimpse Alora’s perfect face, a smile tracing her lips….as she slows to a stop two yards from the finish line. I’m so surprised, staring at her tan limbs no longer pumping, that I forget to pause my own feet.

Still gawking at my sister, I fly over the finish line. 

A finish line is a place of triumph. I can’t fight off a grin as I trot to a complete stop, until realization sinks in.

I crossed the line first.

I won.

I’m going to Vanota, not Alora.

This wasn’t supposed to happen….

The Vanotan man’s comments and the roar of applause seem distant as tears stream down my face. Alora walks across the finish line, grinning, and I throw my sobbing self onto her. “Why did you do that?!”

She gently pushes me away and meets my eyes. “Do what?”

“Let me win.”

“Because you deserve it.”

“But….” More tears break free. “Going to Vanota was your dream.”

She squeezes my shoulders, a tear slipping down her cheek. “No, sister. It was your dream.”

I blink at her and she sighs. “Zadie, I never cared for going to Vanota. I just played along with you and Mollie. Everything was leading up to this moment, this moment where—”

“You let me win,” I whisper. I can’t believe it. Alora had beat me at my own game, and I finally understood why. 

“It’s better this way,” she says with a smile, eyes swimming. “You’ve always wanted to explore the world, and now you can. You can have an exotic life and I can have a simple one. We can even talk and see each other with those weird inventions.”

I’m still crying, but now they’re tears of happiness. I can’t wrap my mind around the last minutes. I’m going to Vanota, and Alora is happy for me. 

I embrace my twin, sweaty skin against sweaty skin. I can only find one thing to say: “I…I love you, Alora.”

She hugs me tighter. “I love you, too.”