The Selection

A/N: Another of my pre-written stories I've decided to add here. I hope it's as well received as the rest have been and sincerely hope you all enjoy it. This story is a little different from the rest but I have a plan on what will be the finale!

The car was cramped as it rumbled down the highway. Steve Wilkens looked over at his sleeping wife before looking into the rearview mirror at his two children. He smiled at the sight of them sleeping and wondered how they would handle the coming choices they would have to make. He’d made a point of keeping the children isolated on the farm in anticipation of this very day. They had only ever been allowed to be around very few family members and the Doctor besides their parents. They had kept very close eyes on them so they would meet the requirements. The kids didn’t know anything about what was to come but Steve was sure they would end up enjoying it. Tiffany Wilkens mumbled a little before coming awake. “How much longer honey?” she looked around slowly. “Maybe 2 hours I think. How are you feeling about this?” Steve asked softly so the kids wouldn’t wake up.

“I’m nervous babe; it’s more nerve wracking than when I was in their place.” She looked at him nervously. “Everything is going to be fine honey. We’ve taken every possible precaution and we’ve kept up with the medical requirements precisely.” He smiled reassuringly to her. “Steve, what if they refuse? I don’t think I could take that.” She was obviously disturbed by the idea. “They won’t babe, the consequences will see to that I’m certain. Just have faith babe and try not to think the worst.” He hoped it helped her some. She sighed but stared out the window without another word. He focused on driving but thought over her fears.

James Wilkens woke when the car came to a complete stop. He looked over at his twin sister Jaime to make sure she was awake. He smiled when she looked right back at him with a grin. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking without saying anything so they both knew they were not happy about this unexpected trip. They had been looking forward to three full months of leisure before they turned 19 but now they found they had to take this trip for the summer. What really upset them was not knowing why they particularly had to be here now. They both looked around to see where they were but saw nothing more than a bunch of old cabins. They noticed a lot of kids close to their own age but didn’t know any of them. “This doesn’t feel right. Mom and dad aren’t talking and we don’t know any of these people.” Jaime hoped her fear didn’t show but knew her brother would know anyway. “We’ll be ok sis. You know I’ll always look out for you!” he smiled to allay her fears but had his doubts.

They shared one more look before slowly getting out of the car. They were surprised to see their parents both hugging complete strangers. They shared a look once again but James noticed very odd looks coming his and Jaime’s way. “Is it just me or are we being stared at like a full course meal?” Jaime asked softly so only he would hear it. “Not just you sis. I share your thoughts about something being very wrong here.” He responded just as softly. “James, Jaime, please come over here. We have a couple of people you need to meet.” Tiffany called them over to where they stood with the strangers. They grudgingly walked over while trying their best to ignore the looks they were getting. “Kids, this is your Uncle Tim and Aunt Wanda. Wanda, Tim, this is your niece Jaime and nephew James. Yes, they’re fraternal twins though they look a great deal alike. Kids, Tim is my brother and Wanda is your father’s sister. My sister Brenda should be around here somewhere.” Tiffany smiled at the kids before looking back to their aunt and uncle. “Are you kids excited for this summer?” Wanda laughed softly but stopped when she saw the look on her brother’s face. “Kids, come help me unload the car. We’ll catch up in about 20 minutes Wanda.” Steve looked at Tiffany before heading to the car with the twins.

James watched everyone while unloading the bags and carrying them to the cabin his father led them too. He saw his mother in a very animated discussion with his aunt and uncle before Tim stepped away for several minutes. He knew something was going on that was being kept from them. Tim walked over to speak to several other adults who would glance in their direction before nodding. They then separated when Tim walked back to his mother and aunt. “Dad, what’s going on? We’re not stupid and we deserve to know. Why did you bring us here?” James asked his father once the car was unloaded and they were inside the cabin. “Listen guys; just trust me and your mother. We’re here for a reason but you won’t find out for a few days. I promise you both, you’ll be very happy when this summer is over. You’re mother and I went through this same thing and you can see how happy we are.” Steve smiled at them hoping they would just wait for the elders to explain. “I don’t like this. The secrets, being stared at, the way those boys are staring at Jaime. Whatever is going on isn’t a good thing for us but you want us to just stay quiet and compliant.” James shook his head and walked away knowing he would get no answers.

The twins stepped outside the cabin to look around the camp. “James, what do you think is going on?” Jaime looked to her brother with a frightened look. “Let’s look at this logically. What do we know for sure, we have a sudden trip to a place we’ve never been. Next, we’re introduced to 2 family members we’ve never even seen let alone met. We know mom and dad are hiding something from us.” He sighed trying to piece things together. “Don’t forget everyone is staring at us like we’re on sale and there’s been a famine.” Jaime interjected quickly. “You know what else I’ve overlooked? Our 19th birthday is in just two months. We’ll be 19 before the summer ends. Add to that all we’ve seen so far is kids about our age and adults old enough to be their parents. Where are the younger kids? How about grandparents? Sis, I hate to say this but I think we’re here because mom and dad expect to marry us off.” He was getting angry at the idea.

“You think this is like arranged marriages?” Jaime was horrified at the idea. “If it is then it won’t be long before they try introducing us to them hoping we’ll come to like them before they tell us. They’ll try anything to make us feel comfortable enough to just accept it.” James shook his head angrily. “That means we can’t trust anyone except each other.” She looked around guardedly. Tiffany saw them outside the cabin door and quickly waved them over to where she was talking with several other adults. They shared a look before reluctantly walking over to their mother. “Kids I’d like to introduce you to a few people. They’re some of the parents of the other kids here. These 2 are Bill and Torrie. They have 2 boys Aaron and Sandy. These other 2 are Shirley and Bobby. They have a boy and a girl Ariel and Chris. Everyone this is James and Jaime.” Tiffany smiled hoping this would be the best start. “Why do we need to meet parents of kids we don’t know?” James probed instead of saying hello. “James Michael Wilkens that is extremely rude! Now apologize!” Tiffany bristled at the rudeness but was glad for it to get around answering the question. “No, answer my question! This whole deal has been very shady and I’m tired of not getting answers!” he retorted just as quickly.