Simulation

By Angelica Mensah

What if you had one choice? Would you be able to make it? How would you know it was the right one? Emma Casey has it all, but deep down she wants more. Rachel Peterson has a secret, but what she wants are answers. Rick McCoy has always hidden behind popularity, but when he is alone, reality sets in. Alex Stone has the life of his dreams, but he loses it before it can even begin. When they reach the age to choose their future jobs, they make a choice that has them questioning every decision they have ever made. They find themselves in a place with no rules or instructions. They are faced with challenges and are tested to their limits. The more time they spend in unknown territory, the more unusual things they start to notice. But it isn't until they meet someone who isn't supposed to be there that they start to wonder if they will ever find a way out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Jan 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9781779414335

Angelica Mensah

Angelica Mensah lives in London, Ontario. She is an eighteen-year-old first-year nursing student at Western University. When she is not studying, she spends her time writing, reading and hanging out with her friends and family. Angelica started writing at the age of fourteen and has been writing since. Her favourite genres are science fiction, fantasy, dystopian and mystery.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Prologue

Emma

Rachel

Alex

Rick

Emma

Rachel

Alex

Rick

Emma

Rachel

Alex

Rick

Simon

Emma

Rachel

Simon

Rick

Alex

Emma

Rachel

Rick

Simon

Rachel

Emma

Alex

Rick

Simon

Rachel

Emma

Rick

Simon

Alex

Emma

Simon

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Prologue

I have been staring at a map for the last ten minutes and still haven’t found what has been bugging me. Everything was strategically placed based on what I envisioned, but something was missing. I place the map on my desk and pace around my office as I try to focus on anything other than the map.

I hear a knock on my door and tell the person to come in. My assistant, Amy, opens the door cautiously and approaches my desk.

Is someone dying? I ask her.

She shakes her head vigorously, No, Dr. Hart.

I run my fingers along the edge of my desk, Then why are you disturbing me?

She looks around my office nervously and tightens her grip on her clipboard, I didn’t mean to disturb you, Dr. Hart. I only stopped by to inform you that your meeting with the citizen is starting soon.

Ah, yes, I say quietly. Is she awake yet?

No, ma’am—I mean, Dr. Hart.

I clench my jaw and stare at her furiously. I despise it when she calls me ma’am instead of Dr. Hart. If I could fire her every time she called me that horrendous title, she wouldn’t have lasted more than a few hours as my assistant. Unfortunately, they are hard to come by these days, and she seemed promising then.

She fidgets with the side of her clipboard, We thought it would be more prudent to wake her up once you arrived in the meeting room.

We? I ask curiously.

The scientist and I, she explains.

Well, I say as I stare at the window of my office that overlooks my precious terrain. If the scientists say it is the best course of action, then I guess they must be right.

She gulps, Obviously, your decision trumps everyone else’s.

Mhm, then I suggest you come to me first next time rather than decide without me.

She nods, Of course, Dr. Hart. I will make sure to make a note of that right away.

She takes a couple of notes on her clipboard and readjusts her glasses.

Is that all?

Yes, she answers quickly. That will be all. I will let them know that you are on your way to the meeting, and I will observe from the cameras in the security room.

That won’t be necessary, I state firmly.

Are you sure? Not even as a precaution?

I focus my eyes on her abnormally large forehead, Are you questioning my authority, Amy?

She flushes slightly and looks down at the ground, Of course not, Dr. Hart.

Good, then you can make your way out of my office.

Of course, she whispers on her way out.

The second the door shuts, I return my attention to the map. I believe I have finally figured out what has been missing. I fold the map and place it in my pocket. That poor girl will regret having asked to have a meeting with me. Unfortunately for her, the game is about to come up with a whole new set of rules.

Emma

I absolutely hate waking up at seven on a weekend, but today, I don’t have a choice. I get out of bed and walk over to my closet to choose what I will wear. My mother had laid out a light blue blouse and a pair of low-waisted jeans the night before on my dresser for me to wear. I eye it in disgust before turning back to the clothes in my closet and choosing a fitted white shirt and black leggings to wear instead. My mother wouldn’t like it, but I didn’t care. If ever she asks why I chose to wear something more casual, I will tell her that I plan on going for a jog later, which is true.

I dress quickly and walk into my bathroom. I examine my reflection in the mirror and cringe at the dark bags under my eyes and the disarray of my hair. I grab a brush from my drawer and start brushing the knots out of my hair. Unlike my sister, I inherited my father’s wavy light brown hair and brown eyes. Luckily for her, she got the longer end of the stick and inherited my mother’s straight blonde hair and blue eyes. Since I never let my hair grow past my shoulders, it didn’t take much time to brush it out. I exit my bathroom and make my way downstairs.

Good morning, Mom, I say as I walk into the extremely bright kitchen my mother insisted on designing when the house was first built. If it weren’t for the abnormally large windows decorating every wall, I would be the first to say that this kitchen is the nicest in the whole city. Unfortunately, I am not a morning person, and the last thing I want to see when I wake up is blinding lights as the sun shines through the window to illuminate the entire room.

Good morning, Emma, my mother says cheerfully as she pours herself a cup of coffee and balances a piece of toast hanging by the side of her mouth.

Working early again? I ask.

Yup. I’m leaving in about five minutes, she answers as she places the coffee pot on the counter and tosses me an apple.

Mom, I whine.

I know you don’t normally eat breakfast, but you should at least try to eat something. Especially since today is an important day, she says with a wink.

I stare at the apple in disgust and reluctantly agree, Fine.

Emma, my mother says in a warning tone.

I look up from my apple and stare at her, confused. What had I done wrong this time?

Yes? I ask cautiously.

What in the world are you wearing?

I look down at my outfit and shrug, I’m wearing leggings and a shirt.

And why aren’t you wearing the blouse I had put out for you? she asks with crossed arms and a stern look.

Because I didn’t want to, I answer casually. I won’t lie to her by saying I don’t like the outfit she laid out for me. The truth is, it is a nice outfit; it just isn’t my style.

Why not? she asks disappointed.

I just don’t want to, I shrug. No one will care what I wear, and I feel more comfortable wearing this.

But— she starts to say before my sister cuts her off and says, Mom, it’s no use. You know she won’t give in.

My younger sister is rarely right, but in this case, she is. My mother would never admit this, but deep down, she wishes I was more like her. Oh, and believe me, I have tried. I have really tried. But in the end, I am not my mother, and the quicker I realized it, the quicker I could just be myself.

She flashes me a look of disappointment but agrees. Fine, wear what you want.

I smile at Lilly gratefully and take a big bite of my apple. Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t all that bad.

Anyways, my mother says as she glances at her watch. I should probably be on my way if I don’t want to be late for work.

Okay, Lilly and I say in unison.

Oh, and Emma? Don’t forget what we talked about last night, she tells me over her shoulder as she heads out the front door.

Right, I say slowly.

Lilly walks around the kitchen and grabs a glass of orange juice and a waffle. She pulls out a chair and takes a seat beside me. I raise an eyebrow and stare at her as she takes a bite out of her waffle and watches me.

What? I snap.

Oh, nothing, she says with her mouth full.

I stare at her in disgust for a couple of seconds and nearly throw up in my mouth at the sight of the food she is chewing. Did no one ever teach this girl to chew with her mouth closed?

I shake my head and stand up. Fine then. I have to go. I’ll see you later.

I walk down the hall towards the front door and put on my shoes. As I open the door, Lilly says, Emma, wait.

What? I turn around, annoyed.

Don’t be selfish today, okay? she says as she gets up and walks towards to me.

What are you talking about? I ask, offended.

I know what you’re thinking of doing, and you shouldn’t do it.

I don’t know what you’re talking about, I say, turning away from her.

I might be younger than you, but I’m not stupid. And I’m not blind either. I notice things, she says.

I’m sure you do, I tell her as I yank the front door open and walk out of the house.

I’m serious, Emma! I will not let you break this family! she yells as I start running further away from the house.

I hate that I am hurting her, but I don’t have a choice. My parents want me to follow in their footsteps and work at the Health Facility in the city, but I don’t want to. I want to make my own decisions, and my request today will give me that opportunity. I am not going to let it slip between my fingers.

I slow down and jog at a slower pace to observe the scenery. Today, I am heading to the city high school for Job Request Day. Every year, all the seventeen-year-olds in the city receive the opportunity to request their job placement. We only get one chance to make a request, and even then, the City Council might not approve it. We all took a written test yesterday, which will help them decide, and they are weighing our marks and extracurricular activities in their final decision.

Every so often, if you are lucky, they will look at your request and give you the job you want. I just hope they give me what I want. It would suck to be stuck with a job I hate for the rest of my life.

As I jog through the city, I try to capture a mental image of each building I pass. If my request goes through and they accept it, then there is a good chance I won’t be living in the city much longer. It is such a beautiful place that no one ever wants to leave, but if they do, it is rarely by choice. Flowers of every colour and shape are along the bottom of each building and trees at the corner of every street. No citizens are allowed to have cars unless they work for the government. Most of the time, the only things found in the streets are kids playing and running around. We are a community that takes care of each other. I love the city, and part of me wants to stay forever, but another part feels like I belong somewhere else.

The closer I get to the school, the more I question whether the job request I will make is the right one. I know there will be consequences to the request I want to make, but I’m not sure I care.

I walk up to the school entrance, and a lady at the door greets me with a big smile. However, it isn’t a kind smile that makes you feel warm inside; it is very forced and lasts too long. Whenever I think she will say something, she doesn’t. She just stares at me in silence, and if I am being completely honest, it is starting to creep me out. I try to sidestep her and go through the other door, but she must have seen it coming because she walks right in front of me and blocks the entrance I am going for.

Hi there! My name is Ms. Lilian and I’m here to answer all of your questions and guide you through the school to get to the request tables in the gymnasium, she says with a cheerful voice.

Thank you, but I won’t be needing any help. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll just squeeze right by you and find my own way to the gym, I tell her as I walk towards the other door. As I pull the handle to open the door, I feel someone’s hand on my arm. I suddenly turn around and see Ms. Lilian gripping my arm, pulling me back to where I was standing a few seconds ago.

I try to free my arm, but she won’t let go. She looks straight into my eyes and says the one thing I was hoping not to hear today, I recognize you. Don’t your parents work at the Health Facility in the city?

No, you probably have me mixed up with someone else, I reply.

She shakes her head as if dismissing my denial and says, Don’t tell me… you are Doctor Casey’s daughter!

Look, I have to go. It was nice to meet you, I tell her as I free my arm from her extremely tight grip. Before she has the chance to realize what I am doing, I run through the school as fast as I can until I reach the large double doors leading to the gym. I glance behind me before entering the loud room to ensure Lilian isn’t following me. Luckily, there isn’t anyone in the hallway other than me and the rows of lockers, which tells me the coast is clear.

As I enter the gym, I see over one hundred teenagers lined up, waiting for their turn to make their requests. I make my way to the line of girls and stand at the very back of it. I hope it won’t take long before it is my turn. However, from the looks of it, I will be here for a while.

To help pass the time, I look around at the faces of kids I have known my whole life and try to figure out what they will request as their job placement. For instance, Jeremy Carter loves telling people what to do and considers himself superior to anyone. My guess is that he will request to be placed in the government, and I wouldn’t be surprised if his end goal is to be mayor of the city.

Then, there is Maya Kirby and her best friend Zoe Thompson. They have been glued to each other’s hips since I can remember. They do practically everything together and will no doubt request being placed at the farm, where they can gossip all day without being disturbed.

I know everyone in this room, but at the same time, I don’t. None of these people are my friends, and none to me anymore. My parents are well-known in the city, which makes me well-known. People stop and talk to me wherever I go as if I were a celebrity. My classmates hated that I got more attention and special treatment from teachers than they did, so they stopped talking to me. If only they knew everything my parents expected of me, I doubt they would have given me such a hard time. Besides, soon it won’t matter what they think. If everything goes according to plan, I will be in the first car out of here.

What’s your name? asks a lady sitting at the desk right in front of me.

Huh? I answer. I hadn’t even realized it was my turn to request my job placement.

Your name? she asks slower this time, narrowing her eyes at me as if she thinks my head is in the clouds.

Emma Casey, I tell her with a small smile, hoping she won’t hate me for not paying attention the first time.

As she writes my name down on the top of a yellow sheet of paper, I notice that her name tag reads Amber. She has long brown hair that lays flatty against the sides of her face and brown eyes that crinkle when she squints. She can’t be more than 20 years old, but the look of exhaustion on her face makes her appear about 10 years older.

What’s your birth date? she asks with tired eyes.

February 29th, I answer.

Really? she asks, slightly surprised. I flash her a look of confusion, and she shakes her head.

Sorry, it’s just that it isn’t a very common birth date since it only comes once every four years, she explains.

Don’t worry about it, I reply plainly. It isn’t the first time someone has commented on my birth date. My parents were beyond thrilled that I was born on a special day. They always bring it up at least once when we have dinner with their coworkers.

Your parents are Doctor Sam Casey and Doctor Adele Casey? she asks, but it sounds more like a rhetorical question.

That’s right, I answer. Amber looks as if she wants to say more but decides against it after seeing my expression change into something less welcoming.

Well then, let me get your file. I’ll be right back, she says as she gets up and walks over to the cabinet file drawer at the back of the gym.

To my left, I hear the man behind the boys’ desk asking the next guy in line his name. I turn around and look at the guy and immediately realize who he is.

Rick McCoy, he answers.

Rick is by far the best-looking guy my age. He has dirty blonde hair and light blue eyes that attract girls like a magnet. I might be attracted to him if his personality wasn’t so flawed. Unfortunately, even if I wanted to be with a guy like him, he would never notice me.

He is a messy guy with a messy life. Working in the hospital lets me know which patients come in and out daily. Sadly, I saw him there a lot when we were younger, and it wasn’t to have a playdate. I doubt he remembers seeing me there, and I am okay with that. The last thing I need is for him to resent me for knowing something personal about his life that most people know nothing about.

As the man at the desk gets up to search for Rick’s file, Rick turns to me and locks his eyes with mine. I didn’t realize I was staring but tear my eyes away as Amber returns with my file.

Sorry about that; your file was all the way at the bottom of the drawer, she says.

It’s okay, I tell her quietly. I notice from the corner of my eye that Rick is still staring at me.

What job request would you like to make? she asks.

The Simulation, I answer with none of the confidence that I had walked into the gym with.

She raises her eyebrows and looks at me as if I said something unintelligent. She isn’t the only one either; Rick stares at me curiously. I nod slowly and look at her as if she hadn’t heard me properly.

Are you sure? she asks.

Why wouldn’t I be sure?

I just expected you to request a position in the hospital with your parents, she explains.

I scoff and drag my hand down the side of my face. I want nothing to do with the hospital, nor do I want to spend the rest of my life working with my parents, I say without thinking.

She eyes me disapprovingly and asks, Why do you want to be put in the Simulation?

I don’t know. I guess I want some adventure in my life, and it’s the only way I can get it, I answer lamely.

Amber stares at me with disdain and asks, You only get one chance to make a request. Are you sure you want to request the Simulation? You don’t sound one hundred percent confident?

I cross my arms. I am one hundred percent confident. I want to be put into the Simulation.

Amber doesn’t look satisfied with my response, but she doesn’t ask any more questions and starts filling in the information on my file.

I turn to look at Rick and notice that the man who had gone to get Rick’s file had returned and was currently asking about Rick’s job request. I observe him curiously as I wait to hear what he will say.

After a moment of hesitation, he answers, The Simulation, before glancing in my direction. Unlike Amber, the man doesn’t look at Rick as if he has three heads instead of one. He simply nods and writes the information down in Rick’s file.

Amber looks up at me and tells me I can leave. I nod in her direction and start making my way out of the gym. As I walk further from the table, I hear the man ask Rick why he wants to be placed in the Simulation. I stop moving and turn around slowly.

He glances at me over his shoulder, and his mouth twitches, Maybe I just need to escape.

I stare at him curiously for a couple more seconds before I turn away and close the distance between where I am standing and the gym’s exit. I need to get out of the school to get some air. I am frustrated with myself and already regret my decision. My parents will probably find out in the next couple of minutes, and I am sure they will prepare a list of questions they will use to interrogate me. They have never supported me living my own life; frankly, I don’t want to go home and face their wrath right now. So, the second my foot hits the dirt road in front of the school, I start running in the opposite direction of my parents’ house.

As I run, I think about my life and family and wonder how it happened that I dislike it so much. I have never wanted to get away from something so strongly before, but the truth is, my family is too perfect. Growing up, my sister and I were expected to follow in our parents’ footsteps. The expectation was that we were to present ourselves with class in public, as well as be prepared to get our hands dirty when it came to saving someone’s life. My sister managed those expectations beautifully, whereas I never fully understood what they wanted, which is why I need to be chosen for the Simulation at all costs. I can’t live there anymore and pretend to belong in that house. I constantly feel like I am suffocating, and as much as I love them, I need to breathe.

However, I am not an idiot. I know the risks of requesting to be placed into the Simulation. The city’s science department has always been very secretive about the projects that they are working on. More specifically, the Simulation. Every year, four teenagers are placed in the Simulation. These teenagers have to work through a series of challenges that test their skills and abilities. Citizens of the city believe the scientists are trying to explain why we request certain jobs over others based on our personalities, skill traits, and minds; but no one knows the challenges or risks. However, we do know one thing. Since the Simulation was created many years before I was born, every teenager that went in never came out. No one knows why they never came home or if they will ever come home. Something about that fact makes this job placement even more intriguing. Maybe the teenagers never wanted to come back to their previous lives. Maybe the second they left the city, they were faced with a new life they didn’t want to leave. Whatever the reason, I know that one day, I will come back to the city. I owe Lilly that much.

I forget to look where I am going, and I accidentally run into a boy with black hair and intense green eyes, eyeing me with a hateful look. I stand up slowly and rub the dirt off my pants. I try to offer him my hand to help him up, but before I know it, he is on his feet.

I’m so sorry, I apologize quickly, I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you okay?

I’m fine; don’t worry about it, he says in a tense voice. He looks over his shoulder and observes the road behind him for a few seconds before looking back at me.

My name’s Emma. Emma Casey, I say with a small smile, my hand outstretched, ready to shake his. He stares at me blankly for what seems like forever and reluctantly takes my hand in his. His eyes glide over my facial features as he shakes my hand slowly.

Nice to meet you, he says distractedly. Before I can ask his name, he starts running in the same direction I just came from. I turn around and watch him as he fades away from view. I am not entirely sure what just happened. I have never seen him before in my life. I look behind me and stare down the street, trying to spot something unusual. There is Paul’s Barber Shop on my right, the Stone Family Restaurant on my left, and Cindy’s Salon right across from me. But besides that, nothing stands out of the ordinary.

I didn’t notice how close I had gotten to the city’s edge. I have never been this far on my own. If my parents ever found out where I was, they would murder me on the spot. Frankly, I am not too keen on giving my parents another reason to be upset with me today, so I decide to walk further from the city’s edge. I have only taken a couple of steps when I hear Ms. Barnes calling my name from the other side of the street.

Emma, is that you? she yells to me.

Yes, Ms. Barnes, I call.

What do you think you are doing on this side of the city? she asks.

I went for a jog, I answer as I walk over to her shop.

There are kids playing soccer and running around in the streets. A young boy who looks about thirteen years old almost bumps into me as he runs to stop the ball from rolling down the street.

"Hey, Josiah! When you reach the ball, pass it