Isabella Paesano
By Elsa Hoffman

Prologue
Hi! My name is Isabella Paesano, but after I started racing, everyone called me poison. I am 14 years old, and I live on Canto, a modern high tech moon on the far side of the planet Sa'ol. I don't recommend being a racer. It will take over your life, as it did mine. It might be well paying, but it is hard, and injuries are frequent. The first race will always be the hardest, unless you have a knack for getting beginners luck. My first was the hardest, and worst, and horriblest, but you get the point.
Chapter one
My mobile techno Cel-Pad started chiming out my favorite tune. I scooped it off my GW (gravity wheeler) and punched the screen. “Oi! Isi! Is that you?!” shouted Mark Im'ko (AkA Impakt) “You can come racing with me this Nuun, right? I wanna give you your first lesson.” “Yah. I guess. Meet you this Nuun? ‘Fore smack?” I answered. “Of course! I have some Steam-Pups! See you there!” I slammed my Cel-Pad down with a bang, and smashed through my bedroom door and dashed into my huge private balcony closet. There were sliding pla’stick sheets in front of the glass door and windows. I yanked my Black-Red suit off its floating hook, and stretched it over my body.
My Hydro-Jet was in the garage right over my balcony, so all I had to do was slide my Jet boots over my regular boots – a robotic folding protection pair that I slid my foot into, and they robotically folded out to fit – and leap over the railing. I slowly floated down into the water garage.
I clambered onto the jet, a Manta, the slowest and best for handling, great for me, a beginner. I pushed down onto the pedal and sped away to the park.
I arrived two minutes late, but Mark was forgiving. He just laughed and handed me a Steam-Pup. I savored it and chewed slowly. It was the best one ever. “Did you make these, Mark?” I asked “Yep! My Mom helped me though. She's good at making' these.” Mark answered. “Oh! Great!” I always admired Mark's Mom's cooking. It was super good! If I didn't get so full from eating it, I would eat all day! “Isi! Time for the lesson!” I was excited! My first lesson! Yay!
Mark took my Manta to the portable starting line and told me to get onto it. “Now, ‘memb’r, turn when you see the arrows and make sure you don't crash. Bar-Hop is both handles up, superman is both down. Don't try any others. Right. Now all you need to do is………GO!” The shout startled me so much I fell into the water and groaned. “Come on, Isi! You don't know how loud the gunshot is in a real race! That'll make you really plunge! Then you'll lose! You can't get startled.”
This time when he said GO! I was ready. I pushed on the accelerator and sped off, Mark's robot close behind. In the distance I saw a long ramp. I headed straight for it. My manta's water skimmers scraped on the metal as I sped up it. The end of the ramp, I pulled back on both bars, and two mechanical arms lifted me up into a superman. I landed so hard that my stomach flipped and flopped, but I stayed on.
The next ramp, though, was much bigger. I sped off of it just in time to see how far the water was this time. I knew I shouldn't have gone over the ramp. I was so scared that I let go, and before I knew it I was plunging toward the water at 245 mph.

Chapter two
A week later I woke up in the hospital. Pain was shooting in my leg. It felt like it was being sawed off and into pieces. My head was bursting, and waves of nausea rolled through me. A girl in a white suit stepped toward me. “Don't move. Your leg is broken.” I nodded and blacked out, again.”
A few days later I woke up again. My right leg was gone! I screamed and yelled! The nurse came rushing in and flipped a switch on a machine. I stayed awake long enough to figure out it was a thing that made you fall asleep, and that I was hooked up to it.
I woke up again at 5:30 in the morning. I was lying on my gravity couch on my balcony. Blankets were wrapped all around me. A glass of Sip's Soda was sitting on a small table. It was dark, but the lamp was on, so I could see. I pulled the blankets off, and looked at my right leg. It was there, but no! It wasn't my real leg! It was a white mechanical leg that whirred softly when I moved it. I looked at my clothes. I was wearing a thick sweater with an I on it, jumpsuit shorts, and long, thick socks. My leg didn't hurt anymore, so I tried to get up. A stabbing pain shot through my head, and I sank back onto the couch, groaning. A dark shape was moving in my bedroom. It had a tray filled with….something. As the shape came closer I realized it was my mom! I tried to say something to her and hug her, but the effort made me black out again.
The next time I woke up, my mom was feeding me pasta. Pasta was my favorite food. Especially spaghetti. I smiled and gestured toward the drink next to me. My mom tipped the contents into my mouth. I swallowed as she asked, “Feeling better now?” “Yes.” I croaked in response. “Your friend wants to see you.” she whispered. “Really? Bring him here.” I said. “Alright, but don't strain yourself. Okay?” “Okay Mom.” My mom left and took the food tray with her.
In a few minutes she came back with Mark. “Hey.” he said in a hoarse voice. “Mark!” I said, “Why did you come here?” “I wanted to say sorry to you.” Mark answered slowly. “There is no need to say sorry! It's my own fault I fell off.” I told him firmly. Mark laughed and laughed. “Okay Paesano,” he finally said, “I won't do it again.” This time I laughed and laughed and laughed. “Anyway, do you want to come for an easier lesson tomorrow?” “Sure! If I don't get any more broken limbs.” I answered. “That wasn't a broken leg, Isi,” Mark told me seriously, “Your leg was smashed.” “Oh.” I said in a small voice. Then I realized that I was super tired and I fell right asleep.
I woke up in my bed the next day with sunlight streaming through my windows. I had a lot of those. My mom glided through the door, her streaming pink robes the mark of a diplomat. My mom's hands were hidden by the robe sleeves. “Morning Isi! Did you have a good night's sleep?” “Yep!” I answered energetically. “I am ready for the day!” “Good,” my mom said, “ I signed you up for racing with a guy named Krax. Or Kray or something along those lines. It will start next week.” “Perfect!” I answered, “Now I have to get dressed.” “Oh, sorry!” said mom. “Nothing to be sorry for.” I told her. She left. I hopped out of bed. There was no pain at all! I scurried toward my closet and hopped in. I tore my Fireball sweater from a floating hook, and grabbed my jumpsuit from the shelf. I ran onto my balcony and closed the pla'stick sheets. I tugged the jumpsuit on, and pulled the sweater on over top. I shoved my feet into the mechanical boots and they closed in over my feet.
My breakfast was a cold steam pup with a white bun. After that I grabbed a Sip's soda and wandered out of the door. The cool morning air hit me as I stepped off of the enclosed porch. I walked quickly toward the garage. My manta sat in the garage perfectly shiny and…wait, that's not my manta! That's a scimitar! I always wanted one! There was a note in the glove compartment. It read, To Isabella Paesano who will be joining Warthogs School of Racing and Survival on September 7th, 5432. -Kray Schmitt. I nearly leapt for joy! I was going to Warthogs in only a few days! I dashed up to my room jumping for joy! I tore my gravity bag of it's hook on the wall and opened it wide. I shoved a toothbrush, hairbrush, and toothpaste inside it. Ding! The doorbell's chime flooded the house. Mail! I rushed downstairs and yanked the door open. Hareldo Myrsirthis was standing at the door with a large package. “This is for Isabella Paesano.” He said in his usual droning voice. “That's me!” I said excitedly. “Oh. That's good.” he handed me the package.
I opened the box in my room. It was a new racing suit! Three of them! And new gloves! And boots! Five new pairs! There was a note at the bottom. It said: The suits with flames are your school uniform. The suit with Paesano on it is your race suit. Gloves and boots will be worn at all times. Yes! I had my school stuff! I was ready to go! I finished packing the bag, and hurried off to Mark's house, scooping my Cel-pad on the way.
I arrived at Nuun, which is 12:00. I knocked five times on the door. My signal to Mark that I wanted to see him answer the door. He banged the door open with a, well, bang and said, “Whassanews?” “I'm going to Warthogs in two days! I have all my stuff!” I said as fast as possible without muddling the words. “Me too!” Mark answered excitedly, “I received my package yesterday!” “That's amazing!” I replied. “I really have to go now, but I will call you tomorrow. Bye!”
By the time I got back it was time for lunch. I plucked a French Egg off of the cold counter and stuffed it into my mouth. The boiled ham inside was so good I ate another. Then I hurried up to my room and opened ‘Talk and Walk’. I tapped my Mom's code and pressed ‘Talk’. It rang for almost a minute before my mom showed up on the screen. “Hi,” she said, “Having a nice day?” “Yes,” I answered, “I received my package today, and I travel to the overnight water train tomorrow.” “Great! I'm so glad! I have to get back to work now! Love you!” she hung up.
The next day I woke up early and put my new school clothes on. I shoved pajamas and extra clothes into my bag and rushed downstairs for breakfast. It was sweet biscuits with apple syrup, my favorite! I ate and ate until I was really really full. I smiled. “Thanks Mom!” I said, “You're the best.” “You're welcome, Isi. Now, let's head over to the garage and I'll drive you over to the station.” We hurried over to the garage, and hopped on the family Fireball. My scimitar was in the trunk, nice and secure. The Hydro Jet sped over to the station. When we got there, the water engine was already there, ready and waiting. I dashed over with my letter and bag. I grabbed 15 CANNTIENS, our currency, and hurried over to the ticket window. I bought one and then hurried over to the train, where the driver was punching tickets. I gave mine to him, he punched it, and said, “Cab 58.” I climbed on, and, “Wait, Isi! You forgot your hydro jet!.” my mom called. I leaned out the giant air locker and grabbed the ultra-light fold up case as soon as the engine started. “Bye mom thanks! Love you!” I shouted. “Bye, Isi! Love you!”
The engine was bobbing along merrily when I finally found my cab. It was empty except one person looking out the window. I recognized him by his hair. “Mark!” I said, “You're here! In my cab!” “Yup,” he answered, “I asked the driver if you came along he would put you in the cab with me. He said yes.” “I would have done the same for you, Mark.” “I'm sure you would have!” He laughed. “Want a Steam Pup?” I asked. “Yes!” answered Mark, “Those are my favorite!” I smiled and opened my bag. I pulled the bag of Steam Pups out, and wrapped one in white bread. I gave it to Mark, and then wrapped one for myself.
When we were done eating, it was really dark outside, but inside, the warm, overhead light had turned on. The cab had started to warm up, and I pulled out my Cel-pad to take a picture of the starry night sky. After one or two more hours, the train squealed to a stop. It was raining heavily when we got out, and we were thankful for our waterproof suits. We still got cold, but at least we were mostly dry. A large, burly, smiling man came up to us and helped us into a covered Space-Scooter. We settled into our seats as the driver sped away into the darkness.
Chapter three
The Scooter slid to a stop, and slowly floated down to the ground. We gaped. The school looked like a huge Stay-For-The-Night building, but better. We were led along the grass so quickly that I wasn't able to see much.
When we got inside, the burly man came to greet us. “Hi. My name is Kray Schmitt. I am your racing teacher, and headmaster. When you get inside, Mrs. Schmitt, your survival teacher will take you to the front hall for the opening tests. Have fun!” We dashed through the double doors. A strong-looking woman with a gray jumpsuit led us to a huge Buffet room. We were led up to a platform in the front of the room where Kray Schmitt was already sitting. Me, Mark and about 50 other new guys were lined up in front of Schmitt. While the first row took the tests, a boy who looked a lot like Schmitt came up to us.
“Hi. I'm Krax Schmitt. I have a Fireball. What do you have.” he said all this in one breath. “Hi. I'm Isabella Paesano. I have a scimitar.” I answered. “Oh. How sad. Maybe you will get a Fireball for Christmas.” he said smugly. I looked away. I did not like this, Krax. His dad was cool though.
When my line came, the whole group walked forwards and sat at the desks provided. I looked down at the test. It read:
a. What is your favorite color?
b. How old are you?
c. What model Hydro Jet do you have?
d. Do you consider yourself cool?
e. What is your name?
I answered all truthfully. My favorite color is black, I am fourteen years old, I have a Scimitar, I don't think I'm cool, my name is Isabella Paesano.
At the end of all the testing, Kray assigned us our seats. When he finally read my name, I jumped. “Isabella Paesano! Go to table three (There were four tables, 1, 2, 3, 4) and sit at seat D, 1. Mark Im'ko! Go to table three and sit at seat D, 2! Krax Schmitt! Go to table one and sit at seat G, 7!” the readings went on until the last person had sat down. (Huntayaa Somch'ancho! Table two, A, 1.) Then Kray said, “Write your name on the piece of paper in front of you, and stick it at your place.” I looked down. Sure enough a piece of paper and pen was sitting there. I scrawled Isabella Paesano on it and looked up. A bottle of Chutno-Stick was waiting in front of me. I glopped it on the back of the paper and smooshed the paper onto the table. It took a few seconds to dry, so I could sit back and enjoy the smell of food.
After everyone was finished, Kray said to start filling up the plates. I ran straight for the buffet. I took a player from the shelf and started loading food onto it. I took a potato salad and some French Eggs. There were all sizes of ham wrapps and fish rolls. I grabbed a large ham wrap and a fish roll. Then I went over to the drink table. All flavors of Sip's soda were stacked on a cold counter. I skipped those and grabbed a hot mint water. `
When I had filled my plate, I sat over at my place. I took at least 15 minutes to finish my plate, and when I was done, everyone was heading over to dessert. I took a Lik's creamy-ice and a chocolate paste cup.
I slurped my dessert with relish as I looked at everyone else. They were mostly still finding dessert. Krax was stuffing as many chocolate pastries onto his plate as he could. “That's one greedy guy.” Mark was sliding into a seat with a smirk. “He won't even let anyone smell any pastries, let alone take one.” “Yeah.”I replied.
After dessert Kray told the table leaders to take their table up to the dormitories. I was relieved. I was so tired my legs dragged behind me as we climbed onto the moving stairway. We rode silently up. At the top there was a fork in the hall. The leader took us to the right. We went down a long hallway and up another moving stairway. Finally we got to the dormitory. “Hello,” said the leader, “My name is Heta Stano. I am table 3's leader and your leader. The girls' dorm is to the right, and the boys' dorm is to the left. Goodnight.”
I shuffled up the stairway to the girls' dorm. I came to a door that read 14 year olds. I opened the door and hurried inside. There were four beds. Two on one wall and two on the other. There were already three girls in the room. They had chosen their beds already. I took the last one. It had red coverings and pillows. My bag was beside the night stand. I looked into it and found my pyjamas, night shoes, and toothbrush. Then I looked around. There was a bathroom on the left wall, opposite of the one I was standing at. I hurried over to it and opened the door. I took a long and hot shower and brushed my teeth. Then I pulled on my pyjamas and night shoes. I shuffled slowly out of the bathroom and went to my bed. I pulled the covers back and slid inside. I turned off the bedside lamp and closed my eyes. I was asleep in a moment.

Chapter four
I woke up at 6:30 in the morning. All the other girls, except one, were chatting and showing each other pictures on their Cell-pads. The other girl was re-taping her Hydro-Jet's handlebars. I went over and sat next to her. “Hi,” I said, “My name's Isabella Paesano.What's yours?” “Hi. My name is Isantra Anguut. Want to walk down to class together?” the girl said. Just then all the other girls started shrieking and pulling their clothes on and hurriedly drinking the rest of their Sip's Sodas. I glanced at my alarm clock. It was 6:40! Twenty minutes to breakfast! I said, “I think I have no other choice! And anyway, I think walking with you would be great.”
We dashed out the door and down the stairs. (We had already gotten dressed). We hurried through the dormitory entrance and out the door. We ran down the hall and came to the fork. We turned left and dashed onto the moving stairway.
We finally arrived at the gaping double doors that lead to the dining room. I hurried inside with Isantra at my heels. We slid into our seats. It turned out that Isantra sat right next to me! Mark was at the buffet already. I said, “I'm going to the buffet to get my breakfast.” “Okay. I'll come too.” Isantra answered. “Sounds good.” I said. We hurried off to the buffet table to get our breakfasts. I grabbed a bowl and started filling it with Wheat Crunch and milk. I took a white bread flat and stuffed it with egg and ham filling. Isantra had taken a plate of French eggs.
When we arrived at our table again, Mark was chowing down on a meat flat and boiled beans. A strange choice. I saw Krax with some of his buddies at table one. He had seventeen empty bottles of Sip's soda on the floor beside him, and was starting an eighteenth. His chocolate cake was smashed into pieces, and Krax was stuffing it into his face.
After breakfast Isantra and I followed Mrs. Schmitt out of the room. She led us out a side door. The door lead to an indoor garage. The water had been filtered out and pla'stick flooring filled the pool. Mrs. Schmitt flipped a switch on the left wall, and the roof slid open. Light flooded the room. A maintenance person was dragging tables into the room and setting them on their sides. Another maintenance person was pulling crates on a gravity cart. There were labels on the crates. They said, ‘Guns.’ I was worried. We were working with guns? I started to ask about that, but Mrs Schmitt obviously didn't like people to talk. As soon as I opened my mouth, she said, “Tatata.” super fast. The maintenance person started to open the crates. They were filled with high power lazer guns (they don't hurt). The maintenance person mounted the guns on low ledges. “You will dodge the flow of lasers and touch all the tables before the time runs out. ”OK MRS SCHMITT!“ we all yelled. ”Good, now GO!“
We were warped to a small blue platform at the edge of the room. Right in front of a gun, which was now spewing lazers! ”One last thing,“ Mrs. Schmitt shouted over the din, ”Don't get hit by the lazers! If you get hit, you start from the beginning again.“ I yelped and belly flopped over a lazer just as it was swishing over the blue platform. I ducked under another and slid behind a table. I peaked around the edge and was luckily slammed to the ground as another person from table 3 jumped right into a lazer. ”Start again Mr. Amickang'lo!“ shouted Mrs. Schmitt. I rolled under a lazer and did a backflip over another. The table was sooo close! If only I could reach it! There was a lazer jet shooting in an endless stream of lazers. I was so tired though!
Just then a boy from table 2 grabbed me and threw me over the lazer. I landed behind the table, and the boy landed beside me. ”Go!“ he whispered. I dashed from behind the table and leaped over a lazer. I did a perfect flip over the next and landed right behind the table. I peaked around the edge of that table too. There were three chests sitting behind a wall of lazers. One gold, one silver, and one bronze. I took a deep breath. Then I leaped from behind cover and promptly got hit by a lazer. Just kidding! I was able to roll under one wall of lazers, jump over the next, and slide through the last. The three chests were standing right behind a big platform. I dashed ahead. Then, right next to me, was that boy from table 2! He ran very fast, and I was tired, but I put on a burst of speed! I did a triple flip right over the head of the boy, and fell onto the platform.
Confetti rained down on my head as a speaker blared: MISS PAESANO HAS WON THE RACE! I smiled. More confetti rained down, and the speaker blared again: MR SOMACHTE HAS COME IN SECOND! Mor confetti: AND MARK IM'KO HAS COME IN THIRD! Isantra came in fourth, and Krax came in fifth, and then a lot more people which I don't know came.
I started to get up to congratulate Mark and Isantra, but my arm screamed in protest. ”OW!“ I said. Mrs. Schmitt jumped down from the balcony and landed beside me. ”Op!“ she said, ”Broken wrist!“ She lifted me up and said, ”While I take Miss Paesano to the hospital, you can watch Mr. Somachte and Mr. Im'ko open their chests. I will take the gold one with me for Miss Paesano. “Wait! Can I come?” Isantra's quiet voice came from the crowd. “Yes. Miss Anguut.”
We were led down a hall, then went to the right, left, right, middle. I lost track of the turns. We finally arrived in a solid white room. Beds were in neat rows along the wall. A tall woman in a white suit and cap shuffled towards us. Without a word, she led me to a bed on the far wall of the room. I laid down and she sat a lettuce leaf juice under my nose. I fell asleep instantly.
Chapter five
I woke up in my bed with the gold chest by my bed. Isantra and Mark were chatting on a window seat and doing their homework. I glanced at my night-table. A thin stack of papers was flopped across it. I scooted up and pulled it into my lap. My wrist throbbed a little, but otherwise was fine. I opened a drawer in my night-table and reached inside. A pen, a pen, a pencil. Yes! I scooped out the pencil and closed the drawer. “Isi,” Mark said, “I was so worried! You okay?” “Yeah, I'm fine, you?” I answered “Oh. Good. Lot's of work. Questions about our first class-race.” Mark replied. “Yeah,” said Isantra, “I am almost finished.” “Yeah,” Mark said, “Well, today is our first racing class.” “Water racing?” I asked “Hey Isi! What's wrong? You look a little pale!” Mark asked “Oh. It's nothing. Just nervous,” I answered, “I need to do my homework now, ok?” “Oh yeah! That's great! Don't want to get behind!” Mark and Isantra said at the exact same time. Then we all laughed.
I picked up my papers. There were five questions on the first page. 1. How many times did you get hit? 2. Are you proud of what you accomplished? 3. Do you consider yourself cooler? 4. Are you on the trail to fame and accomplishment? 5. Did you touch the middle table twice? I wrote my answers and turned the page. 6. Was the last question weird to you? I finished the questions quickly, then I got out of bed. The clock said 10:00. Breakfast had already happened. I checked a schedule on the wall. The box for today said: Friday: 10:30, race class. There was nothing else on the list.
I pulled out a racing suit and ran to the bathroom. I pulled off my pyjamas and dove into the pool. I took about fifteen minutes to get scrubbed off. Then I splashed out and stretched on my racing suit. I dashed out of the bathroom and hurried after the trail of girls running off to racing.
I got a good glance at a girl in a hot pink suit with super bright's heeled-dance boots. Her face was caked in Purtie’s Booty-face and her hair was so full of Slick’s Hair-up, it was a wonder she wasn't drenched in the stuff. “Like, what are you, like, looking at, weirdo!” she said. “Oh, sorry.” I said, and hurried away.
When we finally arrived at the race track, I was feeling panicky. I didn't want to make a fool of myself by dying again, or worse, and I didn't want to make a fool of myself by not getting on my bike, so I could either, make a fool of myself or make a fool of myself. I decided to not make a fool of myself. Waait, that's not an option. All the girls were chatting as they climbed onto their pink and purple bikes. The boys were showing off their ‘huge’ muscles. I saw my scimitar waiting in the water. I slowly shuffled over to it, trying to stall as much as possible. I watched Kray saunter onto the grass to the side of the track as I started to get on my bike.
“ALRIGHT!” Kray shouted, “ALRIGHT! Get on your bikes!” He looked surprised when there was little, almost no movement. Almost all of us were already on our bikes! “Ok!” Kray said, “When I shoot the starting blast, I want you to push off. Table one…” he told us to go to each of our spots. “Alright! AAAND…” POW! The gun was loud and obnoxious, but not too loud and obnoxious. I revved the engine and started to glide across the water. I looked behind me and saw some of the girls pushing the edge of the track with their hands and feet. Some of the boys with ‘huge’ muscles were trying to paddle their ways through the water, and were making even less progress than the girls.
Mark was whispering fervently to Isantra who was nodding and whispering back. Then they started going. When Mark came up to me he said, “Use the handlebars to control your speed.” I looked down. There were levers attached to the handles. I looked up to thank him, but he was already speeding away.
I pulled the handle bars up, and I went speeding away. Krax was speeding away in front, neck and neck with Mark. I accidentally let go of my right lever, and went veering off to the left! I spun in a perfect U-turn and then a figure-8 before I pulled the lever again.
Up ahead there was a curve in the track. It was so thin that I didn't think it was possible to be able to turn there! When I saw Isantra just barely skimming through, I panicked. I stopped my bike. “HEY!” about 50 people shouted as they slammed past me, almost smashing my bike against the edge of the track. I took a deep breath and looked behind me. There wasn't anyone that I could see. I took another deep breath and revved the engine again.
My bike sped forward, splashing through ripples and waves. I quickly came to the curve in the track. I could do this, I thought. I wound my way around the bend-that-led-into-the-bend-bend and watched the next one approach. It was much much MUCH sharper than I had anticipated. I slowly feathered my way around it, almost smashing the butt of the bike against the wall behind me, and the head of the bike against the wall in the front, but I managed to squeeze through.
I was catching up to some people in the back. I passed them and sped on. More people were slowly speeding toward me. I passed all of them and moved ahead. Finally, I saw Krax and Mark, still neck and neck, battling for second, as Isantra pulled into first. I chuckled and sped ahead of them. “HEY!” they both shouted simultaneously.
I looked behind me, which was my fatal mistake. I crashed into the podium at the end of the track and DIED!

Chapter six
Just kidding! It did feel like dying though. I was lying in the white-room again. Blankets were covering my body. The tall-woman-in-a-white-suit-and-cap (I don't know her name) was shuffling around, tending to other people in beds. I saw one person across the room from me gasping and coughing. Another person had boils on her face. I looked at the wall and saw a few skeletons lying against the wall. Hahaha. There were not really skeletons.
Finally the tall-woman-in-a-white-suit-and-cap shuffled over to me. She was carrying a large bottle and a cup. She un-capped the bottle and poured some liquid into the cup. I saw that it was a muddy brown with a hint of red. I made a face. “Don't you worry, kid.” the tall-woman-in-a-white-suit-and-cap said, “It tastes like apple syrup.” “Then–*cough*–why does it look like dirt *Cough-cough*?” I asked. “Hey, hey! Quiet down, kid,” she looked around warily, “It's the sweet-bark inside.” “*Cough-cough*-What's sweet-bark *Cough*?”I asked. “Ne'r mind, kid. S'not worth knowin’. Now, drink up, kid, I've got patients to attend to, kid.” I slurped up the drink. It did, actually, taste like apple syrup. Yay! “Now, I'll lead you to the Mrs. Schmitt's office. She'll take you back to your dorm'tory.”
I was led out of the room and down a hallway to the left. We went up some stairs, and down some stairs, and through some doors, and onto a moving stairway, and through about, ten hallways altogether.
When we finally arrived at ‘the’ Mrs. Schmitt's office, the tall-woman (I will call her that for short) was getting jumpy. “Now, kid, I really have to get back to my patients, kid. Will you be okay, kid? Here? By yourself? Please? Kid?” she said very hurriedly. “Uh. Um. Yeah. I'll be fine, kid, I mean tall-woman, uh, I mean Miss. Uh, um. Yeah. Miss. Miss.” I answered. “Oh! Good! Kid! I will be at the, um, hospital. Kid.” she stuttered.
I walked into Mrs. Schmitts office. “My goodness, Isabella! You seem prone to injury!” Mrs. Schmitt said, as soon as I was inside. “You have gotten hurt every time there has been a race so far!” “I know, but–” I started to say. “Tatata! No interruptions! Now I will take you to your dormitory.” Mrs. Schmitt finished.
I was led to a side door in the office. It lead to a large room with a basket in the middle. As we came closer to the basket, I noticed that the sides were shimmering blue, and it was held up by ropes over a dark pit. Mrs. Schmitt walked up to the basket, and walked right through a side of it, and then pulled me through too! When I was safely inside, she pulled a lever, pressed a button that read ‘up’ and another that read ‘3 g’s d'.
The ropes creaked, tightened, and slowly lifted the basket up. Soon, the basket was swaying merrily along, and we were rising up at a nice pace. In only a few minutes we had stopped in a cold room. There was a blue sheet on the far side of the room, and various potted plants scattered around the room.
Mrs. Schmitt took me toward the blue sheet. When we were about a foot from it, Mrs. Schmitt stuck her head right through it! When she pulled her head back through, it had been almost a minute! “All clear.” she muttered, and pulled me through.
When we were on the other side, I looked behind me and patted the wall. My hand slipped right through! Mrs. Schmitt yanked my hand back and glanced around, nervously. She shook her head furiously and mumbled something unintelligible. It sounded like, “Rrms ees drs.” Maybe ‘rooms these days’ or ‘arms meets dirt’. I think the first one sounded more likely.
“Now, Isabella. It's time for you to get up to your room and get to sleep.” Mrs. Schmitt said. I considered saying okay, but I figured I wasn't going to get past the first letter, so I just nodded my head. “Alright! Now budge up! Tomorrow's Saturday you know.” Mrs. Schmitt said. I nodded again, and headed up the stairs.
When I arrived at my room, it was very dark outside. My room was completely dark, and all the girls were sleeping soundlessly. I felt my way to my bed through the dark–it was easy to find by feeling for feet in all the beds, and selecting the one with no feet–and reached under it. My pyjamas were lying safely on top of my bag, which I had stowed there. I grabbed them, and a brush which I had left on top of them, and put them on my bed. Then I reached over to my night-table. I opened the top drawer, and pulled out my toothbrush and a cup of goo. I carried my pyjamas, brush, toothbrush, and cup of goo all to the bathroom, and opened the door.
I felt the wall for the light-button, which turned on the light. When I found it I pressed it hard, and light flooded the room. The girls all rolled over and groaned in their sleep, and I realized I had forgotten to close the door! I quickly closed it behind me.
I placed all my stuff on a long counter and carefully pulled off my jumpsuit and folded it. Then I dove into the deep pool. It was freezing! I quickly splashed over to the heat control and looked carefully at it. The cold-knob was at the very top of its track, and the hot-knob was at the very bottom. I quickly reversed that, and pushed back into the middle of the pool as heat seeped through the water.
After a long bath, I dried off and slipped on my pyjamas. I attacked my hair with the brush, pulling out the many tangles that I got from bathing and sleeping in the white-room. Then I dipped the toothbrush in the goo and rinsed it in a small tub of clean water. Then I spread the goo all the way around all my teeth, and on every part, and waited. After the goo had set a while on my teeth, I cleaned the goo off. Then I went back to the main room. (I remembered to turn off the light before I opened the door, luckily).
I felt my way back to my bed again and slowly crept inside. I was worn out from the whole business of the day, and I was ready to get to sleep. I laid my head against the pillow and closed my eyes. Then I smiled. Why was Mrs. Schmitt so secretive about the entrance to the basket-lifter-thingy? Because she wanted nobody to know about it. I smiled again. This was something useful.
Chapter seven
The next day I woke up at 5:00. Perfect! I quietly got out of bed, wincing at the slightest creak of the bed-jumpers. When I was out of bed I reached under my bed and pulled my bag out from under it. I carefully felt through the contents until I found a lumo-stick. I rubbed against my left hand for approximately 10 seconds, and it flared to life. It was bright enough for me to be able to see, but not so bright that it woke the other girls. I pulled my jumpsuit and my brush out of my bag, and headed over to the bathroom. As I passed the boot of my bed, the light of my lumo-stick fell across the shiny gold of my chest that I had earned by winning the survival class race! I knelt down and fumbled at the latch. I found the little lever at the bottom, and flicked it upwards. Then I pushed the lid back. Inside, I saw a crystal hydrojet chain, a hydrojet seat-covering, and a large, foldable, hydrojet-care-case. I stowed all this in my bag. I had wasted enough time already.
I quickly went over to the door and opened it quietly. I shut the door all the way before I turned on the light, so I wouldn't wake anyone else up. I tore off my pyjamas and pulled on my jumpsuit. When I was finished, I turned off the light, and opened the door silently. I didn't even try to close it; I had used up all my no-squeak-door luck already. I shined the lumo-stick around the room. Finally, I saw what I was looking for. My boots. I kept the lumo-stick trained on them as I snuck forward.
When I was just in front of them, I quickly slipped my feet into them. When I had finished cringing from the clicking they made when they closed in over my feet, I picked my way to the door. When I reached it, I slowly pushed the button that unlatched it, and shoved open the pla'stick door.
The hall was very dark, but I had my lumo-stick, so I could see. I kept it pointed on the steps, so I wouldn't trip. While I walked down the stairs, I wondered where I was going to go. Mrs. Schmitt's office was a place, but I didn't know who, or what could be down there. Maybe another table's dorm? A preparatory-room?
When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I flashed my lumo-stick around the room. Just as I had suspected, part of the wall to my left shimmered blue. I hurried toward it. When I was standing right in front of it, I stuck my head through the wall. The basket was there, ready and waiting. I stepped through the wall.
When I was through, I glanced around nervously. No one was hiding in the shadows, as far as I could see. As I stepped toward the basket, my boots clicked on the polished floor, alerting anyone in the room, or outside the room, that I was there.
I arrived at the basket quickly. The room was as cold as ever, so I wished I had brought a sweater. I shivered my way into the basket, and looked at the controls. I remembered that Mrs. Schmitt had pulled a lever before pressing the buttons. I scanned the buttons carefully, looking for anything good. There was one that read, ‘4 by’s d', but that didn't interest me. There WAS one that read, ‘PREP_RM’. That interested me.
I pulled the lever, pressed ‘PREP_RM’ and waited. The ropes creaked and tightened once again, and I was lowered, slowly, into the black pit.
Chapter eight
The basket creaked to a stop in a tiny supply room. There was a blue sheet about two or three feet away from me. I stepped through the basket and crept to the sheet. Just like Mrs. Schmitt had done, I stuck my head through. Millions of tiny Parasites were moving around, pouring different kinds of foods into molds and holders. I was about to step through the sheet when, “Isabella Paesano.” came a voice I knew. “Krax.” I said. “Yes, Isabella Paesano.” he said. “I was expecting to see you here. I mean, I could have been Matt or Santa, but you are the one I was expecting. Isabella! You could be part of my group! You are more like me than any of my buddies. Come with me.” he said.
I was led back to the basket and through the side. He pulled the lever and pressed a button that said, ‘brfst rm’. Krax looked at his cell-pad_360. “As I suspected,” he said, “Almost breakfast. I don't think YOU would have thought of that, eh?” I fumed, and glared fiercely at him. “Oh? Not very cooperative. Or maybe you can't take anything lightly? We'll work on that. Ah! We're here. Get off my dear. Oh and one last thing. It's not good for your reputation to keep getting hurt on purpose so you can get ‘honor and fame’. Now, come on little girl! Time for munch-munch!”
We walked into the Buffet room, without even sticking our heads through the blue sheet to make sure no one saw us just walking through the wall. Krax went over to his dad at the head table where we had done our opening tests. He seemed to be asking about something. I was worried when Kray nodded, smiled, and looked at me happily. When Krax came back he was smiling widely. “Pap says you can sit with me at my table!” he said. “Um, you know what, I think I will stay at my table for today, but I will, um, consider your offer.” I said. Krax shrugged. “Whatever,” he said, then sauntered off. His walk reminded me of his dad’s. I hoped that Kray had never been like his son.
I hurried over to my table. Mark and Isantra were already seated. “Where were you?” Isantra asked, “I looked at your bed, and even in the community room, but I couldn’t see you anywhere!” “Sorry,” I said, “I was exploring. Early.” Isantra huffed and looked away. “Hey, I’ll tell you where I went after breakfast,” I lowered my voice, “It’s a secret.” Isantra looked back at me, “Really?!” she said, “I love secrets!” “Shhh.” I said, “But if we go to my secret place, we have to be careful. Krax knows about it too. I don’t know how, but he knows.” then in a louder voice I said, “Let’s get our breakfast.” Isantra laughed and poked me in the arm. “Sometimes…” she shook her head and chuckled.
At the Buffet table, while I was putting some Lick’s creamy-ice on my plate and drizzling it with banana-egg-filling and cream-of-the-old-land, Krax came up to me. “Ya know, Poison–” he started, “It’s Paesano, Krax.” I said. “Whatever,” he said, running his fingers through his Slick’s hair-upped hair, “I was thinking you can join my fan club! All you need to do is…” I stopped listening to him and focused on my breakfast. “Hmm,” I said loudly, “should I have some sweet biscuits, or a french egg or two. Hmm. I think I’ll go with the french eggs.” when I had finished talking, Krax stared at me. He said, “Is it like a thing or something to be rude? Is that, like, the ‘Isabella Poison’–” I cut him off, “PAESANO!” “WHATEVER!” he yelled. “STOP SCREAMING AT ME!” I said. “SHUT UP!” said Krax. “YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING SMARTIE!” I shouted, then I whipped around and stalked off.
When I arrived back at our table, and started to furiously eat my breakfast, Mark said, “Wow. Poison. What was that?” “Don’t call me Poi–wait! Do call me Poison! It’s a great nickname! Even though ‘That-Person’ made it up.” I said. “Hey,” Isantra said, “He meant it as an insult. Mark meant it as a compliment.” “Yeah,” I said, “you’re right.”
After breakfast Kray told us to follow Mrs. Schmitt to the weekend-room. I was about to ask an older kid what that was, but when we arrived in the ‘weekend-room’ I knew exactly what it was. It was filled with projector-screens, and raised platforms. There were gravity-wheelers everywhere. In the far left wall there was a door with a sign that said, ‘BUNKS’. Some people were pushing gravity-wheelers in front of projector-screens and raised platforms. Krax was leading some of his buddies onto a raised platform, and pulling out stacks of papers and some thin books. A wave of people was already heading toward him. I went with Isantra, Mark, and some other people to a projection-screen, and pulled a gravity-wheeler in front of it. I touched the screen to turn it on, then, on one girl’s request, turned on hydrojet racing. “I onwy watch du waces bucus uv thu show that turns on in du midow.” one kid said.
“STARRING,” a commentator for the races said, “FREETY AND PEETY!” Two fireball hydrojets zoomed onto the screen. On one sat a girl with dark skin and green, stringy hair, which was full of tangles and residue of Slick’s hair-up. The girl wasn’t wearing a racing suit. She was wearing a stretchy bath-cloth, which barely fit her. On the other hydrojet sat a boy, who looked exactly the same, except his hair was blue, and short, and he was wearing a bath-cloth for boys.
The girl and boy waved at the same time while standing on their bike seats. Then they dropped down, and clapped their hands. Thirteen other racers zoomed onto the track. They also stood up on their bikes and waved. Then they started and the commentator said, “AAAND, THEY’RE OFF! SUKO-SEKO QUICKLY PULLS INTO FIRST, WITH FREETY ON HER TAIL! AND PEETY ZOOMS INTO SECOND, LEAVING FREETY IN HIS SPRAY. AAAND HERE COMES MEYO SOMATCHE, LEAPING A RAMP, AND FLYING OVER THE HEADS OF FREETY, AND PEETY! BUT SUKO-SEKO IS STILL IN FIRST.” “Mayo Somatche is my mom.” said a kid in the back, “She’s a really good racer.” “ALLRIGHT! AND SUKO-SEKO PULLS THROUGH THE FIRST LAP IN FIRST! WITH MEYO SOMATCHE FINISHING THE LAP IN SECOND, AND PEETY IN THIRD. WHAT WILL THE NEXT LAP BRING? CAN THE TIDES BE TURNED?” The projector-screen flicked off, and then flicked on again, this time it was showing a man wearing a racer suit, and wide brimmed helmet. He was holding a Wire-Pluck 3000 in his lap, and was drumming his fingers against the wires. “Now everyone, you need ta loose some uv those CANTEENS you’ve got stored up fur nu’in.” he said. “Ya need ta buy sum uv the newest cell-pad 380’s. Buy them while they last! Prices are going up!”
I rolled my eyes and closed them. Hadn’t that one guy said that he only watched the races so he could see this? Now that is just crazy talk. Who would want to listen to a weird guy talk about new cell-pads? I certainly wouldn't.
After the game was over, Meyo Somatche won, Mrs. Schmitt led us to the ‘BUNKS’ room. Inside was a massive room filled with huge pillows that were at least five feet long each. The huge pillows were marked with little papers on each one. I started looking for one with my name on it, when I noticed that Mrs. Schmitt was directing everyone to his or her place. “Isabella Paesano!” she said, “Over here please.” she pointed vauguly to a pillow at the far end of the room where Isantra was already pitching camp. “You will be next to Miss Anguut. On sleep-mat 330.” So that is what they were called. Sleep-mats.
I hurried over to my sleep-mat and looked around. Luckily my bag was there, and a pile of bed things were lying next to it. Mrs. Schmitt tatatad to get our attention, and said, “The girls' bathrooms are to the right, and the boys' bathrooms are to the left.”
I pulled my pyjamas out of my bag and headed over to the girls' bathrooms. Inside looked exactly like the one in my dorm. I pulled on my pyjamas and folded my clothes. I reached to the counter to grab my cup of goo and toothbrush, but it wasn't there! I looked around frantically, until I realized that I had left it in the ‘BUNKS’ room with my bag.
I went back to the ‘BUNKS’ room and pushed through the crowd to my sleep-mat and sat down on it. I pulled my bag onto my lap and opened it. Inside a little pocket on the inside was my goo-cup and toothbrush. I grabbed them and closed my bag, then went back to the bathroom.
Once inside, I dipped my toothbrush into a tub of clean water and put a dollop of goo on the brushes. I spread the goo over my teeth and waited for it to set. When about one minute had gone by, I rinsed my teeth. Then I left the bathroom.
Back in the ‘BUNKS’ room, a wave of girls washed past me and crowded into the bathroom behind me. I stepped to one side and waited until all the girls were inside. Then dragged my feet to my sleep-mat. I shoved my goo-cup inside my bag and laid down on the mat. The light was still on, so I couldn't get to sleep. I didn't think I would sleep one second, even with the lights off, with all the people crowding into the room. I decided I would neatly spread the bed things onto my mat, and then try to send a cell-mail to mom.
The bed things were really heavy, but I managed to clump them onto the mat. I laid down again, and pulled my cell-pad out of my bag and opened cell-mail. I wrote, ‘How are you, mom? I am sorry I haven’t been able to tell you anything as of late, but I hope you are doing well…“ I told her about the past days, but I skipped the parts where I got injured. I didn't want to worry her. I waited for a little to try and get a response, and finally my mom sent, ‘Ok! I will be waiting for you to report every weekend, and I will be on every day.’ I wrote back, ‘Ok, I will be ready for your response.’ I turned off my cell-pad.
After I had put my cell-pad away, the flood of people rushed back into the room. I spotted Isantra fighting her way through the crowd to get to me. When she got to her sleep-mat she said, ”I heard Krax talking about you. He said that you were really stuck-up and ugly.“ ”That makes no difference to me. I'm the most beautiful person in the whole school.“ I twirled a bit of hair between my fingers and batted my eyelashes. We both laughed. ”Hey look!“ said Isantra, ”There's Mark!“ Mark was hefting his blankets over his head and trying to get them to spread neatly over his sleep-mat, but failing drastically. I sighed, smiled, and shook my head. Isantra giggled.
Just then, Mrs. Schmitt came into the room. ”I will be turning off the light now. No talking after that.“ She looked severely at all of us, and a few kids shrank under their covers. Mrs. Schmitt slapped the button on the wall by the door, and left. The light was set so that it would slowly fade over time. I scooted down on my sleep-mat, and pulled the bed things over my body. I closed my eyes and snuggled in. I was asleep in almost an instant.
Chapter nine
I woke up to a bustle of people chatting loudly. Where was I? I blinked and looked around. People were everywhere….they were on pads covered in blankets….Oh! The ‘Bunks’ room! I blinked again and pushed the covers back. I sat up and felt beside my bed. My bag! Where was it! I sat up straight and looked around. Then I smacked my forehead and sighed. It was on the other side of my mat! I pulled it into my lap. I opened it and reached inside. I had to fumble around for a while to find my softest and most comfortable. I pulled it out and got groggily up, off of my mat.
The lights were already on, so I could see, but my eyes were a little bleary so I fumbled clumsily across the room. When I finally reached the bathroom door, I had woken up completely. I hurried to the bathroom and opened the door. A girl from inside screamed, ”You vandal! Get out of my bathroom! Eek!“ I mumbled, ”Sorry…“ and backed out of the room.
”Ow! Get off my foot!“ Some girl yelled. I turned around. I saw a flash of white and a streak of brown as the girl stomped hurriedly away. I put my arms up. Today was my UNlucky day. First a walk in on a girl in the bathroom, then, as I am leaving, another girl appears out of nowhere and I step on her foot! Ugh.
Finally the girl inside the bathroom came out. I hurried inside with my clothes and brush before anyone else could. When I was inside, I heard voices. ”I dunno why she's acting up. Maybe something to do with dinner?“ a loud blubbering voice said. ”Well I think that she is just fine and you aren't being log-isti-cal, or whatever that word is.“ It was a flat voice this time. The blubber said, ”Logicital, maybe? I dunno. But I do know that she is acting up.“ The voices trailed off. Who was acting up? I wondered.
When I was done getting dressed, and my hair was neatly brushed over my shoulder, I headed out of the bathroom. Outside, a line of angry girls is waiting for me. ”You took literally an hour!“ Said Isantra, pushing through the crowd. ”I looked around for a clock. There was one on the wall opposite of me. “Uum.” I said, “I'ts, um, 6:05? When did I start? Six? Yeah. If an hour is five minutes for you, then I took an hour, buuut…no.” Isantra looked at me in mock surprise, “How dare you!” she said, “You cannot insult me!” Then she burst into mock tears, which quickly turned into laughter. I laughed along.
“Now girls!” said a voice by the door, “Get ahold of yourselves!” It was Mark.

(The rest of chapter nine)