Lottery Loser
Billy lay trembling; his green eyes were wide with fear as he looked around him. Where were his mother and father? What was happening to him and why?
These questions and many more had raced through Billy’s mind.
He had woken up only a few moments before and tried to sit up, only to find he couldn’t. He was strapped down to a gurney. One strap went across his legs just below the knee; another went across his chest just below his armpits. Two more held his wrists to the side of the gurney so that he couldn’t move.
A small light bulb swung above him from a wire, providing just enough light for him to see by.
The door to his right opened and his father walked in. Behind him two big men in black clothes moved forward. One shut the door behind him and then stood near the doorway.
“Dad, what’s happening? Where am I?” Billy’s voice whined in fear.
“I’m sorry, son. Your number came up in the lottery.”
Billy gulped in fear at those words.
For all of his life he had heard about the lottery. Because of the holocaust there was little food or water. To preserve what there was every person born was given a number. When they lottery hit your number you were executed.
“But I’m only a boy, dad. I don’t want to die.”
“I know. There’s nothing I can do though, son. At least your mother and I can live a little longer. We love you son and when our time comes we will see you again.”
Billy quietly watched as the black-garbed man began to glue wire into his chest and stomach. He shivered as the cold wires touched his skin. The man placed the last wire on Billy’s forehead. A tear ran down bill’s cheek.
“Tell mother I love her. I’ll be waiting for you both on the other side.”
Billy’s father nodded and sighed. After holding his son’s left hand for a moment he turned away and walked out of the room. Although he had never been told exactly how the lottery losers were killed he had a pretty good idea.
“Billy Sorenson, number 3754, your number is up.” It was the way it was supposed to be. The man pushed a button.
Billy screamed shrilly and his body arched as the electricity ran through his body. His hands clutched the sides of the gurney for a moment then went still.
Billy’s heart officially stopped on October 9, at 10:08 PM.
He was only one of the many lottery losers.