Shelly's Name.

The thumping sound that filled her head almost made her lose consciousness but she stood upright. She didn't need to ask anyone where the sound was coming from, she knew well where it originated from... Her heart.

Shelly listened attentively as the speaker continued calling names and all she could do was to pray that her name got on the list. She remembered how she had practiced daily for the competition. It was intense. It was a lifetime competition and one can only apply when one has come of age which is sixteen. And, only 30 contestants will be chosen out of 80 for the final round.

Today was the D-Day for the first round and Shelly did prepare herself for the challenge. She knew she had to do well to pass the first test for her family. Her mother passed away days after her little brother was born leaving her with her father and brother to care for.

She had helped a lot with cooking and other work while her father worked his ass off. They were not rich and not even close to the middle class. This is why her country hosts different games for children of certain ages and those who pass will be given prizes that will elevate them from the poverty lifestyle forever.

Today, which was the beginning of the game, they were asked to fetch water from a deep well to fill a keg. The first 60 to finish will go to the next round and she hoped her name was on the list.

"The last on the list is... Shelly Crowther." The speaker said and Shelly couldn't help the tears that followed suit.

"Thank you." She muttered to the heavens with a smile. She made it and that's all that matters. She needs to step up her game more if she doesn't want to be the last on the list again. So, she made an oath never to rest until she achieved her aim.

She went home with a smile hoping for tomorrow's challenge as no one knew what it would be about. She focused on training herself with anything her mind could come up with as she awaited the next day.

---

The next day came faster than expected but that didn't stop Shelly from doing her daily chores and going to the country's competition center to start the next challenge.

When the next challenge ended, Shelly's name was among the first 30 and that encouraged her to do more as 10 people were cut off making the contestant for the third game 50 people.

---

As days passed by, Shelly began to top up the chart as 5 people were cut off each day until they were left with 30 people for the final round.

The sound of the mic coming on as they ended the semi-final made the contestants focus and listen to what the speaker had for them.

"The final round is very simple and yet, it isn't. You must all be ready to paint a door and the color of the door with different colors to mix to attain the color needed before painting. May the best contestants win." The speaker announces and they all reply....

"May the best contestant win."

---

Shelly could hardly get any sleep when she got home. Her brother who is 10 years old still acts like a baby most times and he is always awake to ask her questions to satisfy his curiosity and today was no different.

"You must be tired, but I need to know what you did today. Tell me all of it without holding back." He said with a big smile on and Shelly could not help but fill him in for her sanity.

"We were asked to cook different dishes and dress up as a queen later on. And, I was among the first ten to wrap things up nicely." She beamed.

"Hehe, that's an easy task because I have trained you well with my whining to eat something else after you've finished cooking, I should be given an award for that, don't you think? Anyway, I am surprised you got the Queen part, I guess you are a lady after all." He spoke before running from his sister.

"I will be sure you continue staying in this house when I emerge as a winner." She screamed after him knowing fully that she had no strength for his games tonight. She needs to cook and rest after. Her father must have heard the news. He is hardly home as the need to provide is always constant. And she can't wait to win so that they can all spend time together as a family.

---

Shelly woke up the next day before the sun could rise from the East and did her house chores before leaving for the final challenge. She was ready though her heart raced knowing this challenge would determine the fate of her family.

The hall filled up minutes after she came in and she knew others too couldn't wait to see what awaited them.

Some hours pass by swiftly before the arrival of the speaker. The room got quiet immediately after he arrived and everyone welcomed him.

"Today will mark the end of the challenge," the speaker's voice echoed. "Welcome to the county's 186 challenge day. I hope you are all ready for the game. A timer is set for an hour and each person will be given a room. When you get to your room, you will find everything needed to mix your colors before painting the door. The first 20 people to come out with their colored doors will get the prizes needed to save their families. Your time starts... Now."

Echoes of legs filled the hall as everyone went to the room with their names written on the top.

Shelly got to work immediately and started mixing colors. She added more chemicals when there was a need before she started working her way toward painting.

---

Time flew by and Shelly's heart almost flew out of her mouth as she painted the first view of the door before turning and painting the next.

More minutes passed by before Shelly stood up to blow dry the door before picking it up and running toward the hall. On her arrival to the hall, she noticed the color difference in some people's doors. She had made a yellow door while the 5 people she met had different colors.

More minutes passed by as people ran out and Shelly was glad to see many with the yellow door. Everyone made it on time though not everyone had the same color.

"I can see 20 people came out with the same color while the rest with different colors. Now, I will announce the winners." The speaker said before he started calling names and... Shelly's name was on the list.

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