#alania8

Alania

“Alaina Lucet”

I’ve spent five years evading this death sentence. I was so certain that I could pass into adulthood without being pitted against my peers, so sure that I was untouchable. But I’m not surprised. I chose a better chance at being reaped over starvation, and at least my family had a better chance at survival.I don’t realise I haven’t moved until I feel a gentle push on my back. I look up to see Ruby Rosser offering me her gloved hand with a synthetic smile painted on her face. I take it and she helps me up onto the stage. I try to avoid it, but my eyes land on my mother crying in my fathers arms, my brothers standing as confidently as possible with their age groups. 

I feel my knees quiver and the room begins to spin, but I’m yanked off stage before I pass out.I’m taken to a small conference room to say goodbye to my family, but only my youngest brother shows up. My parents were immature like that, they never really grasped the reality of taking care of children; I raised my brothers the best I could but I didn’t know how they would continue with an alcoholic mother and a lazy father.I pull Stitch into my arms and I remind him that I love him, and I always will. I can tell he is trying hard not to look upset, but I know him too well.

“Please, Lainy, please win for me.”

I can barely choke out a response before he is pulled out of my arms.“I will. I promise.”

Shimmer