Culling

Part I • Chapter III

This was potentially an opportunity to find out.

The video ended after the announcement, and the area was filled with silence for a moment. Before long someone shouted out, "Did they give a reason why they are doing this?"

The question was directed towards Khloe, and she gave a tight smile as the spotlight went back to her. "The Capital is attempting to show the other districts that they are just like everyone else. What better way than this? They are so jealous that we get to have this opportunity year after year, after all!"

I was pretty sure that I heard a hint of sarcasm. There was a murmur of disbelief throughout the crowd, but she changed the subject to the one topic that would be sure to redirect attention away from that news.

"Alright then, are you ready for the selection process to begin?"

☜♡☞

As with every year, the process was long and unpleasant.

This year most of the of the men chosen as tributes were older, and thus already built and toned from working in their professions. We all knew that district six had no chance of success, but maybe with this group some people might make it to the final rounds.

I thought that upper management was not going to be happy about this, there were going to be empty spots in employment that needed to be filled. I wondered how to relay this news back to PI.

Then I noticed that Maro had stiffened and clenched his fists.

What happened? Of course I would miss something important while spacing out.

Derrick was no longer in his line, but was instead making his way up the short staircase to stand at the end of the line of tributes. Apparently I had missed the selection process of a few people.

Looking at the stage, I noticed that there were now a few younger looking men there as well. I frowned at Maro in sympathy, some of these must have been his classmates, but he wasn't looking at me.

Khloe appeared to be just about done mentally, but wore an expression of forced enthusiasm.

As I counted, I noticed that we were now at nineteen. One more tribute to go, and then Maro would be safe for another year. He wasn't my favorite person in the world, but he was my brother so that meant something.

Khloe's voice echoed through the megaphones. "One more, and then we will take a short break before we see our tributes off."

The copper bin clattered around a bit and people started fidgeting, even Khloe touched her ear once in what appeared to be annoyance. Everyone appeared want this be this over with at this point. After the clattering stopped, Khloe reached a manicured hand into the gate and pulled out a slip, opened it and glanced at the name written on it.

I had redirected my attention towards Wil, because I noticed that he had the most peculiar expression on his face when watching Khloe. Suddenly, his eyes left her and shot towards me in shock.

I put my finger to my lip, and blinked.

What happened? Had the worst happened after all?

I looked at Maro, only to see that he was also looking at me in stunned disbelief.

"...enson." I heard Khloe's voice.

Oh no! Not my brother! I blinked back tears, he may have been a jerk sometimes but I didn't want him to die.

Maro still looked at me and had not moved to take his place with the other tributes. Why was he looking at me like that?

"Sang Sorenson?"

What?

I blinked, shocked. I couldn't move. Surely I had misheard?

I could barely make out the voices that started throughout the crowd.

"Who?"

"What kind of name is Sang?"

"Is that a boy's name?"

The crowd started to fidget as no one moved to go towards the stage. I vaguely noticed that everyone was looking around curiously, trying to find the last tribute.

Some of the people standing near Maro and Wil saw their attention on me. Suddenly, I was in the spotlight as realization began to dawn on the crowd and more people focused in my direction.

Murmuring started up throughout the crowd. "A girl?"

Someone behind me gently pushed me forward, but I couldn't force myself to walk. I stumbled a few steps and the people around me stepped away. I couldn't even acknowledge that this was reality. At this moment, every unimaginable nightmare was coming true and I felt like the attention of the entire universe was centered on me.

How in the world?