Culling

Part II • Chapter X

Sang

Owen had said he was feeling 'perfect', but something else was wrong. Didn't we just go through this, didn't we just discuss how he should talk to me if he had any worries or concerns? At least it didn't seem like he was upset, he just seemed conflicted about something.

I opened my mouth to ask again, when the representative came back into the room to lead us to the stage. All thoughts of clarifying that feeling with Owen faded. I steeled my nerves as he gracefully led me from the room and onto the stage beyond.

It was brightly lit, and I momentarily froze as I looked past the semicircle of chairs where the blue-haired host, my uncle and Darius sat. All I could see where the rows upon rows of people in the audience. The urge to turn and flee was strong, but Owen's hand was suddenly on my lower back - giving me courage to at least remain on the stage.

I sucked in a breath and let Owen led me to the chairs, a faint buzzing in my ears as I tried to smile at the host who greeted me. However, I was much too panicked to pick out a word he was saying or do more than offer a faint 'hello'.

It didn't seem to matter though, the host seemed pleased. I just followed Owen's instruction as he led me to a seat and settled down next to me.

I wasn't aware of the time passing, nor did I process much of the conversation, as the host, Owen and my two family members became involved in some kind of discussion. I focused on Owen's hand holding mine, and his calm and self-assurance as he spoke. It was that, that kept my stage fright at bay.

So, eventually, when I was prompted for questions regarding knowledge that I had of my mother, or anything about my past, I was able to give polite but negative answers. Of course, it was the inquisition that made me think about how much I really didn't know about my own past. It made me somewhat sad to realize that the negative answers were, in fact, the truth.

No, I didn't know what happened.

But I would be sure to find out.

☜♡☞

The interview had been exhausting and as Victor led me by the hand back to our room, with the rest of the boys trailing behind us, all I could think about was sleep. The last two weeks of my life had been mentally and physically draining, and I felt as though I'd never feel rested again.

However, those thoughts left my mind as I entered our living quarters and the first thing I saw was Derrick sitting crossed legged on the middle of the floor in front of the coffee table. He was tied up, appeared to have been roughed up and looked none too happy to be there.

"Derrick!" I was shocked at the scene, and horrified that someone could do this to another human being. I rushed over to him and knelt in front of him. "Derrick, what happened? Who could have done this to you?"

Perhaps someone had attacked Derrick to get to me because we were both from district six? Or maybe it had something to do with Danielle. In any case, this sort of violence couldn't go unpunished. I'd make sure of it!

It was then, when I had expected panic and outrage at a friend being tied up in our room, that I realized instead that no one else, other than me, seemed surprised to see him. Instead there were various shades of discomfort, annoyance, and guilt radiating from my boys.

In fact, I could have sworn that I heard Nathan mumble 'Aw, damn it. I forgot to hide him.' under his breath, but I wasn't sure.

Suspicion began to bloom in place of the panic.

I felt myself frowning. "Derrick, what happened?" I repeated, but felt like an idiot as I realized he couldn't answer. I grabbed the edge of the tape that had been put over his mouth and yanked it off in one motion. I heard it was best to do that sort of thing quickly, after all.