CHAPTER 2

The rest of the night was gloomy. The morning was even worse. So far, our family has never been selected but what if we were unlucky today.

Nevaeh was quiet. Mama chewed on her fingers. It was a nervous habit. Papa was his normal self but I could tell he was worried. Coulter on the other hand was indifferent. I know he cared about us but right now he wasn't thinking about it.

I took my shower quickly and wore a yellow dress. The hand straps were thin. The sun was already shining brightly.

I was the last to join them in the living room. It was a bad habit I had. Coming late. Papa scolded me often but today he didn't spare me a glance.

We started our trek to the town hall. Mama walked beside Papa and they talked in hushed tones. Coulter walked far ahead while Nevaeh and I walked together. The hall was full and our family took the vacant space by the window.

Our leader Silas and his beautiful wife Harriet were not here yet. They had three daughters. They were below the age of twenty so they would not be chosen.

Nevaeh and I just turned twenty-one and so our chances of being picked were very high.

I looked around and took in the gloomy faces of the others who has daughters as old as us. The other whose daughters had not come of age had a lighter mood and whispered.

The nature of humans. They were not concerned as long as they would not be chosen. They typically cared for only themselves.

"Do you think it'll be our family?" Nevaeh asked in a small voice. I didn't know how to reply to the question. I didn't like to sugarcoat things. And honestly, we had a very high chance.

One, the loud family had two daughters that were of age. Secondly, our family has never been selected. I didn't want to lie and tell her we won't be chosen when we very well could be.

"I don't know Nevaeh" this was the most honest answer I could give her. She heaved a sigh and looked away. I wished I could make her smile but she was going to be like this until we left the hall without being chosen.

After two long hours, Silas decided to make an appearance with his family. I could see the solemn look on their face. It saddened him to send the girl but an agreement was an agreement. We've never heard the full story just snippets but from what I know, one of our past leaders agreed with them to stop the beasts from killing us.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Silas said once he climbed the podium. A true gentleman. He was never late and always made apologies for his mistake.

A few grumbles from the people but the hall went silent. At that moment, I saw Edel enter the hall. His hair was ruffled and the sunlight caught the golden strands making him stand out.

His eyes traveled around the room and rested on mine. I gave him a wide smile and waved before he took his seat. He waved back and Silas cleared his throat.

I realized a lot of eyes were ok me and I blushed. Edel had made some noise when he entered and eyes were on him so when he waved at me, they looked in my direction.

"Let us proceed," Silas said and all attention went back to him.

"All the parents, to the left. The men at the center and the girls to the right" there was shuffling of feet and noise as we rearranged ourselves. Nevaeh and I moved to the right with the other girls.

"Now. The girls below twenty move to the left and let those that are of age remain on the right" there were loud footsteps and the younger girls moved. When I looked back, I paled. The girls of age at the gathering were significantly smaller than the previous year. Some people had moved to other cities. And since they were gone, they couldn't be part of the choosing.

I knew a lot of people who were ripe for the choice but their parents had removed them. Probably when they heard there'll be a choice soon.

"I'm scared" Nevaeh whispered. This time, I didn't say a word. I was scared too.

Silas's eyes moved from one face to another while his assistant stood beside him.

"As usual, five families will be called, and we'll keep eliminating until we get to the last family. So once you hear your last name, please stand"

"Hinsen. Pegany. Stawarski. Beischel." The girls were already standing. Everyone remained silent as we waited for the last name. His eyes landed on mine and I quickly looked away.

Don't call us. Don't call us.

"Dolivo" Time froze. I couldn't believe it. He called our name.

"Dolivo. Please stand" I was standing while trying to process the information. Nevaeh also stood up. I felt her eyes on me but I couldn't look at her. I won't be able to handle her watery eyes.

"Pegany and Stawarski you may seat" audible signs of relief could be heard across the room. I shuffled on my feet and said a prayer under my breath.

"Beischel. Take your seat"

I was nervous now. My family had never gotten to this stage ever. From mother's stories, our family name has never been called.

My heart thumped wildly in my chest and I was sure it was the same for Nevaeh. One look at her and I could see her shaking.

Please don't let us be chosen. I prayed. I'll be more obedient and respectful. I'll take my responsibilities seriously but please let us seat.

I didn't care that I sounded selfish at this moment. I'll be happy if they picked her over us and there was no denying it.

Silas and his advisor were in a corner talking in hushed tones. Their eyes moved over us every few minutes. I shrugged off the dreadful feeling that was threatening to consume me.

Silas and his advisor finished their discussion and we waited for them to address us.

"It hurts me to do this. It hurts all of us but it is necessary because it's the only way we can be safe"

He took a deep breath.

"The choosing is not malicious or personal. To the family that gets chosen, you have a week to prepare your daughter. Say your last goodbyes and when the men come to take her, do not struggle with them. Simply hand her over to the guards"

The hall was tense as everyone waited for his final decision. And he just remained silent. At one point I wanted to scream at him.

"Hinsley." He called their name and hesitated. He had a solemn look on his face and I was convinced that family had been chosen. I visibly relaxed and waited for him to complete it.

"You may take your seat" my head jerked up. His eyes were on the Hinsley girl. Was he? Was he telling her to take her seat?

I looked at him and his eyes caught mine.

"Dolivo. Your family has been chosen"