2 CHAPTER 2

Kayla's POV

Every step I took closer to the ceremony felt heavier than the last. I know why I was nervous but I have been through this ceremony twice and never got picked. It took about 10 minutes to get there. Once we arrived I hugged my family one last time before I was directed towards the front of the stage. I could see my mother was getting extremely nervous. I kept telling myself that everything will be fine even though I don't know that for sure. The women were kept in one gated area and the men were kept in another. I swear they treat us like cattle. I could hear people talking in a low tone as they waited for the ceremony to start. The time came way too fast. Everyone went dead silent when they saw the royal son walk up to the microphone. I guess he will be drawing the names out this year. He did not waste any time.

Royal "As you all know I am Michael, son of the king and queen. I will be drawing the 4 names this year. We will start with the female.

I watch as he reaches his hand into the cup full of female names. I felt like everything was going in slow motion. Finally it came out of his mouth, " Charlotte maison". The first thing I heard was the breath that I had been holding leave my lips. Then I heard the worst thing ever. The girl's mother was crying and Charlotte screamed no before pulling out a gun and putting a bullet through her own skull. Everyone just stayed silent and watched as some guards dragged her body out of the group and towards the hospital. That sadly wasn't going to stop the ceremony. The prince just pulled another name. The next word that left his lips was "Kayla Morsin". It took me a few seconds to realize that it was my name Michael had called. Everyone watched me closely to see if I was going to take my life the same way Charlotte had. I wasn't going to. I couldn't put my family through that pain. With that thought I slowly made my way through the crown and up the stairs to the stage. There were 4 chairs on stage and I knew one of them was for me. I took a seat and waited. After that I just zoned out. All I could think about was the sadness that my family must be feeling. I knew I felt it. Before I knew it three names had been called out of the men's cup. I watched as all three joined me on the stage and sat in the other three chairs. I couldn't get it through my mind that one of these three men would fight to the death in order to claim me as theirs, a prize for murder. I could feel my stomach start to sink. In that moment I felt a single tear run down my cheek.