CHAPTER ONE
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"You're such a snowflake, It was just a harmless prank,"
"Harmless? You burnt down a church,"
"Yeah, as a joke,"
"Jace was still in it!"
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What would you do if you knew the world was ending in a few hours? Spend time with family? Pets? You'd think that's what we're meant to do right? But our monarchs had other plans. The selection. They're picking people to stay in the so-called 'safe haven' in an attempt to cheat the rules of our prophesied doomsday. Though if you asked me this haven was more of a sorry excuse for a panic room.
The bells chimed throughout the district, signifying the selection would be happening soon. 5 chimes, then dead silence.
"Maxine,"
I turned my head to see my older sister, Amelia, waiting for me by the door to our small but homey cabin.
"Max we gotta go, that was the warning bell," She continued, a small frown that she failed to hide stretching across her face. "You packed a bag right?"
"I didn't," I replied standing up from my place on the floor, "I doubt they'll pick us, so why would I"
"But on the off chance they do?"
"They won't. If anything they'll pick one of the duchesses, they're power hungry, just accept it" I made my way to the door, and slipped on my favorite pair of shoes.
"Fine," Amelia said as she opened the door, we made our way to the square, taking the scenic route. The tree we planted when we were younger, the blackberry bushes that grew along the streets, the shops we used to go to, the inevitability that they'd all be reduced to dust in a matter of hours.
When we got to the square we were greeted by our neighbors, aunts, uncles, childhood friends, everyone in the district was close. When you live in a place where everybody knows everybody, it's near impossible to avoid the sentiment of all of it. Everybody exchanging their goodbyes, this would be the last time we'd see each other after all. The bittersweet moment was interrupted by the screeching feedback of a small speaker.
"Good morning everyone," Our queen spoke, more monotone than usual, the town went silent, "Hope you're all doing well,"
"About as well as one could be given the current situation," I muttered to myself, receiving a rather aggressive nudge from my sister "fine,"
The queen continued, "We've been taking time this morning to carefully choose our survivors, and have come to an agreement. Each survivor we choose, can further pick one other person to go with them, we strongly suggest you choose family given the trying times we're in,"
"AKA, the easiest way they can seem 'unbiased' in their choices, of course," I muttered once again, rolling my eyes.
"Max, shush," My sister whispered
"Sorry,"
"Without further adieu, our survivors will be, Jace Matthews, Stella Lockridge, and William Beaumont, the survivors will have 2 minutes to decide who goes with them," And with that, the queen stepped away.
"See? What did I tell you Mel, I mean it's so predictable. Of course the queen would pick her own kid," I stated, "Like I said, no use in getting your hopes up,"
We were once again interrupted by the feedback. "The survivors have made their choices, each will have a chance to speak in a moment, but to the rest of you, it was really nice knowing each and every one of you," The queen handed the microphone to Jace first.
"Hi, uh, I chose my sister, Alice Matthews," He stated awkwardly, handing the mic to Stella
"I chose Emerson Lockridge, I mean who else would I pick but my twin, we practically grew up together," She scoffed, brushing a piece of her long blonde hair out of her face before handing the mic to William.
"Watch, this is about to be the easiest choice he's ever made, considering his mommy made it for him," I muttered to Amelia in a semi-mocking tone
"You guys are probably expecting me to pick my mom or something right?" William started, glancing over at her before continuing, "However, that's not the choice that seemed the best for me, so instead, I chose someone I hate more than I can express with words,"
"Well that's a turn of events," I muttered before he continued
"Maxine Porter, congrats on being my least favorite person," he said, setting down the mic. There was an incoherent whispered yell of sorts back and forth between William and the queen, he picked the microphone back up as a smirk spread across his face. "No offense,"
"It pays off to have enemies I guess," Amelia stated, a single tear rolling off her cheek, she quickly wiped it off in hopes I didn't see it, "I'm happy for you Maxine, I know you'll do great things,"
"Mel I don't wanna go," My voice quavering as the words came out, "This isn't what I would've picked, I don't want this,"
"Max it'll be fine, you got this, and you know what it's not guaranteed the haven works yeah? There's a chance. But you won't know unless you go,"
"I don't want–"
I was interrupted with a tap on my shoulder, it was one of the queens guards "Maxine Porter, you have to come with us, the queen wants a word with the survivors,"
"And if I don't go?" I asked
"You'll be taken by force, I'm sorry but there's no choice in the matter" the guard stated, sort of pushing me in the direction I needed to go
"Max it'll be fine, I'll see you later, I promise," Mel said, turning to head toward the house, "I promise, later,"
I continued in the direction the guard had me going, where I was later greeted with more guards and the other survivors. We were all told to wait for the queens directions when we got here, yet to noones surprise, she wasn't here.
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Authors note: Hey y'all, here's the first chapter to a new
story I've been working on, If you like it and would like
me to continue working on it let me know! Furthermore,
if there's anything you guys would like me to change,
or if you have any recommendations let me know!
<3, Nicky
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