The Death Sentence

Chapter Two

When I woke up the next morning I put on nice clothes, but also ones that were easy to maneuver in. We ate in silence, each and every one of us buried in our own despairing thoughts. I didn’t want to go through this again. After what happened last year, I want, no need, to keep my seemingly smaller by the minute family safe. But what scared me the most, was the feeling that something bad was going to happen today. I finished my food and went back to my room. I sat on the bed, where just about exactly one year ago, my mother gave me her favorite necklace. I wonder if she had the feeling that I am now. Am I predicting my own death? No, I refuse to think that way, especially right now. I sighed and stared at the stranger in my mirror. The girl staring back at me didn’t look like me, but somehow it is me. I wish I could just leave this place once and for all, but how could I condemn my family to that fate? It would haunt me for the rest of my life.

“Cora, it’s time to go!” Dad yelled to me.

“Be right there!” I shouted back.

I’m scared, but I will use that to my advantage. I have other advantages too. I’m fast, and smaller than most people my age, but that just makes most obstacles easier for me. I could do this. I have to. I will. I will.

 

Once we were outside with the rest of the village, the so called “peace-makers” lined everyone up from youngest to oldest. Thankfully, you had to be at least 12 to be included so Maggie and Abby were still safe, and for a while too. I was in the middle of Kat and Ryan, both of whom are very close to me, but as friends only. I had to keep my friends and family safe, even if that meant that I wouldn’t be. The only way to stay alive is to run the obstacle course, not die during it, and not be the last person to complete the course.

The last thought that ran through my head before the gun shot signaled the start of the race was “Stay alive, no matter what, stay alive.”