Deck of Cards

Day 15- Ava

Two of hearts- cursed at for 4 hours

Ava's POV

I hadn't seen my father the day before, he never requested for me to come. I figured that he didn't want a berating from me- he always told me that I had a fiery temper that couldn't be put out. Instead I washed clothes, a few I recognised to be mine, and cleaned floors until it was finally up and I was allowed to go back to my cell and cry dry tears. If I had known that I would be put in the game,I would have thought about an escape plan earlier in my life. I never thought my own father would ever put me in that position, especially not by choice. I felt betrayed.

It was another day in paradise when I got my first new number in what seemed like ages. It was a two- being cursed at. I always thought this one was cruel; the guards all teamed up and split into five, then they went to the girls and shouted at them for however many hours. It was supposed to break down the girl's self esteem so she wouldn't value herself anymore, making her submissive. I never got my father's logic but I had learnt not to question anything.

My guard walked behind me and gently nudged me in directions- he was gentlemanly. I could tell he was new. My father paid his workers highly, it was enough to forget about their morals and get on with the work. They couldn't tell anyone, he'd kill them for sure. I always thought it was cool that my father was so powerful, I realised soon that he wasn't powerful. He was a coward like the rest of them except everybody feared him. Everyone but me.

I was led into a room with one chair and I could already see a few guards waiting for the time to start. I knew I would have a high turnout, father's orders I guessed. Scowling, I let them tie me to the chair and I watched as the many men walked in. Some were in suits which suggested that it wasn't just the guards this time, some of the spectators had showed up as well. One gave me a smirk which only made me try to spit at him. The guards around all covered him as if I carried rabies and could kill him with my saliva. I wished I could.

The alarm rang through the air and the first man stood forward, it was then that I realised that there were no woman. In fact no woman were part of the Game except the girls playing-well being forced the play. Sexist group of men.

"You're an ugly, worthless dog. That's all you are. A dog," the first man spluttered weakly. I could have laughed- he was pathetic. After a while I tuned out of them because they had no meaning at all. There were a lot of:

"You're disgusting,"

"You're a bitch,"

"Nobody loves you,"

I was beginning to enjoy it, watching their faces turn from pale to beetroot red from anger. Their nostrils flared and they looked like they could all explode any minute. But suddenly I was taken off guard when a man walked out; he was young and handsome. But of course he was a monster hiding behind fake smiles and Gucci suits.

"You father hates you," he said clearly; this got some nods and shouts of agreement. The next man stepped forward but I continued to stare at the young man. He wasn't a guard, he was a watcher; his new suit gave it away. He didn't seem like a usual watcher, he seemed like the kind of man that wouldn't even think about something like that happening let alone paying to be a spectator.

The spectators signed up online to watch a constant live stream throughout the day although many just watched the highlights that were shown at the end of the day. It was like a real TV event, something like the Olympics, except it was exclusively watched by disturbed minds.

The worst part was that his words were the only ones that rung true. My father did hate me, that was the only explanation for him placing me in the Game. The man who had raised me was now leaving me to fend in a world that he created. I hated him for it. Closing my eyes, I drowned out the noise and let myself remember the old days.

I was ten years old in summer, school was out and I was relaxing in the sun. For once, the weather was warm enough to stay outside in and I was enjoying my days of freedom since school had broken up for summer.  My father walked out wearing his usual suit and he came and sat in the seat next to me on the patio.

Taking off his blazer, leaning back on the sun lounger next to me. He was quiet for a minute before speaking.

"Ah Ava life is so simple for you, no worries or strife to get you down. You live each day differently. No adult responsibilities," he sighed as he took a sip of the beer in his hand.

"Why is life hard for you?" I asked curiously; my ten year old self wanting to know about everything.

"Too many girls are reckless, acting like they have no self respect for themselves," he almost shouted which scared me slightly. I knew he was passionate about this topic, he had discussed it with me in great detail since I could speak.

"That's why you have the Game," I whispered into his ear and he gave me a big smile. Nodding, he took another sip of his beer and looked out to the field behind our house.

"I don't need to go in the Game do I?" I asked him worriedly which made him laugh again. I adored my father, he was the only parent I ever knew. He had raised me single handedly, no nanny or carer to do the job. I always wanted to impress him.

"No sweetie, of course not. Your a good girl," he mumbled to me and we sat in comfortable silence.

He lied to me. He had always lied to me.