The sun was beginning to set, bringing light to anything breaking the path of its rays. For Province 8, this only accented the dull, smokey, colourless tone that covered the tone along with traces of toxic soot from broken chimneys. Province 8 was once a thriving city, formally named Sheffield. The steel city it was dubbed. Now it's just another number. This province does have it better off than other though. President Gardiner values the cities vast production of steal. everything is made here: cutlery, weaponry, armour, ammunition. It's all made in Province 8 before being transported to Metropolis. Hardly anyone lives in the city now, most live in shanty towns within the countryside. If it wasn't for the fact that men were forced to work in the factories then the entire city would practically be a ghost town. In fact, most cities around the republic were like this now. They lay as quiet, as dormant and dead as Prypiat has been for years. All of the shanty towns had a large art deco shaped building known as The Metro Hall. These were where the mayors of each province stayed and where all necessary files, paper work and other lawful duties were carried out.
This particular evening the Metro building was being cleaned and prepped for the morning, because for the Republic Of Gardiner, the annual Quell was to begin in under 24 hours. All of the families were already sound asleep trying to rest and prepare themselves for the possible outcome that lies ahead in the morning. All except one person.
In a lone wooden shack, just on the outskirts of the village, a family by the name of Mason lived. A widowed mother, Irina, and her two children, 12 year old Paloma and 17 year old Avery. Paloma needn't worry about being selected for the Quell as anyone under the age of 13 were not eligible. For Irina and Avery however, they had everything to fear. Irina lay asleep in her bed with Paloma sleeping tight against her mothers chest. Avery, however, was sat on the porch, wide awake. Thinking through the possibilities that lay beyond the sunset. Avery sat like this till morning. His eyes not showing sadness nor resentment, not anger not even fear.
They showed determination. Because unlike previous years. Avery wanted to be part of the Quell.
An for the sake of the people of the republic. He needed to be chosen.
