Salute

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Fifteen Years Ago

"Line up lassies and Lads!" The booming voice of the round man could be heard all around the arena. Looking around all I saw was a few girls, and the rest boys, everyone pushing and shoving around. to get to the front of the line. Someone grabbed a hold of my wrist, and stated in a monotone,

"Full name."

"Violet Emily Patterson." I answered, my voice wobbling just a bit. She filled my name in the form, turned my hand and brought out a bar code stamp.

"What's this for?" I winced as the device stung my wrist, and soon enough the bar code stamp was forever printed on my wrist.

The ladies ice blue eyes met my blue gray ones, as she smiled evilly.

"Just for when the country needs you, and you don't want to be found. No store, market or person will sell you anything, instead, they'll turn you in." I gasped silently, what had I gotten myself into?

Just to meet my parents expectations, just to make them proud, I put my own life at risk.

"Don't worry honey, this only is valid for ages fifty and under, if the country doesn't need you, you won't go. It's just a precaution." I turned around, and started out the arena doors, tracing my fingers on the stamp.

"Violet honey, what's that?" I hadn't realized I was at the front of my house, till I heard my mothers soft voice.

I walked up our driveway, and held it up for her to see, she gasped, and called out for my father.

"Rick!" My father came out the shed, dirt on his hands, and sweat dripping from his forehead.

"What is it Shelly- Violet? What's that, honey?" I closed my eyes, refusing to shed a single tear, as my father held my wrist, tracing each line of the bar code.

"Did you?..." I slowly nodded my head yes.

"Oh sweet heart." He let go of my wrist, and my arm slumped to my side. He instead of feeling any sympathy, hugged me tightly, stroking my hair.

"I'm proud to call you my Daughter, Violet. I am. You've proved you are not just a daughter, you are my daughter." My mothers arms soon were wrapped around me as well. I opened my eyes, and could tell they were burning red with hatred.

"Should I tell him?" I asked my best friend Rose.

"Yes Vi you should, the war is getting closer, you're gonna leave him. What if they take you, and he's not home? What if he thinks you ran away, because you weren't happy staying with him?" Rose answered back.

"You right." I sighed. She stood up to leave right when Eric walked in.

"Hello ladies, where are you off to Rose?" He asked.

"Um... Bennett is gonna come home, and I haven't made dinner yet." Eric just smiled as Rose left the room, and out the house.

"Eric..."

"Yes Violet." He asked.

"We, we need to talk." I finally got the courage to speak.

"What about?" he asked, taking a seat beside me.

"Well, you know my bar code tattoo." I asked.

"Yeah..."

"Well, I never told you the truth about why I have it." I looked up at him and the look he was giving me told me to continue.