Sector 7

17:15

Sector 5 pictures:

Count Archibald:

Countess Heulwen:

Menteith Guildford (Patch):

Prospero Stafford (Spot):

Phrynia Cade (Velvet):

Ceris Blenkinsop (Silk):

I awoke to Thasia shaking me. "Huh? What? What's going on?" I asked, feeling for my necklace.

She sat back before replying. "Food's here."

"Food?" I questioned as if it was some new concept I've never heard in my life.

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, food." She beckoned for me to follow her. "Come on. You need to eat before tomorrow."

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and stretched. When my eyes opened, I saw that she had spread her blanket out on the wooden floor and placed the flimsy aluminum wrappers on it like plates. She had the plastic spoons and cups in their proper places as well. I blinked in shock. I didn't even know how to set a table, so how did she?

"Hurry up before the food gets cold." She stated simply, sipping her water. "I also managed to smuggle tea packets from the train in, that is, if you want tea."

I sat in front of her and grimaced slightly at the questionable bread and hunk of meat. "What do you mean train?" I asked, trying to take my mind off the food.

"How else do you think we got to Sector 1?" She scoffed, hiding a smile behind her cup.

"Ah, did I just see a smile?" I joked.

We burst out laughing at that. She had such a pretty laugh. I think Aurinda's laugh sounds like that, but I wouldn't know. She doesn't laugh anymore.

My face fell as I thought of my sister and Thasia noticed. "Hey, don't worry. You'll be able to see your family again."

"Really?" I knew she was trying to lighten the mood, but I didn't have the heart to attempt to believe it.

She nodded. "It's not common, but there can be multiple winners. You see, the Slate only lasts twenty-five days. If you survive twenty-five days, you automatically win."

I gave a small gasp. "Really? It's possible?"

She hesitated. "Yes...but it's rare." She reminded.

I nodded. "So I don't have to play to win. I can just play to survive."

"That's one way to look at it." She shrugged. "But I don't want to think about that. I want to think about other, happier things."

I nodded. "Me too." There was an awkward pause before I spoke up again. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Tell me about your family." She sounded rushed.

I chuckled. "Alright. Um, my dad's name is Mianthane, my moms' is-"

"No, no." She shook her head. "I can find that information anywhere. What are they like?"

"Oh, um." I thought back to the family I left behind. I giggled before saying, "My dad is really funny. He always cracks jokes and makes puns. He knows what to say and when. He's one of my best friends."

She nodded. "Go on."

"My mom is an AMAZING cook. It's amazing what she can do with a little bit of this and a pinch of that. She always wanted to be a famous chef. Now, she just wants a daughter a who's willing to cook with her."

Thasia leaned in closer. "Anything else? Brothers? Sisters? Cousins?"

I laughed. "Slow down! Yes, I have a younger sister and a younger brother who are twins. Their names are Junious and Aurinda. Junious is SO smart, it's unbelievable. He's taking classes WAY above his grade level. Aurinda is a quite the social butterfly. She has so many friends and followers, it's a wonder she keeps all of their names straight. I love my siblings and I miss them so much." I sniffed, trying to keep my tears at bay.

She gave me a sad smile. "You're lucky."

I looked up at her. "What?"

"I don't have any siblings. My parents didn't even want me to begin with. I try so hard to please them, yet they never acknowledge my accomplishments. They're both too busy with their lives. My mom works for Count Cyril as his secretary and my dad works for Lenayla's parents. That's why we were at the party. When I was picked, my parents were too busy talking with Mr. Porkesch to even notice me. That's why I vowed that if I win, I'm not going back to that house. I'm going to buy my own house with all the money I get from my fame and never share it with my parents." She explained, spitting out the last part with so much hate.

My throat was tight as I choked out, "Oh. I'm so sorry."

She shook her head. "Don't be. It's not your fault." She paused. "You know, I've never told anyone this before."

"I can understand why." I mused.

"I've never been this comfortable with another person before." She whispered. "Is, is this what it's like to have a sister?"

I opened my mouth to say something but hesitated. To be honest, I wouldn't even know what it's like to have a sister. Aurinda and I never got along, not that we ever tried. Maybe, maybe Thasia was more of a sister then Aurinda was. Was that even possible?

"Plasma?" Her voice brought me back to the present. "Are you ok?"

I smiled. "I'm ok. And I think you're right; we are like sisters."

She giggled. "Good. I like the idea of having a sister."

"I'm glad."