Upside Down Tendrils

Chapter Twenty One

The Head's concern had me nervous for tomorrow all throughout the night. I woke up just before sunrise, ready to figure out my future.
I met Rori outside the tent. She sat, stroking the fire. "Lists are posted in ten minutes," she said without looking up.
I ducked back in my tent and threw on my clothes. By the time I was out of my tent, Rori had started walking to the Pot. There was a herd of people headed that direction, too.
When we got there, we had to wait in a line to look at the list. "I'm scared." I told Rori. She was in front of me in line.
"You should be."
I looked down. "Well, that's reassuring," I laughed, trying to make a joke out of it. Rori turned away.
Finally, we got to the lists. I scanned it.
My name was not on the list. I double checked, then bounced in joy. Rori had walked away after scanning the list.
"Hi," I caught up to her. "Are you okay?"
She shrugged, "I hate List Day."
"Oh," I said, then I remembered that I had forgotten to scan the list for her name. "Wait!" I breathed, scared. "Are you on the list?"
"No," she sighed. "I guess that means I survived another month," she lauged. "What about you?"
I shook my head. "Nope, not me."
"Well, I suppose that's good." She smiled. "Let's go to the Pot!"
Once we had gotten our breakfast, we went back to camp and hung out. I met some new people, Rori introduced me to some or her few friends, and I made my own.
Then, we had lunch. After lunch, Festivals began. I hung out with my new friends and danced and laughed. It was so much fun! I almost could forget of the people being sentenced to death.
After dinner, there was a Listing Meeting. It w as mandatory.
"Welcome, welcome!" The Head began. "I am pleased to announce the start of this Meeting on such a wonderful day. The Listing! Will everybody that has been Listed please make their way to the stage?" The Head asked, as people migrated towards him. Their heads bobbed like lost seagulls in the ocean of people. Once they were all on the stage, the mayor continued.
"It is such a fine reason for celebration, too. The fifteen of you chosen will grow to serve and honor our country. You should be proud that you have been chosen for such a novel job. Tonight, we have a special arrangement. Due to the lacking of army reinforcements, each year we will announce one boy and one girl that is too also join us as the leaders of this group."
The crowd gasped, everyone frantically worried it would be them. I heard glass shattering and turned to see one girl had dropped her drink.
There were murmers in the crowd and shouts of anger, which the Head quickly hushed. "I am sure you are all wondering why there has been such a change. As i said earlier, our Army is short on soldiers. You should be grateful that more of your kind get to serve." The way he said "your kind" made my stomach churn.
"Anyways, for the boy leader, we have chosen..." He paused. "Lucas Dillon." A young boy with blonde hair walked to the stage. His chin was held high. "Thank you, Lucas. Please join the stage." He waited for Lucas to join him on the stage.
"As for the girl representative," his voice boomed with authority. "Emily Schmont."