Exchanged

Chapter 9

Walking through the doors of the Needle was like walking through the gates of hell.

I went alone, obviously, to avoid my family and Mack and any other people who would retaliate against my sacrifice. As I entered the Capitol, I peered around the lobby. Steel walls formed around me in a hexagonal shape. Hanging from the ceiling was a spider like chandelier, spying on its prey: me and the fellow exchanged.

The front desk stood above me. My gaze ran up the dark wood, until I caught eye contact with her. The Collector. She stared down at me, her grey, and lifeless eyes gave me a shiver as cold as the death I was anticipating.

"Can I help you?" she asked in a voice as if she was possessed by the devil.

"I'm Elle Harris," I began.

"And why, might I ask Miss Harris, are you standing before me?" the Collector questioned almost sarcastically.

Anger welled up inside of me. Did she not see the clotting, red x engraved into my face?! After a moment of silence, I clenched my fists and spoke up.

"I'm here for the same reason as everyone else in this hell hole. To save our families," I stated through my gritted teeth.

The Collector's eyebrows rose at this remark. She glanced down at her clip board placed upon the dark wooden desk. The clipboard held all the names of those scribbled onto an Exchanged ballot. Her long, red coated fingernail ran down the list as she searched for my name. I could see her gaze shift from her desk to me through her thin purple glasses propped upon the tip of her nose.

"It appears you are one of the last volunteers," she explained. "Unfortunately, that contributes to your Exchangement time."

I feared this would occur. If I was one of the last to be decapitated, there was no way I wouldn't be caught. I would not allow this to happen.

"Please, I am begging you. I will do anything to move my name up the list," I pleaded.

A thin smile curled upon her face.

"Anything?" she repeated.

"Anything." I confirmed.

"Hmm, I think there may be a task for you to partake in..." The Collector said.

"Fire away," I commanded.

The Collector cracked a horrifyingly evil smile.

"How would you feel about a public execution, Miss Harris?"