Surviving The Game (ON HOLD)

I Had No Choice

A.N: Sorry it's so short! Enjoy!

My exclamation was met by silence. Afraid of what I'd see I slowly peeled open one eye after the other, everyone was staring at me, I looked up at Carter's face releasing his hands, he was gaping at me, his features showing nothing but shock and disbelief. I looked over at my family and my other brothers were wearing the exact same expressions. I looked at my mom and she wore a knowing expression on her face, like she knew this was going to happen. I looked at the stage to see my face on the giant screen hanging above the stage, no emotion was showing on my face, I think it's better that way.  

"Fantastic! Spencer, please make your way to the stage, any family members of Spencer Ash are now ineligible to participate in The Game, whoever is related to Spencer please make your way to the rest of your family." Mayor Marshal announced cheerfully.

I dragged Carter over to our family before making my way to the stage, surprisingly I felt calm and relieved. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I let Carter volunteer for The Game.

I walked up the steps and onto the stage, Mayor Marshal gestured me over to him, "Come on Spencer! Give the crowd a smile!"

Somehow I found it in me to flash the crowd a large grin, I think it was because I now know that Carter is safe and if my dad was here I know he'd be proud of me. The crowd clapped in what seemed like admiration, it was obvious as to why I volunteered it was obvious to see that I wouldn't stand a chance, I'm weak I don't have any defense skills, the only thing I actually know how to do is build a fire from scratch and catch a fish, that's it.

"That's the spirit! You can go ahead a pick a chair to sit in, dear." I nodded and sat down. "Okay, who's next?" He cheered, almost instantly there was a response.

"Drew Hodges volunteers!" My eyes snapped to Drew to see his eyes were already resting on me, he had a determined look on his face...I don't understand why Drew would volunteer, his family isn't rich but they surley arn't poor, not even close to it. 

Drew Hodges, he's my age, been in the same class as me since pre-k. Drew is rather quiet, you could say he's good looking brown hair, striking blue eyes, pretty muscular, not like a scary muscular, just right. He's not super popular but he has a few good friends, we've only talked a few times but I sat next to him in most of my classes for the past two years. Mayor Marshal called him up to the stage and he gave the crowd a smile.

"Go on sit next to Spencer, boy. I'm sure she won't bite." Mayor Marshal said while lightly shoving Drew to the chair on my right side. Drew blushed slightly at Mayor Marshal's comment the camera didn't waste anytime capturing that and displaying it on the big screens. Drew has always been quite the shy one though so all this attention must be overwhelming for him, well he better get used to it.

Drew sat down and gave me a small smile, which I returned. "It was very brave of you to do that, you know, what you did for your brother." Drew whispered to me quietly so the Mayor wouldn't hear him.

I nodded before whispering back, "I had to, I couldn't let him do it, there would be too many people that would miss him, unlike me. If this was the only way to stop him, then so it be. I'd do whatever it takes to keep my family safe." I thought for a second before asking, "Why did you volunteer?"

"Reasons." Was his blunt reply, he seemed as though he didn't want to tell me about it so I just dropped it.

"Joe Snow volunteers!" Our gaze traveled to a tall boy, he appeared to be 16. He got on the stage and sat on the other side of Drew. Joe has light blonde hair and dark brown, almost black eyes.

"Anymore volunteers?" The mayor's question was met with silence. "Alright, I guess we'll start picking from the audience then! Hmmmm, Oh! How about you boy!" Mayor Marshal pointed somewhere in the crowd. "In the dark green shirt, yes you!" The boy slowly walked onto the stage, he couldn't be any older than 11.  Four chosen four more to go.

Soon enough all the chairs to my right were filled leaving one more chair on my left. "And how about you boy! The one in the white shirt with the green vines on it!" My eyes scanned the crowd and a quiet gasp left my mouth when they landed on who the Mayor chose. Austin Meyers. Carter's best friend.

No! This isn't right! Carter shouldn't have to play The Game, he needs to be here with Carter while I'm out there playing The Game! This wasn't supposed to happen! I stared wide-eyed at Austin, he looked shocked and scared.

"Come on boy, don't be shy!" I looked up at the other big screen across from the stage, it showed Austin slowly walking to the stage before it switched cameras to show the faces of all the volunteers, my face had to be the worst. My mouth was hanging open, my eyes wide, and I had a horror stricken look on my face. I quickly snapped my mouth shut and hung my head down. I felt Austin take a seat next to me but instead of turning to look at him I kept my head down.

"Everybody! Give a round of applause for the wonderful 8 volunteers for the 50th consecutive year of The Game!" Mayor Marshal announced.

I looked up and my eyes met with Carter's. I'm sorry Carter. I had to, there was no other way..I had no other choice.