Exchanged

Ch. 10

I had two choices. Both would land me into a load of shit. But I had no other option. Either decline the public execution but risk getting caught. Or suffer the humiliation and shame.

As I thought it over, the Collector's cold, grey eyes stared me up and down. What a bitch. And just as I was about to reject her offer, it hit me. A vision.

My father. Mac. Both heads and hands secured in rough, wooden cuffs. Bowing below a great silver blade. Completely vulnerable to their death. The guillotine.

I pushed out the words,"I have chosen to partake in the public execution."

"Wonderful," the Collector screeched, grinning her horrible grin.

Her gaze shifted back to her clipboard.

Then to me.

"Head over to room 5. They'll get you ready for your big debut!" she exclaimed.

Big debut? I was getting murdered publicly. In front of my loved ones. How is that a damn debut?!

I shuffled into the elevator along with several other miserable, reprieved citizens. One girl caught my eye. She looked vaguely familiar. Dark hair, blue eyes, and petite. Then it came to me. She attends my high school. Scarlette.

The moment we made eye contact, I immediately looked away. She made her way through the crowd of exchanged and placed a hand on my arm.

"One hell of a day, huh, Elle?" she said.

I shot a confused look at her. She noticed.

"I saw you talking to the Collector. I just assumed you were being exchanged, too," she admitted.

"Too?" I asked in shock.

Her head dropped to look at her baby blue ballet flats. "My mom was next. It would be my big sis after. I wanted to give them more time," Scarlette explained shyly.

Tears welled up in her eyes. I felt her pain. Her tears were contagious. I opened my arms and wrapped them around her. As we embraced she choked through the tears.

"I don't want to die, Elle. I really don't. "

We let go when a loud ding sounded signaling we hit room 3. Scarlette's stop.

"Elle, I'm scared. Don't leave me. Don't say goodbye." she pleaded.

"I won't say goodbye, Scarlette. Because I will see you again, very soon. So, see you later," my voice was shaking.

She stared at me as the elevator doors closed. Her voice rang in my head.

"I don't want to die either, Scarlette."