I step up onto the platform, my hands cold and sweating profusely.
With my shaky hands, I pressed down onto the button.
The random number generator beeped before stopping.
My heart raced as I took a deep breath.
This is it.
I look up at the number.
873
My pulse races,
my eyes widen.
'How wonderful! You get to be with your beloved family again!'
The crowd cheers, while others make nasty comments out of jealousy.
But...
Why me?
'Now, please go through the door.'
I took a shaky step forward.
How do I get out of this?
Do I get to choose another family?
Will I... die the same way?
Will the circumstances change?
The door slams shut behind me.
'Now, Sir. You will not remember anything when you get back. Live a good life.'
I look up.
They.
They are all laughing at me.
Sinister smiles plastered on their faces,
looking down on me.
'Why.... Why me?'
I ask.
They start laughing maniacally.
What?
The floor opens beneath me, and I fall down into the abyss.
'Because.... it's fun to see you go through all that again....'
Wh-
I wake up, in someone's arms.
'It's a boy!'
Out of instinct, I start crying.
'Congratulations, you have a baby boy!'
'How many times have I told you? You are not to sleep inside! Go sleep in the fields.'
'B-Bu'
'No buts!'
A large hand slaps my face, hitting me off my feet.
But... Today's my 6th Birthday...
I get up and start to walk outside.
'Come here.'
'Yes, mother.'
Mother ties me to a table in a ring of candles.
Tonight is the night.
The night for the ritual.
It is also....
My 19th Birthday.
A knife stabs my stomach, but my mouth is gagged, muffling my screams.
Deep cuts are made all over my body.
Sweet music play in the background.
My body has gone numb.
I can no longer feel anything.
Is this... how it ends?
Blackness engulfs me.
I look up at my number.
873.
