Fear grips. I'm paralyzed. I have no idea how long I stay like this. Beside me, Noah stares at me, his eyes wide open. Around me, families celebrate that their children hadn't been picked.
"Scarlett, come here" the Mayor gestures to me.
Slowly, I step next to him and stare at the people I grew up with. There is Mr Lewis , the local baker, Mrs Poppins, the florist, Ms Potts, the tailor, Mr Bills, the butcher and many more familiar faces.
"Girl, you will have to pack a bag of supplies if you want to survive out there. You will leave tomorrow morning eleven o' clock sharp. Also, please follow me to my office. Folks, meeting adjourned."
Following the Mayor I look back, hoping to find Noah but he is nowhere to be seen. Sighing, I turn back round and find myself at a gleaming, white building. Entering, the floor is like speckles of diamonds, reaching out in every direction. Above is a dome, the sweltering sun shining through. In front is a wooden counter, a receptionist behind tapping his fingernails on the top.
"Alfred, give me the key to room 556 please," says the Mayor.
Inside room 556, there is a long, polished table with ten plush chairs.
"So Scarlett," the Mayor beins after I settle down in a seat opposite him, "You may be wondering why every year a child has to go into the woods. Long time ago, there was an ancient King called King Christopher. He thought that children were such a nuisance and wanted to watch them suffer. So, he made a trial. Every year, each town would have to spare one child to go into the woods. Even though the King is dead now, the tradition still goes on. There will be three challenges. You will find out your first challenge in a distinctive cave with an old man. The old man will tell you what to do. That is all the information that I have been given. I wish I could help you more and I really hate that King Christopher bastard but we have to follow the rules. Hopefully, you know how to hunt and shoot with a bow and arrow."
"Yes, I do know how. My Papa taught me," I reply.
"Good. Now go home and get a good night's rest."
Wandering back home, I think about what will happen to Mama and Noah. Mostly, I'm the one supporting them. No child has survived in the woods from my village. In the woods, there are hidden cameras everywhere and everyone will be watching what I do. How can I be different from all the other children? How can I survive?