Theres a sudden quietness as my name was called. I felt my lungs size but knew what must be done. Angelina and Brody jumped out of their seats turning to me. With their movement it caused a rustle effect as others are starting to turn to the platform we sat at. I kept my teeth visible tilting my head to the side. This caused an eruption of chatter and the wave of people standing turning their backs to my Father to look at me. The Bulwarks starting to shift around at the unusual display.
Lucian blurted a laugh, "Roses luck has gone dry."
I stayed seated waiting for the Bulwark to come up to the platform.
Nathan kicked the chair out from beneath him hollering, "I got enough of your shit!"
Brother chair fell off of the high-rise and the people beneath us shouted jumping back causing even more of a scene. Nathan landed a punch on Lucian during this commission. He tumbled out of his chair, my brother made sure to do one last kick before turning to me. Elliot holding my shoulders ensuring I stayed down as if I were about to attack Lucian as well. Though I just sat there with the small smile on my lips. Someone like him does not deserve my reaction especially when I have been Culled.
I cannot change what has been done. Expect for the quickening of my heart beat I am trying to ignore. Seemingly I was the last to stand in all of our Clearing.
Holding both my hands out my brothers took them as if it was any other day. My dress fell to my calf's, and my curls brushed my shoulder.
"Well looks like I won't be celebrating your guys last Culling tomorrow." I winked before turning around the Bulwark there waiting, "Make sure you act surprised when dad pulls out the cake."
My brothers only stared at me unable to gather their thoughts of what is exactly happening. None of this should be happening to us.
I advanced forward and he Bulwark I made blush didn't push me forward like they been doing to the rest of the Culled.
"Thank you." I told him as I passed by.
The murmurs were loud as I descended the stairs. One foot in front of another, I tried not to look at my feet as I descended them. Elegance is what is needed.
It was just a matter of time. As I step the front of my foot caught on the tulle of my dress. Trying to grip the railing my feet slid down the four steps remaining my back hitting the stairs.
"Ilaria!" My brothers called for me.
Jumping off of the platform they came to my aid without hesitation. The Bulwarks, who been in the isle, were upon the three of us in a heartbeat. Of course you betray me now feet.
They hoisted me to my feet, my brothers wrapped their arms around me. I gripped their forearms tight as one of the Bulwark grip the gun at his waist.
"We will take our sister." My brothers demanded.
Nathen whisper, "Unless you want the world to know you paid for your little brother name not to be in the bowl?"
Elliot looked at another Bulwark who was sneaking to the side. In a whisper I barely could hear, "Oh, you were demoted recently." Elliot eyes narrowed at the Bulwark as sparks scatter across his fingertips. "Behave now or I will tell them you couldn't kill that agitator. That he may still be on the loose."
"Go." The man said, "Go take her for your final farewell." He spat the last two words.
My heart galloped in my chest as the men backed away from us. My brothers are going to get a talking to with their outburst. I peered back for only a moment at the masked man. I don't care that someone paid to keep their sibling out of the name calling bowl. I don't even care what Clearing he is originally from.
I rose a brow slightly. The other let an agitator go. If anyone heard my brother his life would be ended because he is a sympathizer. A Bulwark that let an agitator go…perhaps he is from the First Clearing and knew who they were. That would be the only logical reason, and that is why Bulwarks don't work in the Clearings they came from.
Nathan gripped my hand tight; Elliot took the other, and we stood shoulders to walk down the aisle side by side.
Nathan reached inside my mind, 'We will get you home.'
Elliot never far behind added, 'It is just a year. You will make it, Sister.'
No matter what I have to participate. It is the rules Clearings never get the chance to bid for safety, even if we managed to save their outrageous price I don't truly think they would allow it.
Nathan voice angered, 'Father won't let anyone outbid you.'
Quickly blinking away the tears as my brothers tried their dearest to comfort me in our minds. We stood tall unfazed on the outside as their minds panicked within.
They were talking too fast, and my mind couldn't grasp all their thoughts running together. I need to stay calm brothers. This is what it has to be. They can't hear me in their minds. They are too loud within mine.
Holding back the burning of my eyes the camera flew right in front of us. Matching our pace as it flew backwards getting both my brothers and I in the frame. They looked forward not acknowledge it, while I leaned forward allowing everyone to only see me smiling staring into the eyes of anyone watching. Why should they see any fear because this is a fate I cannot change.
Everyone here is standing as I pass by. Angelina has tears running down her face as Brody held her shoulder making sure she didn't jump out in front of me. Quickly I averted my gaze ensuring the burning in my eyes don't become more than just that.
"Wow we never seen someone so happy to be Culled before, even falling making a fool of themselves she still smiles." Gillian voice echoed through the crowd, "Douglas Rose, do you have any words? Mr. Rose?"
Swallowing at the words I held them deep down until I felt it no more. Clumsy Rose. That is all I am. A foll. No one will want to bid on me for this.
All the color has vanished from Father. His lip is curled as we made it to the stairs. Wobbling backwards as a few birds who always kept by his side landed on top of the building making noise.
Gillian tapped the microphone, "Hey, are we still connected with the Sixth Clearing?"
'Tell Father to say something, the others can't see him like this.' I reached for my brothers connection finally silencing their bickering to one another.
Suddenly Douglas Rose took a deep breath in and gripped the microphone too hard. A crack sounded from its base. His face hardened as the head Chambers they all know. The stone-cold man with children he will do anything to protect. Who can't protect his youngest against the Culling and it shows now his anger boiling over this fact.
"Ilaria Rose, one thing we can say about her is…" Father swallowed trying to steady his voice, "She finds any reason to smile even in the darkest of times."
Going up the steps alone my brothers fingertips lingered a second longer than normal before we had to let go. The fog in my mind pulled away with their touch. I must do this alone.
Standing tall beside my Father he still hasn't gotten his color back. Looking upon the crowd so many faces I recognize from school and celebrations. Even the ones I don't recognize bear horrors on their faces.
Two Bulwarks came from inside of the Clearing's hall ready to bring us in. Sean turned around without hesitation and made his way into the clearing hall.
As I turned to do the same Angelina cries filled the air, "No!"
Brody screamed, "Angelina stop."
Spinning around she jumped to the aisle crying, getting yanked backed by the Bulwark. She was tossed into her seat as she tried to fight back.
"We are to celebrate tonight, Ilaria, Ilaria!" Angelina voice trailed off as Brody held her down. She looked at him with frantic panic.
I put my hand around my Fathers as he still gripped the microphone too hard. Leaning into it I smiled to all of the people I grew up with. Cullings are always hard, and this is why people do not make strong relationships. It is because of the possibility of being Culled is too much to bear. Watching as someone you were just talking to is about to be tortured for entertainment.
Secretly leaning into my Fathers for this will be the last time I get to be near him until next year.
Cheerfully I said, "It's just a year. Before you know it I will be back. Do not cry, do not dread, before you know it I'll be skipping down the street, Roses together once more. Till then Celebrate grander than ever before!
"My brothers Nathan and Elliot aged out this year, congratulations brothers." I gave half an attempt to clap but no one dared to behind me.
When I let go of my father's hand he released the microphone at the same time. The base he broke dropped, and the microphone rang out as it landed on the ground.
Patting his shoulder, I said only for him to hear, "I will make it home."
He mutter as I walked away, "It wasn't supposed to be like this."
Gillian sounded again over the speakers, "You weren't joking Douglas Rose about adding to the excitement. Now onto the Seventh…"
The doors shut, and two Bulwarks snuck behind me yanking me into the air. My body tensed about to kick at them when I heard Sean screams from the distance before a door shut on him.
Their hands pinched my arms as they carried me. There is no need to scream more nor act out. It won't change anything about my fate.
"Just to let you know I would had followed without being picked up." I talked with them, "Anyways, I know you could had jerked me away before I got the chance to talk, so I appreciate you waiting till I got inside."
In front of the Chamber meeting room, they finally put me down. Throwing me in I tripped on my dress falling to the ground my knees hitting the floor but nothing more. Before I could turn they slammed the door shut.
Hours have gone by. Looking out of the window I watched everyone go about their lives. Music started to play from the streets. The sun set while lights floated around for the celebrations below. I looked for a glimpse of my Family, of my friends, and despite hours passing I couldn't see them. I hope they aren't at home because I was Culled.
I still have a chance to go home after all. I put my knees to my chest, I couldn't paid that stull lady back. I feel bad she lost out. The Culled are supposed to see their family before they are taken to the Rings for the games. I can tell Father to pay her for me.
The Culled are always kept in a room alone until it is time to take them to the First Ring. My eyes flutter shut as the night weighing on me. Shaking my head trying to keep myself awake even slapping my own cheeks a few times. How long are we to be kept alone?
A bird flew right at my window fluttering it wings to a sudden stop. Darting around it landed on the window seal looking right at me. The head twisting side to side getting a better view. Placing my palm on the bottom of the window the bird wings flew open. This has to be Fathers, making sure I am okay. Bouncing about on the seal as if he wants to come in peeking the window before putting its foot up.
I whisper, "No, you can't come in. I don't want them to think I am trying to escape if I open the window."
With that the bird flew off leaving me alone.
Down below no one else were in the streets. They have all gone back home to be with families and friends. Not even drunks are left on the streets. They even found a place to rest for the night.
A loud crash came from the hall outside of the door. There was hollers as the door blew open in a heavy gust.
"This is our building; you cannot keep us from inside." My Father voice bellowed out, "As the Chamber member we have the right to bid the Culled a safe year."
Nathan added, "Not to mention her family has the right too."
Three main members alongside my family came barging in. Helios was missing most likely going to find his own child.
"Father." I called out getting down from the window. Noting Bella, Nathan, and Elliot I glanced behind them for May.
Father shook his head as he march to me, "She couldn't make it because of her child in her stomach. She didn't want the stress to make her birth early."
I hope the best for her and her child. It has already been stressful for her these months she does not need more. The other two Chamber members wandered off most likely to check on the Helios family.
Father pulled me into an embrace. As I moved my arms to give him a hug he squeezed me tightly suddenly. My hands being pinned between us. He moved one arm to slip a small cylinder item in my hand.
Father learned over whispering beside my ear, "Hide it now."
Without knowing what it was I slipped it down my top being held snug by my breasts and bra.
My siblings on that queue joined the embrace. Knowing to allow Father to hand this thing off before coming.
Tears were falling down Bellas face, her makeup smearing and her eyes swollen. Noting all of their eyes are swollen from crying. I told them not to dreed and to celebrate today. This is not fair to my brothers.
"You guys are acting like you will never see me again." I laughed with a wink. "Remember nobody wants a giftless. By the end of the year, I will be on stage ready to come home."
A Bulwark pushed through them, "Enough now, transportation is here."
Quickly I added as the Bulwark pulled me away, "I love you all. Roses always come home. So, keep smiling for me until I come back."
My family followed me as I was dragged by the arm to a vehicle behind the building. The stars seemed dim as an engine rumbled ahead of us. My heart skipped as the bed is swallowed in blackness.
The man hoisted me by my single arm tossing me in without care. Sliding all the way to the end my back smacked hard. Tensing my body as a sharp pain shot through. I laid on the side as the brute strength lent me no time to prepare myself.
As the dark night with lamps that floated around illuminated my family. My head twisted to see no lights within the cab. They stared at me as I moved to sit up. My Father face twisted in a rage I seen only a few times in life as the doors slammed shut. I had no time to think what that expression meant.
Darkness enveloped me as the latch shut from the outside. The loudness of the engine drained all sounds from the outside as it swayed driving away.
My breaths quickened gathering my legs to my chest. There is not an ounce of light coming in. I felt around on my hands and knees until the two sides met as one. Looking about I kept in two corners of the vehicle. A soft whimper escaped. I need to calm myself, it's not like I am in the woods where anything could be out there. I am alone in a vehicle nothing can sneak in to get me. The darkness are just shadows nothing more. My chest skipped unable to calm myself.
They are only shadows.
"Are you hyperventilating?" Sean asked as if he stood in front of me.
"Ah!" I screamed; my leg extended without thought, kicking him. "What the fuck? Why didn't you say something earlier?"
"Ouch, damn how did you kick me, I didn't even know you were over here." Sean explained, "I thought you knew I was here."
I gulped pinning my back to my corner, my eyes shut, or open, it all looks like same. I grab at my dress near my back trying to ground myself.
Exuberated I filled the silence, "If I did I would had said something to you."
There was a brief pause before Sean spoke, "Sorry." My body jerked at the sudden words. Sean continued, "Are you scared?"
I smiled even though I knew he couldn't see it, "It is normal to feel fear during the Culling. Fear of what may happen to us while we are gone from home, but I am not scared where I think I will never see this place again."
"What if you are killed?" Sean voice is one singular note.
A tingle went down my spine with the earie way he said it. Slipping my hand underneath my dress I took out the dagger I carried.
Whatever is on you at the Culling is yours to take for the rest of the year. I know Sean also has some sort of knife on him, everyone does. Perhaps there is something to fear in this darkness after all.