Prologue
The city burned all around us, a haze of smoke and ash curling into a gray sky, like a crushing weight not far above. I clutched my daughter to my chest, her soft cries stinging my heart.
If anything were to happen to her…I’d lose the only thing I’ve worked so hard to live for.
Of course there was always the volunteer program, but without me, who would look after her? What point was there to die for her, if she would be miserable without me.
I wrapped her arms tighter around me and pressed her head against my chest, ensuring she couldn’t see any of the death and destruction surrounding us.
Screams lured her eyes, but I covered them, she didn’t need to see what the world had become. Perhaps between the debris we’d be unnoticed, unharmed.
Mara suddenly tightened her grip on my shirt, “Mommy….who is that man?”
I whipped my head around to the sight of a recruiter. The unsettlingly calm figure approached, tablet in hand. I scooted backwards into what was left of a wall, hoping I'd find a hole we could fall into, but my efforts to escape were to no avail. The figure merely stepped forward, seeming rather annoyed.
They always seemed so unbothered by the wreckage around them, I’d say they didn’t care for us but they’d need the capacity to feel for that.
“Please, Alessia, you can save her, you have a choice.” he declared
Choice? God knows there’s no such thing as choice anymore, it’s live or die. Anything beyond that is an illusion.
“I won’t fall for your tricks, where are the families saved by your volunteers, because I sure as shit haven’t seen any!” I shouted
“Then you give me no choice” He sighed, and slinked his fingers up towards his mouth, letting out a whistle so loud I truly think it might have silenced the chaos around us for a moment, but not long enough.
The figure smirked as two raptors launched themselves to his side, each waiting for his command. Their obedience didn’t seem like loyalty…more like fear.
I froze, terror rooting me to the rubble beneath my callused feet. I knew what being a volunteer meant—the sacrifice to save the ones you love most, to give them a chance.
I thought I could have fought these creatures off to protect Mara but…this was far different from the stories, and I wouldn’t be able to protect Mara from them. I had to do something.
“WAIT PLEASE!!” I cried out desperately
The man held up his hand, signaling for his weapons to stay put.
“Take me… please…just keep her safe…promise me she will be safe”
“Your sacrifice will be remembered,” he retorted, and pointed the raptors at me, like a laser locking onto its target.
I pushed my baby out of the way, my sweet Mara, and closed my eyes, praying that my death truly will be her saviour. A single thought burning through my fear:
I will not fail her.
