Jessie
Momma sobbed as she hugged Lacey for what might be the last time. She was always so dramatic when it came to these types of things. I had survived the game at least three times before and I know she can do it again. But I won't lie, my first year competing was terrifying, knowing losing meant execution. By the second year, it was a little less scary. By year three it all felt part of the schedule, like an annual doctor's visit.
The Quiet Games began long before I was born. They began in the year 2057 when my grandparents were teenagers. It was a horrible method of population control, it was effective. It sure took a mental toll on poor Lacey though. Last year, her best friend was the first to be executed, and in front of Lacey too. She cried for months after that, but I think she's better now. What a shame. That Patricia girl sure was nice.
We turned on the TV and changed the channel to the local news. We had to figure out what school the game was taking place at. The news anchor today was a very pretty woman known as Cherry Neman. She looked bright and happy as always despite knowing she was reporting a horrific event soon to take place.
"Hello, Patrentowne, I'm Cherry Newman with your local news. We would like to report that The Quiet Games will take place at Chairson Middle School on Blockily Avenue, Today starting at 8 a.m and ending tomorrow at 8 a.m." Cherry said with a wide smile on her face, "The school system would like to remind parents that attendance is mandatory and those who will be absent will be subject to immediate execution."
Momma flinched at the word execution and I could see that Father was shaken knowing that the baby of the house would once again be put in a life or death situation. Momma began to cry again, with this time Lacey wiping tears out of her eyes.
Lacey's tears brought back memories of my experience with the Quiet Game. I remember Momma getting the note in year five and her crying all night. I remember waking up that day and trembling in fear. Walking to school and having thoughts of turning back, even if it meant execution. Getting to school and watching the teachers line up thousands of kids from all the nearby schools in a massive tent set up, especially for the event. And hearing the horrific screams of the children being taken away to their doom for making one little sound. I shuddered. All those memories of the Quiet Game felt like a fever dream. Like something, I had made up in my mind. All of a sudden I found myself embracing my younger sister.
I reminded myself that this was all for the well of the population. without the Quiet Game, we would all be doomed and Earth would be in ruins. We should be thankful for this solution. Anyways those who disobeyed the rules were obviously not worthy of living in our obedient and quiet society.
My mind snapped back to reality. My little sister cried into my shoulder screaming "I don't want to go!" Momma's sobs getting worse and worse. Father being so obviously distressed. And me feeling numb to all the emotions around me. Then the alarm began blaring.
Over Momma's sobs, we heard the alarm blaring through the streets. "All Children in Years 5-8 please report to school in 10 minutes. The Quiet Games will commence soon. All children not attending will be immediately executed."
