"Silk."
I spin around. He's standing right behind me, his pain pouring out through his eyes as he silently pleads with me. It won't work.
I turn on my heel and without turning back I stride into line, have my finger pricked and find my place in the gathering crowd. The microphone crackles to life and our – no, my – escort begins her ramblings. The treaty of Treason is read, the propaganda is played. And now it's my chance.
I raise my hand and speak the traditional words. The words that I've been waiting to say since I was old enough to understand what they mean. The words my entire District is waiting to hear.
"I volunteer as Tribute."