"Glimmer-" I hear my first name and the rest becomes a buzz in my head. Pride and fear coursed through me all at once as I step out of the crowd and head to the podium. This is the what I've been raised to do, fight and win. Kill and survive. I should be excited but why then does this fear seem to be growing like a lump in my stomach?
A boy I've seen in school, Marvel, joins my side head held high just like mine. We nod to each other, more for the cameras then respect. He is now a rival and an ally. If only for a little while.
We are lead inside the courthouse, sent to separate rooms. I hold my pride until my mother walks in. When she hugs me, though she says she'll be proud of me, I can hear her voice wavered and feel her tighten her arms around me more not wanting to let me go. My Dad just nods in the way that he does, he's demeanor showing no creak in the perfect armor he wears. It's as if he's so sure I'll be the winner, the only one left alive out of 24 of us that he won't (can't?) face that this might just be the last we ever speak. Just before the peacekeeper's take them away my mom says she loves me and to do my best. Her eye's have hints of tears waiting in them. She know's what's truly at stake.
"Glimmer, make me proud." My dad's voice is gruff, almost forced as he speaks. He kisses my forehead like he used to when I was little. As they leave the memory of my dad chasing monsters from my room with a kiss on the forehead plays through my mind. It was our secret "magic trick", his kiss was my protection. Just like then, I feel just a bit better and then the door opens again.
"You have to come back." He's words are almost lost as his arms' come around me and pull me to him. "You have to come back to me."
Him, being Jasper Keystone. My boyfriend of the six or so months. My arms wrap around him instinctively, holding him tightly. "I...can't promise you that."
He doesn't let go or move away, but holds me just the same speaking into my shoulder. "I know, but I want you to come back."
I want to come back, but I don't want him to wait for me if I don't. The way we are raised here, taught and trained to fight and kill, we learn quickly of our own mortality. "I want to come back, but you know how this goes. Twenty-four go in and only one comes out. If..If I don't come out...have a.." I pause, happy isn't the right word but it'll have to do. "happy life for me?"
The door opens behind him and I watch as he pulls away, wishing he wouldn't. "Wait!" I grab his wrist and then concentrate on it. "Whatever happens, whatever I do or they make me do just know that I-" The words catch in my throat as the peacekeeper makes an annoyed sound. Quickly I lean up on my toes and kiss him quickly. "I love you."
Before he can even react the peacekeeper at the door comes in and drags him away from me. Leaving me alone again and not knowing if he loves me back. Not knowing if I'll be coming back. Not knowing anything.