Year 1950, all animals had perished due to an unknown virus. For months, they withheld their blood thirst till they could no longer hold it any longer. The remaining blood in the animal blood banks had run dry, and crime rates were rising throughout the country.

In a desperate attempt to control the crime rates, the government laid down a rule that maidens, at the age of 16 were to be called to the city, and forced to allow the rich to feed on their blood in exchange for some cash they could use to sustain family expenses. Some resisted, some did not, for so, they would lose their loved ones. The moment those teeth sunk into each of their necks, they knew, their lives would never be the same, but at least, their loved ones, were safe.

When the flame of the last candle died down on her 16th birthday, her stomach wrenched in fear and she could feel the stomach juices building up at the back of her throat. She remembered grabbing the nearby chair for support as her head grew lighter and lighter by the minute. Her mother hugged her tightly, knowing that she was afraid, yet feeling as helpless as her daughter was.

That night, there was no celebration, except for a sad fruit cake with its 16 candles blown out, smoke still billowing from the burnt wicks as mother and daughter turned off the lights for an early night in.

The next 9 days were spent waiting in agony for the letter of doom to arrive. For Mikan, these 9 days meant the world to her, for she was always such a carefree person. Just thinking about her freedom being snatched away from her against her will made her writhe in anger, night after night.

-The Morning of the 10th Day -

"If the males down here can take synthetic blood to curb their cravings, I don't see why the people up there can't do the same?" she still had not come to terms with this outrageous rule.

"Mikan, I can't believe you still have not come to accept it. There is nothing we can do, is there?" Hotaru sighed. The words coming out of her best friend's mouth must have been said by many girls who have been through the same process, but over the years, no change has been made.

They all suspected that it was just a scheme to maintain and hierarchy system. After all, when chaos broke out decades ago, the lines between classes were blurred and crime transcended beyond the class areas designated within the country.

The brunette looked at her best friend's neck. Two bite holes laid there, like a tattoo.

"Hotaru, did it hurt?" She asked Hotaru, wincing a little.

"Does it look like it didn't?" She looked at Mikan with her usual stoic face.

Mikan looked down at her feet, feeling bad for her friend. It was the 10th day today - doomsday. The letter was arriving any time now. She stood up from her chair and walked towards the kitchen to pour herself a cup of drink when the doorbell froze her in her steps. It was here. The letter of doom.

"I'll get it…" Her mother rushed to the door and flung it open. As expected, they were here, the Catchers. Mikan emerged from the kitchen, shocked to see the two Catchers standing by the door.

"We're here, for her." The taller one raised their arms and pointed his long, bony fingers at Mikan.

Mikan took a few steps back. Not now, she thought, not now…

"The rules clearly stated that we were allowed 2 days to pack up and go. Besides, isn't your job to only deliver the damn letters? Has there been a change in rules that we are not aware of?" Hotaru's voice was monotonous and her amethyst coloured eyes bore into the Catcher's slits as she stood up slowly from the couch.

"This one's special. We have been given a special order from the higher ups,"

There was a moment of silence between the official messengers from the Palace and the people of the house as they debated as to whether they should doubt the words of the two men standing by the door step. That moment, however, did not last long as the shorter one of the two removed his handgun from its holster and pointed it at her mother. The other soon followed suit and did the same, this time, holding her best friend at point blank range.

The sudden turn of events took Mikan by utter surprise and her mouth was left slightly agape. Words of desperation flooded her mind but her mind was no longer in control of her body.

"You better come with us now, or we will shoot. You know we will." The voice that spoke was spooky and cold. She recalled the gunshots she had heard a week back from the house just down the road and a shiver ran down her spine. These people were not human. It was as though their morality had been sucked right out of their souls.

The words shook her back to real life and she finally registered what was going on.

"Fine! Take me! But don't ever touch my family or friends!" she yelled in frustration. Both of the Catchers quickly replaced their guns in their snug holsters in unison, but the next second, she was on the ground, unconscious.

"What on Earth did you do to her?" Hotaru took a few large steps forward to get a closer look at her dear friend, before she was halted in her steps as one of the Catchers drew out his gun once again, without an ounce of hesitation.

"Back off, lower class, we are bringing her back to the city." Pushing Hotaru aside, the taller Catcher carried Mikan and slung her over his shoulders.

"We'll be taking her." The shorter one mocked and both of them left the house.

Making their way pass the sub-urbans, heading towards the city, many people cast glances on the passing Catchers. This scene had become all too familiar for them. When the rule was first implemented, there were people who would literally jump at their feet to stop the Catchers from taking away the poor young girls. But they soon realized, it all eventually ended in nothing but a bloodbath and everyone started to shut themselves out of this bloody business.

As they carried on walking down the uneven path, people who saw them from a distance were quick to retreat into their houses. No one dared to mess with the Catchers and absolutely, no one must.

Mikan regained consciousness slowly, as the continuous banging of the doors travelled into her ear drums. Opening her eyes fully, she was darn shocked when she realized that she was being carried by the people who wanted to kill her mother and Hotaru.

"Let me go!" she hit the back of the one carrying her.

"So, you're awake," the shorter one said, following closely behind the taller one to make sure that Mikan would not do anything stupid to his companion.

"Let me go! I can walk on my own." Mikan complained once again.

"Little girl, if you know what's good for you, I suggest you shut up." The one carrying her carried on walking, as though nothing was happening.

Mikan frowned and stuck out her tongue at the Catcher tailing behind, who chose to ignore it. These guys seemed scary, but they were actually, well, warm. Deciding that she could no longer do anything about it, she kept quiet.

The journey to their destination felt like an eternity. The sun was already disappearing behind the horizon and the sky painted a beautiful warm orange by the time they had crossed a few hill and countless streams and creeks. And then, she saw it.

The City.

Mikan let her eyes feast on the spectacular infrastructure. Grand mansions. Crowded markets. People adorning beautiful dresses and jewelry everywhere.

But she knew, behind all this, laid a terrible truth. She was about… to become, food.