Prologue

"

Bye sweetie!" My mother cheered. She wiped the remaining cake off my face. She tampered and tinkered with my outfit a bit, then kissed me on the forehead. She was perfect. She wore beautiful dress, did the prettiest dances, and had the most charisma of anyone I knew. She had glowing skin and trendy glasses and wore a pretty, yellow, and flowery dress, with bright red lipstick around her plump lips. I was hoped that when I grew older I would get her looks.

"You'll do amazing, alright, hun?" My father swept me off my feet one last time, and spun me. He was big, strong, had really kind brown eyes, and an extremely nice smile. Father would always make quirky jokes. I would miss him a lot. He wore a nice green sweater, one of his finest. I giggled, even through my tears. It was so scary, being away from my parents for the first time. Never mind the fact that I would be gone for ten years. No more birthdays, no more spending time with Auntie, or rollercoasters, or pretzels. Dancing. Only dancing. Father put me down. I really didn't want to let go.

The shady man in black standing at the front foyer spoke. "We have to go. Are you done your goodbyes?'' Looking down, I shook my head. I turned around and look back at the parents I loved so much. "C-Can I say bye…" I choked on my words.

"Yes?" My Father asked, signalling me to cough it up.

"…t-to Nathan?" My Mother was pregnant. I won't be seeing my little brother in a long time, I thought I would say goodbye. Even if I won't get to grow up with him. My mother put her hands over her heart.

"…Yes!"

I ran over to my mother, and gave her bigger-than-usual tummy a kiss. Then wrapped my arms around her and her overgrown belly to hit two birds with one stone—hug them both at once. Mother let out a small "Aww".

I would never have the courage to leave my life and my family behind for so long. Never. But since I had no other choice, knowing that everybody I know has gone through this, is a bit reassuring.

If they all passed, why wouldn't I?

"I'm ready." I told everyone.

"Over here." The man in our home held out his hand for me to hold. I tentatively grabbed his rough, big hand. My silent cry escalated into moaning. I mustered to wave goodbye while he dragged me outside. My parents shouted a few more goodbyes, and closed the door.

I looked back at my house. I'll miss it. Everything about it. My room. My television. My computer. The small space under the stairs where my best friend, Anne, and I would hide from brain-eating demons.

Anne.

She left for her training four months ago. I hope she's doing well. I miss her. A lot. I won't see her any time soon.

Ten years. Alone. Ten. I was so stuck in my thoughts, before I knew it; I was already buckled up in the despairing white car. The thoughts started to clog in. I need somebody, constantly. I'm never able to work alone. What if the dance is too hard for me, and I fail miserably? Then, well, everyone knows what'll happen. I won't ever see Nathan. And Anne. Mother, Father!

Don't worry Rosamie, you'll come back. People don't usually fail after ten years of training.

I repeated those words in my head. I needed to believe it, because with such a fixed mindset, I might not satisfy the ruler with my dance. I might fail. And when you fail, you can't come back with a job, a life, and a place in society, or to live happily with your family.

It happens to you.

Like your failed dance was captured on live television-guess what else is broadcasted? Your own live execution.