AN disclaimer: I don't own any of they characters. They all belong to Kiera Cass and all rights go to her.
Skip to the night of the announcement.
It was Friday, the day they would announce the selected. Aspen demanded I meet up with him after the report and I knew I couldn't ditch him or he would hurt my family. I was worried for the report but thousands of girls from just Carolina alone would be entering, there was no chance I'd win.
We were all sitting in the family room. Mom, dad, Gerad, and May were all sitting on the couch and being the oldest left in the house I had to sit on the floor. The report was about to start and for no reason i was nervous. My palms started to sweat. I quickly wiped them in my jeans hoping no one saw. I really hoped I wouldn't get chosen and hoped that one of the more deserving girls who wanted it got chosen.
"Good evening Illea!" Gavril Fadaye announces grandly. "Tonight we will learn the lucky chosen daughters of Illea to participate in Prince Maxon's selection. The camera cut to Maxon and I couldn't help but notice that he looked stiff and uncomfortable. I thought that was unfair because his life was mostly staying the same.
Gavril had just started calling out the names and immediately tuned them out. I knew I wouldn't get picked. I was only half listening to my family's commentaries on the girls when I heard a blood curldaling shriek. I turned to the TV and saw my face and apicatipn on tre screen. My family were all screaming and dancing,but all I could do was sit in a stunned silence.
Then everything got worse when I remembered I had to go see Aspen today. I knew he had seen the report he always watched it. I also knew he would be mad about this and would hurt me more than usual. I knew I had to go to him because otherwise it's be worse for my family. Wait. MY FAMILY! What would they do when I was gone. Who would warn and protect them. Suddenly the beating I was going to get wasn't so bad.
I had to get out of the house someway tonight and the only thing I could think of was climbing out the window after everyone went to bed.
—page break—
Quickly and quietly I rushed to my window. I knew Aspen was already waiting for me and would be even more mad that I was late. That would get me a whole extra round of beatings. I mean it was already going to be bad so why not make it worse. Aspen was clever about his beatings and only ever did them in a place that could be covered with clothing. Sometimes he even brought bandages for me when he made me bleed so no one would see the blood through my clothing.
As soon as I got out of my window i started running to the alley I always met Aspen. When I got there I saw that I wasn't alone. Aspen quickly and soundlessly walked out from the shadows.
"WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!?!" Aspen yells as he slaps me face. Hard. "You saw the report didn't you I was chosen for the selection. That made me kinda busy," I spit back rubbing my face. "I didn't know you signed up, America! Why the hell would you do that? You know while you are gone your family will suffer!" Aspen calmly tells me as he shoves me down to the floor and kicks me. I decide to stay quiet throughout this because I know if I don't Aspen will just hurt me more.
As soon as Aspen decides he's done with me for the night I'm bloody and he's hurt me more than ever before I limp home trying to be as quiet as possible.
As soon as I got to my room I flipped on my bed gasping in pain as I hit the mattress and fell into a restless sleep. The last thing I thought before I was out was: at least Aspen didn't demand another meeting with me before I left for the palace. I also couldn't help but be hopeful that this was the last time I would see Aspen.