One last glance over the stations told her everything was ready. Her staff, on the other hand, all looked like they would rather be anywhere else. To be fair, so would she. Fine – she didn't need cheery; she needed good. These kids deserved the best chance she could give them. "Ready, people? They'll be here in ten."
The room stayed remained silent. Maybe that was a good thing. Chitchat wouldn't get them anywhere. "All right, everyone take your stations. I'll go get 'em."
Twenty-four nervous faces met her just outside the door. "Good morning," she said. A few smiled or answered with their own good morning, but all of their responses fell flat. She looked from face to face, and her stomach clenched. Five's girl could have passed for her own eleven-year-old daughter with her copper skin and wide, brown eyes. She forced herself to look away. Best not to dwell on that now – she wanted all of them to have the best chance they possibly could. Yes, the too-skinny ones from Eleven wouldn't make it, and neither would the twelve-year-olds that Six and Nine had sent this year, but that didn't mean she wouldn't try. They all deserved her best.
She smiled, hoping the gesture was not as weak as it felt. "It's time. Let's get started." The woman did her best to forget that she spoke to twenty-three walking corpses.
.oOo.
A/N: So, did you get it? Thanks to Roxibilly for reviewing!
Chapter 2's character was Darius