VI. Sacrifices

78 ADD

They came at the same time every year when the days were at the bitterest and coldest. The recruiter from Golden Shore - or the Child Thief was often called around here. The streets were lined as the recruiter walked past bitter eyes watching trying to hide their desperation. Vali watched the procession beside his mother and four younger siblings. He was then urged to follow behind the recruiter it was mandated by the Academy that the whole two were to gather in the square for the Winter Reaping.

"I am here to present you with a most generous opportunity. A chance to give back to your district. Golden Shore is always looking for new trainees to grace its halls and just look for a warm fire to tide you through the Winter. Thus, we plead that enrol your children in the Academy and return, you never need to worry about being cold or hungry again and should your child become a tribute the rewards will be even greater." He proclaimed. "Come to the town hall if wish to have a child enrolled."

Vali saw why people considered his offer - and understood why people took his offer - after all what were the chances Vali knew well for he had been so tempted, but he knew that his mother would never agree. They had barely made it through last year, struggling ever since their father died at sea. Since that Vali had told himself that if could just hold for two years, then he would be able to take of Teassrae.

But with Arni's illness, Vali was not sure if they could last till then.

The crowds disappear afterwards and Vali's mother swiftly leads him back home, where he is to stay inside until the Child Thief left. Vali watched out from the window where town hall lay just in sight. The Child Thief always left with one.

Vali watched as two children where emerged from the town hall. He knew them - Tide and River - they were eleven just like him. They were led into the back of a van. Then Vai seized his opportunity, his chance to protect his family. He ran from the hope and left into the back of the van.

"Shhh!" he whispered to Tide and River.

Then the van left for Golden Shore.

85 ADD, The Arena, Day 10

Vali's entire body ached. Blood dripped from the left shoulder with a knife buried deep within. He clenched at the wound, dropping his spear to the ground.

Not now. Not here.

Not after he had come this far.

Just one more.

Then his family could not just get by, but they could thrive.

Vali yanked the knife out of his shoulder, grunting in pain. The bloodied blade fell to the floor. He grabbed his spear and forced himself to fight once more.

Just once more.

Vali could feel his arms failing him. His feet. His focus. His strength. The cold clawed its way through him, pulsing through his very soul just as it had seven years ago. The same feeling, the same desperation.

A desperate hope for something better.

The Nine girl approached him, with a second knife in hand. Pity was strewn across her face, Vali could have sworn he saw tears welling in her eyes and within he saw the same desperate hope.

Vali lunged forward, putting what little remained of his strength behind the strike. The Nine girl dodged out of the way, the spear just passing her. Vali was carried forward briefly by the momentum before he fell to the ground, his spear dropping at his side. The Nine girl waked stood over him.

Vali tried to move and lead for his spear but found he had nothing left to give.

The Nine girl brought her knife down into his chest. The last him Vali felt was not piercing of the blade but dripping of tears.

Then everything was black.