"Congratulations to Svenah-Fae. You have been chosen."

The silence was deafening as people looked around.

It was no surprise that little to no one recognised my name.

I caught the eye of an old lady, Cynthia, my babysitter from when I was a child.

"Svenah-Fae, please make our way to the stage."

The shock of being chosen was not there, I have always had this feeling that I would be chosen next. After all, my brother was chosen, yet merely escaped through suicide, if you want to call it that.

My steps were hidden by the muffled voices until people began to notice. Being at the far back, it took a few minutes to make my way to the stage, surprisingly, everyone was patient.

I come to terms with my new fate during the walk to the stage. My feet ached, my hands shivering and my sense of smell lost, replaced with a constant sniffle that won't cease to disappear. It's an annoyance.

Claryse seemed disgusted by my appearance, and I the same. Her face scrunched up,  and I went out of my way to not spit at it.

My reaction to the news of being chosen was displayed on my face, no denying that.

I guess it was wrong of me to assume the next coming of nights would be worse, I am sure they will be full of celebration.

No wonder why I hate everyone.

The rest of the day went a little too fast for my likings. The rushed process to get me to the capital was disturbing, not even giving me an opportunity to say goodbye to anyone, not that it would have made any difference, but it made me think.

Was the reason they didn't allow contact with loved ones because of my brother?

I couldn't prevent the memory if I wanted to. The reminder of family, love, warmed my heart.

I was only 15, my brother 21, the gathering ceremony was more like an outing for me, I dressed my finest and wore the scent of cheap perfume. I fit into the crowd perfectly. I never cared for the silly game the werewolves held, I never knew anyone that was actually chosen and it was more of a time for me to feel good about myself and dress up nicely.

Then my brother was chosen, his name echoed through my ears, unknown to the results, he whispered into my ear, replying to me with words I cannot remember. Everything felt too real and I was the first to cry.

They gave us a final night with him to say goodbye.

It was all we needed.

My family was not oblivious to the world and they chose to make their decisions, not extending that decision to my brother.

My mother cooked a feast that could feed a town, she used everything we had stored for winter in one night, it was like heaven.

I walked into the kitchen, with the idea to help cook beside my mother, make my brother's favourite dish. However, as I walked inside, I fell witness to my mother pouring something into the meat mixture, something she told me to never touch, for it could kill me if I were to swallow it, or at least be very sick. Cleaning products and hazardous items spread over one of the counters, spotting my fathers pill bottle beside a crushed up white substance, my eyes following it as my mother poured it into the dish.

I peeked into the dining room, my dad distracting my brother with old tales of when he was younger. Reminiscing.

It was the first time I felt this surge of uneasiness, one so powerful that I almost screamed.

I turned around, ready to call my mother out but she was already standing in front of me, hand on my mouth, and she dragged me into the connecting bathroom.

The conversation is blurry in memory, I just remember her telling me everything will be okay, eat the food, stay quiet and we can all sleep peacefully.

I regret not saying a word.

"Svenah-Fae, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Surname Hasler?"

"That is correct." The name almost sounded foreign, after all, it's been 9 years since I was with them.

"Great. You will now be bathed and prepared to be introduced as the next candidate of the program by the King to the public." His bored tone matched mine, and I could not help but feel a little in sync with the man.

"Great."