The electric razor made a soft buzzing sound as it slid over my head. Clumps of hair began to cover the floor around the chair I had been forced to sit in for the past few minutes. I looked forward defiantly at the ugly brick wall. There was no mirror, but I didn't need one. I already knew what I would look like. I would be the same as the others.

Sitting quietly, staring at the wall as a small black bug made it's way out of a dime-sized hole and meandered towards one of the legs of my chair. It was a nice distraction. The Cutter continued with his work as more chunks of my auburn hair fell helplessly around me. I tried not to cry. I had been mentally preparing for this day for a long time, but hadn't really anticipated how it would really feel to know that my old life was over and the minute I got out of this chair, a new life would begin.

My parents were poor and couldn't afford to send me to school. My mother had tried to teach me a few things, but when it came time for the Century Test, I failed. To be honest, I had never even thought I would be able to pass. Instead of being one of the elite fighters who lived a life of glamour, I would be a shield. A human shield.  My lone job would be to throw my body in front of a fighter to protect him or her from being killed. I wasn't getting paid extra money to put my life on the line.  No.  I was being forced to protect them. In my mind, they were week.

On Latimus, hundreds of Shields died by the minute. Their bodies were quickly and quietly burned and the ashes used to build new structures. So, my fate was to become a part of a new building or piece of furniture.  

"You're finished," the Cutter barked. "Get up and walk towards the door."

I paused wondering what would happen if I disobeyed. My head turned so my eyes could look into his cold, dark pupils. "Fine, but one day I'll be back."

The Cutter let out a sharp laugh. "You're a feisty one. This might be fun. Now leave before you make me do something I regret."

I swallowed down the thick lump that had formed in the back of my throat and decided there was really no reason for me to wait. Death would be my fate no matter what. I felt the thin blade slide down into my palm. It had been safely hiding underneath my sleeve. I threw the sharp object towards his neck and watched as it penetrated through the thick skin on his meaty neck. His eyes bulged in surprise as his hands flew up to the hole. I didn't waste any time and turned to put my foot in his stomach. I heard the Cutter gasp in pain as I began to run.

Instantly, my body was knocked forward as a set of handcuffs went swiftly around my wrists. "Lorena Zahn you are under arrest and will immediately be sent to the front lines. Welcome to Latimus. You are officially a SHIELD."

**This is my entry for #MyHandMaidsTale.  I'll be honest, it's tough to only write 500 words.  Let me know if you think this is off to a good start!  Thank you!!#