I lay on the king-sized bed staring at the ceiling. It seemed as if it had been years since I slept on a real bed. It had been a year since I'd slept on one.  I never thought I would again, though. I never expected to end up like this. Just a year ago
I thought I would live with my parents forever. Until they took my parents. I hate them for it. I still wondered if I would have stayed, would I have saved them? Would they be with me right now? Would I still be like this? Or would I be stuck with them on the other side? I didn't know. But right now, my priority is to keep my sisters safe. They cannot be taken. They are my only family left and I need to keep them safe. If I don't I will be left alone to rot and die on the streets. I hope not, though.

I still stare up at the ceiling, hoping, wishing I was still with my parents. But I wouldn't be, not until I rescue them. I have to. It's my job. But what if I failed? What if I was chosen? What would happen then? Would I lose and be taken to their side? Or would I hurt someone and take them to our side? I wondered what would happen to my sisters. Would they allow me to take them? I hope so. I probably won't be chosen anyway, I'm not strong. I'm not very fast either. I would be crushed out there. If I hid instead of going I would be shot. I guess Ill find out tomorrow.

I lie on my side as the words burned into my mind. "I won't be chosen, I can't be chosen. Why would they choose me?" I find my eyes as they close and darkness closes over me.

"Will,"  Someone whispers. I bolt upward seeing the baker at my side. He is motioning for me to follow him. As I do he says, "We need to get you ready for the arena battle. Janet has clothing for you and your sisters ready downstairs."

"Should I wake them?" I whisper.

"Yes, please do. We need to leave very soon."

"Okay," I say.

I walk over to the bedroom and wake Amanda and Elise, they seemed tired but were used to getting up early. I carry Amanda downstairs with Elise following. Once we were downstairs, the baker gave us some new cloths and we all got dressed into them. They fit perfectly, which surprised me. How did they know? I walk up to the baker and say, "can we talk for a second?"
"Sure," he said.
We walk over by the upstairs. He looked at me expectantly.
"Did you know my parents?"
He doesn't speak. But finally after long pause he says one simple word, "yes."
I stand awestruck my jaw open wide. He knew my parents? Why didn't he tell me before? Of course I probably wouldn't tell him either if he were me. I never thought he knew them. Maybe I had. Maybe I hadn't. Too much had been going on lately. Not that I'm not grateful for what's been happening.
After we finish with everything, we decide it is time to go. We all go outside and into the car. I hadn't been in one since my parents were taken. Why were they taken? What did my family do to them, what?
My thoughts are interrupted as the car lurches forward.
"We will arrive to the destination in thirty minutes." The computer announces.
I decide to take this time to take my mind off my parents for now at least. Maybe counting would help?
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
"No," I thought. "Maybe thinking about the arena?"
The arena. The massive arenas seats and fighting area. Would I be chosen to fight? I wouldn't win. My sisters would remain with the baker until I somehow came back. How would I even come back? I couldn't. I could be shot. Or worse, be killed as an event. My mind twisted back to the arena. Could I be chosen? Will I?
The car lurches to a stop at the arena and my thoughts are interrupted again.
"Come, Will, we must hurry." I get out and walk to the arena with Amanda, Elise, and the two bakers. We walk up the stairs and sit down. Very soon the announcer would say the speech and we would watch the battle.
Then his voice booms over the arena. "Hello Citizens of earth! This is our 90th time here at this arena. It is the day of the battle that has brought both peace and harmony to planet earth."
He pauses for a moment then says, "We have grown, and we have shrank. On this day of every year we keep peace on this earth. If we didn't we'd have wars and fights. But what's important is that we have peace now. No war or fights. Just peace. Let us have peace today, tomorrow, and forever!"
The announcer stops talking. "How is this peace?" I thought. "How does taking innocent people and putting them into the battle bringing us peace? How?"
It didn't make sense at all to me. I don't think it's fair. This can't be peace. I want to change this, I really do. If I could I would.
I look over to see other families like mine shivering in there old ripped up clothing. I almost felt guilty for putting these new cloths on. It would be a while before they would announce the fighters. But it would be soon enough. What if one of those families were chosen would I be brave enough to volunteer for them? Probably not. I'm not brave. I'm not very strong either. I probably wouldn't win. I wouldn't win. I would let my sisters down. I would even let my parents down. I probably won't be chosen anyway. So I should stop worrying. Would I be chosen? I stop thinking as the announcer starts to speak.
"Time to pick the fighters!"
The announcer looks back. Then he says, "They have chosen. It is time to choose."
"Mira Wilt," he said.
I hear screams and cries and guilt crosses over me. But I knew she couldn't be saved. I crossed my fingers. They were to pick from our side now. I close my eyes and my muscles tensed. They were going to pick now. I had never been this afraid before. The voice boomed over the speakers. "Will Tristan,"
I scream. That was my name. Elise is crying now. She screams my name, "Will!"
I froze.