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To my left, I saw Marlee’s parents watching, gripping each other tightly. She searched once more, and I knew who she was seeking out. She took in the massive crowd, finding my eyes for a split second before she was pulled forward again. A suit coat covered her hunched shoulders, and she squinted into the light. Behind him, Marlee-her beautiful angel costume lacking its wings and covered in grime-was also in chains. His lip was bleeding, and his clothes were so dirty he looked like he’d spent the night rolling in mud. Officer Woodwork was being dragged out in chains. My stomach twisted as I watched my world shatter. But Maxon’s face was hard.Ī moment later the crowd’s cheers turned into cries of disdain, and I turned to see what made them so unhappy. I kept willing him to glance at me, to give me some sort of acknowledgment. Whatever was happening, if he looked at me and smiled, I knew it would be fine. I was close to Maxon, so I turned his way. They too were dressed in dark clothes and wore sober expressions. The crowd erupted again as the king, queen, and Maxon emerged. With a guard at my side, I climbed into my seat in the middle of the front row and tried to figure out what was going on. The first was a ladder-like contraption in the shape of an A the second was a large wooden block with loops on either end. I tried to keep up with all the well-wishers, but I was distracted by the two odd structures waiting on the platform. May giggled, happy to be a part of the excitement, and I was relieved to see her back to herself. The staff at the palace really needed to rethink the way they handled the Elite. If the people were this happy, then nothing bad could be happening.
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I lifted my hand in a wave as people called my name. I could see the shoulders of every girl in front of me relax as the people in the streets called out our names and threw flowers at our feet. We were led to a small section of stadium seats, and the crowd cheered for us as we walked out. Cameras were positioned around the platform, and production people were running in front of the crowds, capturing the scene. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people were crowded together, children sitting on the shoulders of their parents. As the gates creaked open, the deafening sound of a massive crowd greeted us.Ī large platform had been set up in the street. We crossed the short circular driveway and headed past the massive walls that fenced us into the grounds. For the first time since I’d been at the palace, the front doors were both opened wide, and we were paraded outside. I turned as a burst of light flooded the foyer. Her mother was hunched with worry, and she leaned into her husband, his face heavy, as if he had aged years in a single night. I saw a pair of guards escorting Marlee’s parents to the back of our line.
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I looked at them, hoping for some sort of clarity, but Mom shook her head while Dad gave me a shrug. My first thought was that Maxon had sent Marlee home, but wouldn’t she have come by my room to say good-bye? I tried to think of a relationship between all this secrecy and Marlee’s absence, and nothing I came up with made sense.Īt the bottom of the stairs, an assembly of guards waited, along with our families. As we walked down the stairs, I quickly scanned the girls. “Follow us, ladies.”įifth? No, that wasn’t right. “There’s the fifth,” a guard said to his counterpart. If anything, we all were, so at least I wouldn’t be going through whatever this was alone. To my immense surprise, when I reached the foyer, the rest of the girls were waiting, all wearing dresses and expressions similar to my own. I wish I could have said my head was high but honestly, lady or not, I was terrified. I gave a small nod as she released me, unclenched my hands from the door, and walked away. “I’m scared.”Īnne put her hands on my shoulders and spoke. Turning back to my maids, I breathed out my fear. I opened my door but found myself frozen.
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There was nothing left for me to do but face this unimaginable fate. Finally Anne placed my name pin on my chest, the silver shining beautifully against the black of my dress.