Hallå I'm Vera Karjalainen, but most just call me crazy. Why? Maybe because I'm the only one considering escaping this prison called Suburbia. What's Suburbia? A walled in city in the middle of what used to be Nevada.

According to our government it's 'unsafe' to leave. They say all that's out there is nuclear fallout. They say. They said it was safe to work in mines. If it was so safe, why are my parents dead? The government lies to us. If it was so safe, why am I missing an arm?

Today is voting day. A day where we vote to send children from the age of 3-17 outside the walls to prevent overcrowding. I know, hypocritical, right? Since they care so much about our well being, why send children to their government issued death? We all know the system is rigged though. How? Because I'm still here. It's a known fact that I am one of the girls everyone votes to leave. I suppose you want to know how it works. Well, 2 girls and 2 boys are sent to their 'death' every year. The entire city is required to vote. I always vote for myself because I want to leave unlike the rest of our population. For the other 3, I pick my best friends.

It takes a few weeks to count all the votes but I know I'm not leaving. For those that are lucky enough to, they'll be making their way to the capitol to be sent off.

I know you're curious as to why I want to leave. Well, I honestly think there's a civilization miles away, where our discarded children live freely.

A woman with graying hair appears on my television screen. She's announcing the names of the boys leaving first. Edwards, Nolan and Maxwell, Elijah. My closest male friends. Girls next. Gray, Bryanna and Karjalainen, Vera. Like I said, I'm not goi- Did she just say Vera Karjalainen?!