I woke up bright and early. The Lottery was today. It was a chance for a better life. Chance to get away from the horrors of the real world.

I remember the first Lottery I was ever at. I was four at the time and it was the second ever Lottery and I hadn't understood why my mother had dressed me up so well. I had wore the pretty white dress that she had bought the day before. There had been a massive crowd, larger than I'd ever seen before. I was scared of all the people there. The winner had broken down on stage, making it awkward for the announcer and interviewer, Rufus Galvilso.

The next one that was really memorable was the seventh Lottery.I was nine and I had lost my mom and dad a few days previously. I was more scared than my first ever Lottery. I had my mom then at least. But then I had no one to help me, to soothe me, to protect me. That winner had refused to go with Rufus Galvilso and the security had to come on and drag him off after he began screaming stuff to the crowd. Just like the old woman... I shook my head. I had a Lottery to get ready for. I couldn't get side-tracked or else I could be going naked.

Everyone would be dressing up today. They would wear their best clothes, their most gaudy jewellery. To show that they should be chosen to live in high society. I don't have much. Just a small dress that I bought two days ago. It was cheap but it was cute.

I quickly got dressed. I had small pink pumps that were dirty but they could be cleaned.

The dress just about stopped above my knees and was a shade if baby pink. It had strappy sleeves and a V-neck. I wore my honey-brown hair up in a bun. I managed to clean the pumps enough that they looked respectable. I didn't have any jewellery but I didn't mind. I wanted to look my best. I picked up the piece of glass that was my mirror. I looked grand. Okay I being modest.

Half an hour later I was deep in the massive crowd. I felt like I was being squished into a tiny space. There were people cheering and screaming but I could barely see a thing.

I was too busy being shoved from one side to another. I tried to shove my way up to the top.

I could hear a voice, but I couldn't make out what it what the voice saying. The voice went quiet and then I could hear the muffled spin of a ball. There was a silence and then the voice screamed out a name. I couldn't quite hear the name but then everyone was searching for someone.

Everything was going fuzzy. I could barely breathe. Black spots danced in front of my eyes.

A pair of fat strong arms pushed me up to the stage. The people began pushing me up. Before I could get dragged off by the crowd though, something small and cold was pushed into my hand.

I finally made it to the stage. I gasped for breath up there and the black spots began to fade.
There was a large round man in front of me. His hair was speckled grey and there were laughter lines around his eyes. He was dressed well, too well for a poor person. I recognized him. He was Rufus Galvilso!

I shook my head in awe. I must've won the Lottery! I should've been happier but the old woman's words were stuck in my mind. I was so worried and afraid about what was going to happen to me but of course I didn't show it.

"Congratulations Annabel Bendis!" Rufus Galviso boomed in his loud deep voice, "How do feel to be to be the 13th winner?" "Um...I am quite nervous to be honest," I said. It was a half-true...

"Well, you should be overjoyed to be joining upper society!" he bellowed. I found myself believing the crazy old woman's words more and more. Every time Rufus spoke I noticed more signs that he was lying. As a thief (if you could call it thievery. The corpses weren't using the things I stole anyway) and a salesperson I had to notice when the buyer was lying about the price.

"I am honoured to be joining upper society!" I said as innocently as possible. Rufus let out a guffaw and slapped me hard on the back. I smiled as convincingly as I could while trying to hide the pain.

"Well, I can tell for sure you are going to be completely fine," Rufus said, beaming. Lies, all lies. "Thank you so much!" I said, plastering a smile onto my face.

"Now, everyone give it up for Annabel!!!" Rufus bellowed. The crowd clapped and applaused! I smiled and copied Rufus' bow and he led me off stage.
I opened my palm. In it was the locket I had scavenged. It was then that I realised.

I had something the others didn't have. I had a token to remind me of home.