"Alright, chosen. We are going to walk out soon, heads held high. You are some of the strongest of the age."

Honestly, the parade was a blur. We just walked, nothing more. When it was over, Kelen cried again. I'm unsure if it was because she liked the parade with all the cheering people or because she saw her family ready to bring her home. As they went to, I grabbed Navy.

"Hey, don't tie her up. No one deserves that." He nodded and walked away.

"Did you lie?" Without turning, I knew it was Priveaux. She towered over me, arms folded to intimidate me.

"What reason would I have to lie? Pretending I don't have magic, so I am never trained in that? Then pick the most compassionate profession, so that's what... I can die faster." She shook her head. "I am a healer; it is all I have ever done and all I have ever wanted to be. I didn't ask for this. I help people, not hurt them; it's just not in me. I couldn't hurt you or Kelen or anyone. My only hope is that someone kills me quick and painless because I won't kill them." She sucked in a breath at kills me quick, almost like she didn't like that idea.

"I believe you," she said.

"Now, only if Mother would"

"I'll get her to stop."

"Can I ask you a question?" She looked at me, waiting. This might have been the most extended conversation we had ever had. "Do you think that there is anything past the cloud?"

"No," she said, then walked away, and I followed, a little deflated. I thought she was what Mr. Louis'Louis meant when he said I was not alone.

My father tossed bags in my room to pack for the great slaughter. I just didn't know what I was going to need. I mainly decided on herbs and other remedies, figuring that was what I needed most. I wished I had taken any training courses so I would know what to expect, but I never thought this would be my fate.

"Are you done packing?" Prideaux asked, coming into the room.

"I think I am," I responded. Prideaux looked at what I had packed and started fixing all the mistakes I had made, and honestly, most of what I packed came out of the bag.

"you aren't going on vacation. What you bring, you need to be able to carry. I understand that these medicines are what you know, but the bottles make noise and are too heavy to run with. You should not plan on changing often. Bring one set of extra clothes; you have a second to change into when you need to wash the first. Bedding and sleeping arrangements will be scarce, so go light, then find shelter on the island. You need something to carry water and food and rope to store the food away from animals." Prideaux explained while repacking my bag.

"Thank you," I hesitated. I want to tell Pridux everything that Mr. Louise told me. I want her on my side because that is a battle half-won. "I want to talk to you about..."

"Don't we shouldn't talk about the island when we are on the ship? We should separate. I don't... I just... think it would be best for everyone if we stayed away from each other."

"I well, I thought... It is just Mr. Louise, he said..."

"You are all packed. You should put it in the carriage and lay out your clothes for tomorrow, then get to sleep. Father is driving us to the docks early in the morning. I think Atticus and Mother are going to see us off as well." Then she was gone, and all those thoughts in my head were left unsaid. Prideaux and I were never close, but I think that maybe the idea of me dying is killing her as much as the idea of her death has always killed me. I have not been invited to eat with my family since my outburst; instead, my Mother tossed a plate for me into my room. Most of the food fell on the floor, but I didn't complain. I just wiped it off and ate it since asking for more would probably not go over well.

The morning is silent as the dead. We pack the entire family up, but no one looks at Prideaux or me. We are staring straight ahead. The family climbs out at the docks. They are more somber than usual. Families, of course, are gathered to say perhaps their last goodbyes. I went to the docks before the fishing ships pulled up and tied off to the thick wood poles. There are fisheries along the road. In the distance, you can see the island we are being sent to. I never thought the island looked menacing before; it was green and lush and barely noticeable on the horizon, but now it was all I could look at as we moved through the crowds. Ultimately, the ship loaded the champions, and we made our way over. Atticus grabbed my hand as we walked.

"I don't know what to say at a time like this," Atticus whispered.