Chapter Seven

We approached what I assumed was a large room due to the ornate looming double doors that secured it. It was a heavy wood door with gold leafing for decor. Whoever was behind the door had to be important. I’d notice the door once before and took note of it. But by the time I passed the same location again, it was gone in the labyrinth known as Eden. 

I curse the individuals responsible for designing Eden. 

The doors cracked out open, creaking as it split in front of us. My anxiety was already sky high because we had no idea what waited for us on the otherside. What if they had been lying to us this whole time and our 18th birthday was actually today instead of tomorrow. I could see them justifying their treachery by telling us that they didn’t want to be cruel and wanted to put us out of the misery of waiting another day to discover our fate. I wouldn’t put it past them. 

We were herded in–our slippered feet barely making a sound louder than a whisper as we filed in one-by-one behind one another. I felt a heaviness as soon as I crossed the threshold, and I’d be my last day of life that it was Judge Jackson. I looked in the direction, and it was him. He smiled and nodded at me. To any other girl, she may have thought his smile was polite, maybe even sweet, but I knew it was a dangerous smile of a man eager to kill. 

After I broke eye contact, I realized that the room was crowded with men in military uniforms that sat on the platform with Judge Jackson. However, their uniforms differed from Judge Jackson. He wore an overcoat unlike the rest of them and his badge slightly differed from the rest. It dawned on me that all of the men on stage were judges. They would determine if we lived and passed to mate selection or if we died. In that moment, I felt there was no possibility of escape and that perhaps my theory from earlier was correct. We were being judged. 

A woman stepped to a microphone on the platform. 

“Happy birthday, Breeders, and welcome to The Selection. My name is Regulator Thalios Monroe, and I am the coordinator of this year’s Breeder Selection. I will personally oversee the ceremony and that all rules are upheld. Most of you will leave Eden and fulfill your true destiny. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the latter; however, your memory will live on with your sisters.”

Is she for real with this speech? Is this supposed to make us feel better?

“We will begin with The Reveal. Breeders, will you please form a circle within your sequence group and perform the rite?”

I glanced around the room awkwardly as the girls from Breeder Group A and Breeder Group B formed their circles. I was the odd duck left out. I blushed when Regulator Monroe’s eyes landed on me. For some reason, I sought out a response from Judge Jackson. He still wore his signature dangerous smile, but this time his fingers were steeped in amusement. The judge to the right of him leaned over and whispered in his ear. I glared at him angrily when he chuckled. I had a feeling they were laughing at me. How cruel did they have to be to mock someone who may be sentenced to death?

“Breeder C, join Group B.”

I nodded and scurried to the group, standing by my friend, Mary. 

“It’s okay, Imani,” she whispered to me, squeezing my hand in comfort.

We looked to Supervisor Rachel for guidance who raised her hand in the air, fingers spread wide. She closed it into a tight fist, signaling for us to begin. We grabbed hands and chanted The Breeder’s Affirmation. Initially, the chants were loud, but then dropped by the time we repeated the affirmation for the second time. I looked around the circle and noticed that the girls were starting to slightly change. It was in their eyes. Their pupil dilated and their mouths moved rapidly. 

They must be talking to their wolves!

“Mary, do you feel your wolf?” I whispered to her. She didn’t answer. I chanced a glance beside me and found she shared the same unfocused expression on her face like the other girls. I felt absolutely nothing. 

I don’t have a wolf. 

I focused on repeating the Breeder’s Affirmation, fearful that I’d be discovered. 

Suddenly a shot rang out. A girl from Breeder Group A fell onto the floor. Something strange grew out of her back, but I couldn’t tell what it was from where I was standing, but it was clear she’d mutated. I screwed my eyes shut as more shots rang out. The girl to the left of me released my hand and landed on the ground with a loud thud. I cracked an eye open and noticed everyone in my circle were immersed in the ritual. Their bodies were present, but their minds weren’t. 

It’s only a matter of time before I’m next.

I closed my eyes again and muttered the words louder, attempting to drown out the heavy steps that walked in my direction. I felt it–cold steel against the back of my head. Sweat beaded on my forehead and I shook with fear, knowing my moment would come any second. At that point, I welcomed it. I wanted to be taken away from the horror around me. 

I felt the gun move from my head and felt warm breath on my ear.

“Why are you still concious?” Judge Jackson asked. The tighteness of anxiety gripped my chest, forcing all the air out. “I was hoping it didn’t come down to this, little lamb,” he sighed. I barely heard him over the sound of the crescendo of a bullet loading into the chamber of his gun. “Little Lamb, you’re the last one left, and I’ve stalled for as long as I can. You do not have a wolf.”

“P-please…don’t.”

“Mmm. I very much like the sound of you begging. It pleases me so,” he taunted, voice thick with an emotion I couldn’t comprehend. “Beg for me, Little Lamb.”

I snapped. It didn’t matter. I was at the end. I didn’t have a wolf, and didn’t have anything to lose. If I was going out, it wouldn’t be begging a man for anything. 

“Fuck you.”

Those were the last words I said before the gun went off.