- - - Piper sat by her brothers, mother close behind them. The square was packed, full of cats who just wanted to get back to work. Just another reaping.. Piper thought tiredly, waiting as a bright green cat walked to the stage and held up the glass container with the name slips in it. “Koa Alitica.” Piper zoned out after the first name, figuring it would be the same as it had been, year after year. The Crofts were lucky. A sharp whimper came from behind her, and she squeezed the paw of her younger brother. He seemed nervous. “Arthur Croft.” The named turned her blood cold, and she jumped to her feet, pushing her brother behind her. No thoughts were in her head, she just knew he wouldn’t survive. She probably wouldn’t either, but still. “I volunteer,” she mewed, lifting her head up and walking forward to the podium. She heard Arthur struggling behind her, but Timothy was holding him back. Would she ever see her brothers again? Determined not to show weakness, she tried to maintain her composure. Casting one last glance over her shoulder, she inwardly crumpled, shock, horror and sadness jolting through her veins. She felt sick, blinking hard to stop the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. What had she done to deserve this? Her mother was smiling. - - -
- - - art/writing ; wynn [ me ] - - - code ; @colorsnatch - - -