I skittered around the trunk of the tree, listening for any sign of movements. So far, none. Not even the chirp of a cricket. I supposed this was what my home had become after the Hunters had taken over.

CRUNCH

I whipped out my knife and lunged toward the source of the sound, teeth bared. I brought my arm back and swung-

“Wait! Please! It’s me!”

I stopped in mid-motion. “Travis?” I kept the knife up, though.

In the dim light, I saw a teenager with cobalt around my age. He nodded, desperately.

“What are you doing here?” I growled, taking a step closer.

He backed up. “I didn’t choose to be here! None of us did.”

I spat at the ground. “Stupid bloodline.” Eyeing him, I said, “give me one reason of why I shouldn’t kill you.”

His eye widened in fear. “You wouldn’t!”

“Why shouldn’t I? Your group destroyed the only place I call home, they killed my sister who was only the age of six, and they’re forcing twenty other people to do these trials, and see if we survive. You said you didn’t have a choice? You said you didn’t want to be here? Well, if I kill you, you don’t have to be here.” Then I slashed.