Scarlett
Every girl who was given the note is in the east garden with me, waiting for the elders to speak about the mate hunt.
I don’t like it.
It feels like this is some kind of ceremony before a wonderful event rather than the gathering before the storm.
The Elders stand tall and smug under a large oak tree. Their robes are dark and cult-like. And they are smiling. Not in warmth. They are wearing these big fake smiles as if they believe every female WANTS to participate in the mate hunt.
My stomach knots when Elder Delphine steps forward.
“In three days,” she says, “the Mate Hunt will begin.”
A few girls start whispering. Some of them even sound excited and mention the name of the man they plan on letting themselves get caught by in the maze. But there are some girls who are sob
