The Selection

Chapter 56: Execution

Ember's POV

When Gabriel told me about the unanimous vote everything began to feel final. I felt myself relax as the rebels began to lose hope in their leaders, their whole foundation caving in from the top and down. I began to feel myself trust the dark a little more, I could walk outside without shaking and most importantly I began to accept the death of my father. I liked to focus on the bad he did. How he was trying to convince Olivianna to kill me when I was pregnant and berate me in front of cameras.

The next month and couple of weeks were a ticking clock. Gabe and I ignored the society around us, watching Christian grow. He changed every single day. Sitting up and forming words before I could soak in his newborn days. I thought about the day he'd be forced to marry if we couldn't find a loophole with the selection.

I couldn't even think of him being in harm because it physically hurt my heart, so I didn't. I thought of my little family and how strong we are and how one day, Illeá will be ruled by us and the country will be stronger than it ever was. We just have to get through today.

The execution will be held tomorrow and there's no stopping it. It will be
televised, the press will be front row and Gabriel and I will be appointed to be there. The whole face of Illeá realizes what this means. A war.

"How long do you think it will take?" I asked Gabe as we laid down to sleep.

He immediately knew what I was talking about, because he let out a heavy sigh, "I don't know, Ember. I guess we'll find out tomorrow."

I listened to Gabe's breathing, never becoming even as he stared to the ceiling like I did. Neither of us said a word, too many thoughts filled our heads as our parents were being thrown into damnation tomorrow.

"Are you asleep?" Gabe asked me after about an hour of silence.

"No," I whispered still turned away from him.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course," I told him, never moving.

"Well it's two questions really, but I think the second will make you angry with me," he admitted shyly. "But I have to ask it before I go insane."

"Let's ask the one that won't make me angry first," I suggested.

"All right," he agreed. "How does it feel... to lose someone you love?"

I turned to lay on my back and stared at the canopy above us, letting a lump slide down my throat.

"It's... difficult but uh- well you get through it. Afterwards you think the hole in your heart will never be healed, especially when it's one heartbreak after another but when you think about the person you love waiting for you and helping you through it, it becomes easier."

"Okay, that makes me really not want to ask the second question," he looked away from me.

"Well now I'm interested so you have to," I whispered.

He sighed, "Okay, I'd like to start out with I love you."

"And I love you," I said.

"Okay," he paused and breathed heavily for a couple moments. "You and Adam spent a lot of alone time together..."

I turned my head and eyed him incredulously, waiting for him to finish his stupid statement.

"Yeah?" I said, squinting.

"Nothing happened-" he coughed, embarrassed by his own question, "I mean, you know, you two- he didn't come on to you?"

I thought my response would be anger, rage maybe a little cursing but instead I burst into laughter, uncontrollable laughter that had tears rolling down my face.