Jamie, the second eldest boy, snorts quietly and turns over, his cool body pressing up against mine. That just made me want to stay even more. With my sister's so...how do i say it?...screwed up in the head, I was the last sane one in the family. My leaving meant that the nine boys were to be subjected to the same future as the rest of the Republic. Oh believe me, that whole year i kept wondering what i could do to bring them along. But with the youngest being a toddler who could barely walk, I figured I best leave them here with the adults. Then i thought about bringing Jamie, my 12 year old brother, but he was far too quiet and too loyal to think about running away. He could take care of the family when I'm gone.
I had a teddy bear named Tay-Bah - the product of my infant inability to say 'teddy bear' - who was my dearest love. He was brown and impossibly dirty, both of his button eyes gone and the string that used to be his mouth hung limply down, barely holding on. He'd fit in my bag, i knew he would, but I figured i'd be better off leaving him here. Two weeks ago I'd ripped open the seam on the back and shoved a hastily written note inside before stitching him back up again. If Jamie was as observant as i thought, there's no way he'd be able to miss it.
I drew in a long, deep breath, glancing at the clock.
11:59.
I closed my eyes and wished my birthday away so i wouldn't have to leave.
12:00. The lone grandfather clock that was my mother's pride and joy clangs 12 times, each stoke doing its duty to fill me with more dread.
I had to go. They'd be there for me within 8 hours, and the earlier i left, the further away i could manage to be before someone came looking.
It was time. Either i grew a pair and ran, saving my own skin, or I laid there and was taken away, which was a downside, but i'd get to stay with my family until I married out.
No. I had to go.
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