It was 5:00 in the morning when a big black SUV came to take me away. I was wearing my medium dirty blonde hair in a tight ponytail, with jeans, knee high boots, and a blue knitted sweater, it brought out my icy blue eyes. I would’ve looked beautiful, maybe even fierce, if it weren’t for the bags under my eyes and my mouth pressed down into a slight frown. I wanted to be strong, but this was not like the movies, where the girl with no purpose gets taken by the government, she joins a war and fights. She becomes a hero... It’s impossible to be strong when you are leaving everything you’ve ever known. I said goodbye to my family last night, I knew if I saw them this morning I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to leave. I walk out into the crisp winter air, I can’t help but shiver a little as I make my way to the black car waiting to take me to my future. I take one last look at my old life and step into my new one.

~

There are about five other girls in the back of the car. The driver closes the door and says nothing to me. We start to drive away, and I can feel my eyes start to well up a little. I swallow my tears, and the lump in my throat as best I can, I have to be strong. Eventually, it becomes my mantra, in my head I chant, “I will be strong, I will be strong I will be strong.” It’s on a constant loop. Maybe if I say it enough it will come true. It’s funny to think how just a few days ago, I was Avivia Chelemburg, not number 53. I find it hard to recall the events of this past week, it’s been a whirlwind. Just thinking about it makes my head throb.

~

Just five days ago my parents got a letter saying I was chosen to run for a government position. The last lady on office had died, so a new one needed to take her place. This was an especially high honor as only one lady is allowed in the chambers. The chambers...where all the decisions about how I live are made. It’s a hard concept to grasp, especially for outsiders. My train of thought is broken by a ringing in my ears, it drowns everything else out. It’s painful, and never ending. Just then I see the driver gesture to me, he’s holding up what looks to be a glass of champagne. I shake my head no, if I don’t feel well now, champagne will not make me feel any better. He smiles and nods. I see that all the other girls are happily drinking their champagne. I feel a hand on my arm, at first it’s a light touch, it reminds me of my mother’s soft hands. Then I feel fingernails digging into my flesh, drawing blood. I suck in a breath. I had been so busy looking out the window and trying to get this God forsaken ringing to stop I hadn’t even noticed the other girls have fallen asleep. Maybe the girl next to me was having a bad dream. Maybe it’s wrong but I couldn’t stop myself, I reach out and take her hand. It’s unusually cold. I can’t help but want to comfort this poor girl, she must be as scared as I am. I study her face for a moment, she is beautiful. A round face with pronounced cheek bones. She’s so pale, maybe she is sick. Then, just as quick as it came, the ringing stops. The driver turns around and smiles at me, it’s an eerie smile, that sends a shiver up my spine. “Congratulations number 53, you’ve passed your first test.” Then it hits me, hard, like a cold hard smack to the face, the girl isn’t asleep. 

~

She’s dead.

~

 And I could be too if I’m not careful. 

     Hello! My name is Audrey. I wanted to thank you for taking some time out of your busy life to read what I have wrote. It really does mean a great deal to me. I have been thinking about writing a book for a long time, but things just did not line up, I didn't have a plot idea, or I couldn't find the right program to upload it onto. But now everything seems to be perfect. So, I knew I had to do it. Again, I hope you enjoy The Art Of Betrayal, it sure has been a blast to write. I sincerely apologize for any spelling or grammar mistakes you may come across, I proofread and edit each chapter rigorously, but I cannot always find every mistake. Please let me know if you come across errors in my writing. I appreciate it. Happy Reading! 

     It was early morning when we reached the government building. I was sitting in a black car with a strange man, surrounded by dead, innocent girls. I felt a slight pressure in my hand when I realized that I was still holding the dead girl’s hand. I let out a small squeak and pulled my hand away. The limp hand fell to the floor with a small thud. I couldn’t stomach any of this. I turned and vomited away from the bodies. Just then the driver came and opened the door for me, he offered me his help “I can do it myself” I mumbled.  I had a feeling knifes we’re going to fly out of his hands and kill me too, but they didn’t. The man walked me into the big glass building, it was huge, it made me dizzy to look at the very top. We walked down a narrow hallway and into an elevator. The man jammed his finger into the button labeled 50. “All the 50’s are on this floor, there are 10 apartments on each floor, each floor counting up by 10s, you are not to leave your room until we say so over the intercom. Your personal item will be brought up to your room. At 5:00 sharp you will get your uniform, oh and get cleaned up, you need it.” He threw all of this at me very quickly, it took me a moment before I replied, “Thank you sir.” He unlocked a door leading to a room, and shoved me inside. The room was gray, with a small black desk, a matching nightstand, and a dresser. There was a big window overlooking the capital, and a luxurious yellow bed. 

~

I heard 5 distinct dings in the distance, signaling 5:00 p.m. Just then 3 girls rushed into my room, carrying dresses, makeup pallets and shampoo. They didn’t say a word, they just got to work starting a bath for me. Once the tub was full I hopped in, I scrubbed myself so hard, my hands began to bleed. You can scrub dirt until it comes out, you can scrub until you smell of bubbles and artificial cookies, but it’s impossible to scrub away death. It sinks into your pores and clings to your hair, it will never come out, it will always walk with me always haunt me. If only I could have saved them...if only. I was so lost in thought that I don’t even realize the ladies had finished my hair makeup and dress. 

~

I looked stunning. I looked regal and ladylike. But all of this was just a mask to hide my mourning heart. The ladies gave me directions to the dining room, swiftly I headed down. I was overwhelmed with the grand scheme of it all. The high ceiling, the glass walls, and the big wooden benches reminded me of the beautiful park benches the rich folks would sit on. I saw only one open seat. I went and quietly sat down. The girl next to me was looking down at her lap. She had brilliant fiery hair and striking green eyes. She looked up at me expectantly. Suddenly the sorrow was gone, I had no idea what this girl saw, But, I wanted her to see me, not the broken version. I needed to be myself. I needed a friend and she looked like she needed one too. “Hi, I’m Avivia. And you are?” “Hi, I’m number 54.” At this I rolled my eyes at her. “No silly, what’s your real name?” She blushed. “Im Scarlett. And I really don’t like the people here already.” She frowned slightly. “I’m guessing they gave you champagne too?” I nodded “They sure tried.” Scarlett and I talked all through the delectable dinner. By the time we were riding up he elevator and heading back to our rooms, I was exhausted. I fell into my soft bed without taking anything off. I fell into a deep dreamless sleep.