"You are assigned to go fetch the ball."
It felt as if every hair on my skin stood on end. My breathing stopped, and all I could do was clasp my trembling hands together.
"What?"
My mouth parted in shock. Surely this had to be a dream. I wasn't really being sent into the forest to fetch some… Wait, why was he staring at me like that? Was he serious?
A nervous laugh rose in my chest and I clapped my hands together. "You are joking, right?"
I heard low gasps around me and caught several stunned stares and hushed murmurs.
"Does she want to be beheaded?"
"She talks too boldly."
I slapped a hand over my forehead. This had to be a mistake. No, no, I just wanted to be away from here. God, please, make a way for me. I tried to catch my breath, but it was funny—breathing had suddenly become impossible.
"Take her to the edge of the forest," the announcer commanded, pointing to a guard. I yipped back in fear.
