The Recall Trials

Carter appeared out of nowhere beside me, gripping my arm so hard it almost hurt. His eyes were red-rimmed, blinking back tears that kept spilling over anyway. "Vincent," he whispered. "Come on, man. Let them... Let them take her."

But I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. The smell of metal and antiseptic seemed to close in around me.

The guards stepped forward in silence. They bent and lifted Jojo’s body. Her head lolled sideways, limp and pale, a smear of blood dried at the corner of her mouth.

I reached out, grabbing her hand one last time before they could pull her away. My fingers curled around hers under the thin sheet. She felt cold. So impossibly cold.

"Goodbye, Jojo," I whispered.

One of the guards gently tugged her hand from mine. They laid her inside a black, box-like case and pulled the cover over her face.

Zaara let out a noise. She dropped onto the edge of her cot, burying her face in trembling hands. Her shoulders heaved as she wept silently.

The guards lifted the box and carried Jojo away. Every contestant stood frozen, watching as they disappeared through the heavy steel doors.

I kept staring at Jojo’s empty bed, at the impression her body had left on the mattress. My vision blurred with tears.

Carter was still standing beside me, one hand on my shoulder now, squeezing like he was trying to anchor me to reality. His breath hitched in his chest.