The elders have spoken about this day since we were able to walk. They said it could be anyone one of us, this ritual happens every 3 years. It could be anyone, no matter the age, size, shape, gender, it could be anyone. You wouldn't know it was you until it was happening, you would be taken without warning and your family has to find you before the sun rises the next day. 3 years ago, it was the 12 year old girl that lived a few houses down. Her family didn't find her before the sun rose and she's been missing ever since. No one knows where they go or where the people are hidden. If you find your family, you're never allowed to speak of it again or there would be severe consequences.

I always knew that there was a possibility of my name being drawn, I knew there was a chance that I would be next. I just didn't expect it to be so soon, I didn't think that I would actually be selected. Now here I am, nineteen and curled up in a corner as I count down the hours until sunrise. There is a clock hung on the wall in front of me, the red numbers seem to be taunting me. My eyes are glued to flashing dots, "21:13" it says. It's already been 12 hours. The minutes feel like seconds and hours feel like minutes, I wonder if my family has gotten any clues.

The silence is deafening, the lights are blinding, and the time is flying. There's a knot in my stomach as I watch 15 more minutes pass by. I wonder if they've noticed I was gone, they must think I stayed at a friend's house. My nails dig into my skin, I don't want to go missing. I was just starting to be happy with everything, I was just starting to pull my life together again.

I wish there was a world where this didn't happen, where no one went missing like this. Where we didn't have to fear for our lives and act as if nothing is happening to us. I hate this, I hate this world, I hate the elders and whoever created this sick game. We shouldn't have to suffer like this for no good reason.

I blink slowly, my eyes water from the burn. I just want to return home but I don't think there will be any hope for me. It's already been so long, I don't think that I'll ever return. I should've been better, a better sister, a better friend, a better person. I should've spent time with my family instead of lazing in my bed. It's my fault I never got to say goodbye. It's my fault that I'm longing to do more for them now instead of doing it before. I wish I could turn back time and live everyday as if it were my last because now, it really is my last.