There are many theories about the town hall

  that created Violet Asher. Some condemn

  the council for creating the Cruel Ivy Killer.

  Others praise them, saying they were the first

  to recognize a monster in their midst.

  Most agree they should have been either more

  kind, or more harsh. They think one of the two

  could have saved lives. Me?

  I don’t think it mattered.

  This was all inevitable the day Violet was born.

  —Vernon Vale, Personal Interview

  Violet wasn’t paying much attention to the town hall. Mayor Greenwood was chattering away about any insignificant thing he could think of. Fence lines, community festivals months in the future, and hour changes on public services. But the town bell had rung four times. The entire town had been called to a mandatory meeting, and it wasn’t to make sure everyone knew how tall future houses were allowed to be before beginning construction. A mandatory town hall was always about the Lancer expeditions. Always. So she tuned out the monotonous voice as the mayor stalled. Instead, she considered what she would do if Alex were selected.

  It was true that his mother was on the city council, and she’d fight to her last breath to keep him safe. Unlike Violet, his parents would care if he died. He didn’t have any better, less disappointing siblings like she did. But if his mother could guarantee his safety, she wouldn’t have been trying to send him away to school before he could be chosen. Whatever jabs Violet had made at Chase, she knew it wasn’t impossible. Alex would, in fact, be one of the best choices for a temporary porter. Strong and reliable, but obedient to a fault. His “Lumberjack” calling offered him energy and a natural sort of bulk. He wasn’t the brightest boy in school, but his constitution attribute alone was impressive enough to make him dangerous in a fight. For the job of carrying supplies, keeping up, and having a chance at surviving… he was the perfect choice. One of the best, really.

  And if that happened, she needed a new plan. She had no romantic or even physical interest in him, but he was useful. Alex was attracted to Violet, and Violet enjoyed dating Alex… in a way. She didn’t know how to pursue her calling, but when she was spending time around him, she always felt like she was close. When she said the right words or got just the right reaction. It was almost like she was right on the cusp. It wasn’t much, but it was some measure of hope. Some measure of control. The only control she could find on a mountain whose people rejected her.

  If she couldn’t feed her calling, she knew there would be no work for her. No home. In the eyes of the town, she was a child to be owned and one with no utility. But she wasn’t interested in their opinion. That wasn’t why she wanted to find a calling. She was only interested in the small feeling of progress she got when she was around Alex. It felt… good. Like scratching at an itch that’s just out of reach on your back. She could feel that she’d touched on something, and she knew if she pushed just a bit harder, she’d finally break through.

  And once she did, she could finally stop “surviving” and start enjoying her life. The lack of control she had over her future burned like too much sun. Her entire body itched, and the pain just crept deeper and deeper into her soul. Alex wasn’t the only person who could inspire that faint response from her calling, but he was the one who could do it most consistently. Part of her wanted to bite her thumbnail and calm her nerves. But if there was one thing in this world she could control, it was her composure. Onlookers nearby could see concern, but each movement of her body led them to believe she carried it for the boy next to her. She was pleasant and wore a sympathetic smile. Her arm rubbed his back as she whispered in his ear.

  “Don’t worry, Alex. You have nothing to worry about. Strength alone won’t be enough for them to choose you. They need more than that. And with your mom defending you, you’re safe, and we can stay together,” she assured. Alex’s shoulder slumped under the words, but he offered his best attempt at a grateful smile anyway. As usual, Violet felt that tiny spark, like her soul was trying to eat, but its teeth couldn’t quite sink into the tough meat it had been served.

  “Thanks, Vi. I’m sure you’re right,” he responded under his breath. She offered him a toothy grin. The room had grown quieter, and the tone in the Mayor’s voice indicated he was done stalling and would announce the name of the elected porter in short order.

  “Of course! I know you need me to sort through these things. It’s not your fault, really. I know that. It’s alright to be worried. You can count on me to keep you grounded, I promise,” she replied.

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  “Yeah, you’re right,” Alex agreed. “Love you, Vi.”

  “I’m glad I could help,” Violet nodded. “I’ll take care of you.” As Violet made her promises to her boyfriend, she failed to notice the Mayor on his podium, offering her an apologetic look.

  “Violet Asher,” the mayor's voice announced. The room was as quiet as a funeral—which was exactly what it had become, in a way. Violet didn’t process the meaning of her name as an announcement for a long moment. She hadn’t been listening, and for a moment she thought Greenwood was reprimanding her for speaking over the meeting. But as the eyes settled on her, she realized the truth without needing an explanation. She took them all in at once. The smirks. The pity. The contempt. The winces. All of them, eyes looking down at her like she was two feet tall. “Violet Asher has been selected to act as porter for the Lancers until a replacement can be sent from the capital. Violet, can you please come to the front?” he continued.

  It was finally happening. Violet knew it would eventually. She was a waste of resources, and she was being disposed of. The timing made little sense. The job she’d been assigned wasn’t unimportant, and they’d lose more resources sacrificing her than they’d save with her absence. But as her eyes scanned the council on the stage, she understood. Caitlyn, Alex’s mother, refused to meet her eyes. Apparently, the woman had more influence than Violet had assumed. Caitlyn had spared her son from risk and disposed of his unsuitable girlfriend with a single move. Violet was to be sent into the mist. Somehow, Caitlyn had convinced the rest of the council to sacrifice her, despite the poor timing. It was the only thing that made sense.

  Violet watched the three exits with her peripherals. They weren’t guarded, exactly. Not openly, anyway. But one had a Lancer seated suspiciously nearby, and the other two had at least one person of a particularly high degree sitting near them. Not that this would be needed. Even a child could outrun and overpower a degree zero. Violet couldn’t flee, and even if she could, where would she go? The town was surrounded by deadly mist, and it wasn’t that large. She’d be found eventually, and, porter or otherwise, she’d find herself in the mist within the week, regardless. It still bothered her. Just the act sent a message to her. She had no say in her life. No control. It hurt.

  But she didn’t let her smile falter, even as she allowed her obvious nerves to color it. She stood, only a little shakily. Alex grabbed her arm to stop her, and she looked down at him. “Violet, I’m so sorry! I won’t let them do this to you, I promise,” he said.

  “It’s alright.” Violet assured with smiling eyes, “Really, I’ll be fine.” She tried to leave again and approach the podium as she’d been instructed. But Alex wouldn’t let go, and she only managed to uselessly pull on her arm. She turned again.

  “I can’t lose you, Violet. I love you. You’re the only person I trust. Please, don’t go up there,” he begged.

  “I’m sorry, Alex, we all have a role to play,” she responded. “But I’ll come back, I promise.” She was getting irritated, and her composure was already more fragile than it had been in years. A well-worn mask was beginning to crack, and she had little patience for Alex’s pushing. Especially since it had been his mother who had put her in this position.

  “Please, just once, say it back?” he whispered. Violet suppressed a growl as his grip tightened around her wrist, but her smile didn’t falter.

  “Say what?” she asked. “Alex, I really need to go.”

  “Just… just once. Say you love me too? In case you don’t come back?” She couldn’t believe her ears. She couldn’t process that, after everything, and even as his own mother was sending her to her death—that was what he was thinking about. That the tragedy of her failure to return would be that she’d never lied about loving him. Her mask cracked, but her smile didn’t falter. Instead, she bent down until her lips were right next to his ear. She whispered so quietly that even then, he could barely make out her words.

  “Thank you, Alex. For your love. All it cost me was my fucking life. Thank you so much for that. If I don’t come back, remember that. Remember that your love was so precious that it got me killed,” she whispered. She then pressed her lips to his cheek in a long, deliberate, and emotionless kiss. Finally, his hand released her wrist, and she stood, her nervous smile back in place. She maintained eye contact with him for a brief moment, and the corners of her mouth spread further, revealing her top row of teeth. After a quiet moment, she broke eye contact and sidled her way through the aisle. Finally, she made her way to the front of the room. “Sorry, Mr. Mayor, my adoring boyfriend had a little trouble letting go,” she said as she reached the front.

  Mayor Greenwood cleared his throat, looking at the crowd to avoid meeting Violet’s eyes. Somehow, her smile made it more difficult for him. “Of course, of course,” he agreed. “We’re very sorry, Violet. For asking so much of you. Do you understand what you need to do?” Violet nodded.

  “Oh, of course! Everyone has to contribute, right? I understand!” Violet agreed as cheerfully as she thought she could get away with. She allowed the start of choked sounds to enter her voice just frequently enough to reveal fear without overdoing it. Violet scanned the crowd. All those different looks, all like she was a bug on the ground, were still locked on her. Chase was actually smirking. Violet looked back at the council, letting her gaze land on Caitlyn. “I’m certain I was chosen for a reason, right? I’ll do the best I can, I promise.”

  The Mayor coughed again. Violet was well known around town, as was her amiable demeanor, but even then, he was surprised at her pleasant response. “I-I’m glad to hear you say so,” Greenwood responded. “As usual, whenever one of our citizens is asked to venture into the mist, we gather everyone here to listen to any requests you have in exchange for your service. If anyone in the crowd can, they’ll try to fulfill it,” he promised. Violet only scoffed internally. That wasn’t why people were gathered, and everyone knew it. They announced it like this so the selected sacrifice couldn’t run. Everyone in town was there so that no one in town could escape selection. And, of course, no one would offer to help Violet with anything. That would only be a waste.

  But somehow, she didn’t mind. She was actually in high spirits. She broke her eyes from Caitlyn and looked at the Mayor. “Oh, I don’t need much. I only ask that everyone remember me, and that those who love me keep that love in mind. We’ll always be connected, and if I don’t come back…” Violet sniffled a little, clasping her hands together behind her back and locking her gaze on Alex again. Again, her spirits rose. Because as she looked at his eyes like shattered glass, she could feel it. Her calling. When she’d whispered to him, her spirit had felt growth like never before. Just a little more, and she knew. She knew she would finally have a calling. And with a calling, she could survive.

  “If I don’t come back, remember how that love connects us like a rope, and how that rope can keep us connected even if I die. I love you, too.”