Chapter 3

           Themomenttheanthemends,wearetakenintocustody.Idon’tmeanwe’rehandcuffedoranything,butagroupofPeacekeepersmarchesusthroughthefrontdooroftheJusticeBuilding.Maybetributeshavetriedtoescapeinthepast.I’veneverseenthathappenthough.

           Onceinside,I’mconductedtoaroomandleftalone.It’stherichestplaceI’veeverbeenin,withthick,deepcarpetsandavelvetcouchandchairs.Iknowvelvetbecausemymotherhasadresswithacollarmadeofthestuff.WhenIsitonthecouch,Ican’thelprunningmyfingersoverthefabricrepeatedly.IthelpstocalmmeasItrytoprepareforthenexthour.Thetimeallottedforthetributestosaygoodbyetotheirlovedones.Icannotaffordtogetupset,toleavethisroomwithpuffyeyesandarednose.Cryingisnotanoption.Therewillbemorecamerasatthetrainstation.

           Mysisterandmymothercomefirst.IreachouttoPrimandsheclimbsonmylap,herarmsaroundmyneck,headonmyshoulder,justlikeshedidwhenshewasatoddler.Mymothersitsbesidemeandwrapsherarmsaroundus.Forafewminutes,wesaynothing.ThenIstarttellingthemallthethingstheymustremembertodo,nowthatIwillnotbetheretodothemforthem.

           Primisnottotakeanytesserae.Theycangetby,ifthey’recareful,onsellingPrim’sgoatmilkandcheeseandthesmallapothecarybusinessmymothernowrunsforthepeopleintheSeam.