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All of your friends got It.

In fact, you're the only one who didn't get It.

The only one.

Sighing, she brushed some crumbs of dirt off of her old jeans and made her way towards The Hall once more. It would be the last time for the week..hopefully. All she needed was a few medicinal supplies, some rations, and some batteries for my ittle brother's CD player. If she could just get past Rogenroza Hill without alerting the Ojos, then she would be fine.

It's just something so small.

What's the big deal?

Are you scared?

Take It.

Everything changed since Speedy died. Normally, he would be the one to run the errands for the dejado atrás while she tended to the wounded. Occasionally, she would travel with him if the conditions allowed, but never alone. He was the only one brave enough to go out face whatever perils lie waiting. Now it was only her and it wasn't by choice.

Every trip was a certified death sentence. Dangerous isn't even close to the word. With the increase of the Ojos patrols throughout the city, and the Desalmado roaming around the outskirts at dusk, it was a suicide. If you got caught by the Ojos, then you were a goner. No one would see you again. If you got caught by the Desalmado, you were dead. Simple as that.

A cool breeze tickled the back of her neck, causing her to snap out of her daze. "I've got to hurry. I don't have much time". Pulling herself together, she sped along hurriedly in a tight crouch making sure to stay close to the shadows of the trees. The sun was setting, which meant at any moment the Desalmado would be out hunting.

You could avoid all of this.

You can be protected.

You can live.

All of this can go away. You know what you have to do.

Finally, she could see Rogenroza Hill. Streams began to trickle down her cheeks as she silently pushed forward. This was it. This is where it all started for her three years ago. This is where her world came crashing down.

The Great Denial.

It was where the Ojos gathered everyone together on Rogenroza Hill and offered them the opportunity to receive It. For those who took It, they got to go inside Green Island. For those who refused, they were either executed or sent to Summer Camp. She was one of the few who managed to escape the whole ordeal. Her parents weren't so lucky.

"Get it together, Rena! You ain't got time to be cryin' like this. You know them thangs finna be out at any second!" Rena whipped her head around to find the source of the noise. A tall, lanky young man came forward out of the nearby trees with his finger to his lips. "You was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. I was about to leave your narrow behind and head back. You got the necklace?"

Breathing a sigh of relief, Rena nervously fumbled around in her pocket. Seconds later her hand emerged grasping a small, heart shaped locket. "Is this it, Slink?" Rena asked nervously. "Yeah...that's it. You better make sure you don't drop it between here and The Hall. That's the only thing that's gone let you in." Slink whispered sternly. "Come on! Let's go before the sun finishes setting. I got a bad feeling them Ojos got a night raid planned and I ain't tryna see any of it."

Rena's eyes became as big as saucers. Speedy told her about some of the night raids the Ojos would do. Bodies upon bodies would pile in the streets, only to be thrown outside of Green Island to be eaten by the Desalmado. Hopefully, that wouldn't be the case tonight. Hopefully, they could make it to The Hall in just enough time so they could avoid all of it all together. Hopefully, just maybe, all of this could disappear just as fast as it started.