His parents proceed to tell him about the droughts and the food shortages, diseases that have killed both crops and livestock alike. They open his eyes to what they’d previously hidden from him - that their country’s resources are dwindling. That they are all slowly dying.

When Blaine is ten, he learns about the practice of betrothal. He’s taught that halfway around the world, there lies a large, prosperous country that has more natural resources than they know what to do with. A country where food and water are bountiful and no one has to go hungry for days at a time so that other members of their family may eat.

He also learns that this far away country has its own problems. He’s taught that a sweeping plague has rendered every man and woman barren and that no one has been able to conceive a child for decades.

Blaine is taught that both countries are equally hurting, that both of them are dying, and that betrothal is mutually beneficial.

The teachers are enthusiastic when they explain these things, making the practice sound like it truly is a good thing for everybody. And maybe it is. After all, with the “exchange”, the other country will have young people that can conceive children and Blaine’s own impoverished country will be reimbursed with the food and water it so desperately needs.

But even at the tender age of ten, Blaine understands that the practice is nothing more than glorified slavery. He understands that those that are betrothed, either by the government or their own family members, are nothing more than chattel.

When Blaine is twelve, his parents have another child. They name her Samantha. Despite the fact that things do get tougher, he loves her with a fierceness that surprises him. Even if soon enough he’s going to bed hungry nearly every night.

When Blaine is fourteen, his best friend Wes is betrothed. He cries, frightened for Wes, frightened for himself. Betrothal has never hit so close to home before and it isn’t too long before Wes is taken from him forever.

That night he begs his parents to keep him. That no matter what happens, to please keep him. His parents hold him and promise that everything will be all right. They promise him that they will never give him over, no matter how bad things get.

They will never give him over.

Blaine is just shy of seventeen when he is betrothed. His parents weep when they tell him. They tell him that they’re sorry, so sorry. That the government came to them, that feeding him and his sister has been so hard and that the government’s offer was too good.

They promise him that he is being betrothed to a good man. They tell him that he will have a good life, plenty to eat, no more worries about his next meal, no more dizzy spells because he hasn’t eaten in days.

Blaine weeps too. He’s too frightened to be angry with his parents for failing to live up to their promise. Besides, he’s always known that this would happen. Somehow, he’s always known.

He wipes at his tears and tries to steady his voice. “When do I have to go?”

“Your mate will be here tomorrow.”

Blaine makes note of the word. Mate. Not husband, not lover, not boyfriend.

Mate. It sounds cold and brutal to his ears.

“So soon?” he asks.

“He’s very excited to be with you, Blaine. He loved your pictures and can’t wait to meet you.”

“I don’t even know his name,” Blaine whispers, hating the terrible truth of this statement. He will soon belong to this man, will soon be required to lie with him, to give birth to as many of his children as he can. He will be expected to obey. And he doesn’t even know this man’s name.

It’s Blaine’s father who speaks. His mother is too busy crying to even try. “His name is Karofsky. Dave Karofsky.”