Chapter 1
The great hall was filled with hundreds of people. They all tried to speak the loudest to be heard. In front of them was the stage with a microphone. The stage was otherwise empty, the only thing that filled the stage was the long, red and heavy curtains. They were used to change scenes in plays and beginn and end a play. They were covered in a thick layer of dust. Today the curtains wouldn't start a play or change a scene, today they would just hang there, hiding the very nervous and frustrated mayor of the small and lovely town. The town itself wasn't small, but the centrum was small and didn't consist of many stores and malls, but since the town was so small, it was easier to keep it clean and neath. The town was rated to have the least with criminals and was one of the top towns with the cleanest water. The people who lived here liked to tell them selves that the town was perfect thanks to them.
The mayor walked nervously back and forth behind the curtains. He didn't know what to say or how this would end, but he knew something had to change. He knew, or at least hoped, that the people would understand and agree. Because every little perfect thing, has its secrets. The mayor straightened his tie and took a deep breath.
The peopled in front of the stage were all wondering why they were in the great hall at this hour. Some women were chatting about how their soufle was made perfectly today, and that their husband had cut the grass. Other women talked about their favorite TV show and how their favorite contestant is the best and why they should win. The men were talking about sports, but also about how good their daughters are at dancing and sing and paint, and how their sons can shoot a ball over the field and run faster than a speeding car. This town was acceptable for almost anything. The gays was very appreciated, and the equaltiy between women and men was still there, but they wouldn't be paid differently and if women wanted to work with heavy work and men work with baking and interior, they could. The only different you would see, was that mostly all women in the town wanted to work with interior and baking, and the men would work with cars and build houses.
When the mayor entered the stage from the side, the people turned silent and they all looked at the walked in front of the microphone and looked at the crowd.
"Good evening everyone. I'm sorry to disturb you in the dinner time, but this meeting is very important. As you all know we are a very proud town, but we are not that famous. After the big main road was built away from the town, not a lot of people will drive through here, but maybe that's for the best. After that happened, our criminal ratings have dropped dramaticly, which is very good. But this is not the reason for why we're here. The reason I've gathered all you here is that, we have to agree to something very important. We accept every living thing in this world, no matter how cruel or terrible it is. In this town we have visitors, we all know about them, but they are getting weaker. Therefore, they all want a day a month, or something around that, where the ones who are outside around midnight, they will hunt you and take your life." The crowd began to speak out, whisper and discuss. How could this perfect town do sacrifices to creatures they knew? They needed to think about this, but before anyone of them could say anything, the mayor cleared his throat in the mic. "I know this is very frightening news, and terrible to be honest, but we truly have no choice. We've sworn to take care of people, and even though they are not truly as human as us, we have to protect them. But no one have to really die, as long as you stay inside at those nights. If they don't get anough, they will hunt forest animals instead." He took a pause.
"Then why do we have to sacrifice ourselves when they can just feed on animals?" A man asked from the crowd. They all whispered a little between themselves.
"Because Mr. White, humans can sitify 10 creatures, an animal can only satisfy one creature." The mayor didn't quite know how to answer them or how to explain, but it was truly the only way. "Please remain calm, this isn't as bad as you think. Some will let you live, some will not. They are just like us, except they can't live on normal food as us. I suggest that tomorrow morning..."
The mayor was interrupted. The main door to the great hall opened and a young girl with long and brown hair came in. Everyone turned to look at the girl. She looked a bit down on the floor shyly and embarrased. "Ah, Raven, glad you could come. Just take a seat." The mayor spoke thorugh the mic and Raven nodded to the mayor. She sat down on the last chair.
Raven was a well known girl in the town. She was very shy and insecure, but bright and a warm person. She worked at the famous bakery Lilly's Bakery. Everyone wanted Raven's speacial cupcakes. She was also helping the children footballteam, since her little brother was on the team. She followed him there and was helping them practicing, which the coach appreciated. Sometime when the coach couldn't be on the practice, Raven would take over so they wouldn't miss an hour of practice.
"As I was going to say before miss Raven interrupted." He glanced at Raven with a smile and winked. Raven smiled shyly. "Tomorrow morning I suggest that we vote for this suggestion. It's a price we have to pay to take care of something valuable and wonderful. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock will the voting start, it ends five at the evening. I hope and recommend that you all vote. This meeting is now dismissed." The crowd rose and walked towards the exit. The mayor just stood there and looked at everyone that left the building. Raven sat there until the building was almost empty. She walked over to the stage and looked up at the mayor. He smiled down at her. "Hello Raven, what may I help you with?" He asked and bent down.
"I'm just wondering what this all is about, Mr. John. You seem very stressed and a bit frightened." Raven axplained with her sweet voice.
"It's nothing special Raven, your parents can explain it to you at home. I hope you understand what we truly have to do." He asnwered. "I'm sorry Raven, I would tell you everything, but everything have been explained and it's not much more to tell." Mr. John looked over Raven's shoulder. "I think you should go home now. I'll talk to you tomorrow hopefully. I hope you'll vote." He rose and Raven nodded. She turned around and saw her parents stood in the door waiting with her little brother between them.
"Come on Raven, the dinner will turn cold if we don't return home soon." Her mother said. Raven rushed over to them and they left the bulding together.
