I'mmmmmmmmm backkkkk! Not sure if anyone is happy about that or if they even care, but I'm back! Anyway, ignore the cruddy last chapter and give this a second chance! I will go back and update that one, lengthen it and make it a least decent! I swear to you, my writing has improved fifty times over!
Abeke slunk into the dark streets, looking for something honorable to take as her test taker's gift. In Africa, all kids who take the test (which is everyone, it's required) have to bring a gift for the Greencloaks. Abeke's father wanted her to bring a decorated jar like her oh-so-perfect sister, Soama. She hated her sister, a perfect little angel in her father's eyes while the older girl was really just a spoiled brat.
She heard some mice scatter under her feet and she squeaked a bit, flailing around to avoid the little creatures. She heard a slick sound and air rushed past her. Instinctively, she stuck her hand out to catch herself, but her hand slipped on the wet ground. Her head hit the stone hard. Against her banging head's advice, she opened her eyes and found herself staring into the beady eyes of a white mouse. Out of anger, she raised her hand to crush it, but she stopped herself. Its tiny head cowered and its eyes pleaded with her. Instead of killing it, her tried to pick it up, finding that its long tail was caught in a trap.
"Well that's not good, is it?" Abeke muttered, peering closely at the small rodent. Finally, she found a latch and unhooked it, freeing the animal. "There you go," she told it, letting it run free. It began to ran, but suddenly stopped, coming back to lick her a bit as a thank you. She smiled.
She stood up, wondering it the little mouse would count as a tribute? She laid her hand on the ground and the little rodent scurried onto it, completely trusting her.
"You'll be perfect…" she murmured, pleased with her finding. She started to walk off, slipping the mouse into her pocket, but she had a bad feeling. She felt as if someone was watching her. She turned, gazing into the darkness of the alleyway. She looked all around, a tight knot twisting itself in her stomach. She noticed what she had slipped on; a trail of oil. She knew the reasonable thing to do would be to walk away, especially since it was so late. She checked her watch, trying to distract herself. 3:00am.
Great. She thought, kicking herself for staying out so long. She'd missed her dad's nightly check in. Every night at midnight, both girls had to be in their beds, asleep. When Abeke wasn't there, she was punished severely. She grimaced, knowing exactly how terrible her punishment would be.
Conflict arose in her. Should she go home, where she would be punished yet safe from the outside world, or should she stay out, maybe never return home, and risk getting kidnapped or murdered.
Finally, she made up her mind. She needed to go home and face her father. She evil, cruel father.
Abeke jerked awake to her alarm clock, knowing today was the day. She was going to take the test. She jumped out of her sheets excited, running to the bathroom to get dressed. Her gaze caught her reflection in the mirror, and the first thing she noticed was the bruises.
How can I cover that up? She thought, that tight feeling returning, only ten times worse. She ran to Soama's room, knocking on the door rapidly.
"What?" Soama's venomous voice interrogated as she threw open the door.
"I need to borrow your makeup." Abeke responded, trying to push past the older girl.
Soama glared at her. "Uh, no."
Abeke gathered up her courage and looked her wicked sister in the eye. "Do you really want me to tell Father that it was your fault I went to the test with bruises?"
Soama's glare deepened and Abeke held her breath, awaiting the answer. Seconds felt like years, centuries even, as Soama took her sweet time. "Fine."
Abeke felt her breath rush out and the tight feeling loosened. "Thank you," she whispered, nearly sprinting to her sister's small bathroom.
About fifteen minutes later, Abeke rushed to the car. She was going to be late for the test.
Her father's gruff voice spoke, and Abeke felt a sharp emotion go through her. "What took you so long?"
The rumbled to life as Abeke thought about her answer. "I needed to add a few things."
"Weakling," he muttered bitterly. "So afraid. And she's not even smart. Why can't she be like her sister."
The last words made Abeke's eyes sting. Her heart hurt. All she wanted was to be loved for her, not compared to her sister. Not downgraded because of her sister. All she wanted was to be accepted by someone.
Abeke threw open the door to the Greencloak's building, air conditioner blowing her hair back. She remembered her father smiling, telling her he loved her, and sadly leaving her alone. She didn't believe a second of the act, but she certainly didn't call him out.
Soon, the Greencloak called her in, giving her this long lecture about not freaking out. Abeke became so bored that she watched the fresh paint dry rather than listen to the freak.
"Understand?" The Greencloak's voice asked, and she snapped out of her thoughts, nodding rapidly. "So, what is your gift?"
Abeke pulled out the mouse. "This."
The Greencloak's face was unreadable, but Abeke knew it wasn't for the good. "Interesting…" The Greencloak reached her hand out cautiously, trying to take the rodent. The small creature growled, but the woman was stubborn. The woman's hand touched the mouse's soft fur, but not for long; it bit her. Its teeth sunk in deep, and the woman jerked away, anger sketching her face.
"I'm sorry," Abeke gasped. "I didn't know-"
"Out! You failed!" The Greencloak shouted, pointing towards the door. Abeke hung her head as she walked out of the building, holding her only friend.
Five hours later, Abeke still sat on the street corner, awaiting her father. She'd called him, but he hadn't answered. Biting her lip, she stood, unsure of where to go.
Then a voice stopped her. "Are you the Raindancer?"
She turned around, the setting sun blinding her. "No sir, we haven't had a Raindancer in years. He died a long time ago."
"Did you pass the test?"
"No sir, I was kicked out because my tribute was unsuitable."
"Well, I have the test. Would you like to take it again?"
Abeke stopped for a moment, deciding whether or not she should. Eventually, she made her decision. If she came home with a pass, then maybe she'd finally be like her sister. Maybe she'd be better. Her sister had failed.
"Yes sir," she bravely told him, strutting closer.
He smiled smugly, pulling out a long, sharp needle. She swallowed hard, but she gave him her arm anyway. He stuck the needle in mercilessly, and everything blacked out.
She had one last thought before the gentle oblivion seized her; What would Father think?