Chapter 3: IN THE DARK
I awaken in my bed, soon staring at the ceiling. I begin to wonder what was the point of my life, if it's simply going to end soon enough. Outside the window I can hear an owl. Its soft tone that it gives off lets me have a moment of relief from my thoughts. I get up, and slowly walk over towards the glass. Seeing such a beautiful creature feels me with glee, knowing that not all animals are monsters. As it finally flies off to get what i'm guessing its next meal, I turn around and get sucked back into reality seeing my brother sleeping softly in his bed. His pillow case still drench with tears.
I walk over to him, and sit. Softly going over his hair with my fingers, I give a vow under my breath. "I will not let them have you." After a few minutes, I get up and walk over to my nightstand. I reach for my sack, and open it. Inside lies string, cloth, bandages, some arrow shafts, and my father's dagger. Going into the 'game,' the rules state that weapons are not aloud, but other items such as food, or bandages are. I wrap the dagger with the cloth, followed by the bandages. I made sure that the wrapping seemed off in its shape to give off the look of 'lazy preparations.'
After I finish, I slide it back into my sack. Once done, the only thing I can think of is my brother. After a few yawns, I come to a realization that sleep should be a main priority for me. Once the 'game' starts, i'll have no choice but to stay awake the whole night till the morning if i'm going to win with me, and my brother. Laying in my bed, I let the soothing sounds of the wind on the tree branches put me to sleep.
I awake to a loud banging at what appears to be my front door. I look over in confusion to see my brother is no longer in his bed, nor the room. I get up and put on clothes, followed by the sack on my back. When I come out of our room, I see them. One of the village elders, and a few guards. "Father? Is it time already?" I say walking towards the door. Out of the corner of my eye I see my father knelled down hugging my brother once more.
Dad gives Tim a few speeches that I barely listen to as I stare into the eyes of the elder. My anger begins to rise knowing that it was this man sending us into death. Without realizing, my father is already talking to me. "John? Are you okay?"
I look over and see my father's concern in his face. "I'm...I'm fine dad, just..." Pausing for a moment, I think of what feelings that are really inside of me right now over this whole situation. "I know. I'm sorry." Is all father can say before he turns to the elder.
Without a word we're leaving my home. We walk down the road, and through the village. I pass by homes of my friends, and shops that i'll always remember. Each step I feel as if i'm about to be hanged at the end of the stroll. I'm caught off guard by my Tim grabbing my hand. I squeeze back trying to give him as much comfort I can at the moment.
Before any time has past, we're already at one of the village's inns. The elder waves his hand, and we step inside. Once inside, all I can see is guards and the other boys chosen for this hell. One of the guards guides us to our seats. Holding my brother's hand still, we follow, and sit. After a minute or two of looking around the semi-large room, I notice father didn't enter also. I curl into sadness with the thought that...That was the last time i'll see him.
I look over to my brother. His hand is now squeezing much tighter than before. By the look in his eyes, I feel that he has come to the same conclusion I did. The other boys in the room seem to have the same expression. They're all scared, and confused. Some of them are friends that I've made while trading, and working with my father. Some of them are as young as my brother, while others are my age.
The elder gets onto a stage in the center of the room. Everyone looks up at him as he coughs. "Excuse me boys. Now that I have your attention. It's currently around noon, and you'll be departing in 7 hours. While you wait, please drink, eat, and maybe get a nap if you wish. If there's anything you wish to have, please let one of the guards know. This may be the last time you can have it." The elder finishes, but as he does, his face drops more and with sadness.
Some of the boys order a few meals, and some drinks to their hearts content for the moment. After a few hours of talking with the others of hiding spots, or of rumors about the wolves, I order a few pieces of meat that I've enjoy since I was a child. My brother gets the same thing, but in small portions. We eat, and relax. My brother counties to hold my arm, or hand the whole time. He shakes with fear, but each time I squeeze my hand, he relaxes slightly.
The minutes turn into hours, and soon enough it's time. The elder comes back into the room, and then instructs us to rise. Most of us do, but a few are sleeping. The guards walk over and pick them up with care. Soon after they awaken, and some cry. They're so broken down that the guards carry them out with the rest of us as we're guide out of the inn to the village's front entrance. While walking, some of the villagers run up to their son's, brother's, or cousin's. They give them hugs, and goodbye kisses before they're tugged away. Everyone is use to the 'games,' but no one likes it as much as the next person.
After we exit the village, cries can be heard from behind, and in front of me. The elder with the guards guide us to the edge of 'our' forest. In the distance we see a small path the leads off into the darker, more dense woods. Some start to panic as they push the guards. Before they can get away, the guards tackle them and chain their hands together. Out of fear, the others don't do a thing. Having your hands tied will make you that much easier for them.
Minutes pass then we're at an opening in the forest. There we see a large open fire pit. There they're already large amount of leafs, and branches ready to burn. As we approach more and more, I hear the trees shacking above us, branches breaking, and brushes shaking. Fear soon consumes me, but my brother pulls me slightly out of it as he holds me tighter.
The elder directs us to encircle the pit. Everyone gets into their assigned spot with tiles under each one of us. My brother is torn apart from me and placed three tiles away from me. I keep my eyes locked on him. "Don't worry! I'll be right there once we start!" I yell. Without realizing, I remember that they didn't check my sack. They didn't even ask. A huge amount of stress is lifted off me once coming to this realization.
"Once this fire is fully lit, and this bell is rung, the Hunt is on. This fire will be your guide if you make it back. You are to go and hide as far or close as you wish. At sunrise, if you make it back to the pit, then you're safe. If you make it back, and the put is no longer lit, then you will be stuck here. You can try to run back to the village, but the odds are very slim of you being able to do this. This forest is also bordered heavily by their packs. So I would advice not heading that way. Good luck boys, and may the Goddess be with you." And just like that he's done.
Nothing can be heard afterwards, all but for nature that surrounds us. This silence is broken as the elder moves to the pit. He is handed a torch by a village guard. "You will be men." The fire is lit, and the elder walks back to the path with the rest of the guards. Seconds feel like hours, but soon enough...The bell rings.
Longer one, huh? I tried to get the story moving, while at the same time give more detail on the relationship of the brothers. Will John be able to hold onto his promise? What will he do with that knife? Who knows. This is about monster girls. Before I leave you to the next chapter, I always enjoy seeing reviews, and love learning to improve myself. This is my first story that I put out there, so yea. At any rate, hope you're all enjoying, and I'll cya next time!