“Sacrifice! Sacrifice! Sacrifice!”
Misty had her hands tied behind her back with a brown rope. Her legs were tied together and she could not move. Her dark brown hair and white dressed that reached her knees, flowed in the wind as she was carried on a stake, to the mountain that reached the sky. The people surrounded the carriage carrying her and marched up towards the mountain.
The angelic creatures with feathered wings and pearlescent hair, they protected the people of a small village. The one thing they needed to give them in return is to root out all evil from the village and offer them as a sacrifice. In return the people received protection and riches beyond their wildest dreams. The elders always spoke of the creature and everyone dreamed of holding the position of ‘the guardian.’
Misty blinked away tears as she looked up at the sky. She went from being the top of her class to on a stake being brought up the mountain. Misty closed her eyes a reminisced her memories the past 15 years of her life. She then closed her eyes and slipped away into her memories.
“Misty!” Her little brother hugged her.
She giggles and hugged him back, “It’s been too long!”
“How was being the guardian’s assistant! It was amazing right! Oh, please tell me all about it!” He squealed with excitement. His big sister finally had a chance to see what the guardian does for a living. It must of been the best day of her life in his eyes.
“I can’t speak of what happens on the mountain, you know that.”
He pouted and sighed, “Fine…” he grumbled and went to his room. Misty giggled as her mother and father greeted her. Her mother was on the shorter side of the people in the village, but nevertheless she was beatutiful. Her hazel eyes gleamed with approval, as she smiles at Misty. Her father was one of the tallest people in the village and had dark brown hair. He stared at Misty with his grey eyes.
“I am so proud of you!” Her mother spoke enthusiastically. Misty smiled at her but, she knew that her mother only was proud because she could brag about it to her ‘friends’. Her father gave her a nod of approval and she returned it.
“I’m glad to be home,” Misty smiled.
She opened her eyes and she saw her family crying and arguing as the carriage past their home. Misty mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ but, everything on her body hurt so much that she couldn’t say a word. Her brother was fighting against the crowd to try to get to her, while sobbing. Her mother yelled at her that she was a disgrace to the family and her father let a silent tear fell. The moment was so painful that she closed her eyes once again and turned her head away.
“Misty,” Her teacher tapped on her shoulder to get her attention. Misty turned around to look at her teacher. She had fallen asleep once again during class.
“Hmm…?”
“As much as I regret to admit this,” He paused and snarled, “The guardian wants to have a word with you.”
Her eyes lit up as she sprung from her seat, “Really?!”
The teacher rolled his eyes and pointed outside. A person covered in suit and armor sat down outside the armor was trailed with gold, which complemented the main white color covering the armor. Misty rushed outside leaving her teacher in the dust behind her. She had almost reached the guardian when she slowed down into a walk. They sensed her presence and stood up and walked over to her.
“Misty,” Their voice was strong but muffled through the helmet of the armor, “I’ve been watching you for a while now. Will you do the honor of being my assistant?”
The words left her mouth before she could say a word. Her hands shook as she shook her head enthusiastically. The offer was too amazing to be true and she even doubted that she wasn’t still dreaming.
“If that is the case follow me up the mountain. You have much to learn.”
Misty felt a pain in her right arm and she opened her eyes. It was her teacher stabbing her with a pitchfork.
“I knew you were a bloody witch!” He screamed at her. People joined in on the insults.
“You should of never of been born!”
“You’re lucky that this is all that befalls you!”
“How dare you disgrace our protectors!”
“Burn in hell!”
Misty felt the pain with each word. The carriage was now half way up the mountain. Her eyes blurred with her tears as their words cut into her heart. Each word a blade stabbing her. Trying to ease the pain she closed her eyes while grunting her teeth.
“Misty!”
She had wandered up the mountain with the guardian in hand. They screamed at her to slow down. It had been a year since the guardian chose her as their assistant. They reached the pearly white gate that was just beyond the clouds.
“When do I get to meet the creatures?” Misty asked the guardian.
“You can meet them during the next sacrifice,” One of the elders stood at the mountain and smiled at Misty. Her face lit up, wanting to meet their protectors.
“When will the next sacrifice be?!” Misty asked cheerfully.
“It’s not too far away, my dear,” He stroked his long grey beard as he spoke, “Any day now. There is a little girl who has been spreading rumors about our angelic protectors.”
Misty looked at him in shock, “Who would dare say such cruel words?!”
The guardian stepped into the conversation with a stern voice, “That’s enough Misty.”
“But-“
They gave her a stern look even though their mask was on.
“Yes Guardian…” Misty looked down, feeling as if she had done something wrong. The guardian walked past her, gently patting her head, as they walked by.
It started to be hard the breathe. Misty opened her eyes. They had reached the top of the mountain. The guardian stood there and looked at me.
“No one may pass this point. Turn back now,” They spoke authoritatively. Half respecting and half fearing him, all left. The guardian opened the gate a pushed the carriage through the gates.
Misty’s mind flashed back to that night…
It was pitch black outside on the mountain, which the only source of light being from a torch Misty had taken up with her. She couldn’t wait another day, it’s been months and no one has been sacrificed. Misty opened the gate. No one was around but her.
She silently walked through the gates and they closed behind her. Even with the torch, Misty still could not make out a thing. Suddenly she tripped and rolled down a steep hill. The sound of coins being flung around echoed in the air. She had fallen into the creatures riches.
As she fell, she dropped her torch. It was illuminating something towards a stone wall. A human skull. Misty gasped in fear and scrambled to her feet. She then covered her mouth after making a sound. Quickly she tried to run towards the gates.
Misty heard wingbeats close behind her. A feather as big as her arm fell in front of her face. She stopped where she was immediately as she felt breathing down her neck. Slowly, Misty turned around to see a creature. It had feathered wings and pearlescent hair, just how the elders described. They failed to mention the sharp talons it possessed and its fangs…
Misty stared at the creature. One eye was made of gold and the other was pitch black dark. It didn’t move, only breathe. Slowly Misty backed up and the creature opened the gate for her. With a blink of a eye the creature caused a fire among the pillars around the gate, to help Misty see in the dark. Her fear disappeared as she saw the creature try to help her.
She looked at the creature and extended her arm to pet it’s glorious mane of hair, “Thank you” She spoke softly.
“She’s harming the protector!” A loud scream echoed through the clouds and mountains. People all the way down at the village woke up and saw Misty’s mother yelling. Misty looked fearfully at the creature. It flew back into the gates, closing them behind it.
People climbed the mountain and saw the top of the pillars set on fire.
“She must be a witch!”
“No way she could of reached all the way up there the make fires!
“I bet that’s how she became an assistant! She brainwashed the guardian!”
“Bloody magic user!”
“She might try and harm the protector!!”
The guardian made an appearance. They stood in front of Misty and scoffed, “You went through the gate…”
“SILENCE!!!!” The elder yelled. He coughed from straining his voice. The elder made his way through the crowd, “For this witch, I punish her with death!”
Her mind flashed back to the present.
The guardian untied her from the stake and brushed her off. Slowly the guardian removed their helmet. A woman stood in front of of her, with short black hair and scars on her face.
“I truly am sorry Misty,” She spoke sadly, “That day you were lucky to meet Ryu. This day, you will not be so lucky.”
With those last few words the guardian closed the gate behind Misty. Trapping her without an escape. Glowing eyes then met her body.
“This was an okay life…” Misty smiled and looked at the creatures, “They never did tell us about your fangs.”
I am but a puzzle I am but a mystery I am but a misunderstanding I am but a isolated soul
Life is but a puzzle Life is but a mystery Life is but a misunderstanding Life is but being a isolated soul
The world is but a puzzle The world is but a mystery The world is but a misunderstanding The world is but being isolated
A soul is but a puzzle A soul is but a mystery A soul is but a misunderstanding A soul is but being isolated
Connect the pieces of the puzzle Connect the pieces of life Connect the pieces of the world Connect the pieces of my soul
I am but a puzzle I am complex I am scrambled I am solved
TW: mentions suicide (following the prompt. Have a good read!)
Greenery covered the various skyscrapers as it took over the world. Cars were flipping upside down, buildings were abandoned, and I was isolated. 100 years ago everyone over the age of 18 disappeared from the planet without a trace. People died because of them.
It’s all their fault for leaving us like this.
No it’s not! Don’t talk to yourself like that!
My older brother’s voice echoed in my head, bouncing off the walls of my brain.
“But it is their fault. They medaled in things they shouldn’t have. They could of stayed but they didn’t!” I scream into the emptiness of the city.
You know that’s not true sis…mom and dad loved us and it’s not there fault that they left.
I hit my head in an attempt to silence his voice in my head. I run down the streets of the city, trying to feel anything. Keep on running…keep on running. And that is what I did.
I got to a bridge that stood over a river that subcomed to allege and overflowing plant life within the river. Slowly, I sat down on the railing of the bridge.
“What is the point to living anymore when I have nothing to live for?” I asked myself out loud.
Suddenly a young girl about six pulled on my shirt behind me. She was wearing a torn dress and her black hair was a mess. She had tears in her eyes as she looked up at me.
“Can Can Can you help me…?” She asked.
“What do you want?” I say angrily, my voice loud and authoritative.
“My name is Allsya…” She softly spoke as she shook. Her voice was laced with fear and showed in her being so timid. I noticed that I came off harsh and I calmed myself down.
“I’m sorry,” I give her a little smile and I kneel down to her level, “My name is Clara, what’s wrong?”
Allsya smiled slightly at me but, she still looked terrified. “Can you please help us…?” Allsya now looked like she was on the verge of tears.
“What can I do to help?” I ask her.
“Can you follow me…please,” she started to run away, and into the city.
“Hey! Wait!” I quickly follow after her.
Right.
Left.
Right.
Straight.
Left.
Allsya stopped in front of a subway entrance that had been almost completely closed off by ruble.
“Ms. Clara, can you please help us…” Allsya was now full on crying, “My friends are all trapped in there.”
I look at Allsya and then at the ruble blocking the entrance to the subway, “I can see what I can do.” I approach the ruble and I slowly start to pick up pieces and set them to the side. My muscles ache with every step but I needed to help this little girl. If I can’t save my brother than at least I can save these children! I pushed against the ruble trying to free the subway entrance. My eyes became blurred and I felt a hand on my shoulder.
I looked over my shoulder to see a misty figure standing behind me. It was a man who was taller than me only by a little. His details were blurred but I could almost make out his face. The figure began to remove the rubble from the subway entrance. I could hear faint cries from the tunnel.
With one last shove the subway entrance was opened enough for Allsya and me to slip into the subway. Allsya’s face lit up as she rushes over to her group of friends, of which we’re sitting on various benches and also on the floor. The group consisted of around 20 children that looked ages 5-8.
I smile as I look at the children. I look behind me to thank the misty figure but he disappeared. Out of no where I blinked and the world around me turned white. An empty white void streatched as far as I could see.
“Clara.”
I snap around to see my brother standing there. His dark blue eyes and messy brown hair was refreshing to see. I blink back tears as I run up to him and hug him.
“Andrew…” I muttered, almost a whisper. He pulls away from our hug and looks down at me.
“You look exactly the same as you did all those years ago,” He ruffles my brown hair playfully, “You were what, 16 when it happened?”
I look at him taking him in.
“You could of lived…you have eternal life…so why did you give that curse to me?!” My voice moved from softly to a angry. His expression softened and became more serious.
“I would of rather had you live, than have me live a life of regret, knowing that you would die in two years,” His voice was gentle and soothing. I cried into his shoulder as he comforted me.
“I missed you…”
“I know,” my brother hugged me as he faded away. I wipe my tears away. His voices echoed in the white void, “My last wish, is for you to be happy.”
I blinked away the tears and I was back in the subway. Allsya was hugging all of her friends in reunion as they all cried happy tears. Suddenly I felt something on my chest. I look down and I hold the necklace that appeared there. The necklace was silver with a black gem on it.
Andrew…
His words rang out in my head. I smile as I see Allsya being happy with her friends once again.
“I should get going now… I’m glad that you were able to reunite,” I tell Allsya and I start heading my way outside of the subway whe Allsya grabs onto my shirt once again.
“Please, stay with us. Stay with me,” Allsya looked me in the eyes, determined.
You should listen to the little princess~
I quickly turn around to see my brother standing in the middle of the sunlight as it creeped into the subway tunnels. He smiles at me and then vanishes into a mist of particles without a trace.
“I’ll stay with you Allsya,” I smile as I kneel down and I hug her. Afterwards, one by one the children piled up onto me, hoping for a hug. I smile back at all of them.
I’ll be happy…for you Andrew. I smiled brightly and giggled as all the kids jumped onto me. 100 years ago anyone over the age 18 disappeared and for 100 years if anyone reached the age of 18 they disappeared as well. My brother scarficed himself for me, and now I can repay him. Now I have a purpose. From this day on I will protect these children like how you have for me. I hold the necklace close to my heart.
I promise you.
The End
“So, who’s going to die today?”
The room was dark, almost pitch black. Two men stood staring her in the eye. She had long dark blue hair that was tied up into a ponytail and a black outfit. Her yellow eyes glowed in the dark room. In one hand she held a gun and the other was hanging on her side.
“Well?” She stared them dead in the eyes, “I’m waiting.” She smiled as she pointed the gun at them. One of the men stepped forward and looked her in the eyes.
The man spoke shaking, “Neither of us are dying today and you-“
Bang
She fired the gun at the man’s feet causing him to jump backwards.
“Did I tell you, you could move?”
The man cowered in her presence. He had dark hair and dark clothing on. The other man was the exact opposite who has been unmoved since I entered the dark room. The other man had blonde hair and was wearing causal clothes and seemed to be relaxing.
The woman looked the man with the blonde hair in the eyes.
“What’s your deal?” She asked.
The man walked towards the woman and kneeled down on one leg and kissed her hand, “My name is Erik, and I’m the one that is going to kill you.” He whispered into her ear as he stood up.
Erik closed in on her a waved a hidden dagger in the air and stabbed the woman in the side. The first man started to run away and banged on the lock door. The room was virtually empty with very little inside of it.
Both Erik and the woman corner him and put a knife to his throat. They talk in unison, “Where do you think you’re going?”
The man walks away from the door and Erik and the woman began fighting again. The entire time they were laughing as they tried to kill each other. A loud voice echoed from the outside of the room.
“THATS ENOUGH!”
Both of them stopped and looked up at the ceiling. The walls disappeared in green digital particles and a white room. People behind glass and a monitor looked down at the two of them.
The woman walked away from the simulation and grabbed her water bottle. Erik walked away and sat down on a bench. The man with the black hair sighed and shook his head. He adjusted his glasses and walked away from the simulation.
A woman walked out of the monitor room and ran down a flight of stairs. She had short blonde hair that flowed behind her.
“What do you think you were doing, Othelia?!” The woman yelled at her.
The woman with dark blue hair looked over at the other woman yelling at her.
“What did I do now Alex?” Othelia asked.
“You know exactly what you did, the mission was for you to work with Erik together to attempt to kill Rodger,” Alex looked as mad as can be.
“It’s just a simulation…” Otheila sighed.
“Work together next time, and stop fighting,” She put her hands on her hips, “I can’t tell if you are fighting or flirting…” Alex muttered under her breath.
Erik walks over to join the conversation, “I can ensure you that we were fighting.” He winks at Othelia.
Otheila rolls her eyes and drinks her water. Life as an assassin is just a game. A silly little game that happens to include murder.
“Hey Grim?”
“What is it?”
“Will you one day take my life?”
There was an unsettling silence that filled the cemetery. I closed my eyes and I leaned back to lay down on the grass.
The Grim reaper’s eyes trail over to me, “I’ll let you pass onto the next life one day.”
I sit up and look around. Two children were skipping around the grave yard. One was skinny and was skin and bones, and by my guess died from illness. The other had no injuries on them. I pointed at the child and looked at Grim.
“How do you supposed he died?”
Grim sighed and looked at the child and then at me, “That child is still alive.”
“Oh really?” I gave a little chuckle, “You could’ve fouled me. The way they play together…it’s nice.”
I smile and I watch them play together.
“Is something on your mind?”
“Not really. I just miss being a kid again. I had so much fun with my best friends. We would sneak out of the house and play hide and seek in the middle of the night,” I start chuckling and Grim joins in as well, “We used to call it operation: Night and seek. It was so corny!”
I stand up and look up at the towering grim reaper. His black cloak draped down to the ground with his cyth placed down on the ground next to him.
“I’ve never had a friend like that before,” He smiles as he puts his hands on my shoulders, “I’m glad that you’re my friend.”
His voice was deep and cold but at the same time sentimental.
“Will you allow me to stay by your side and keep you company?”
“If you truly wish so.”
Grim takes my hand and I start to levitate above the ground. He picks up his cyth and I float next to him.
“Let’s go then,” He smiles and I smile back. As we past by the graves I look down at the ground and I see a funeral.
In loving memory of Candanza Peterson, loving daughter, friend, and student. __ __ “Are you coming_ Candanza?”_ __ __ __ I smile and take his hand to leave.__ __
