I still remember what happened in the year 2035. I almost died. We all almost died at the hands of the Reaper. But, we didn't. And, I hope that others won't suffer the same fate as the bodies on the cold barren ground. Hopefully, whoever finds this, they'll make it. Otherwise, this is the story from MY point of view.
Chapter 1
It all started in the 1st week of March. When the frost starts to disappear on the fallen leaves on the mossy ground. Some may call the 1st week a blessing, a sign from God that we survived the long months. But, if you're like me, you know that they couldn't have been more wrong. It's a curse, manifested from Hell itself. Why, you may wonder? Because, the most dreaded day comes at the end of it.
At the end of the 1st week, the minute the sun starts to set on Saturday, we hold a "holiday" that happens every 4 months called "Blood Moon Sunset", although I would hardly consider it a holiday. It starts off by choosing a sacrifice. Then, they mark them with the kill mark, a circle with an arrow struck through it. Finally, they are escorted out of the village gates, to be devoured by the Reaper.
Who is the Reaper, you may ask? It's not a who. It's a what. Nobody knows what it looks like. The only thing that we do know is that it lives outside the walls of our village, prowling about our gates, waiting to eat anything it gets its hands on.
In fact, the Blood Moon Sunset was created because of it. Supposedly, if we feed the Reaper a sacrifice every 4 months, it will leave us alone. The council says that the holiday keeps the Reaper from breaking down the village walls, and devouring everyone inside. I almost scoff at the idea. You're just worried about your little club surviving more than your own people, I always wanted to tell them.
That was back when I was 13, a very naive girl who only cared about the fear of being sacrificed and having food on her own plate. Now, since my 17th birthday is coming up , I know for sure that I will be sacrificed.
The sacrifices range from the ages of 15-17. Just children. Adults aren't sacrificed because "the village would be gone by now, if it weren't for the adults". For me, it was mere luck that I have survived the Blood Moon sacrifice ceremony for 2 years in a row. Surviving through those years without getting sacrificed is so rare that it's like asking for a miracle. But, the others weren't so lucky.
Now, there's barely any children in the village. The only children left are either waiting for their sacrifice or are daughters and sons of important people in the council. I already know that I'm one of the children just waiting for their sacrifice.
Although, I'm not the only one who knows that I will be sacrificed. My family knows it too. My family is just me, my mom, my dad, and 8 year old Naomi. Naomi is not supposed to know about sacrifices, but she's heard enough from hushed conversations between villagers to get an idea of it.
The last time I was with them, we were sitting at our rickety kitchen table, slurping stew out of our bowls. The sacrifice ceremony was later, near sunset. We all knew that I would be the one dragged away towards the village gates.
Instead of the usual jokes and stories of the day, we scrape our bowls in painful silence. We don't bother saying anything. It hurts to say something to the family I will soon lose.
Suddenly, Mom puts down her spoon and looks at me and Naomi.
"Girls, soon the ceremony will start and will choose a sacrifice." she finally says to both of us, though her eyes are on me. She already knows. "We all remember what happened to Asher."
I looked at my empty bowl, tears filling my eyes. I had an older brother named Asher, who was sacrificed when I was just 14. It wounds me deeply just thinking about that day.
"I just wanted to say that no matter what happens, just know that we love you, and that we're so proud of you." she continues with tears in her bloodshot eyes, her voice breaking.
I can already hear Naomi sniffling beside me. Dad puts his spoon down too. "Your mother's right. Whenever you're scared, just know that we're always with you. Never feel alone."
I doubt that you'll be with me much longer, crosses my mind, but I push it away. This is the last time that my family will see me alive, and I don't want to waste it. Our chairs scrape the floor as we get up and hug. Naomi is bawling in Mom's arms, and a few tears escape my eyes as I hug Dad. I can feel him shaking beneath my fingers. I go to hug Mom. As I hold onto her, her lips graze my ear. "Never lose hope, Nova. You never know what will happen." she whispers in my ear.
I want to tell her that I already lost hope long ago, but I can't say anything as I sob on her shoulder.