As we walk together to the town square, Mom's words echo in my head with each step. You never know what can happen. Now, I can say that she was right. I had no idea what would unfold at the town square.
The few families were there, sitting on the hard, wooden benches. Some children were crying, some were hugging. Some were sitting in sad silence, already resigned to their fate like me.
We sat together at the end of one bench, our faces grim. Naomi clings to Dad, and Mom wraps her hand around mine. I take a deep breath to calm myself. Just because I knew that I was the sacrifice doesn't mean that I wasn't scared.
An old lady walks up on the stage. I recognize her as a councillor. She is the one in charge of the Blood Moon Sunset ceremony, and responsible for choosing the sacrifice.
She stops at the middle of the stage, and clears her throat. "People of Xera," she croaked out, "we are gathered here today to choose a sacrifice for the Blood Moon Sunset. We all appreciate the sacrifices you're ALL willing to make. We honor you for your bravery."
If I wasn't so sad, I would've laughed. They don't care for us as much as we don't care for them. They're probably up in their mansions, drinking wine, and celebrating that they're still alive.
"We all know that this is a holiday that we all try to avoid." she continued, "But, thanks to your child, the Reaper won't attack our village. Thanks to your child, we are safe for another 4 months. All of us."
Except the child, I thought.
"Now, let's choose the sacrifice before the sun sets." she finally said.
All the children get up, and make a line. Before I can get up, Naomi gets up and hugs my leg. Her bright hazel eyes are clouded with tears.
"Please don't go. Don't go." she repeated, her face streamed with tears.
I crouch down to her level. "I'm sorry, Naomi." I said, tearing up myself, "But, this is how it has to be."
I could feel my heart breaking as I joined the line, leaving sobbing Naomi behind.
The first child goes up on the stage, a girl that looked 15 years old. The councillor takes her hand, and presses a watch like device in the palm of the girl's hand. It flashes red.
"You're not a sacrifice." the councillor tells the girl.
The girl practically runs off the stage, into the arms of her crying mother. In that instant, I envy that girl. I would give anything to be in that same position.
Time seemed to pass quickly as the other kids got evaluated, although I hoped that it went slower. Finally, I got up onto the stage. My heart was beating so fast, I think it might burst. I could see my family out of the corner of my eye, leaning in their seats in anticipation and worry.
The councillor looks at me with grim eyes. "Hand." she croaks out.
I put my hand, palm up, in the lady's hand. She presses the device against my hand. I shut my eyes, waiting for the worst.
Suddenly, I hear a gasp from the audience. I expect it to be green. But, as I opened my eyes, I stared in shock, my mouth open. The device flashed red. I wasn't the sacrifice.
Even the councillor lady stares in shock at the device. There had to be a mistake. I had to be the sacrifice. And also, I was the last one in line, so nobody else could come up to be evaluated.
As I headed to my seat in surprise, the lady went to the middle of the stage, her eyes wide.
"There appears to be a mistake in the evaluation of the sacrifices. For this reason, I ask that any other children under the age of 15 please come up to the stage."
Nobody moves from their seats. The lady scours the audience like a hawk, looking for any other children. Finally, her eyes land on Naomi. A smirk appeared on her face.
"Naomi Winniola, please come to the stage to be evaluated."
In unison, our whole family's faces go pale, including mine. There's no way that Naomi could be it. No way. Naomi was just a child, having turned 8 a few months ago. With all my heart, I pray that Naomi wasn't the one.
Scared to the bone, Naomi gets up and walks onto stage. From all the way in the audience, I can see the tears on her face. I share her feelings.
She puts out her hand, and the lady puts the device on it. My heart feels like it's going to jump out of my chest. I hold onto my parents, praying that the councillor was wrong, and that we could just go home with Naomi. But, deep inside I already knew.
The device flashed green. The lady puts away her device with a look on her face that makes me want to punch her.
"Naomi, you are the sacrifice. The guards will now escort you to the front gates."
My heart almost stops. If I wasn't sitting, I would've dropped dead. Naomi's face was contorted in fear. 2 tall men in masks grabbed her. She tried to push them away and run, but they were stronger than her. They started to drag her off the stage to the front gates.
My parents were yelling at the councillor lady, saying that she was a baby, too young to be killed. I wanted to be up there with them, punching her face until I saw blood. But, I can't move. I can only watch as they drag my sister away.
Suddenly, memories flash across my eyes. Me, at 8 years old, holding baby Naomi in my arms. Teaching her how to walk. Kissing her boo boos. Wiping tears from her eyes. Almost losing her from exinta, a life threatening disease. I already almost lost her before. I won't lose her again.
That's why I found the courage to stand up, and yell, "STOP!!!"
The guards paused and looked at me. Everybody fell silent. Naomi looked at me with pleading eyes.
"Don't do this." I continued. I walked towards the councillor lady. "She can't go."
She looked at me, one of her eyebrows raised. "I'm sorry, but she has to. Unless someone takes her place."
I take a deep breath. My parents stare at me with tear-filled eyes. They already know what I'm going to do.
"Take me." I said, my voice cracking, "Leave Naomi, and take me."
"NO!!" Naomi yelled, trying to struggle free. The guards look at the councillor lady, waiting for her to give permission.
She nods. "Your trade is accepted, Nova Winniola."
The guards push Naomi towards Mom and Dad, and take my arms.
"NO! PLEASE NO!!!!" I hear Naomi screaming. She tries to take my hand, but the guards are already carrying me to the front gates to get a kill mark.
My family sobs, Naomi most of all. I almost cry, but I don't. I have no more tears left to cry.