"What an interesting night…" a deep voice barley whispered next to Sophia making her somewhat jump. "The moon is out, yet the night seems very gloomy."
Even though she tried to follow her mothers advice, Sophia had somehow walked away from the crowd looking around trying to keep her mind occupied. She lifted her head slightly to the right noticing the tall Randel looking at the trees of the forest past the field. He stood so still that she felt confused how he could just naturally look so composed on such a stressful day.
His green eyes then flickered down to Sophia as a small smirk formed on his handsome face noticing her staring at him with interest.
"What are you looking for out there in the trees?" He questioned as he saw his beauty looking out there with her brows scrunched earlier.
"Nothing…sir." Sophia said quietly looking away from Randel who made her feel uncomfortable. "I just was admiring the night. It isn't as windy as I expected." She lied.
"Ahh. Yes." He smiled with a small laugh escaping his lips as he turned to face Sophia completely. But the girl kept her face looking toward the forest wanting to avoid speaking to the village councilman.
"I didn't take you to be simple minded." Randel suddenly said making Sophia's cheeks heat not liking the insult.
"Excuse me-"
"I know someone like you wouldn't be thinking so deeply about something like the weather. I feel like you are the type of woman to think about things more deeply with more meaning." Randel interrupted as he continued to stare at Sophia.
"It's Sophia? Am I correct?"
Sophia nodded her head slowly wishing she could step away but she knew deep down that would make the whole scene worse.
"You seem nervous?" Randel questioned stepping toward Sophia who seemed to be a scared. He wished he could touch her chin and move her toward him. This was the first time he initiated conversation and he yearned to hear her voice. "I don't like to see you look like this."
"I'm just not happy to be here." Sophia said bluntly finally turning to face Randel feeling annoyed with how stupid his question was. "This isn't exactly something I want to do, yet here I am being forced!"
Randel smiled broadly as Sophia stood right before him with her anger finally radiating. She looked precious and something he wanted to take away with him and hide from the rest of the village.
"You don't like the picking? I'm surprised with how vocal your mother is about her support." He teased noticing her furrow her brows. He held back his laugh enjoying her glaring eyes burning toward him.
"Well I'm not my mother!" She spat finally turning her head back toward the trees. "And I'm afraid I don't support her views on how amazing the council is toward the villagers. Maybe you shouldn't just assume things and actually take the time to get to know the woman and people involved in this event."
Sophia waited for a response but only heard silence which eventually made her wonder if she spoke too bluntly. Randel could ruin her life if she offended him. But as she looked slowly back toward his green eyes, she noticed him smiling as he tilted his head in amusement.
"You are usually more quiet around the town. I do enjoy listening to your views Sophia. I hope we can speak more often and more open. It's an admirable thing to be able to speak so honestly."
Sophia blushed at his compliment somewhat taken aback. She knew Randel wasn't one who tolerated disrespect. Right now was not the time to attract his anger.
"I'm sorry sir.." she began hoping to fix her mistake in case the man decided to torture her living situations later.
"Never apologize my dear. And please call me Randel." He said politely as his eyes look beyond Sophia making her turn noticing her mother and another village woman approaching.
"Councilman-" Sophia's mother began to say only to see Randel lift his hand to silence her.
"I'm afraid I have to go speak to the other girls this evening Ruby. But may I say…." He paused looking at Sophia giving her a charming smile. "your daughter is quite something."
Randel then nodded toward the two woman excusing himself walking away as Ruby Red and Martha Twain watched in awe.
"That is one attractive man." Martha whispered to Ruby watching the man depart.
Sophia rolled her eyes before seeing that her mother was not interested much in the private discussion happening with her daughter and Randel. In fact, it seemed that her mother didn't seem happy about it which surprised Sophia since Randel was the most prominent man in the village.
"Sophia, you remember Martha. Right?" Ruby asked changing the subject as she introduced her friend to her child. "She use to help watch you when you were a small child."
"Of course I do." Sophia smiled giving Martha a nod. "I thought you left the village for your husband's business?"
Sophia's question was met with an awkward silence as Martha smiled sadly. "My husband has passed away leaving me with not many options but returning home…" She said fondly looking toward the sky.
"But he is in a better place." Martha finally said looking back at Sophia tilting her head in question. "My oh my! You look so much like your father. Tallken Red was the best looking man in the village which now makes sense how everyone brags about your beauty."
Sophia didn't respond but rather smiled knowing everyone would often comment that she took after her fathers genes.
"Would father have been here with me tonight?" She asked her mother thinking about how it was ironic she participated in something he most likely wouldn't have enjoyed.
Ruby's smile somewhat faded knowing her daughter already knew the answer. Tallken would have taken his daughter far away if he were still alive to protect his angel. Not only would he have had a bag packed similar to Sophia's, but he would have taken her far away years before the actual event took place.
"I'm afraid it doesn't make a difference little red. The skies seemed to have called your father home far too soon." Martha said breaking the awkward feeling between the mother and daughter. "Where is the old seer? She seems to have disappeared once again!" She huffed.
"I wish I could disappear. But too many people are expecting me to do something spectacular today." Came a voice from behind the women making them jump.
They turned seeing the blind woman smiling toward nothing, but she was very involved with the conversation enjoying the banter she often listened to as she walked around the village.
Unbeknownst to them all, Randel watched the woman speak to Sophia causing him to furrow his brows. Although he left the women, his eyes always followed his girl with interest. Clarice being near Sophia made him shift not happy with the two associating.
"I am trying to memorize the center. But people keep getting in my way making me forget my footsteps all together." Clarice said to no one in particular trying to cover the fact she was easedropping.
"Madam Clarice!" Exclaimed Martha who felt somewhat embarrassed for talking about the woman in front of her. Even though nothing negative was said, she wasn't one who wanted to offend the gods. "I was just curious where you were. How are you doing this evening?"
Clarice smiled when her gaze somehow landed again on Sophia. She seemed very confident even though she couldn't see or keep relationships in the same way others in the village could. Sophia knew the woman wasn't able to see her since she had no vision, but deep inside she felt like they were once again making direct eye contact. Was it possible?
"I am feeling rather happy this evening. I have a strong feeling that the skies are planning a special treat this year for the village. But I feel like some of you won't understand my words when the time comes however. Such a shame that so many won't enjoy the happiness that the skies want to bless their children with."
"What do you mean?" Sophia asked knowing the seer often twisted her words.
Clarice continued to smile, but started to direct her cane to help her walk away from the women already bored with the conversation. She was growing too old for such mundane talks and didn't like explaining unless she saw a purpose.
As the old woman walked away slowly, Martha was upset with the disrespect the woman showed Sophia.
"You would think she would be kind to the picking girls! They are after all here because of her!"
"She doesn't know Martha. No need to be upset. Remember she has no sight." Ruby said patting her friends back having some sympathy toward the seer. Often people found the seer woman rude, but Ruby often tried to remind them that she had much disabilities. "Besides, Sophia didn't introduce herself properly. She should have been more respectful to the seers authority."
Sophia met her mother's glare. She didn't address Clarice correctly, but part of her felt there was no point since she could be chosen to die tonight. Besides, she didn't see why she was always messing up with such little things in her mothers eyes.
But the talking ceased when the councilmen had the drums sound for everyone's attention.
"Hello everyone. And welcome to this years picking!" One of the men cheered with a big smile. He was fat with a long red beard. Although he wasn't too old, wrinkles began to form on his face from all the stress his job caused him.
People clapped but there was no joy in Sophia's heart. This was the last place she wished to be.
"As you know, 50 girls are of the picking age, but only one will be this years chosen! And I want to remind you all what an honor it is to be the chosen for the skies. The gods have blessed humanity by allowing us to make a treaty with the Wolfmen pack. Our people are growing everyday and are able to enjoy our lives thanks to a young woman's sacrifice."
Everyone kept quiet listening to the same introduction they heard every year. The words were repetitive, and they never seemed to comfort the hole in Sophia's heart.
Everyone knew that the person who was chosen was the reason they could live. Even though no one wished for the honors on themselves, they were truly grateful and indebted to the woman who gave her life for them. Yet, the reality of the fact was the sad.
"I want to remind everyone that tonight is the only night we are allowed past curfew. The Wolfmen will not take any of our people tonight since we are celebrating the picking. As you all may know, they are not too far away and can see the event with their eyes. So please remember to be respectful since this is a great honor to them. The chosen is very special to them for many reasons."
The mentioned of the creatures made Sofia once again glance toward the trees where she once again saw golden eyes that seemed to be staring at her.
She blinked a couple times keeping her eyes focused feeling a familiar sensation.
They seemed to be staring at one another with no fear as though some kind of connection formed where she didn't feel the need to run away. The creature in return didn't run away from her vision making her feel a desire to approach him.
The world seem to disappear around her as she kept eye contact with the beast. She no longer heard the words of the councilmen or mother and seemed to have forgotten where she was. She was memorized as the drawing feeling of warmth continued to feel her mind and soul.
"Sophia!" Her mother whispered gathering her attention. "Pay attention. It's disrespectful to ignore the councilmen child."
Sophia held back an eye roll so she didn't upset her mother, but she truthfully didn't respect their corrupt leaders. Sometimes she wondered if her mother was starting to allow the corruption into her heart since she gave them her loyalty.
Sophia glanced at her mother seeing the only family she had left in this life. And for a sad small moment, she imagined what would happen if she had to be separated from her.
They relationship was growing more strained as the days continued on, but the girl blamed her mother's health conditions for some of their turmoil. Ruby wasn't completely corrupted and still showed love toward her child, but Sophia was curious if her father would have been by Ruby's side today seeing her support for the laws of the village. She was curious whether he mother and father would have been able to conquer with love with all their differences.
Sophia looked at the leaders but continued to think to herself ignoring their words wondering if she could ever find a companion.
She did want to love one day. Maybe not at this second, but sometime in the future. She didn't ever feel that emotion before and longed to experience it when she saw couples in the village holding hands and laughing. But if she was the chosen, she would never be able to enjoy it…..
Not really.
Sadness crept into her heart and she felt the heavy burden of tonight's event. It wasn't just sorrow for herself, but also toward the forty nine other women who could lose the chance of a happy life.
"Well everyone, it's time for the picking!" The councilmen announced making everyone erupt with applause and cheers.
Sophia snapped out of her dazed state and noticed the girls wearing white walking out in the field. She took off her cape handing it once again to her mother almost like she was in a trance.
She kept her eyes to the ground as she walked slowly to the area where the chosen one would be picked.