Chapter : 01
Red
"Darling, could you please come here and take this away from me!" My grandmother said through the bedroom.
I quickly placed the bowl of soup on the tray and replied, “Yes, nana, I'll be there in a minute!”
I picked up the tray and carefully carried it to her room. Nana was covered in three bedsheets as there was a wild storm hitting the town. Her eyes were slightly closed, and she was humming a song. With the help of my shoulders, I pushed the door open and walked inside.
“Oh, darling, you don't have to do that much.” She cried out of love as she glanced at my direction.
I placed the tray on the table beside her bed and carried out the dirty bag from her room. Nana didn't like dirt; she hated it. She loved keeping her room clean, and since I was the only one around, I had to do that job as well.
I returned to the room, and Nana got up to eat.
“I made broccoli this time. I hope you like it,” I said excitedly as she sipped on the soup.
“It's delicious, but you forgot to add salt,” she said.
“Oh, the doctors said no more salt for you. Your blood pressure rises whenever you eat salt.” I replied with concern.
She shook her head, “I want to die with delicious food in my stomach,”
I gasped and shook my head, “Don't say that!”
“Well, I'm going to someday. Next time, add a bit of salt, nothing will happen.” She winked before drinking up the rest of the soup.
In the meantime, I walked outside our small house and picked up the letter that was inside the mailbox. It was from the town’s mayor.
“Nana, we got a mail from the mayor!” I shouted.
“Bring it here, let me see it!” She replied.
I hurried inside the room and gave her the letter. She peeled it open and gave it back to me.
“Read it for me,” she asked.
Straightening the paper, I cleared my throat and began reading it.
“Dear Mrs. Mae, I hope you're doing well! As you must've known, the mating season is upon us, and we would like any females in the house above 18 to participate in the night of mating. It has come to me that Red had finally turned 18 two weeks ago. Please give her my blessings and ask her to drop by my office for more details on the night of mating. She'll be given a dress and anything else that is required. Regards, Mayor Thomas.” I said.
My heart wrenched with pain as I completed the letter. Nana immediately got worried. Wrinkles formed in her forehead with all the tension that spurted out of the message.
“Oh, no,” she cried.
I quickly placed the letter aside and turned my attention to Nana. Placing my hand on hers, I said, “Don't worry, nothing will happen.”
“Oh darling, I should have known that this was going to come upon us!” She exclaimed with horror in her eyes.
“What should I do?” I asked, completely lost.
Whitebridge was a small town in Pennsylvania — it was more like a village than a town. The neighboring town was four hours away from here. Our surroundings were covered in forests and trees. Whenever the dark struck upon us, wild creatures walked out, hunting for their prey.
Mayor Thomas signed a treaty with the creatures describing that every mating season, the wild beasts could come around and find their mates. This reduced the attacks on us from a vast number.
The night of mating was known also known as the night of blood moon. The crimson shade of the moon allowed the creatures to find their mates or soulmates.
It was a must for every girl above the age of 18 to participate in the night of mating.
Nana and I watched a hundred girls being picked up and snatched away from their families at such a young age.
None of them ever came back.
We never knew what happened to those girls, but I always wished for the best.
Up until now, I never cared about it since I was under 18, and it was forbidden for underage girls to participate in the night of mating.
Now, I was 18.
It was my time.
“Runaway,” Nana said.
“Nana, no, I can't run away. Please, tell me, what should I do? Should I head over Mr. Thomas’ office and ask him for another year?” I asked.
“He'd never agree. You'll have no option but to go for the night of mating.” She said.
I narrowed down my eyes and began to bite my nails out of fear and curiosity.
“But I'm sure I won't be mated with anyone, let alone a wild creature. I'm a human, a fragile one to be precious.” I argued.
“You're not weak, Red.” Nana slapped her hand over mines. “You're strong,”
I let out a small giggle, “Oh, Nana, you know I'm weak. Well, do you think I should go?”
“You have no other option, Red. We can either run away and leave our entire lives behind, or you can participate and hope for the best.” Nana replied.
I nodded my head.
“I'll go to Mr. Thomas’ office and get more details. Let's see how much time we have on our hands. Take care of yourself, Nana, I'll be back in a bit.” I said as I got up from the bed and grabbed my coat.
I wore it and waved my Nana a goodbye before leaving the house.
I locked the door from the outside. The wild breeze blew on my face, and I quivered.
Not a good season.
My boots dug in the snow as I walked around the town. Mr. Thomas’ office was in the center. He had been the town mayor for over 30 years.
“Red!” Lisa yelled as she ran towards me.
I stopped on my tracks and waited for her to reach me. We hugged each other before we continued to walk together.
“Are you heading to the Mayor’s office?” Lisa asked.
“Yes, what about you?”
“Me too. I have to pick up my dress for the night of mating,” she replied with a smile on her face.
I couldn't understand. Wasn't she scared?
“Aren't you scared that you'll be mated to one of the creatures?” I asked, with curiosity lacing in my tone.
“Not really. I was there last time, and I peeked through the blindfold. Those creatures were handsome,” she grinned at me.
That gave me some comfort. Lisa turned 18 last year, so she was able to participate. At first, she was as scared as I was, but no one picked her up.
“But still. What if you got picked and you were asked to leave? What about your family? Siblings? Friends?” I asked with concern.
I couldn't even imagine leaving my Nana alone. She was my entire world, and without her, I was nothing!
“Yes, it's kind of scary, but if my fate is written with a handsome creature, then let it be!” She jumped around the snow and said.
I quietly walked behind here until we didn't reach Mr. Thomas’ office. We spoke to his receptionist, who gave us a short waiting time as Mr. Thomas was busy dealing with other things.
“Oh, Red, you seem so pale today,” Lisa said as she placed her arm over my shoulder.
“Yes, I just got the news that I am supposed to participate this year, and I'm anxious. I can't stop thinking about the worse.” I said. A quick disturbing thought ran through my head, and I quivered.
No. I can't be chosen.
“Chill, Red. Nothing will happen to you. I don't believe so you'd be mated to any of the creatures,” Lisa comforted me.
“I believe that too. I was hoping that as well! I am a weakling; the creatures could be better off mating with someone else than me.” I said with a smile.
“Exactly!” She exclaimed. “Now, don't worry and enjoy this night. Whatever happens, will happen,”
“Ms. Lisa and Ms. Red, you can both go in now.” The receptionist said.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and got up.