Donna Forte

Third pov.. It was an unusually rainy night, wind was blowing in all directions as if searching for something that was lost. No one dared to step out of the comfort of their well build houses and into the harsh pouring. The gray sky seemed to be weeping and the thunder cried out. Whole of Behin city knew what was happening, what was being lost and why Mother Nature was mourning. Another sacrifice was being made to the bargain of prosperity and riches. A life given up so easily for the sake of material. “It is just one person.” A few would say but the pain was never felt in their heart when the ceremony proceeded. Hundreds of years ago when the city was Behin was at the peak of being demolished by its own selfishness, a savior had come to rescue them of their damnation, a savior that no one knew of. He was an unknown traveler who had pulled them out of their misery. It was a bargain that everyone agreed to, for the sake of their riches, wealth and precious. A life in return. Since then the city prospered and only grew, however the selfishness and greed also grew along. Every few years a sacrifice was made. A pure soul was given up to wash the dirt on the city and its people. An infant was snatched away from its family and dear ones to fulfil the hunger of the cruel residents. Today was one of those days that marks the sacrifice of an innocent child. It was necessary that the child be a year old. No one showed up and no one cared, as long as they had everything they needed, they were content. But there was one family that cried, cried for their little girl that had been chosen to be the one. The mother clutched her baby girl and wept in the corner of their plush manor, she did not wish for anything if the price was her little gem. But she knew that fate was inevitable and it cannot be undone once chosen. The father sat emotionless on one of the softest sofa they had, he suddenly hated the amount of money he made during the years, he was ashamed of himself for not able to do anything for his precious flower. A year had passed since little Althea was born into the Miller family. There was no end of happiness that the two parents felt when she opened her bright green eyes and giggled for the first time. Every moment was celebrated and every day was a blessing. Until the day came when everything was snatched right out of their hands. The Millers wanted to run away when little Althea was chosen for the sacrifice of blue moon. Little Althea played happily in her mother’s loving arms, giggling at the soft touches of her soft skin and the wisps of her mother’s hair she caught in her tiny fists. Her rosy cheeks puffed up with every smile, her wide green eyes looking around curiously, searching for something that might interest her. The baby was a pure soul, hat did not hold any grudges and hard feelings even for the people who wished her dead even before she stepped foot into the real world. The big wall clock chimed, indicating an hour to spare until the ceremony of blue moon. An hour to admire and shower their precious one with all the love they had. Aaron Miller was not ready to let go of his daughter just yet, the days that he spend with her replayed in his mind like an old movie. He did not want to remember the happy moments, they only made it difficult for him. He stool up from his sofa and took small calculated steps towards his wife and child. Extending his palms towards her he gestured for the baby. Little Althea was even happier in her father’s arms. She liked being held up high and giggled more. Her button nose scrunched up when her father pressed a small kiss on her forehead. A traitor tear fell from his eyes as he took in the features of his precious Althea’s face for the last time. A loud sob grabbed the father and daughter’s attention towards the mother. Manila Miller couldn’t hold back her sobs after seeing her daughter in her husband’s arms. The reality was not always what we desire for. She cursed herself for the fate of her child. “Don’t let her go Aaron, please do something.” She sobbed on her husband’s chest helplessly. She knew nothing could be done to save their little angel but a mother does not know of letting go of her child. Aaron pressed his wife closed to him and looked down at his smiling daughter, the contagious smile spread on his face too. He would remember her as a happy child. “You know we can’t Manila.” He replied simply. The pain he held was clear as day in his voice and yet he wanted to be strong for his family. He could not show his weakness at this time, he was the one who had to support his wife and hold his daughter until she is taken away from his arms. “We could go away, I don’t want to live a fancy life. I just want you and my daughter with me. Please.” She pleased again and again. Manila miller never had to plead to anyone in her life but she was ready to beg for the sake of her daughter’s life. She could run away with their daughter but it was nearly impossible with the am out of security outside their manor. They were not the first couple that had thought of leaving the luxurious life of Behin and save their child, but none of them were successful since then a special security team was allotted to the family whose child had been chosen. A sharp knock on the door broke the train of their thoughts and Aaron instinctively held little Althea closer. Manila wiped her hears and opened the door double doors. The elders were waiting at the front door to take away the sacrifice. They were heartless beings who did not as much as flinch when the child took their last breath. The four elders of Behin were the ones that decided each and every detail of the ceremony of blue moon. The clock stroked ten minutes to midnight, exactly ten minutes till their daughter breathed. The once emotion filled faces of the millers were void. They would not let the elders have the satisfaction of seeing them devastated. It was clear that the elders and the millers never got along, the family always opposed the idea of sacrificing a newborn for selfish desires. Sacrificing a child for any reason for that matter was seen as a crime for them, a crime that cannot be forgiven even in afterlife. Manila and Aaron quietly walked between the four elders. The elders were dressed as their ancestors did for the past centuries. Black cloaks hiding their entire form from the onlooker and faces void of any emotion known to mankind. Their oversized cloaks dragged behind them on the dirty path as they walked towards the forest