The Calling

The Vision

09h00

As the convoy approached the compound, the prince could not help but look at his phone every few seconds, his anxiety growing with each passing minute.

"You never doubt my predictions, why would you start now?" asked the young man seated beside him.

The prince turned to face him for a few seconds before looking away without uttering a word in response. He looked out the window and the nostalgia hit him like a speeding bullet train. He saw the path leading to the gate and remembered the days he spent there as a child, playing in the dirt with his friends against his father's wishes. He saw the large pine tree where he had slit a throat for the first time and the joy of eating his first kill at the dinner table later that day. He always imagined his return would be a joyous occasion, and to some extent, it was – just not for him.

As the convoy finally parked outside the mansion, he saw his father and a group of dignitaries waiting to greet him. The moment the car stopped, two men rushed to either side and opened the doors for him and his companion. The prince turned to look at him again, still not saying a word. As the doors swung open, he walked out in silence while his companion opted to laugh instead. One of the men grabbed the companion's arm in an attempt to help him to the front door, but the young man instantly pulled it away with what was perhaps an unnecessary amount of force.

"Who said I need any help? I see more without both my eyes than anyone here. I'll be just fine, thank you very much."

He wore dark shades to cover his eyes but didn't use a walking stick or guide dog. He walked like anyone else, never tripping or bumping into anything even once. The prince had become accustomed to it and paid him no attention but everyone else, including his father, could not help but stare. Almost as if he could see them, he occasional passed a glance to each of them, forcing them to reflexively avert their gaze.

All of that was forgotten when the prince finally reached his father's side and received the warmest embrace.

"Welcome home, son." Said the chief, barely able to contain his joy. The prince on the other hand could only nod quietly in response while doing his best to maintain a smile so brittle that one could smash it into a million pieces.

"Come, let's go to check out the livestock. You get to pick which one we'll be having for dinner tonight."

They walked around the house to the enclosures out back. The sheer size of the mansion made for quite a lengthy walk. During this time, the prince's companion rushed to his side once more.

"Tick-tock buddy, you don't have much time left. You have to choose now or all will be lost."

The prince stopped walking and so too did his companion.

"Can you just shut up for one second Clement? This is my family we're talking about. I'll do what I need to, but I need you to get off my back about it." Yelled the prince in a hushed tone so as to avoid causing any alarm.

After a few minutes of walking, they finally made it to the enclosures.

"My son! The honour of choosing today's meat is all yours" said the chief with pride.

Inside the cages were people in chains, some old, some young, some skinny and some burly and muscular. Tears ran down their faces as terror consumed them.

"Please, don't do this!" yelled a young woman from inside the cage as she locked eyes with the prince.

He slowly walked towards her while maintaining eye contact. Despite her hands and feet being bound, she summoned the strength to slink toward him until her face was pressed against the bars.