The Bloodless Girl

Chapter One

The Priest slammed his blade- ka-shing- and another human heart was removed. There was a loud cheer. To the people of El Tazumal, blood sacrifices were the main entertainment of the city. Besides their beloved ball game, they enjoyed seeing their victims squirm in fear and pain when the priest began to carve through the skin and razor through the bone to reach the blood-beating muscle. It was the best form of entertainment and it was all thanks to Tetatzin Milpa, the greatest Ulama player of El Tazumal. For which these sacrifices were all from the losing team of a recent Ulama game. It was thanks to Tetatzin's ballgame skills that helped them win the game and made them live for an another day.

Among the crowd were Tetatzin's beloved family. One of them being his middle child, a petite girl named Sarach. Born with a delicious golden-brown color that painted her skin and black hair that was milky smooth, it would shine in the glow of the sun. Her teeth were pure white, almost as if they were carved from ivory. Imbedded into her teeth were small jewells of jade.

There was another sacrifice. The crowded roared with excitement as the body of the victim was casted aside and pushed away, causing the cadaver to tumbled down from the thousand steps of the sacrificial monument. The color red painted the hot, stone steps of the tower, made from blood of their sacrifices. Pure crimson spilled down from the steps. Little children immediately ran forward for the head. Almost fighting each other for it, their little hands were stained Scarlett red as they began to kick the head down their pathways. Those who were sacrificed had no right to be buried respectfully; If your blood was to be satiate the gods, you were stripped from the clothes on your blood, your wealth, your name and finally, your heart.

The Priest cleansed his stone knife. After a brief wipe, he turned to look at Tetatzin's eldest daughter. With a swift nod, Sarach's older sister Icuh bought out the second sacrifice, an older man.

While the crowd watched with anticipation for the sacrifice, two boys stood next to Sarach. Both boys were in the same age group as Sarach's class but each were from different social classes. Ocuil and Moctezuma were their names. Ocuil was tall and had a big nose. He was known for his wicken grin and his dangerous temper, usually due to his name as an insult. Moctezuma was his servant. While Moctezuma wasn't as tall or handsome as Ocuil, he was known for his sensitive heart and kind nature.
Ocuil was born into a merchant family, making him one of the much wealthiest families in El Tazumal. As for Moctezuma, his family were descendanted from slaves that hailed far from the south.

"I bet he'll scream two shrieks before they rip his heart out!", Ocuil exclaimed. Moctezuma looked at his young master. "Betting against your grandfather?" He sniffed.

Ocuil gave Moctezuma an icy glare, causing the young servant to whimper. "I should have you beaten for that remark!"

Sarach then spoke up. "It was just a question, Ocuil. Just relax."

Ocuil then gave Sarach a questioning look, which didn't stun her. To Ocuil, Sarach was the most beautiful girl of all of Tazumal. But she was also a weak and puny being, lowly and shy. Ever since he first meet her, he had intentions of making her his wife. And he would make her his, no matter what.

The trio watched as they tied the limbs of the man. Surach watched with a blank stare, emptiless with no emotion. Moctezuma's lip quivered with fear and a hint of sadness.

"I bet he's going to squirm his way to escape his fate. What a sad sight to behold!", Ocuil boasted. "Sacrifices have no honor in this world."

Sarach shook her head in disagreement. "Not this one. He has spirit." Moctezuma nodded in agreement.

It was then an idea came to Ocuil. He smiled wickedly at Sarach. "I disagree but if you want to risk a bet?..."

It was then Moctezuma knew Ocuil's intentions but he was quickly silent after noticing the murderous glint in Ocuil's eyes. He could only hope for the gods to take pity on Sarach.