The Disappearances

Part 3

Present

"How did he become the leader?" Luna asked, eyes wide.

"If you listen, I'll tell you," Callista said.

"Your explanation is too confusing to comprehend."

Callista sighed and stated, "The council is in charge of everything, but they lack communication skills, courage, and integrity. Lucais had all of those traits and more, so the council decided he should lead. Lucais still had to follow all the laws the council gave, like how the mayor has to follow his laws."

"Why couldn't you say that before?"

"I like making people think when I tell stories," Callista admitted. "It's like when I say the word assist instead of help or atmosphere instead of sky."

Luna looked at her with a confused expression but didn't say anything.

"Ready to start the story?" Callista asked, looking down to see Luna shaking her head. "After Lucais left, Callista turned..."

75 Years Before

The moment Lucais left, Callista turned to face Venita.

"Is he actually the leader?" Callista questioned, refusing to believe people would allow a teenager to boss them around.

"It is true. After Elex realized he was doing awful as the leader, he turned his attention to Lucais and made an executive choice to make him the leader. For the past three years, Lucais has done an excellent job," Venita explained.

"Firstly, who is Elex? Secondly, does everyone here trust his judgment?"

"Elex is the old man that sits at the back of the courthouse, but he is known for being the council leader. Nothing has ever happened for others to question his leadership, so everyone trusts him."

Callista stood there and was going to ask more questions about Lucais but decided not to. Instead, she asked, "Are you certain there is no way out?"

"I'm sure."

"What are the chances of getting others to listen and follow me?"

"Slim to none," Venita said, crossing her arms over her chest. "If you want other people to

help you, then you have to gain their trust. Most importantly Lucais trust. They won't follow you if Lucais doesn't."

Callista knew that was the answer. She knows there is no way she can get Lucais to trust her, but she could possibly gain some trust from the other citizens. Before Callista could say anything Venita started talking.

"I do believe your idea could work, so I'm going to help you. But you need to learn how to fight because your combat skills are horrendous. Luckily, your new friend is the best fighter in this town."

Callista and Venita made their way to the woods to start Callista's first lesson. In the back of Callista's mind, there is a voice advising her not to trust Venita. She ignored the voice telling herself there is nothing wrong, but deep down she couldn't because she knew something was off.

They reached the woods, and Venita started explaining what Callista needed to know when fighting. After half an hour, Callista started fighting against Venita. At first, Callista was winning. but she lost her focus. All of a sudden, Callista felt a sharp pain starting in her head and heading down through her body. Her vision started to blur, and her head started to spin. Then, the pain diminished, her eyes focused, and her head stopped spinning. Before Callista could consider what happened, Venita came and pushed her down from behind.

"Not bad for the first lesson," Venita said, helping Callista up. "Yeah," Callista muttered.

"So, how are you going to convince others to join you?" Venita asked, walking toward the town with Callista following.

"I haven't thought about it," Callista admitted. "To be honest, I don't even know what the first step is."

They stayed quiet thinking about what their next step was going to be. Right before they left the woods, Venita started talking, saying, "We could go back to the courthouse and show them what they could do instead of telling them. They can see with their eyes what needs to be done, then their hope would grow."

"I don't know if-"

"You're worried they won't listen to you? They will listen to me since my brother is the leader, so I'll go in and tell them your idea," Venita interrupted, running toward the courthouse.

Callista stood there watching Venita runoff. "Now, I figure out the next step," Callista said to herself, walking toward her house.

Callista woke up to the sound of someone knocking on the door, then the door opened revealing Venita.

"What are you doing?" Callista asked, yawning.

"Well, you have about one-third of the people that agree with your plan, so get up because we have a lot of work to do," Venita shouted, making her way toward the door.

Callista sighed and got up. She quickly got dressed and headed outside to be greeted by 60 people. She immediately found Venita and ran up to her.

"How many people live in this town?"

"There is one-third of the population here, so there are only 180 citizens. Why?" Callista didn't answer right away. 180 citizens. She couldn't wrap her head around that

number. So many people got taken, so how are there only 180? She remembered Elex or Venita said something about being lucky to be here, but what does that mean?

"What happens to everyone else that gets captured and isn't brought here?" Callista finally asked.

"None of us here knows what happens to them," Venita said. "Right now, we need a plan"

Callista nodded and started telling her plan to Venita, who told everybody else. The process is going to be slow, but the results will be worth it in the end. Yet, she still has to convince everyone else. Callista will find a way to convince everyone no matter what.