I'm not scared anymore

Chapter two: announcement

Cora was pushing through the crowd so we could get a good spot where we could see. People were giving us mean looks as Cora was pushing them aside, i tried to lower my chin to my chest, thinking maybe they can't see me if i don't see them, even though that sounds stupid. I tried to whisper apologies even though no one probably was able to hear them since we passed them so quickly.

      I hate social events like these, i feel so uncomfortable in crowded places. Finally Cora stopped as she found a spot where she could see well enough. Clock was now 12.50pm. We stood still in a crowd. I could feel my anxiety rising, i felt like every single ghoul there was staring at me, judging me. Usually i do everything in my power to avoid situations like these. I could hear Cora speaking to me, but i couldn't make out what she was saying, just mumbled words.
  
      I think she was gushing about the last ghoul that was summoned to over world or more familiarly called earth. The last ghoul that was summoned was a water ghoul. He was summoned over three years ago to serve the unholy church. I don't know specifically what their job there is. Nobody here knows, since after they are summoned they really don't get to visit back in hell except for an important reason.

     I tried to just focus on my breathing. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine something nice and relaxing. All the people talking and yelling around me wasn't making it easy. Suddenly i was brought back from my thoughts when Cora pushed my arm. My eyes snapped open and i turned my gaze towards Cora, confused look on my face. " It's starting" She exclaimed. I looked forward and noticed that a ghoul had appeared in front of the crowd and was getting ready to speak.

      "Hello, all my precious ghouls, i'm so glad to see that all of you made it here on this special day. I am happy to tell you that yesterday we received a letter from the over world, telling us that the unholy church is going to summon a new ghoul or ghoulette to the over world to serve the unholy church in the name of satan. After these three long years one of you is going to fill this important cause and hopefully take it very seriously. Today we received another letter that they are done choosing the ghoul/ghoulette to fill this position."

       "This decision was completely made by the members of clergy of the unholy church. Now i can feel all of you are excited to hear who this lucky person is. Am i right?" Every ghoul started clapping their hands and cheering after the speech.

      My whole body felt tense, i wasn't excited, not a smallest bit no, i was scared. I hope this was already over and i could just return home and continue my day like normal. "Okay everybody, let's calm down so i can make the announcement" The ghoul said waving his hands down. Everybody went quiet, waiting for the big reveal.

       "Alright, first i'm going to announce the element of that ghoul. Chosen ghoul issss..." Everyone was holding their breath waiting anxiously. "A water ghoul" A loud confused sigh escaped peoples mouths. Some ghoul looked disappointed and some look excited. Cora turned to my direction looking at me with a sad look on her face. "Well today wasn't my turn" she said sadly.

    Suddenly she lifted her chin towards my face "OMG you are a water ghoul!! OMG you still have a chance" She yelled. "Please stop" i said anxiously, dropping my face to my hands.

     "Okay, i'm not going to keep you waiting any longer. Next i'm going to say the name of the chosen ghoul. When you hear your name please make your way here in the front." I couldn't even look, i pressed my face to my sweaty hands, trying to remember how to breath. "Okay, the lucky chosen one is.... Water ghoulette Amelia." The man announced.

      My heart dropped. I must have heard wrong, this is just a bad dream, this can't be happening. People around me started cheering, screaming, and clapping. I felt a pair of hands grabbing me from both of my sides. "OMG IT'S YOU. OH MY SATAN THAT IS LITERALLY YOU" Cora yelled, shaking me. I lifted my head from my hands, only to notice that everyone was now actually looking at me. Normally it's just my brain pulling tricks on me, but now they were really staring.

      "Where is Amelia, make your way to the front please." Cora started pushing me forward. I was in total disbelief. I started walking to the front. I felt like i wasn't in control of my body, i felt like a robot just walking to the front. "Ahh, here is our lucky one. Come on Amelia, come stand here next to me." The ghoul said, I did as i was told. Standing next to him, turning  towards the crowd. I kept looking at my feet, i just couldn't bring myself to look all those people.

      "We all are so excited for you Amelia, we are sure you are going to fill this position perfectly." I lifted my gaze from the ground and peeked to the crowd. People were looking at me with judging looks on their faces, someones was whispering. After awhile looking to the crowd i could see my mother and half siblings in the audience too. My sibling had a happy expression on their faces, but my mom.. not so much. She looked disappointed. I turned my gaze back to the ground, feeling embarrassed.

      "Without further parley, we will send you to your way." The ghoul said. I turned to him confused "Wait what about all my stuff, can i go get them?" I asked in a silent tone "No sweety, there is no time and i'm sure you manage without them." ghoul said. "What about my friend, can i say goodbye?" i asked. "Well if you are fast, i'm sure they are already waiting for you." Ghoul said.

      I didn't bother answering. I started running towards Cora and grabbed her in a hug. As much as i hated hugs, i knew that this was  possibly the last time that I would see her in a very long time. I squeezed her tightly. "I'm going to miss you so much" I whispered to her ear. "I'll miss you too, promise me you won't forget me?" she said sobbing. A tear rolled down to my cheek. "I could never Cora, you're my best friend." i said. "Just promise me that you will enjoy your life, this is your fresh start. Please be brave, i'm sure that they will love you. Okay?" She sobbed. "i promise Cora" i said silently.

     I pulled away from the hug and looked towards the announcer ghoul. He waved for me to come back. I looked at Cora one last time and turned around and headed to the front. I stood next to the ghoul and listened for the instructions.

      "Okay, these stairs are going to lead you to the over world. Just walk as high as you can and then you should shift to your destination. Your summoners should be waiting for you there." He said grabbing my arm and leading me towards a gate. Behind the gates were pretty old looking stairs. Two guard ghouls opened the gate for me and signed for me to go forward.

      I stood there for awhile looking up to the stairs. I took a deep breath as I took the first step. I could feel all the ghouls staring at me from behind, but i didn't bother to look. I kept walking the stairs higher and higher, until i finally reached the last step. I stepped to the step and as soon as i shifted my weight to that step, everything around me disappeared. Everything was black.

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