A new beginning

Chapter 7

I silently prayed that she hadn't already made her way to my room to collect me. As I pondered my next move, a nock on my door startled me, causing my heart to race with anticipation. Miss Abel's voice called out, "Are you ready for our meeting, dear?" I quickly composed myself and replied, "Yes, I'll be right there." With a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts and prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead in our discussion. As I opened the door, Miss Abel greeted me with a warm smile, her presence calming my nerves. I trailed behind her as we made our way down the dimly lit corridor, the eerie silence of Suncrest Manor weighing heavily on my senses. Her office awaited us on the second floor, a place shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. The sense of anticipation consumed me as I prepared to meet, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me—which problems or secrets lay ahead. "Go ahead and take a seat; I'll be with you in just a moment." Miss Abel said softly, breaking the silence. When I sat down, my eyes scan the room, and I noticed the shelves lined with old books and the faint smell of lavender in the air. The ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner added to the suspense, making me feel like time was both standing still and rushing by at the same time. "Alright, Meave, let's get started." Miss Abel said, her gentle voice pulling me back to reality. I took a deep breath, ready to start this meeting with a clear mind. As we delved into the conversation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm settle over me, reassured by Miss Abel's presence and her guidance through any issues that may arise. "Now that I have shared all the details about the different jobs in the community, which one resonates with you the most?" I pondered for a moment, considering the options carefully before finally speaking up. "I believe assisting technical combat or venturing out on scavenging missions are the areas where I can contribute the most." I replied, my heart brimming with a profound sense of purpose and exhilaration as I finalized my choice. Miss Abel smiled warmly, nodding in approval as we discussed the necessary training and preparation. "I can tell you have a keen understanding of your own abilities." she commented, "And I'm sure Sir Victor would be thrilled to have a highly skilled warrior like yourself on his team." When I realized that a respected leader of this community valued and recognized my skills, an overwhelming sense of pride overcame me. While Miss Abel was unaffected by the noise, the loud footsteps outside her office immediately caught my attention. I turned my head towards the door, wondering who could be approaching with such urgency. As the footsteps grew louder, a feeling of anticipation and curiosity washed over me, eager to see who was about to enter the room. The door creaked open, revealing Echo, Alaric, and the two men I saw earlier in the woods standing in the hallway. Miss Abel greeted them warmly, and I watched each of them carefully enter her office. Alaric looks tense and serious, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for something. Echo, on the other hand, seemed calm and collected, her posture exuding confidence. The two men stood in tense silence by the door, their faces filled with unease. "What can I do for you all today?" Miss Abel's voice broke the silence, causing Alaric to finally relax a bit. Will they disclose their discovery in the forest or maintain it as a secret? Had they kept their mouths shut, they would have never ended up in Miss Abel's office. So they decided to share their findings, knowing that Miss Abel would be able to help them navigate the situation. "Do you have a moment?" Alaric asked, his voice hesitant. Miss Abel nodded, gesturing for them to take a seat. "Of course, I'm here to help." She replied warmly, her eyes showing genuine concern. Knowing I should take my leave, but I wanted to see how this situation would unfold. I quietly watched from my seat, curious about the outcome of their conversation with Miss Abel. Alaric shot me a glance that screamed, "Mind your own business and scram." I stubbornly lifted my chin and firmly stayed in my seat. Echoing Miss Abel's words, I argued, "I'm here to help too." Miss Abel chuckled softly, appreciating my persistence. "Alright then, the more, the merrier." She said with a smile, welcoming my involvement in their conversation. Alaric sighed, realizing he couldn't get rid of me that easily. As they began to explain what they had found, Echo's confidence wavered slightly, but Alaric's tension eased slightly. But why? Is it not appropriate to go straight to Sir Rupert, the leader of the town council? Are they worried about potential repercussions from Sir Rupert? Or do they have more confidence in Miss Abel instead of Sir Rupert, which may indicate a deeper level of trust and respect for her expertise in handling delicate matters? Regardless, their choice to depend on her holds significant importance. Furthermore, my assumption about Miss Abel's trustworthiness has been cleared; this incident serves as undeniable proof. "Fascinating, truly fascinating." I pondered silently. What other hidden truths could Miss Abel be concealing, and how will her participation shape the course of events in the town? "Someone was recklessly slaughtering walkers." Echo whispered, her body quivering, while Alaric's expression hardened. The magnitude of the situation became increasingly apparent. Miss Abel glanced at the two men, their faces twisted with a growing sense of worry. As I absorbed the anxious atmosphere and disregarded my fleeting glances, it dawned on me that the situation held far greater significance and weight than I had initially thought. The extensive web of secrets and dangers that surrounded the community was becoming increasingly complex with each passing minute. How could they possibly unravel the tangled mess and guarantee the well-being of everyone involved? The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on my mind as I realized the enormity of the task ahead. "How is that a problem?" I said without thinking, my voice tinged with a hint of frustration. The tension in the room grew palpable as all eyes turned to me, waiting for me to elaborate on my seemingly callous response. I quickly realized that my question had inadvertently added another layer of complexity to an already delicate situation. "I didn't mean to come across as hostile, but isn't it a positive thing that those trolls are no longer a threat?" The eerie stillness that followed my question was overwhelming, and a visible sense of unease swept through the room with alarming speed. At that instant, it became clear to me that I had inadvertently hit a sensitive spot. Miss Abel cleared her throat and spoke softly. "While we understand your perspective, we have an alternative approach to dealing with these beings." Her words struck me with a force I couldn't ignore. Was she implying that they gather djinns as if they were mere livestock? This reveals a callous indifference to the fact that these beings were once individuals with their own identities. "We have to maintain a certain amount of rotters to insure that the fittest survive in the arena." Miss Abel continued, squirming slightly in her chair. Her discomfort was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder what other questionable practices were being carried out under the guise of "ensuring the fittest survive." The unease in the room was thick, as I struggled to comprehend the true nature of their operation. Using djinns as mere subjects for people to entertain themselves with is dehumanizing and disrespectful. I won't say what I did this morning makes me any better, but I can't support the idea of treating living creatures as mere objects for amusement. "Well, that explains the arena fights." I remarked, uneasy with the concept of the undead being cooped up within the community. Echo shrugged, her eyes betraying a hint of guilt. "It's a necessary evil." She replied, her voice tinged with regret. "This is how the community functions. If we want to live, we need strong individuals in the community. And sometimes it involves a life-or-death arena fight." Miss Abel added, her expression somber. "It's not ideal, but it's the reality we face in order to survive in this post-apocalyptic world." I nodded, trying to keep my face as neutral as possible, realizing that countless people in the community had to face these struggles to establish their position in life within the community. The grim reality of the situation loomed large in my thoughts, contemplating the countless individuals who had battled and met their demise in the arena. "When a group of people come here, do they have to sever all ties with their loved ones to earn a spot in this community?" I mumbled under my breath, unaware that my words had slipped out, until Miss Abel's face contorted in agony. Her eyes reflect the weight of the decision. "Sometimes sacrifices must be made in order to secure a future." She replied softly, her words echoing the harsh truth of their reality. The gravity of her words settled heavily in my chest, making me realize the harshness of the world they lived in. Alaric stood beside me, his expression unreadable as he observed the exchange between Miss Abel and myself. "It's not an easy choice." he finally said, his voice low and filled with understanding. "But sometimes, in order to survive, sacrifices must be made." As he spoke, I could see the turmoil in his one good eye, which showed his internal fight. I feel sick—sick to my stomach. envisioning others being led into the arena, learning the heartbreaking truth that they must kill their own loved ones in order to survive, or experiencing betrayal by those they most trusted. How could anyone even fathom such a cruel and twisted situation? The mere scenario itself fills me with dread—the thought of having to end the life of my own sister in order to ensure my place in the community. I allowed the dark cloak to envelope me in a soothing embrace in order to avoid showing any emotions. "Thank you for clarifying the rules." I managed to choke out, my voice cold and detached. The very idea of such a brutal ultimatum is enough to make my blood run cold. "What is going to happen now?" I say, looking at the group. The group exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions mirroring my own internal turmoil. Miss Abel cleared her throat and strained her spine before speaking. "Now we must carry out the consequences of breaking the community's laws." The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, sending a shiver down my spine as, "I'm going to inform the rest of the council about what has transpired today." She continued, her tone more firm and unwavering. The gazes of everyone lingered in my mind, haunting me even after our conversation came to an end.