hoax - Jean Kristein

1.1

848  ,    Marley 

"Move it, maggot!", a hard shove to the shoulder brought me back to the harsh reality of my life. I walked down the street, dazed, hushed whispers flooding my brain.

"There goes a devil"

"Get the kids inside, the devils are out where they don't belong"

"Devil blood"

"Scum"

Devil.

What an odd word, so casually tossed around. I've heard it my entire life, but I can never get used to the sharp sting. Understanding the weight of the word at the young age of eleven is enough to drive a person mad.

I just want it to stop.

Becoming an honorary Marleyn is all I've ever wanted, needed, for my family. The only way to achieve at least some form of piece in a cruel world like this. I had to sacrifice my life to save my family's, a price I was willing to pay.

I had my warrior trainer walking alongside me, protecting me from the world. He was only 19, but he knew far too much for someone that age. His blonde hair was messy from the wind, and his tall figure slumped over.

"Do you think I'll be able to become a warrior, Zeke?" I asked, looking down

He sighed.

"You have the determination and skills, but it's something I hope you don't become, Lilly." He put his hand on my shoulder as I frowned.

"But why? You get super cool powers and get to be an honorary Marleyan. That sounds like a dream to me." I sighed happily.

Zeke laughed softly. "I don't know quite about the 'super cool powers', but it's a heavy burden. It's a curse, Lillian."

I shrugged. I had only one goal in mind, safety for my family, they're counting on me.

"I just have 2 months left until they choose the candidates, I have to be the best." My face hardened with determination. My steps faltered as I remembered who I was up against.

Annie and Riener were my biggest competitors, especially Annie. She was getting a titan no doubt.

"Zeke, what do you think my first mission will be?" I asked excitedly, adding a spring to my step. Zeke sighed in defeat, knowing he'd never change my mind.

"What do you want it to be, kid?"

"Hey, you're only 8 years older than me. I'm no kid, I'm a warrior." I thump my hand against my chest, smiling mischievously.

Zeke rolled his eyes and laughed, ruffling my hair a little.

"You're right. You're a big, tough warrior. I guess you're too old to play catch with me then." He frowned, but the glint in his eye was enough to tell that he was faking.

"Yeah right. You can't be too old for catch, silly" I rolled my eyes and quickly grabbed the ball from his jacket pocket. Jogging a little further ahead, I turned to him and threw the ball with as much power as I could.

The force threw him off guard and he dodged out of the way before the ball hit him. I nearly fell over with laughter because of his facial expression. He chuckled and picked up the ball, throwing it back with a lot less force.

That was how I spent my afternoon. It's how I spent most of my afternoons since I met Zeke. And even though we weren't related by blood, he was my family.