Written in Life

(Chapter 11)

I screamed, the sound tearing out of my lungs like a ridged knife. I felt arms wrap around me and panic surged through me like a tidal wave. I was dragged back into the darkness almost gracefully, as though my captor had no problem hauling my weight backwards. A glint of silver appeared out of the corner of my eye and a piece of cloth was gagged tightly against my mouth. Someone threw me over their shoulder and I fought as much as I could, feeling weak and helpless. A flash of light poured in through the room and I put my head down, shielding my eyes from it's brilliance. I was thrown against the solid, cold ground without care and Cody followed, falling hard on his side, his dark blond hair stained and crusted from his earlier injury. I wiggled and thrashed to find my hands and legs tied together. I growled in frustration and a shadow towered over me. I looked up, rage burning my insides and betrayal hit me hard like the butt of a gun. The colorless, frail figure of my mother stood before me, an expression of disappointment displayed across her face.

"I never knew it would be this easy," she said coldly. The council appeared behind her and all had the same smile plastered upon their faces. The shock was so powerful that it held all tears back, whether they were for happiness or sorrow. I couldn't take my eyes off of my mother, the way her eyes didn't reflect the image of me, like a hollow shell.

"Bernice." I turned my head and a man towered above me. His face was unshaven and covered in stubble, wrinkles like spider webs spread across his face, showing the stress in the last few days." You're quite a runner," he said, his bone fingers outlining his fat, round chin and scratched with the sound of course sand paper. I worked the gag from my mouth and looked at him in disgust.

"What do you plan to do with us?" I ordered, my eyes wandering to the pain-stricken body of Cody. The man chuckled.

"We're actually going to give you a quest of sorts," he said, amused. I looked at him, puzzled.

"What kind of shit are you trying to play?" I demanded. He knelt down to my eye level.

"I assure you, this quest is anything but a piece of shit," he growled. I remained silent and the eldest woman clapped her hands twice, a spinning sensation followed by a flow of nausea. We appeared in the council hall and I we were unbound and standing before them... for a few seconds. I stumbled over from the sudden dizziness and placed my forehead against the cool concrete, waiting for it to go away before standing again. I realized Cody had done the same thing because he landed right next to me, almost on top of me.

"A little warning would've been nice," I hissed, standing up slowly as me and Cody used each other for support... well, more like I supported him. He stood up straight after a few moments and looked around as if nothing had ever happened. I rolled my eyes.

"The Page has been in serious alignment for over two million years. Something, or someone, has disturbed that balance," the eldest woman said.

"And we're supposed to care why?" Cody cut in.

"To erase your threat against our people..." she started.

"Your people," Cody snapped. His cup was filled to the brim with rage and I smiled.

"You locked us up in a cell like animals, if you recall," I joined.

"I've lived alone for nineteen whole years and you didn't give a damn! All but forgot about the lonely inked boy sold off by his mother!" he yelled." You might be able to manipulate her, but you have some major fucking nerve if you come crying to me for help!!" He had grown pale and his veins had turned as black as the ink that flooded our veins. His chest was heaving big, angry breaths as he peered into the souls of the council... They didn't even flinch. I noticed the candles from the chandelier had all but flickered out. One remained. Realization flooded through me.

"The auras are being demolished," I muttered. The hall fell silent. The gentle flicker of the light cut through like a knife through butter, whispering the song of the dying flame. I looked up and the council stared back. Every one of their expressions knew I was right. I felt my heart beat slow and I gasped for air. Cody ran to my side and was blocked out by some sort of barrier. I looked at my hand and I seemed to flicker away like the flame itself, like a hologram. Panic ruled over all other emotions and I breathed heavily. It sounded like I smoked three packs a day. Curls bounced over my shoulders, a wheezing sound coming from my chest. This was it. I knew I was going to die, but not by my aura being snuffed out... the oddest part was I wasn't afraid for me... I was afraid for everyone outside of the barrier that suffocated me. I closed my eyes and slowed my breathing. Death was welcome... death was welcome...

I gasped for air suddenly and Cody ran over to me, kneeling by my side.

"Are you all right?" he asked, panicked. Annoyance hit me hard and I jerked upright.

"I'm fine," I snapped. I hate when people thought I couldn't handle myself, even after a life-threatening situation. I looked to the council, not one concerned face. I stood up and walked up to the elder and stopped inches in front of her face." How many?" I demanded.

"Two genres," she said." And there is a reward. We'll treat you as equals."

"Can I ask why you didn't start it off that way?" Cody said. Silence. Another man sighed. He was a scrawny thing, brown black hair with a silver mixed in here and there. He had narrow glasses and a long face and crooked nose. He looked around thirty years old.

"Look, I haven't been in the council long, but think of all the people- the children- that don't know about your kind. Imagine how thankful they'll be that their parents, or even themselves, were saved by the next generations inked," he said. Cody looked off into space, deep in thought. He looked up a few minutes later.

"Fine, we'll do it," he said quickly. I cleared my throat and coughed in shock.

"We?" I said." I never agreed to this."

"Bernie..." he started.

"Bernice!" I yelled." And I'm not quick to forgive anyone." I eyed my mother and she stared back with no guilt at all.

"I can understand the army can do that to you," the man with the glasses said.

"Shut up!" I snapped. I turned at the feel of a hand on my shoulder. I looked into Cody's eyes with fury and he held my shoulders. Something in me let go and I was strangely calm. I melted into his chocolate brown eyes and a tickling feeling started in my stomach. I shuddered.

"You grew up with these people. Imagine if we all disappeared... We can prevent it," he said.

"You don't know how they treat us," I whispered.

"Do I?" he asked. I sighed with annoyance and looked back to the council, on the edge of their seats. I huffed out a breath and closed my eyes. I really hate these people.

"Fine, I'll do it," I said quickly, to get it over with. Relief swept over the council. A fierce grip held me from behind and strapped a brace to my wrist, a man doing the same to Cody.

"What's the big idea?" Cody yelled. We were forced down on our knees and the elder walked up to us.

"Your journey begins now," she whispered. She touched each of our foreheads with a forefinger and a flash of light surrounded us...