The Ravens

Taken

I assemble along with the other soldiers in our army. Marching into the cages ready for selection. It does not matter if you were never chosen for sport, or educational competitions. As long as you are here, you can be chosen. And if you are chosen, then good luck to you, honestly good luck.

Our clothes are a pasty white and every scrap of metal marks them with tell tale signs. I am a warrior, there are no limits, I won't get chosen. This is not a family outing it's every man for himself, and I am ready.

The Ravens are released, clawing and the top of my cage, flapping gigantic wings, then they stop. Swooping into the air, and pirouetting like tiny ballerinas, I am amazed at their beauty and it is beyond compare. The Ravens hover gently over looking the cages, I get ready, we all sink to our knees, the ritual has begun.

I take the small engraved knife out of my pocket and slice a patronisingly long cut down my hand. I spread it all over the ground, cage and my hands. I burn the essence of my blood and wait. 'We call upon thee to justify this ritual, to keep our village safe. We all know it takes 3 to sacrifice, one blood, one life, one heart. I understand how much we value this village, and therefore all of you are willing to...' The mayor finishes and we wait. 'BE SACRIFICED. PLEASE RAVENS CHOOSE ME I WANT TO DIE TO SAVE, NOT TO MISFORTUNE, HINDER OR CAUSE PAIN. THIS IS THE MOST HONOURABLE TIME TO DIE- CHOOSE ME RAVENS, CHOOSE ME!' The whole city speaks as one and the cages rattle from the vibrations. The Ravens fly off leaving The Three to chose a person to sacrifice.

They walk over the cages, rattling, stomping and flapping to increase our fear. I begin to count 5-4-3-they fly into the air-2-1 SMASH! A Raven lands violently onto my cage, I begin to break down, I wasn't supposed to die and as my cage is lifted, my wide eyes collect onto my mother and sister crying. I wasn't supposed to die, I wasn't supposed to be sacrificed, I wasn't supposed to be chosen.