Despite the warmth of the woolen sweater, I was encased in, I shivered. All the horror was arousing the insanity concealed within me. Anxiety seemed to have permanently inhabited in me. Aiden struggled to attain answers from me. The only responses he had managed to accomplish, were negative gestures for silence or whimpers of worry. His rapidly developing concern was edging towards the cliff overhanging.
Realising that his tolerance wouldn't last much longer, I spoke. "I had a nightmare last night, the Sun had me hostage," I shuddered at the memory, now embedded in my brain. After I retold the story, which had spooked me for the remainder of the night, I sighed with the relief of sharing my experience. Antagonism brimmed over the edges of Aiden's eyes, he literally shook with anger. My eyes widened in fright, though I knew his rage wasn't meant for me, it was still terrifying seeing him in this state. Swallowing a gulp of worry, I placed a hand on his shoulder, in an attempt of calming him.
Eyebrows raised, he swivelled to face me, the anger in his eyes receded a bit. I bit my lower lip, uncertain what to say. Clearing my throat formally, I began, "Aiden, I know that after this incident, The Sun will never favour us, not that it ever has, except for the colours, but you shouldn't try to develop a personal enmity between us and The Sun. Instead we should understand and face our fate with surety, we should try to work on where we can unearth more information about The Moon and The Darks."
His shoulders slumped, and he nodded his understanding. Suddenly, his eyes brightened, as if something important and exciting had just dawned on him. I deciphered from the dancing light in his eyes, that his idea was no ordinary one. "I just realised, it's my 15th birthday today! And yours is tomorrow!" his words portrayed the optimism, he felt, though they confused me. I didn't recognise the connection between 15th birthday and secret information. He regarded my puzzlement with amusement, a smirk appeared on his diverted expression.
"Guess what happens on the day after we turn 15? We get to choose our jobs!" he cried. I had never known Aiden to be the one who took having a job so happily. "If we choose the right jobs, then we can unveil many secrets, and the most secretive jobs are warriors and soldier commandos," he explained. That snapped my attention. I gasped. Aiden hadn't changed much, he was still the one who speculated these simple yet effective ideas. Unlike my irrational mind, he knew the difference between relevant and irrelevant. I grinned at him, a sign of agreement.
--------Two Days Later-------
Thrill surged through my veins. I tapped my foot lightly on the marble floor impatiently.
The massive oak door opened, a thin boy, in an olive coloured uniform, stepped out, his pale skin emitted light like a beacon. "Emily Nicole Wilson, Councillor Farris is ready to meet to," his young voice bellowed, echoing off the wooden walls. Nervously, I stood up and strode to the door, trying to give an impression of confidence and anticipation.
Once seated on the metal stool provided, the councillor introduced himself. He was no different from the other men in the city, I had always considered councillors to be old and wise, but his man in front me was just another typical citizen of The City of Blessed. "So, Emily Nicole Wilson, born on the seventeenth day of the fifth month?" he glanced up for confirmation, I simply nodded, "Daughter of Keitha and Hubert Wilson," I nodded again, after all the general testimonies were confirmed, he continued on with my thoughts and ambitions of the future.
"What are your plans for your future occupation, do you have a vague idea of which job you think will suit you most in contributing service to the city?" he quizzed.
"I have considered that to fulfil my duty as a citizen of The City of Blessed, the most appropriate occupation for me which allows me to serve as much as I can to the city is the occupation of a warrior."
Councillor Farris looked perplexed about my confident statement, his eyebrows drew together. "Of course Emily, first preference is after all given to you, but mind you, allow me to add, that this is position requiring various skills and bravery. If you do not acquire this occupation, then there is no second preference, you will be given a job which is in need of people."
It took me no time to understand his undertones. He suspected my calibre to succeed and graduate as a warrior. I felt my blood boiling under my skin.
"You doubt my ability? My mother is Keitha Wilson, she was one of the greatest warriors, in fact she was even the superintendent, and who do you think you are to judge my talent in order for me becoming a warrior?! At least the post of a warrior is an honest one, they don't judge you for your years of experience like councillors, or how strong you are like soldiers, the results aren't bias." I was yelling by that stage, all the manners and etiquette I had been taught, dissipated within a few seconds. The councillor, startled by my attitude, was leaning back into his chair, almost as if scared.
The young boy, who had opened the door and announced me to enter, now coughed into his fist. Farris glowered at him, "Don't mind Diego, he's just an apprentice. And Emily, I did not intend to offend you, I was only expressing the facts, you see as councillor that is my job, to inform you youngsters of the set rules and alternatives. That is the same thing I tell everyone."
"Well maybe that's why many girls don't get the job of a warrior, because YOU crush their hopes, this is the dream many girls pursue and to break their faith in themselves is not okay." I didn't realise what I had said until the words were out of mouth. I pushed the guilt aside and squared my shoulders as well as masking my regret with a firm expression.
Diego, despite his teacher's warning, stepped forward to speak. "Emily, I apologise for any comments which have offended you on my teacher's behalf and of course you are correct, a councillor's meant to help you. I personally think that after your courageous wit to speak up here, you will make a great warrior," he smiled. I returned the smile.
Turning back to face Farris, my beam morphed into a scowl. "See, even your so called 'just an apprentice' knows better than you. You're probably so furious with him that you'll kick him out of the job, only because he was right and you were wrong. This is what I mean about unfairity, Diego may be an apprentice but from what I have just heard he will make a better councillor than you," I fumed.
"Emily Wilson, you have no right to talk to someone senior than you in such manner. As for Diego, you're only siding with him because he lifted your spirits about your chances of becoming a warrior. I may not be able to do much about your behaviour, but Diego's," he cackled, "Yes indeed I will kick him out, for that is what big-mouths like you two deserve."
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The Torn World
Fantasy"even though you don't mean to hurt me you keep tearing me apart" - shawn mendes, mercy The City Of Blessed, a city inhabited by overly sweet, too-good-for-themselves and insanely attractive people. They live their lives without a care in the world...
