The Secret

Chapter 5: Sacrifice

A sacrifice is an act of offering to a deity something precious, or the destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else. And sometimes, simply put, it can also be something given up or lost. But really, the sacrifice I am about to make is all of those things...but much much worse.

"That's crazy," Patrick says.

"That is insane," Rob says, "So what is this secret exactly?"

"Like I said," I continue, "you've got to understand that it's a secret I can tell no one. But what should I do? Sacrifice this secret which could kill millions, all for Nelly? Or should I sacrifice Nelly's life in exchange for the rest of the world?"

"Well," Patrick says, "I mean, I guess the selfless choice would be sacrifice Nelly's life but I'm sure there is something you can do to try and stop it."

"Maybe," I say, "I don't know. I need some more time to think about this. I'll see you guys later, I've got to go."

I leave Rob's house and go to my house to figure out a plan. On my drive back to my house, my cell phone rings.

"Hello?," I say, answering the phone.

"Zane," a distorted deep voice on the other end says, "You've got approximately one hour before Nelly dies. Meet me in the alley between fifth and main. Bring nothing but yourself...and the secret."

"Got it," I hesitate to respond.

I hang up and go ahead to the alley, anxious for Nelly's safety. I walk in the alley, waiting for their arrival.

"Nelly might die all because of me," I say to myself. In that moment of realizing that, I knew what I had to do. The sacrifice I was going to make.

Finally, they arrive. A man in a mask jumps out of a large black van and brings Nelly out, with her hands tied behind her back and tape over her mouth.

"Let her go!," I yell.

"Not unless you give it up," he says, "Give up the secret."

"This is ridiculous, you know that?," I say, walking closer to him, "You will take someone's life in order to get a measly secret? In reality, this secret is nothing of what you think it is. Speaking of which, what do you think it is you are getting from me? What if I don't have the secret?"

"I know the secret is supposed to give someone the power to rule the world," he says.

"You're wrong," I lie, "did you know the secret could kill millions?"

"That is the secret I am looking for," he says, "the secret does both of those things."

"Exactly," I say, "there is a plus side and a downside and because of that, you are not getting it. Just hand over Nelly. I'm not giving you the secret."

"I don't have much patience," he says, "But I will tell you this: the next time I see you, you will give me the secret, even if I have to kill you for it."

The sacrifice I had to make, I know was tough to determine which was the selfish choice and which was the selfless choice, because either way, someone was going to die. Then, he shoots Nelly and runs out of the alley, escaping.

"No!," I yell, running to Nelly, who lays unconscious at the end of the alley.

In the end, I always wish I never knew this secret. Because, one day, this secret will take away everyone I love until I am finished as well. And when that day comes, I hope the secret will stay a secret forever.