I remembered lying in bed, waiting for the sound I knew would come, the sweet chime that masked the evil within. It mocked us. They'd turned something pure into mere shadows. They did that to everything. It was their way. If had known what was to come, I wouldn't have gotten up that morning. To hell with the rules. This would never be undone.
~~~
"Em." My mother's soothing voice whispered in my ear. "It's time to go. We mustn't be late."
Rowan. That was my mother's name. I chose it for her, just like she chose mine. She was the type of person that would stand up for what she believed in. That's why she gave me a name. She thought I was worthy of a name, that everyone was. Emira. It means princess, leader, royalty. I guess Rowan thought she was giving me a sense of importance, of worth. And she was right. I liked being called Emira. It made me feel special, valued, rather than being known as a simple 47.
~~~
"47!" A stern voice cut through my thoughts. "Get back to work." I shook my head internally, classic me, always daydreaming in the fields. I know that sounds romantic, you'd usually pair fields with dancing, endless sunsets and wine. But that's not really how it works.
Here, we work under the blazing sun, harvesting wheat, sowing grain and watering plants, not with water though. Oh no—with spit. Wouldn't want to waste important water, now would we? We would come home with parched throats and cracked lips. No compensation was given, no extra water, no healing salve. Simply barely enough food for that day.
"You were warned, five lashings 47!" He shouted, face turned towards the clock.
When the minute turned back to me he had a whip in his hands. The clock had approved my punishment. I had never seen it refuse. The whip struck me, slicing through my skin, lovingly carving itself on my flesh, claiming me, reminding me of my lowly position.
'Hide your head, submit, let them think they've won.' Rowan had always murmured as she held me in her arms.
It came again, with lightning speed. Ripping me apart as it tore through my arm. Then my leg. And back. It was unbearable but I bore it anyway.
~~~
"EMIRA!" Rowan yelled as they dragged her away, "It's okay, Em, it's okay."
The Minutes had ripped her out of my arms, ripped her out of my life.
~~~
The Minutes had ripped her out of my arms, ripped her out of my life. It was their way .
The Clock's way.
YOU ARE READING
The Hands of Death
Teen Fiction"Mum, I'm scared." She pulled me closer into her arms. "Don't worry, it'll all be over soon." She told me that every night. But she didn't know that it would be over, for her. My mother made the wrong choice, the brave choice, and...
