Blood Red (Adopted by Cannibals)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The pit was everything I was expecting and more. It is a large, shallow hole in the ground where firewood is placed in such a way it looks a little like a barbeque. Everyone stood around the pit while a tall African-American man walked closer holding and old-fashioned flaming torch. I watched silently as he placed the fire under the barbeque formation. He pulled back and moments later I could see the flames spilling out the sides. What happened next was almost a blur. Everyone was cheering while another man yelled out "lets feast." and then I heard the first screams. These screams were not happily excited screams, but the opposite. they were scared and terrified screams. I looked around me to see several men holding knives against throats of people. Looking around I noticed that all of them were young adults, ranging from eighteen to around thirty-five. There were many more than I had expected, maybe around twenty-eight or more. I'm guessing this means that for this week long to feed so many cannibals they will need a lot of human meat. Three were led forward over to the man, It was a woman and two men. The woman was sobbing and shaking terribly. I wanted to reach out and hold her hand, but I was too far, and I know that dad would kill me if I did. So instead I watched. The crowd was going nuts while I could still hear many sobs coming from around us. The same dark-skinned man walked forward once more, standing in front of the three poor people who I know are about to be killed.

"Brothers, Sisters, welcome to the 'festival of the living' where we celebrate our lives and that of our brothers and sisters, and lest not forget we celebrate the lives these people give to be our dinner." He pauses and several of the women screamed out hearing that they were dinner. I remained silent. There is nothing I can currently do so I need to stay positive and be a part of this festival.

"It has been a long year, but let's take this get together as a chance to make bonds, find love and enjoy each other's company." The man continued once it was quiet. "Let's get this started, who would like the honour?" He waited a moment before several arms went up. I was shocked to see that it was not only males but females and children too. Looking around I noticed that even my family had put their hands up. I stared wide-eyed at them.

"Don't worry about it, there are many games which will allow you to kill someone, so just watch today," Dad whispered with a huge smile. No. I don't want to kill anyone. I want to get away from here. But I fear that I have no choice, and all I can do is beg that I do not win in such games or get chosen.

I turned my attention back to the front seeing as everyone suddenly got silent and all the hands went down. There was only the light sniffling from several of the poor people who will become food during this week. "We all know how this works, we all want this opportunity to kill the first. Just like I was chosen last year. I will choose three of you at random. there is no reason for your hands. I know you all want this opportunity." I stood there, wide-eyed as his eyes travelled over each and every one of us.

"The lady down the back with the blond hair." Oh no, is he meaning me? I quickly looked around trying to see who else he could be talking about. He was looking straight at me.

"The one with the bright pink top." I quickly glanced down at what I was wearing. A light blue dress. Relieved I allowed myself to relax a little, happy that I wasn't the chosen one. The girl with the pink top and blond hair bounced up onto the stage. She was a little holed, around nineteen I'm guessing. She had a large smile and was recently tall for her age, I'd say a bit taller than me, I am 170, so I'd guess around 175 to around 180?

I watched the man point out at an older looking man and finally the last one was a young boy. I stared wide-eyed. Is he really letting a boy kill? No. No, no, no. please don't let the boy kill anyone. He is too young, looks only about seven or so. I want to run up on stage and grab the boy, hide him from this killing. But seeing the smile he had, I realised there is nothing I can do. These people corrupted a little boy's life. I bet that their children never got to experience what most children do, friends, school, happiness, freedom. But what if they do get that experience, what if they enjoy this lifestyle. It is all they know.

Shaking the thought away I tuned back into the man's speech. He was directing each one of the chosen to one of the humans who would be killed. They each chose a weapon suitable for them from a weapon rack I hadn't noticed before. Before I could turn and run and felt a hand grabbing a hold of mine. I snapped my head up afraid of what the person will do to me.

"Relax, I know you've only seen one being killed before but the faster you get used to it the better it will be." I nodded quickly. Although I know that there is no way I will be able to get used to all this killing. I was an innocent happy girl once, without a care in the world. And then three years ago the killings started. One by one my family was murdered by the people I now call my family. I shouldn't be trusting them. I shouldn't feel safe around them. But I do. I know they will keep me safe providing I stay with them and do what they want me to. They will provide me with food and family. There is nothing I need to do. Yet, looking up at the stage and seeing the girl, the man and the child getting ready to kill and start the festival I know that I must get out, I need to save people who will be killed in the future. I need to find a safe place for myself. I

I turned to Jace, the one who just talked to me. "Will I have to participate in the killing too?" whispered back frightened. I'm begging in my head that he will say no. There is no reason for me too. That he will protect me. But the answer I got was nothing like I was hoping for.

"You will most likely have to kill. The sooner that you do, the sooner you'll learn how nice it is, how satisfying it is." My eyes widened and slowly I nodded my head. I know that if I want them to think I still care about them, that I am still part of the family I should be doing this sort of thing. But can I bring myself to do so? Can I become the hunter rather than the pray?