Burn Your Local Church

Ceremony

For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me;6 the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.

~ 2 Samuel 22:5-6

A/N: So it's 2:17am while I'm writing this chapter. x_x

No, I don't regret it.

Sleep is for the weak.

Am I right???

|dj_kenn|

Chapter 8:

I rested my head on the palm of my hand as I listened to my mother speak endlessly about the preparation of my 17th birthday. I, however, don't want to do it, nor do I agree with it. I don't agree with any of this.

I looked down at my compass which lay flat on the wooden table. I gently placed my fingers on it; the cold medal sending chills up my arms. I started at it for a while, contemplating what I could possibly do to get out of my 17th birthday ritual.

I thought about Cameron.

I thought about his people.

I thought about what it must be like, living in a world where you have no idea if you're under attack, or some mob is about to rage into your city. How scary it would be, being in school, or being a mother, or a child, or anyone, and being under attack by a group of people you fear. What would you do? What could you do? Potentially nothing. There's not much you could do to stop us. That's so scary.

"Jamie Lynn!" My mother snapped. I lost my thoughts and I looked up at her, oblivious.

"Y-y-yes mother."

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Yes of course mother."

"Very well." She tied her hair up in a high bun and turned her back to me. "Now go change. You're a disgrace to this village when you look like that."

"Yes mother."

I quickly got up and jogged up the stairs. I walked up to my wardrobe and pulled out my best dress. I slipped into it, and sat down in front of my vanity. I carefully started applying blush. As I looked into the mirror, I saw the reflection of my window; lights appearing outside. I got up off my stool and stood beside my window, looking down at the people in their black robes, hoods up, lighting flames to the bon fire. From this distance, it looked typical...But I knew what was actually going on.

I knew that they were preparing for me. They were preparing my preparation ceremony. The whole village would be there tonight; watching patiently for these two months to pass, and me to lead them into Cameron's city and burn down their local church.

No. I thought to myself. No. No. No. I won't do it. I convinced myself. I'll stand up to my village.

"Jamie." My mother called from the bottom of the stairs. "Let's go! You don't want to be late."

"Coming mother."

I left my room and practically jumped every step down the stairs and left our house. My mother was already buried in the crowd of people surrounding the giant bon fire. The flames lifting into the sky, loud crackling noices escaping the fire. The voices turned into a hum as I walked through a path of people throughout the crowd. I was biting the inside of my lip to stop from smiling or giggling. After I passed many people, I walked in a straight line up to the front of the crowd where the leader was standing. His stone grey eyes staring through me. His dry hands reaching out to me. His large and slightly scary underworld pope hat sat atop his dull hair. Our eyes met for only a second before he motioned for me to stand beside him.

With each step I took up the stairs to where the leader was, I felt my heart sinking deeper, and my stomach getting tighter. Finally I reached him, and he lightly pressed his finger tips to my forehead. The humming from the crowd disappeared, and everyone slowly closed their eyes. The leader was the last person to close his eyes before reciting a verse.

" Sie , jung Kind. Tochter von Luzifer. In einem vereint. Lassen Sie uns uns begrüßen Sie Geist als eins."

(Translate to old German: "You, young child of Lucifer. United in one. Let us hail your spirit as one.")

The crowd opened their eyes at once and stared at me. I felt as if I was pinned to a dart bored, and their eyes were the sharp, silver darts. Shooting at me all at once. My fingers moved around inside of my pocket; feeling the cold, compass medal. The crowd started swaying around the fire, reciting the prayer.

"My soul won't make it to the sky and hell is where I'll go.

Know with this I've done my best but I guess it's not enough.

So I'll lay my conscience down to rest and say goodbye with love.

Do what it takes to get where I want cause I can't get there with fate.

Hate who I hate and love who I love it's my own choice to make.

No longer rely on a man up above my soul my own to kill.

Which allows me to try what I wouldn't like cheat or lie or steal.

And in my feet I feel hell beneath and know it is my truth.

So before I leave I plan to eat as much forbidden fruit.

Of course I still pray you take my soul to the gate but if indeed I'm cursed.

Just tell me my fate before you take me away so I can burn on earth."

They send chills up my spine, and my ears stared ringing. This was the worst part of the entire ceremony...The bloody match.