The Cult

The Swirling Mark.

I wake up feeling heavy. I know what it is. I look at my hand, the swirling mark showing that I'm ready. I have to meet the others at the rendezvous. I throw on my black t-shirt, baggy red hoodie and black jeans. I pack the things I'll need, but I'm not sure how long it will take. I clean my room, knowing I'll never see it again. I run down the halls to find the others. I see Rose, Ivy, Dan, Luca, Toni and Jonas packing all their stuff. We exchange nods, not needing words to know what to do. I wait for them all outside. I know my parents never had the mark. As much as I've been hurt by them, it's gonna be sad leaving them behind, but my friends...

"It's time." Says Rose, shaking me from my thoughts.
"Are you ready?" Asks Dan.
We're all ready to leave. It's not like the orphanage will miss us. This is much more important than that. We all run towards the park. I stay back just a bit, making sure that no one gets left behind.

Destini, Faith, Damien, Jay, Lili and Kara are waiting for us there. They have the van ready. I look after the younger ones as Dan, Jonas and Toni talk to the others. The van is loaded and we all get in. I take one last look back towards the town. I'm gonna miss this place, but the world needs to be cleansed. We have to find everyone else first.

The drive is long, but it'll all be worth it.
"Cynthia?"
I turn my head towards Ivy.
"Uh, yeah Ivy?"
"Are you afraid?"
I am, of course I am, but I don't wanna worry the smol ones.
"No, because I know that we're gonna be okay."
"How do you know?"
I take her left hand and turn it over, putting mine next to hers.
"Because of these."
"But what do they mean?"
Oh jeez, how do I explain this to a nine-year-old? 'They mean we're part of something that will wipe out all of the people on the earth but we're safe coz these marks represent the father of darkness and he will protect us. These practically make us immortal.' Sounds fine.
"They mean that we will live longer than the others."
"Oh, okay."

We find Jamie and Luna. They're the last of ours. Now we head to the rendezvous point. We can be safe now, but the second the Sun vanishes, well, I can't worry about them anymore. I'm a part of this, these people are my family. We're all siblings now, we're all anyone has left.

We're all the world has left...

That's depressing.
"HEY DESTINI!"
"WHAT CYNTHIA?"
"Can we get coffee?"
"EXCUSE ME?!"
f*ck
"NEVERMIND!"
"STOP WASTING MY TIME!"
"WE HAVE TWO DAYS OF NOTHING BUT DRIVING!"
"YOU'RE GETTING ON MY NERVES CYNTHIA!"
"Sorry, I'll stop now."
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
"I SAID IM SORRY!"
"how was she chosen? she won't survive, she's weak and stupid. no wonder her parents left her."

Whatever Destini just said, it surprised Jay. I guess I'll have to deal with it sooner or later.

*~~~♤~~~*

We're all pretty tired now. Destini pulls over to a motel downtown. There's thirteen of us. I guess that's a lot, because when Damien says we're one group staying, the receptionist looks at us like 'b*tch, what the f*ck.' ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  We spilt into groups of four. Destini, Faith, Rose and Ivy in one room, Jonas, Damien, Dan, Jamie and Jay in another,
Lili, Luna, Toni, Kara and Luca in the next one over and Me, I'm staying in my own room since I can take care of myself (what a cliché). Yaaay. Now I get to be alone with my demons.

*~~~♡~~~*

The night is long. I keep thinking that the sun's gone and so is everyone else. It's so quiet, it's so dark and the voices get louder. I can tune them out, but not for long. The keep repeating the same word, over and over and over and over again. It's too much, I start trembling, hyperventilating and crying.
"No! I-i'm not... I'm not..."
The keep pestering me, getting louder and louder until..
"SHUT UP! IM NOT A MURDERER!"
I instantly cover my mouth with my hands and cry harder. I can hear footsteps, they stop outside my door. I can't bring myself to confront my demons and now someone's out there. The door swings open.
"Cynthia, are you okay?"
It's Jamie.
I sniffle.
"No, I'm not, considering I just screamed 'I'm not a murderer'."
I laugh a little.
He sits down on the bed.
"Can I have an explanation?"
I look at him.
"I guess so.."

*~~~◇~~~*

We spent the rest of the night talking. I gotta admit, I feel way better. Before we know it, the Sun's rising. I give a sigh of relief.
Jamie leaves to get his stuff and I get changed. Now I'm wearing a light grey shirt with NASA on it and denim shorts. I tie my hoodie around my waist. We've got a whole 'nother day to get through.

I triple check to make sure that I've got everything and leave. I don't expect anyone to appreciate what happened last night. I'm actually expecting everyone to shout at me, cause I probably alerted other people. I avoid all eye contact and get in the van. I stare out the window, listening to my music.

🎵______________________________🎵
Now playing:
Ghost Town -
Veorra & the Tech Theives

:::
Died last night in my dreams,

Walking the streets

of some old Ghost town.

I tried to believe in God and James Dean,

But Hollywood sold out

🎵______________________________🎵

"What're ya listening to?"
Without diverting my gaze, I show Rose my phone.
"OoOo, can I listen?"
I give her my head phones and watch her reaction. She starts dancing in her seat. I laugh, just a little. Ivy, Jamie, Luna, Dan and Jonas turn around to see what I'm laughing at. As if on cue, Rose starts acting stupid, making faces and all, making us all laugh. Once the song ends, she passes my headphones back to me. She looks content with herself.
"I made you smile."
"Yes, you did Rose."
At least two people don't hate me.

*~~~~~~~~~~~ ✴ ~~~~~~~~~~~~*
1046 words
I'm getting better, at least
¯\_(ツ)_/¯