Abatha Among the Stars

Chapter 2

The music began to play, for the show that was about to unveil. Monastery nuns swept out doors like a giant void they came together around the blessed children. The only different color came from their pale hands that exited their black robes.

These hands all set upon one human shoulder or another. Abatha did not know who grabbed her nor did she care, she knew that they were going to place them in order for the walking procession.

She calmly tried to think of something else so that her anxiety would not act up. Now was not time for the black void to take over. Imps lined everyone up.

It was not hard to know what the basis for the line order was, it was attractiveness. She watched as many were lead behind her. No one had moved her. Wondering why, she gently touched an imp on the shoulder.

"Should I not be moved?" Abatha asked

"You are where your supposed to be." Then the small ghastly man walked away. She did not catch much of his face but he was very misshapen to say the least. He was obviously hunchbacked.

Centering herself, she focused on the moment that she was in. It did not matter how she had arrived in this room. At least that is what, she told herself. She was in it and that was all that mattered.

The door creaked open and a small, wrinkly women came in. Her skin was chapped, scabbed, and peeling. It looked, as though she had never seen a lotion bottle in her life, let alone used it. The lady went to the height of her knees so Abatha squatted to peer into its small eyes.

"I am here to be of service, m'lady." That was all that the creature said, then it walked to open a closet. Grabbing an outfit, it quickly started its work. Abatha respectfully watched, only moving to help it apply the outfit, plus the many other accessories. The dress was a beautiful, pale pink that blended into her skin well enough that it looked like it was a part of her.

Shifting awkwardly, to turn, the imp wobbled its way to a tray. Abatha saw that it was covered with copious amounts of jewelry. It was the most amount of jewelry she had ever encountered. The layout had a calming feel to her.

A lightly colored metal composed the bracelet and necklace, they were simple yet perfect. Only the pale pink stones, allowed for a contrast on the jewelry pieces. Both the necklace and the bracelet were adorned with one perfectly misshapen pink stone. They were Poudretteite, this she knew because she had worked in the mines below the human dome. The earrings were also accompanied by Poudretteite small stones.

She had never been assisted to get dressed before, in her entire life, nor spent so much time with the process. She had never felt so uncomfortable in her entire life. Every once and a while, the creature would peer upon different areas of her body, stop, and write something on a clipboard.

Abatha watched in confusion, then finally could not hold her questions back. "What is the purpose of the clipboard?", she asked politely. The imp looked at her then took a breath.

"The king, as you know, comes to all of these processions but now it is time for him to replace the head queen. After the death of his father, the former king the head queen, his mother must be replaced." She said. Abatha took a deep breath then nodded. She knew at that moment what this meant. The clipboard was to rate all the women, so that the pig, known as the king, could choose the best specimen for first prize.

"You have a beautiful body, not suited for human work." The imp stated aloud not looking at her as she said it. Abatha just nodded, knowing that the statement was not directed at her.

Turning to the mirror, she saw her reflection and gasped. It looked nothing like her at all. This woman was beautiful, suited for the rich life even. It was not her. Turning away, she looked down at the floor. She did not like what she saw. She saw the face of a beautiful woman that was a part of the gentry. Elite, even the word made her cringe. This person was not her or was it?

"Ma'am, you are ready, I have filled out your forms. Your hair is to be left down." With that the nice imp left, only swaying her head once to indicate that Abatha should follow. To calm herself Abatha thought of the ten clans.

Number 1: The vampires, the ruling class due to their strength and ability to hide in the shadows. All the kings were vampires. Vampires: a vindictive evil group that is willing to do anything to get what they want. Their trickery is unmatchable.

Number 2: The Zombies, the literal shit-ons, frontline men, hunters, fighters, and some of the ugliest creatures in the worlds entire history. They have no talents, but their smell which allows them to serve as makeshift dogs.

Number 3: The alleged Lizards, no one knows anything about them for they are a sort of phenomena.

Number 4: The Clergy, who advise the royal family or rather advised them. The royal family stopped listening a long time ago. They are celibate.

Number 5: The Humans, the literal breeders.

Number 6: The Imps or rather deformed humans. They are slaves.

Number 7: The Mermaids, the Guardians of the Seas.

Number 8: The Centaurs, the Maintainers of the Forests.

Number 9: The Banshee, women who are doomed to wander the clans and suffer for others. A clan used for non-violent women, offenders of the law. The only clan that could be chosen into. Banshee are also known to have relations amongst each other, making the clan a prime area for lesbians. All banshees are women.

Number 10: Elves, nobility, spots were reserved for friends of the vampires and special humans. They are great defenders, archers, and healers. The backlines and leaders of a battlefield.

Abatha shook her head finally realizing that she was in a long line of chattering humans. "Which clan are you hoping for?" A woman, about her height, but much heavier said.

Abatha ignored her presence, surprised at the thought that anyone could hope for a clan in general. The fat one turned around and proceeded to ask another person, stupid girl. Abatha knew only one thing and that was that she would not choose to be a banshee. This left everything to fate.

In the hallway, she could hear the noises of the many people outside waiting for the "show". She felt a tart taste in her mouth as she walked slowly forward, following those in front of her as she was supposed to do. Holding back vomit, Abatha swallowed as she raised her head high. This was the way of the world. There was nothing she could do to change the world or her fate.