Abatha Among the Stars

Chapter 3

    She slowly approached the front where the big wooden doors were held wide open by two elves covered in green. She saw the shiny metal, curated weapons that they held. Her hands shook slightly more. Clamping her mouth shut, she attempted to avoid the chatter of her teeth that threatened to lead to her other stressed out reactions.

     As she got closer and closer to the doors, she could hear the dreadful screams of criminals. She could only imagine their painful deaths, or the few that made the painful transition into a zombie following being bit. The vampires, she knew, would be enjoying goblets of human blood right now. Jeering at the humans that walked past as the vampires, enjoyed the blood of the slaughtered humans.

        A procession of cooks passed by her with the various food and refreshments, that would entertain the nobles as they watched the show. The blood was in large plastic barrels, making it beyond easy to see. The most expensive meats passed as well: zebra, gorilla, tiger, and much much more.

        Next came more humans shackled and bound as they were lead to the zombies. Her brother, Abatha knew, was one of them. As a murderer, her brother would be fed to the zombies alive along with all the other high-end criminals. He was her identical twin.

         Her tears came slowly and she willingly let them through. She could not imagine life without him. As the other half of her soul, he could finish her sentences. He pretty much knew everything she was thinking and she him. Her brother had chosen his fate; she could not save him.

        The cold white marble floors chilled her bones with every step. She knew these were her last moments as a human. There was absolutely no way she could remain in the dome. This she knew because she was too pretty. Many had told her so in the dome but she had never paid mind to the comments until now.

        Abatha was amongst the first fifteen in the row of humans. Being amongst the first fifteen almost always guaranteed a person a spot amongst the elite clans. Her mother guessed she would join the vampires for they were the clan who was the most appealing to the eye. Her father's guess was the mermaids; she had always thought this guess was because he hoped she would be spared from all the sexual activity of the elite. Neither clan pleased her. Her wishes were of no importance. She only desired to remain in the dome and that would never happen.

        The hallways darkened. "Ladies and gentlemen" a skinny little man yelled. The rooms quickly became silent. "Get ready to choose your new clan members." Loud whistles filled her ears.

        Abatha glared at the skinny little wretch as he stepped to the left of the door so he could announce each human as they passed. He was wearing a very itchy, looking brown dress thingy. It was comparable to the traditional, historical catholic friar attire.

        Like all the events prior to this one, the king would be here. The young king had a notorious appetite for blood and pretty women. Occasionally, an unfortunate soul would be pretty enough to become one of the kings many wives. She would serve him, represent the clan who had chosen her, and occasionally feed him. This was a fate that only the stupid wanted. She was no idiot, so this fate was the one she most dreaded.

        Many women desired the power that came with such a position. There were even some that desired the companionship that came with many wives. The king though, one would think, would be enough to scare anyone away. He was rumored to be a cold, cruel man who was as unfeeling as the zombies themselves. One after another the humans passed through the heavy wooden doors before them. Abatha had tuned out the loud voices that announced the fates.

        The time finally came for her to step forth. She wanted to get this retched process over with. Following the priest, she lowered her head looking at the marble floor as his feet lead her out the door. They were so small. How could a priest have such small trotters? She remained fixated on his feet in order to avoid the wash of panic that threatened to bang out of her mind.