Society's Edge

~{Until Death Do Us Part}~ *unedited*

Today was the last day I would have to spend in this horrid place. Relief washed over my body as I realized how close freedom really was. Yesterday a messenger had come to tell us that we were allowed to take one small bag if we wanted to. I packed my usual clothes and nothing else. I didn't want any remnant of this place to remember. I didn't know what to do now. I sat in front of my newly repaired door and felt strangely angry. I searched around the room for something to smash. A water jug lay on the makeshift counter. Wouldn't be needing that anymore, I thought. I picked it up realizing it was still half full I dumped it across the room. The water spilled out of the jug and fell to the wooden floor. It splashed back up but never fell back to the ground. I concentrated on the beautiful drops hanging in the dusty air. Frozen in time, the world just a memory, a dream from nights before. The water looked caught in nothing hanging by invisible threads. I tore my eyes away from it and it crashed to the ground with a light splash. As the anger reclaimed control of my body I smashed the jug against the wall and watched it shatter into a million pieces. Suddenly I heard a sharp knock on my disheveled door. I cautiously made my way over to the door. I swear if that door explodes...,I thought. I flinched as I opened the door waiting for it explode in my face. On the other side of the door was Gladious. My eyes widened and a new anger flooded my body.
"What the heck do you want Gladious?" I said my words sharp as knives.
"Korey I'm sorry about-" He began.
I felt the muscles in my arm move without me controlling it. It flew out and I heard a sharp sound as my hand hit Gladious' cheek. I had slapped him.
He winced but didn't show any other sign of pain. "Look-" he began again.
I felt soft flesh once again under my palm.
"Korey let me explain!"
I cut him off once again by slamming the door With a loud thud. I slid down the other side of the door and put my head in my hands. He left me, he left me. I thought. A huge fire erupted in the fire pit. I snapped my head up staring at the flames that licked the edges of cage that imprisoned them, keeping them from spreading. Sparks flew out of the metal bars like fireflies lighting up the air for seconds then disappearing into the foggy mist. The fire cast ominous shadows around the dark room. I'm going insane. I thought. I need his help. He knows whats happening. I hesitantly opened the door.
"Gladious, this is your last chance. If you don't tell what's happening to me I will carve every single bone out of your face." I said to him.
"You're so violent." He said letting himself into my home and sitting down on a rusty old chair.
"I was raised by the deadliest criminals in the world what do you expect?" I said rolling my eyes and closing the door.
"What happened?" He asked staring at the broken jug and spilled water.
"You tell me."
He turned to me and looked me strait in the eyes.
"Korey, tomorrow when you enter the Circle your full potential will awaken. You have to be ready. I was going to tell the other day-" he was cut off by choking. Blood began to gurgle out of his mouth and pool in his hands. He stared at me his eyes filled with sadness and a mix of fear.
"Gladious?" I said hesitantly not sure what was happening. "What is going on?"
"I'm dying." He said choking again on his own blood.
"I was cursed. This place,
Luthnar, is killing me. The curse stated that when I turned 16 I would die. Today is my birthday. If we had escaped I could have lived."
"I'm so sorry Gladious." I said tears streaming down my face like paint streaming down a canvas.
"No!" He yelled catching me off guard. "No. I was being selfish. You have to save this place and taking you out of it would be a huge mistake. Goodbye Korey. Just remember-" I watched as his last breath slipped from his dying body leaving him slumped over on the rusted chair. I stared at his limp body, shock plastered on my face. I gripped his still warm hand in mine and I felt the warmth quickly fading.
"Don't leave me..." I whispered barely audible. "You can't leave me..."