Where the Lost Things Go

Sacrifice

 Morgan dragged Pippa outside. "Attention!" she shouted, the children coming closer, like jackals. "This girl is the new sacrifice, as payment for the Tiger clan's sins. If they accept this, we will not punish them further."

 The children applauded, and Pippa knew she would receive no help from them. The younger children were intimidated and indoctrinated by Morgan, and the older ones were being won over by her sexual favors. She was dead meat.

 Morgan threw her to the ground. "Aaron, Martin," she called, "Rough her up a little, if you want. Nothing too much, of course. I want her able to walk down the hill."

 Then, Pippa tried to run away, but Aaron caught her, and he struck her across the face. Pippa felt warm blood dripping down her face. She curled up on the dusty earth, but Martin kicked her mercilessly, until she heard herself sobbing and begging, "Please don't hurt me, please, please."

 "This isn't anything, little girl," Martin laughed, leaning in closer. Pippa tried to shrink away, but the boy placed her hand on her chest. "Not such a little girl," he said, then he began to pummel her more. 

 Pippa was sobbing more, now afraid what they could do to her later when the little kids weren't around. Or would they do it now in front of everyone? 

 To her relief, she was dropped back into the hole soon after, and left alone. Pippa shivered. At least Daisy didn't have to experience any of this. She was far away and safe, with Naomi and Frances, who better not do something stupid and try to rescue her. It had been easy to talk big about deposing Morgan before, but when she had been with the Master up close, hearing her talk, all of her courage had left her. Not that she had possessed much courage before this. 

 Pippa sighed. Maybe it was better that she die. It wouldn't be a big loss. Naomi had her life with Judah, raising Daisy, Frances had her stories. What did she bring that they would miss? she was just the new kid they had taken pity on, nothing more. 

 She lay in the darkness, wishing that she had her sketchbook. It would be nice to draw something before she died. She had been planning to do a profile portrait of Naomi and Judah together, capture the young love that existed between them, but now she never would. Pippa would leave her sketchbook, Little Women, a satchel, and her (now very soiled) school clothes behind. It wasn't much, and she doubted that anyone would want her clothes.

 Somehow, Pippa fell into a fitful sleep. She woke up when Kyle appeared above her. "It's time," he said. "Are you ready?" She stared at him.

 He shrugged and hoisted her out of the hole, pushing her through the camp. Morgan joined them, wearing a pink dress that looked as though it had been cut to be shorter. She smiled at Pippa, who felt cold all over. You shouldn't have crossed her. Now you have to pay the price. 

 It was the first time she had descended the Junk Tower in the daylight, and it would have been easier if she hadn't ached all over from her beating.

 Everything seemed unusually bright and sharply defined, a world bidding her farewell. She felt unsteady, unable to comprehend the fact that she was about to die. 

 At the foot of the hill, she was brought to a stop, and lifted onto a table. She winced as Martin tied her feet and hands tightly. Soon she wouldn't be able to feel them. 

 Soon she wouldn't be able to feel anything.

 Morgan stood over her, holding a hunting knife. "Oh god of the lost world," she said, looking down at Pippa with a grin, "Accept this sacrifice."

 Pippa braced herself for the blow, but it didn't come. Instead, there was shout from across the ridge. She turned her head to see Angelica of the Falcons coming, screaming. Behind her, Judah came, holding a rusty machete. Their clans followed, yelling at the top of their lungs. 

  For a moment, Pippa began to hope that she wouldn't die after all.