Stretching my muscles out, I mentally prepared to lie to everyone again and pretend I was as excited as them. In a way, I was glad this day was here. I couldn’t do this for much longer. Soon I wouldn’t have to pretend anymore. Everyone would know where my loyalties lied and hopefully Scarlett will be safely away.
As soon as the front door closed behind my family, I went to my bedroom. They would be distracted for a while before anyone came to look for me, so I knew I had at least five minutes to find the bag for tomorrow.
There would be a few things that we needed, and while I didn’t have time to pack everything with everyone milling around outside, I needed the bag under my bed ready for me to pack a few things in while everyone was distracted later.
The bags were in the store cupboard beside the bathroom. I opened the long door and reached up on the top shelf to get it, looking over my shoulder to make sure no one had come back in. I didn’t want to use the one I brought here because that was still on the chair in my room, unpacked, and would look suspicious if it suddenly disappeared.
I grabbed the lone bag right at the back and headed back to my room. I hated lying and sneaking around but they’d left me with no option.
“Noah,” Finn called.
Jumping, my heart slammed against my chest, and I looked around. He wasn’t near me. Yet. But I was in the middle of the hallway holding a bag. Opening the bathroom door as quietly as I could, I stepped inside and carefully slid the lock in place.
I stopped breathing and pressed my ear to the door so I could try to hear where he was. His footsteps thudded lightly on the wooden floor, but they were getting louder.
“Noah, are you in here?”
I flexed the hand that didn’t have the bag in a death grip. “In the bathroom,” I called.
“You alright?”
“Fine, just needed the toilet. I’ll be back out soon.”
“Sure? You want me to wait?”
No, please just go.
“I’m alright, thank you. See you outside in a minute.”
“Sure,” he replied.
I forced my ear against the door harder, but it was difficult to hear. I felt sick at the thought of being caught. What would I tell him if I walked out there and he’d decided to wait for me anyway?
Giving him enough time to leave, I placed the bag on the floor where it would be hidden when I opened the door, flushed the chain and washed my hands.
My nerves were shot as I unlocked the door and pulled it open. I was met with complete silence. Finn would surely talk to me now if he were here. Poking my head around the corner, I did a quick sweep down the hall. Empty.
I swiped the bag, dashed to my room and shoved it deep under the bed.
“Where have you gone now?” Finn asked.
I froze, crouched on the floor by my bed. He’d been waiting where? Straightening my legs, I turned to face the door a second before he walked through it.
“Alright?”
“I was just contemplating getting a jacket, but I think I’ll be too hot.”
“Yes, it’s warm out. You ready now?”
“I am,” I replied. “You didn’t have to wait.”
He shrugged. “I was worried when you didn’t come out.”
I smiled as I left my room, closing the door behind me. “Let’s do this,” I said.
“Alright!” Finn didn’t hide his excitement. I used to feel the same when we spoke about what was going to happen and what Scarlett was leading us to.
When we left the house, the last few people were making their way to our outdoor dining area. They carried vases of water and bright green leaves.
Scarlett stood in a long, white dress that made me think about marrying her one day. She was undeniably beautiful, naturally beautiful. She had no make-up on, and nothing had been done to her hair, but she took my breath away.
“Finally,” Zeke said, handing me and Finn a lantern.
Donald was, as usual, the first to approach Scarlett. He carried soil and a rock in one hand and placed them by her feet. Earth.
Fiona stepped forwards next, placing a small, freshly dug plant next to Donald’s offering. Air.
Judith was up next, laying down a lantern. The orange flame flickered in the glass. Fire.
Lastly, Bill laid a vase of liquid by Scarlett. Water.
Gulping, I held my lantern at arms length the same as everyone else and closed my eyes. I couldn’t watch.
“By the four elements we live. By the four elements, you shall ascend. By the four elements we shall live on, be reborn upon death so that we shall be joined in eternity,” Donald said.
“By the four elements we shall live on,” I said in tune with the rest of the community, a piece of me dying because, technically, I was still taking part in this.
TONIGHT WAS ALSO the last time we’d eat together as a community before Scarlett was supposed to be sacrificed. There was a buzz in the air that was slightly infectious. Everyone was elated that we had finally reached the point we’d been striving for.