Rebekah Wills

Chased

The line for The Pirn spills into the cracked pavement of the streets. The air is thick with black smoke, only the buildings within the city walls still stand. Any sign of civilization outside the walls has long ago been erased. The line inches slowly forward and I send a quick prayer to The Imprinters. I press a kiss to my grandmother’s silver heart locket for luck. This morning when I said goodbye to my mother, I made certain to keep my tears in, but now they stream down my face. I keep my sobs inaudible, appearing weak in front of the crowd is not an option. The other people in the line wear no emotions, eyes trained to The Pirn and mouths in straight lines. I can’t remain calm knowing I could walk away today with the mark of a Chased One. Knowing my parents lead many Beast hunts causes my heart rate to relax, nobody in my family has ever received the dreaded skull. Yet I can’t stop the foreboding thoughts looming over me, promising a dreadful day.