ERADICATE

ERADICATION

6/10

Diary: I’ve lost my last brother, the only other member of my family that I had. He gave his life so I could get away and hide in the shadows so I don’t join him and my family. I’m losing my mind. I have nowhere to turn, no one I can trust. I have watched Delirium send his men through town herding everyone into trucks and making them disappear. People I considered friends are turning their backs on me and considering only themselves and how they will get through this. But I don’t know if we can get through this. I try to think “what are my best options” and my brain stops. Nightmares are the only images I can hold onto and I don’t want that stuck in my head. The screams and cries of the people being hauled off run on repeat through my mind. Then I remember when Dad ran this town and Mom gave the best parties. Everyone wanted to be under Dad’s favor so their businesses would be prosperous and they could take care of their families. Now the only faces I see are strangers and I don’t know what they do or what they want. I have to steal food if I am to eat and hide in dark corners to keep Delirium’s men from finding me. For I am the last of my family. The last of the Flemish masters to rule this area of Duluth. The Stanhope’s last daughter. Word on the street is Delirium has swept in and toppled the Council and everyone else that ruled our town is being hunted and killed so Delirium can have this country for his own.

6/13

Diary: As I hide in this depressing attic with only spider webs and other things that slither in the dark for company things are getting worse now. I saw a poster with my picture on it in the streets in front of the shops. It says there is a reward for anyone that can tell Delirium where I can be found. I am wearing boys' clothing and covering my head but I don’t know how long I can keep hidden. I walk stooped and with a slight limp as I try to find a wagon or truck so I can seclude myself and get out of this god-forsaken town. People are having to line up in the square and Delirium has set up tables where people can get a meal and some drinking water. I guess he thinks that this will earn the people’s trust by setting himself up as some kind of savior. These people are so desperate for any kind of food that they are lining up instead of fighting back. Those that try to fight are killed in front of everyone as an example. People’s spirits are being destroyed every day. Girls are not allowed out of their homes because no one wants to catch Delirium’s eye. The girls are carried off to his camp and are never heard from again. The screams heard in the night are the stuff of new nightmares.

6/21

Diary: I’m hoping I am finally about to be free of this hell. I found a farmer that brings produce into the town from the fields and leaves again before night falls. If I can get on that wagon and hide under some hay I hope I can get out of here and find a new town to start over. I know my family would want me to survive if at all possible. I wish I could just sign over my title and be left alone, but that will not satisfy Delirium. It’s my death he wants as the last of my bloodline. Only then will he feel he truly owns this town and everything in it.

6/29

Diary: I still don’t know how Delirium is going to know it is me that he seeks to end our bloodline. My family all had red hair and were fairly tall. All were handsome or beautiful and definitely stood out in our town. I must be some kind of throwback or wrong side of the blanket because I am short, have curly dark hair and do not look anywhere near pretty. I was trying to get some water when a shout went out “There she is! That’s Stanhope’s daughter!” I froze where I was and watched as the townspeople started chasing another redheaded girl. Soon I heard the cry go up “This isn’t her. It’s not on her.” I don’t know what they're talking about. I’m near sick with worry every time I’m around people. The produce wagon won’t be back in town until the day after tomorrow. I just have until then to survive and then I can start my life over again.

7/1

Diary: As I sit in the shadows of the tavern I have this last entry to write in this town I have grown to despise. The smells are turning my stomach from the rotting food and odor of urine. Today the produce wagon is in town and he has parked on the street just down from the tavern. As it grows dark I will find a way to get into his wagon and leave this town and it’s memories behind me.

“Okay men, look lively. I know she is going to try to escape tonight. Someone has reported a dark haired waif keeping tabs on the produce wagon. When we catch her Delirium will greatly reward us. She should be showing herself at any moment”.

As the shadows grew longer she tried to time her run to the produce wagon. It was going to be tricky but it was do it now and get away or get caught. Either way she couldn’t continue as she had. These weeks of running and watching them take her family from her one by one was grinding her down. She was hiding behind the tree, bouncing slightly to keep herself limber for her sprint to the wagon. Watching each of Delirium’s men to make sure they didn’t see her. NOW. Run now! This is her chance!

Just as she reached the back of the wagon and started to fling herself up and under the hay a strong arm whipped around and grabbed her, pulling her into his torso so he could hold her while she fought and scrambled to get out of his grip. Another man came up and grabbed one of her arms and held her. Two more men came up and grabbed a leg each. While she was thus immobilized the leader of this motley crew came up and swept her cowl off her head and looked at her neck.

“There. There’s the necklace of the Flemish masters. This is the right girl this time”. He snatched the heart shaped locket from around her neck. Opening it up he revealed the portraits of her mother and father, the past rulers of this country, sealing her fate. “Delirium is going to be really pleased tonight. Let’s get her up to his camp and see what he wants to do to her.” The men around him were laughing evilly at the thought of what was to happen to this unfortunate waif. As they strapped her to the horse to take her to camp the leader threw the necklace into the dirt and the horses trampled it underfoot as they made their way to camp.