A Modern Myth

by Clara Wake

  Girls ranging from ten to twenty are being called out and never seen again until the early hours of the morning. Confusion and curiosity run wild and high in the girl’s squads. None of them are sure what is happening. Of course, they are not allowed to speak of what happens on their outings. However, most of them look scared and shake violently. Others wear bruises and cuts and some just go on with their night or day like usual.

  The only thing that can be said about it is that it is called “The Event” and each girl or woman has a chance to be called out when it is their time. Whatever the hell that means. The Event lasts as long as the uniforms insist. Sometimes, it is a few days, or a few months, even a year.

  Almost every night, the girls are chosen at random. Their Mothers – the equivalent of the Captains –escort them out of The Compound. At least, that’s what they all assume is where they’re taken. Beyond that, no one is talking, and rumours spread faster than a virus on LimeWire.

  They are clearly mistreated, but it is unclear why or how. The girls only know what they’re being taught, yet luckily, they still hold onto their own minds. While most of the boys have been brainwashed or otherwise eliminated.

  The girls have it much easier and ultimately better than the boys. They don’t have training every day till their feet ache and are red raw from too much running or hiking, or until their fingers bled.

  The only struggle they have is either with each other or with the constant sewing with needle and thread. Otherwise, it isn’t as bad as they believe it to be.

  If they haven’t been picked yet, they start to think they aren’t worthy enough – even though they have no idea what this Event is –they still feel they aren’t good enough, and they must strive and push themselves harder to be chosen. The possibility of something more, maybe something better is always on the brink of their minds. Maybe, just maybe this is their ticket out of here.

  Excitement thrills their bodies when their Mothers came to them in the middle of the night. Finally, they are accepted and are ready to take on this Event. They are almost eager and ecstatic to see what it is.

  From Yellow’s squad, a young woman steps out with her Mother and follows loosely behind. She can feel a sense of panic attack her chest like a sleeping heart attack waiting.

  She follows, and she’s soon guided through the large gate that separate the girls from the boys. She can’t help but feel excitement bubble in her chest now. Was she finally going to meet the boys? She’s not even sure how she feels, riddled in so many emotions, she’s almost numb.

  Leading her towards Fire’s squad, she sees the red paint on the side of the building, with the fire emblem painted on it. illuminated by the moon's shine above, with the trees shadows casting over it.

  Moving in silently, she stays close to her Mother, before she knocks on a door, and is gestured to go inside by Fire’s Captain who stands guard at the end of the hallway.

  “See you when he’s done,” Mother announces, and pushes her into the room, shutting the door behind her. Without a moment to spare with the young girl, she leaves her there with a stranger in his own room.

  Turning from staring at the door, she hesitates to run before the boy on the bed sits up and smiles at her.

  “You’re pretty,” he tells her, with a coaxing tone as he gets up from his bed and gently traces his fingers down her long locks of dark hair. Switching the light on to get a better look at her. He continues to smile as he tastes her entire figure with his eyes, before sitting back down on his bed. “I’m Todd.” He greets her, while he holds his hand out for a friendly handshake.

  She’s hesitant and only continues to remain frozen, but she can’t help but let her eyes wander over him. He’s interesting, different and kind. She’s unsure of what’s happening, but she can’t shake the uneasy and queasy feeling in her gut, her mind screams at her to leave, but she ignores it. He's kind.

  “I-I’m Alice,” she stammers, between her trembling breaths. She’s scared, and it’s clear, but she tries her best to gather herself and get through it. Whatever this is.

  “How old are you?” He asks, tilting his head slightly. His hand dropping, as his handshake was denied.

  “Thirteen,” she replies, with slow blinks. Her eyes are wide, watching him while he constantly stares at her, almost without a single blink.

  “Sit down,” he tells her, patting the mattress behind him, flashing a wide grin at her. She immediately steps back and holds her breath.

  “Come on, sit down,” he presses and smacks the bed once again. She doesn’t move; she only manages to shake her head.

  That’s until he launches up and snakes his arms around her waist and pulls her in and down, slamming her onto his bed and jumping on top of her. Pinning her hands up above her head. He giggles as he looks down with ill intent.

  “It’ll hurt, but you’ll like it, I promise,” he whispers. “You can scream all you want, no one will care,” he adds on, before trailing one of his hands from hers and tearing at her underwear until he rips them. The sounds of the material tearing startles her even more, she’s shaking and he likes it.

  Throwing them to the floor, aggressively. It is frustrating and annoying having to do it all with one damn hand, while the girls flailed and squirmed, why couldn’t they just take it, and enjoy the ride?

  He’s of course, quick to slide his boxers off and lean up against her, quickly, he licks his index and middle finger and forces them into her mouth for the extra coating before he smirks widely and tests the waters, between her trembling thighs. He can feel every quiver and whine, she moves and fears the worst – there is no escape at all – She tightly closes her eyes and feels them sting of tears as they slipped down painting her cheeks while sobs jump from her lips.

  “Please don’t!” She cries out, but it only angers him, and he’s soon thrusting and forcing himself into her; he’s not gentle, and he knows it.

  Each movement and thrust of his hips has her jumping and crying louder, enduring the most pain she’s ever felt as it erupts from her burning region and up to her stomach. She’s unable to bear the pain, as he only goes faster, heavier and of course harder. He doesn’t waste any time, he’s quick, but he doesn’t stop there.

  He can have her if he wants and he plans to continue until the early hours of the morning. If he can get those few moments of bliss and ecstasy. Just for those few minutes, or seconds he damages, tears and inflicts pure pain both physically and mentally to the young girl without a single glimmer of regret.

  There is nothing that would or could save her from this moment; after all, this is why these girls exist, to create and deliver and that’s all. It is their only purpose, nothing else matters to those who conducted The Event. Once that is fulfilled, they are disposed of unless they can endure the process more than once.

  “Boys, I got something special for you tonight!” The Captain announces, as they walk up the stairs and continue to the hallway to meet him. He’s smiling and clapping. It is different and creepy as hell. It is so out of character for him, and it is weird—which instantly sparks major warning signals in their heads.

  Nickolai and Jake aren’t interested, hell for Nickolai, he remembers almost the same announcement only to be lured outside to witness Dana’s body hanging there, to be laughed at. So, he stands there in the back uninterested before he turns to Jake with a very disgusted expression, wondering if he knows what is going on. However, Jake wears the same baffled expression he is.

  “You’re all in for a treat. So, tonight I need you to be alert – if I enter your room - You can thank me in the morning,” he grins widely, and chuckles slightly before clearing his throat – that is all he is going to say – The Captain knows his boys will enjoy it.

  Leaving them, Nickolai watches him as the boys talk among themselves, laughing, and attempting to theorize what it could be, what could be that amazing to make the Captain cheer and clap? They are excited for whatever it is, and they know they won’t be sleeping until they’
re greeted by The Captain that night.

  “Nickolai,” The Captain opens his door and shoves someone in there with him before quickly slamming the door shut. Nickolai darts upwards, and just stares for a moment before bouncing up and flicking the light on, illuminating the young woman beneath it. Nervous and scared. She has bruises spread across her throat and one large black eye. She stands there, shaking and embracing herself for some form of comfort.

  “What are you doing in here?” Nickolai immediately questions her, furrowed eyebrows as his eyes look over her. Even her wrists are bruised and red raw, he’s completely baffled by what is happening – it doesn’t help that the girl is completely petrified and clearly struggling with the bruises that spread across her body. She is shaking since she is only wearing a nightgown as thin as the sheets to his bed.

  “M-my name is Skye,” she replies. She can’t stop staring at him. His eyes are hypnotizing, and she can’t look away.

  “I didn’t ask that. I asked what’s going on?” He repeats his question and shakes off her name, her greeting. He wants answers, and the slight hint of anger in his tone causes her to flinch and finally look away from his face.

  “J-just get it over and done with,” she shakes, trying to make herself clear. she turns to him again, removing long strands of her light brown hair to get a more focused and detailed look, seeing his ears. She’s almost breathless.

  “Get what over and done with?” Nickolai snaps, he’s getting impatient with the twenty questions, and she can tell he’s getting frustrated with the snarl leaving his lips.

  “Y-You’re… suppose to … have sex with me,” she finally tells him, stuttering as she tries to keep herself from crying. She’s terrified. So many of them have pretended to be kind and confused, but in the end, they all gave in and did as they pleased, as careful or as brutal as they wished. The girls never had a say.

  Nickolai’s ears shoot upwards, and his eyes widen. His throat chokes him, and his lips part in pure disbelief, “What!?” he exclaims.

  He’s so baffled he doesn’t know what else to say, and the more he runs his mind over it, the more he realizes. That’s where her bruises and cuts have come from. His heart sinks so low into his stomach he can feel it twist.

  “I’m not… I’m not doing that,” He tells her stuttering, shaking his head. He’s infuriated, as the Captain’s words run through his mind. How fucking sick. He takes a moment to himself before he realizes the situation he’s in, and what she must deal with. Being used and beaten and bruised for one purpose. His stomach continues to tie in knots.

  “Here,” he softly tells her, as he holds out his blanket. “You’re cold… put it around you.” But she just stands there, still watching him. She can’t believe he’s disobeying orders – he’s deciding against it – words are trapped at the tip of her tongue. She’s in awe, at what she’s just heard from him.

  She finally blinks, but she doesn’t move. Her heart flutters in her chest, and the smallest spark of hope flickers in her heart. This is the first time she’s met someone so kind and truly respectful of her. The three years she’s been forced to this. She’s never witnessed it until this very night, as she stands before the elf.

  Nickolai carefully moves over and drapes the blanket over her shoulders, quickly moving back to his bed trying to piece together how he is going to get her out of this mess. Running his mind over everything, he tries to find any option to get her out of this. He’s panicking and not thinking clearly, even though he feels like he’s thought of every option possible to keep her safe.

  Finally, she slowly drags her feet over towards his bed and takes a seat beside him. She can tell, he’s so deep in thought. His eyebrows furrowed, and his ears twitched, it was cute. She can’t help but watch him silently, but it’s clear he wants to help her, and she feels her heart breaking the more she thinks about it. If he does try to help her, he’ll be the one in trouble.

  Suddenly, he snaps his head up to look at his window. “Go, get out through there.” He tells her, frantically.

  “No matter what you do…” She stops there, she wants to know his name, she needs to know his name. “What’s your name?” She carefully asks him, as she pulls his blanket around her, tightly taking a moment to herself as she waits.

  “Nickolai,” He tells her, softly before he gestures towards the window, her only choice.

  “No matter what you don’t do, Nickolai, someone else will always be waiting,” she tells him, her eyes filled with sadness as she admits to him. He can feel sorrow pinch his heart as she tells him. “Well, at least… you can get some rest tonight,” he sighs softly, wishing he didn’t have to say such a thing, but he knows how this place works.

  Tears trap in her eyes, as he tells her to rest. She can’t find words, and she doesn’t know what to do or think; she’s so grateful for someone to be so caring, she could swear she is dreaming, but he is real – he is right there. So, there is some form of kindness in this world after all. He is a ray of hope for her.

  Moving from his bed, he pulls his window up, giving her plenty of space to crawl through and move back to her squad. Quickly, he explains where the exploit is in the gate and continues to hush her and gesture her to move fast.

  She moves out, and finds herself standing on the cold and damp leaves. She pauses and looks up to him, bathing in the moonlight.

  She smiles at him as tears shield her eyes, “Thank you so much Nickolai,” she tells him before she slowly and carefully moves away from the squad and out of his sight.

  Watching her leave his line of sight, Nickolai closes his window and finally takes a deep breath. What the hell just happened? He finds himself hammered with questions, more questions he needs answered about this place.

  “How are we – “The Captain barges in to find Nickolai standing there in pure bewilderment. “Where the fuck is she?” He demands, growling furiously as he jumps forwards and grasps Nickolai by his ear and pushes him against the wall. “Where is the girl!?”

  Gritting his teeth, Nickolai doesn’t even get a chance to speak before The Governor steps into his sight and smiles at him. “I’ll take him,” she proudly tells The Captain. As he releases him, The Governor pulls out a small pistol and pulls the trigger.

  The dart pierces through Nickolai’s neck, spreading the drug through his system, rushing through his veins. Tranquilizer dart.

  His knees become weak, as he pulls the dart out causing him to drop to the floor.

  His head and shoulders become heavy, and his eyes slowly close as he loses control of his own body.

  Numbness creeps in, and he’s almost unable to move as he sinks lower to the ground, the Governor’s words drowned by the echoes of his own slow heartbeat.

  “Where are you taking him?” The Captain asks, out of pure curiosity, while he is ordered to help her carry the unconscious elf out of his own room.

  “To the Chamber.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Nickolai’s body jolts awake, embraced by the shock and screeching sounds that enveloped the entire room. He’s blind, unable to see, and unable to hear as a song is blaring through the overhead speakers above. Each speaker sits in each corner of the room. Pulsating loudly, with a high-pitched song. His ears jerk from the excruciating sounds that pierce through them almost shattering his eardrums. At least that’s what it feels like.

  It doesn’t take long for his ears to ring from the sudden blaring impact. Cringing, he finally realizes he’s chained. He attempts to move his hands, but they are bound above his head. His arms are stretched out and chained to the ceiling. He’s practically hanging there by his arms, and the more he continues to assess the situation, he realizes he’s been completely stripped of his clothes. Bare scarred skin, exposed.

  His muscles clench and tense as he balls his hands into fists and tries to escape the clasps that wrap tightly around his wrists.

  He’s unaware of where he is; he’s flooded in darkness. He can only faintly adjust his eyes to the small dim
light near the main door. The rest of the room is shrouded in shadows. He’s uncertain of how large or small it is.

  Only the scent of blood tickles his nose, the bitter taste trapped in his mouth. His eyes dart across the darkness, searching and looking for anything to help him, but nothing is seen, and he’s left to feel his arms begin to burn from the strain of holding himself up. His toes become numb.

  The song continues for another three minutes until silence finally lets him breathe.

  He can hear his own thoughts again, but he’s unsure what to think, and they’re too faint, whispers at the back of his mind.

  He is clearly in The Chamber, and the reason why? Well, he helped a young girl from being sexually abused for the night. No matter what he does, he always suffers. Maybe being kind and caring just wasn’t the way to be, wasn’t what the world needed or wanted.

  The large door is soon opened. A loud creak and screech are heard as it struggles to push inwards scraping across the cold concrete floor, to reveal who’s entering.

  As she enters, she flicks the light above him on, blinding him.

  Sealing his eyes shut, tightly. He takes a deep breath and slowly opens them to find The Governor standing before him. Smiling proudly as if she’s just won the first position in a spelling bee, and she’s looking at her grand prize, her trophy.

  “Thought I’d wake you up. I was getting bored and…eager,” she carefully tells him, squinting slightly as she watches him. He’s still groggy and frail from the dart, and she’s pleased with that fact. Although he’s restrained and he’s too weak to lift his legs up, he could still choose to throw a kick at her. Which, she expects. After all, he’s got balls on him. Literally.