Stronger by Ang Chris

As was the tradition I was bathed the morning of the tournament. I had herbs and scent blockers placed all over me.

I was dressed in a simple blue dress that was cotton and flowed. It didn’t go past my knees so that I wouldn’t attract attention.

My mother put my hair in a simple braid. She covered me in a jacket.

She k*ssed my cheeks and left me with Gia and Cea.

They had to watch me until it was time.

I wasn’t allowed to leave until there were only five men left.

I had selected 10.

I didn’t even know who to hope for. I hadn’t said a word all morning. I ate what they placed in front of me and drank when told to. I felt hollow.

Something was missing. I felt like I was betraying a part of myself. I didn’t know everything I needed to.

I felt like I should be doing something anything to fix this.

Then at the same time, I was so ready to find the person I was going to spend my life with today. The outcome wasn’t the problem, it was the Who.

I felt like I was hurting someone. I had no clue why.

My mother closed the door and my heart picked up pace.

What was I missing? Why was there this gnawing feeling clawing up my arms and wrestling into my tummy?

I had done everything I could this week to find someone I’d like. They still had to prove their strength but I believed in them.

Believed in who?

There was someone I was hoping for. I felt it like a pinprick on my tongue. There was something that I knew was waiting and I couldn’t quite get to it.

“You ready for this?” Cea grabbed my arms and spun me towards her. “I’ll run if you want as fast as we can,”

I shook my head before I even thought.

There was something about to happen.

“Are you alright?”Gia rubbed my shoulder. “You look like you’re gonna pass out,”

“No,” my voice was so serious. “I’m ready. I’m ready,”

I was ready. I wanted to be there to go now. I felt a strong pull forward.

*Something was going on. *

help to mask my scent and

I was not out there yet. I hadn’t even heard a single

my father’s voice

window

*I needed more. *

me needed

is going on with you?” Cea walked into my line

want to

Gia smiled at

I needed. I needed.

I don’t know.

it was out there that

“Anna?”

my heart

*Yes hurry. Hurry. *

“Anna?”

me get

and certainty were like smoke in my lungs growing with every breath making my

grunts and cheers from the crowd, calls of anger,

could either take wolf form or human form; that choice was up to the group of

all chose human

People japong at the men who fell

Let me go. I want

“Anna?”

smell the blood now. It’s iron scent wafting into my room. They were falling and I could see them

me be there.

“Anna!”

quickly looking into the eyes of my bewildered

was too but most of me

slowly stepped

took off running leaving my shoes where they had been waiting for me

b*dy was like an arrow loose for its target. There was a strong pull in

turn around now. No need to stay here in the golden childhood. I had to get

ran down the hall and steps watching my feet while maintaining my pace, careful not

door of my home and did not even notice the tile

forward desperation was all

*Take me there *

was all

road kicking up the rocks behind

people in a circle and I

I smelled him.

The pine.