Page 33 of Deviant

In more ways than one.

“I’d also like to take this time to tell our new… volunteers,” Mayor Davenport starts to say, successfully pulling my attention away from my tumultuous thoughts onto him, “how deeply appreciative our little town is for your sacrifice. We all know it is a heavy burden for those so young, but I promise you that ten years fly by so fast that you won’t even feel it.”

Liar.

You’ll definitely feel it.

It’s ten years of wondering if you’ll ever see another birthday.

Ten years of not making plans for the future or even establishing healthy relationships for fear that you will be taken abruptly from the people you love.

It’s ten years of mental torture and psychological warfare.

Mayor Davenport painting it as a slight imposition is laughable at best.

“We must remember that your sacrifice is for the greater good of our small town’s survival and that, without it, Blackwater Falls would cease to exist. Your loyalty and civic duty will not be forgotten. Not by your loved ones or by this town.”

A loud huff echoes from the back of the auditorium, drawing the attention of everyone present as they turn their heads to see who dared to interrupt the mayor during his illustrious speech.

I, however, don’t need to turn around to know who it is.

I could pick that sound of contempt from a lineup.

Still, I follow everyone else’s lead and glance back to find Elias leaning against the wall, one boot pressed against it and his arms crossed over his chest.

“Asshole,” Aidan grumbles beside me.

As I survey the crowd, I realize that Aidan isn’t the only one staring at Elias with complete and utter revulsion. The ugly side-eyed glances and scowls directed at him from most of the room make me feel bad for him.

Not that Elias would appreciate such empathy on my part.

He’d probably ridicule me for it.

“I know that there are some here that don’t share in our town’s values,” Mayor Davenport continues with his speech, his gaze fixed on the man at the back of the room wearing nothing but black. “A few rotten apples who don’t have the same loyal mentality and sacrificial instinct for the greater good that we hold so dear. And to those people, I say… why are you even here? If you can’t stand with us, we can only assume you stand against us. If that is the case, then there’s the door and be on your way. Blackwater Falls has no use for your kind,” he concludes, pointing at the double doors to make his point.

I spare another quick glance over at Elias, his cool expression not one bit bothered by being called out in front of the whole town.

Realizing that Elias isn’t one bit intimidated by him, Mayor Davenport throws him another scrutinizing glower before softening his expression to talk directly to his constituents.

“I know these seasons are hard on all of us. I understand that more than most, since this year, I, too, will have skin in the game. As you all know, my beautiful daughter, Mackenzie, turned eighteen last summer and is now eligible to be chosen for the Harvest Dozen. I pray she is kept safe in the bosom of our family, but if she is called upon, she will do her duty like so many before her.”

Sitting on the makeshift stage, Mackenzie smiles at the crowd, though it never truly meets her eyes.

Her father might be ready for her to be called for the harvest, but it’s apparent that she is not.

I can’t blame her for not being enthusiastic about such a thing.

When I turned eighteen, I had nightmares about being chosen for months on end.

Nora was the one who saw me through it.

She was my rock through all of it.

Though she was a few months younger than me and would only be eligible for the Harvest Dozen the following year, she ensured that I didn’t feel alone when faced with my upcoming selection. She held my hand through the whole ceremony, breathing easy when my name didn’t appear on the big screen of the selected dozen.

Little did she know that I’d end up stealing her first chance at ever attending another Harvest Festival again.

I drown that thought into the depths of my scarred soul and force a tender smile over to a frightened Mackenzie instead.

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