BRITTANY'S POV
I watched as my foot landed on the grasses below me. I was racing to a gathering that was taking place under the tree the moonlight was facing and I was late. I was sure that every other girl my age would have been there now.
I was always late for everything and even though I do my best all the time to not be late, I just never succeed. Oh well, I passed through the bridge that almost distracted me because of the toads settling on leaves in the flowing river that was under the bridge.
Do you know that being alive is beautiful? Well, wait until you see how God beautified every little thing about nature.
I eventually made it to the meeting, but I was extremely late. I could tell that because of what the teacher said. She said, that is all for you to know and I missed everything!
I joined everyone gathering around the tree by making sure the teacher did not notice my sudden appearance just when she was done with everything.
"Now, do you know what it is to be a virgin?" The teacher asked, reassuring me that I still had a little to learn. I knew the answer, so I called her attention, and she offered me a chance to speak.
I looked around and confidently presented my answer; "Miss, being a virgin means not being a mom," and I praised myself inwardly for such an explanation. That's what I saw being a virgin was.
However, the teacher seemed to not be satisfied with my answer. "That is a good response Brittany but... Anyone else?" She turned to the others and when I looked around, I realized that not all females were in this class. 'Are the rest also late?' I wondered.
"Being a virgin means never seeing a man's penis," a friend of mine said.
"That counts but anyone else?" the teacher requested. "You could have seen a man's penis but that does not take your virginity," the teacher explained.
Then a girl who I admire so much for being so pretty and from a wealthy home said; "I guess being a virgin means seeing a man's penis but not having it in your vagina. It simply means not having sex."
See why I admire her so much? She was smart as well. The teacher agreed with her, and we all applauded her but surprisingly she was told to leave. Then the teacher started going around, sending girls away. I knew most of them because we all play together and sometimes eat together.
Everyone in the community, except the wealthy ones, did almost everything together. It was a peaceful town, and I loved it. It was my home, and I was happy with it.
I was then left with the teacher and my friend who gave the second response to the question. Her name was Freya. I began to think about what test we were going through to bring both of us here.
I glanced at her and we both smiled at each other. I looked up at the teacher, waiting for her to say something.
She gazed at me and then at my friend, causing me to wonder what was going on in her mind. She looked stressed and worried. "Is something wrong, Miss Grace?" I had to ask her because seeing her that way bothered me.
She smiled at me. "It is all fine," she replied.
Then I returned the smile.
My name is Brittany Smith and I'm eighteen years old. I live in the Birchwood community, a small community of beautiful people and fantastic culture.
"Brittany," she called my name, and I narrowed my gaze at her, ready to do what she requested. "You should..." she paused and looked at something behind us, so I followed her gaze to see that she was looking at my friend's parents.
I didn't understand why it felt like something was off. I felt fear and sadness suddenly.
I subconsciously moved my gaze to my teacher to see her looking dismayed. I looked behind me again to see almost every family in the community gathered by the river side.
Something was going on and my instinct made it known to me that it was not something good or favorable.
The teacher took my hand, led me out of the tree and made me stand on the bridge with her. Everyone's attention was on both of us, making me confused about what was really going on and why she took my hand in the first place.
For a moment, everywhere was quiet as if they were expecting something and were waiting for it.
"Brittany Smith has proven to be the maiden!" My teacher shouted so that the whole crowd could hear.
Now I was even more confused because I did not know how I was able to prove myself. My response earlier was not even close to the correct answer so how was I able to prove anything?
My family came running to me after that short announcement. They took me home and said that I needed to see the king before leaving.
"Where am I going, Mother?" I asked, my whole body feeling tense.
She looked sad and before I knew it, she walked out of the cabin, sitting somewhere outside to cry.
Then my father came to me. He took my hands and rubbed them as if comforting me. "Something bad is about to happen, right?" I asked. I was scared but I was trying to hide it. "Father?" I needed a response from him because I was going crazy from not knowing what was going on.
He told me to sit and instructed my siblings to leave the room for both of us. I had two brothers and a sister. I loved them all so much, with my life. I did not want to imagine what it would be to be far from them because my family was the only reason I wanted to even live. They were the only gem I had.
"Tell me, Father," I said when he was not speaking after my siblings left and we were settled.
He let out a heavy sigh and massaged his forehead as if he was stressed. "Do you want water?" I was aiming to stand up, but he stopped me.
"When you were born… There was joy in the whole town. The prophetess even told me and your mother that your future would be very bright. She said you are a miracle child, but perhaps good things do not always come the way we all hoped they would. Maybe good things are through a great sacrifice for others," I think he paused as I still couldn't tell where he was going.
"Look, Brittany, I love you with all my heart but what is happening now is inevitable..." he halted again. "Remember the story I used to tell you about the Red Moon Circle and the dark forest?" This question brought back memories of those nights when my parents used to tell me bedtime stories, but this particular story about the Red Moon Circle was the most terrifying one. How could I not remember?
Well, it took me a minute to realize that that horrible myth story my father told me was now my reality.