Chapter 8

Everyone seems to be celebrating my survival, but I perceive it differently. The guilt that haunts me haunts my heart.

It's like waiting for me to kill myself.

The words he told me last have killed me more than my fault.

I'll come after you ...

Every day his words haunt me, I am afraid to take a step forward.

I refuse to eat or drink. Before my eyes I can only see the blood on my hands from that crazy girl. I see a burning girl I was trying to help, I see a drowned girl who was just trying to live, like each of us.

„Lia, you have to eat something. At least have a loaf she wanted, or drink fresh milk, "my mother and father begged me.

I cried at once.

„I'm to blame," I began.

„For what?"

„For her death. We were supposed to give him the other blood, but I didn't want to, but she attacked me with a knife, I had no choice, "I cried even more.

„I'm going to hell, it's a sin, I took her life."

My father grabbed me by the shoulders.

„Lia, everyone knows how she died," his father said

„From where?"

„Everyone died last."

„Father, but I didn't want to take her life. I didn't mean to, "my mother hugged me and reassured me.

But I will not be like the others before me. I don't kill myself, I have to be strong. I promised it after all!

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The days passed, people took vegetables from the fields. Winter was slowly approaching.

I helped my mother and father in the field.

„We'll make jam for winter," said her mother beside work.

Your time is running out ...

I looked around in horror.

„Lia? Are you OK?"

„Yes, I just ... I had a bad dream," I smiled uncertainly.

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I survived the next day in fear. My mind even started playing with me and I saw a girl burning in the meadow a few times, but after rubbing my eyes there was nothing.

Come out...

I quickly sat down on the bed and stared at my shaking hands in horror.

I slowly got out of bed and went out on the road.

Now don't move and close your eyes ...

I was reluctant to do so. I felt him throw a scarf over my eyes so I wouldn't see anything.

I could feel his breath on my neck and it made me cold everywhere on my body.

„What do you still want from me?"

„Your pastor is a nice liar," he said.

I heard him clearly and distinctly directly behind me.

„He told you that if you survived, your family would live in peace and quiet. Do you think that's true? "

„Speaking now, I doubt it's true."

„Wise girl, I understand why your father chose you."

„Tell me the truth, what's the intention of killing girls?"

„The last girl will become the bride, as you call him, the devil's bride. I'd rather say a maid. "