The Taken - Part 4

Below is the fourth installment of my story, The Taken. If you haven't read the first three installments, please click here for Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. 

“Let’s just get this over with,” I mumbled as I walked out of our classroom. As promised, Billy was standing just outside the room, leaning up against the cave wall.

“Hello beautiful,” he said, flashing me another grin.

“Don’t call me that,” I hissed.

“You’d rather me call you ugly?”

“I’d rather you not call me anything.”

“Ouch, Em. Ouch.” He gestured down the hallway with his chin and I followed him after a moment’s hesitation.

Billy rambled on and on about his day and we soon found ourselves in the commons. It was abuzz as people scurried around. Some were on their way to do evening chores while others were meeting up with friends to just hang out. I spotted the hallway that led to my room and nearly made a break for it, but Billy turned down the hallway too. On and on he talked, as if I cared about everything “Billy”. When we reached my room, he stood to the side of the doorway and waited for me to go inside.

“Was that our date?” I asked hopefully, still standing in the hallway. Please, oh please let that be Billy’s idea of a date. I could handle listening to him yammer about himself if it just lasted a few minutes.

That hope died as he narrowed his eyes on me. “No, I’m letting you drop off your things.”

I looked down, noticing that I was still holding my books. I stepped inside my room and set them down on my bed. Billy stepped inside as well, not caring that he wasn’t invited.

“Nice,” he said with appreciation. “I see that you still have some things that I brought back from our supply runs.”

I faced him, not trusting him for one second. Number one: I didn’t like him in my room; Number two: I didn’t like the two of us being so close to a bed. Knowing Billy as the upstanding gentleman he was (Riiight), I shouldn’t worry about him attacking me.

“Are you going to change?” he asked after looking dubiously at my clothes.

“No.” Like I would change for him. Like I would change for any of them.

“Pity,” he said, flashing a half-smile. “I would have offered to help.”

Oh I was sure he would have. I rolled my eyes. “What are we doing Billy? I thought you said you didn’t want to waste one minute?”

“You’re right,” he replied. He reached out and grabbed my hand and held it so tight that I couldn’t wiggle free. We were out into the winding hallway the next second and Billy had resumed the one-sided conversation about his entire life up to this very minute. I tuned out and let him lead me, nervous about where he was taking me and what his plans were.

“Football?” I asked a minute later, my mouth gaping open. “We’re playing football?”

Billy laughed and finally released my hand as he made his way over to his buddies. “Yeah, see? You won’t find a better date,” he said. His chest puffed out and he appeared every bit as cocky as he could get. Travis, Blake, Clay, and James looked over at me, and if I had to guess, they were a lot happier to see me than I was them. Travis, Blake, and Clay were Billy’s age. The three of them had been nearly inseparable since I could remember. James was a few years younger, but his larger build gave him the perfect “in” for what I liked to refer to as the Brute Squad. I never did understand why he hung out with them, he seemed a lot nicer than the others.

“You better mean that you guys are playing football. I’m not getting in there with you,” I said, glaring at Billy as he fist bumped the others.

“Oh, you most certainly are, Davenport,” he said. His tone was anything but joking. “You’re mine tonight.”

My teeth gnashed together. “I’m no one’s,” I growled.

This only seemed to make him laugh.

They more or less ignored me while they decided on teams. Billy, of course, wanted to be on the team opposite me. Being that I’d never played football, it was a certainty that my team would lose. My “date” chose his team mates, which consisted of Blake, Clay, and of course Billy. I was on Travis and James’ team. Each team split up for a quick huddle, so the other guys went to the far end of room, near where the cows and chickens were safely tucked away in their corral. Travis and James stood by me.

“You ever played?” James asked quickly.

“No.” I shook my head.

“Okay,” he said, as though he though that had been the case. “I think we all know what game Billy is playing, and it only partially has to do with the ball.” He said this pointedly at me.

I know my eyes widened, but it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

He looked over his shoulder and I followed his gaze, seeing that the others were already breaking from their huddle. He faced us again and gave me what must have been the fastest rundown of the game ever.

I pretty much nodded along, trying to remember the rules and terms, and just before we split up, he added, “Em, you’ll play football just like I explained. Trav and I will be playing too, but we’re also going to try to keep them away from you. You ready?”

I nodded, but my uncertainty was plain on my face. He stepped in closer and put his hand on my shoulder, eyes burrowing into mine. “Don’t be afraid to let me know if you get hurt, okay?”

“Kay,” I said lamely, giving him an answering smile.

He broke his hold and stepped away. The three of us met the other three in the middle of the room. Someone had already drawn lines in the sand for where the goals were. I knew I could catch a ball—not that I’d ever tried to catch a football—so I hoped that wouldn’t be a problem. If I caught the ball, I knew I’d have to run like hell.

Copyright © 2014 Katalyn Sage

The Taken- Part 2

I apologize in advance for posting this so late. We have decided to continue our short stories, and even though The Taken isn't planned to be a short story, I have decided to add another section of the book.
For the beginning of this story, please click here. Below is the 2nd installment of The Taken.

One by one, each guy wrote their name on a piece of paper and dropped it into a hat that was held studiously in George’s meaty hands. His smug look grew bigger with each name submitted. His idea for a dating raffle was received surprisingly well among the boys I’d be forced to date, and it was only because of a late-night meeting between my parents and George that I even found out what to expect today. And it was only because of my parents’ insistence that the age-range for my dating pool was limited so I wouldn’t be forced to go out with anyone’s dads, or any boys much younger than me.

And since George, Mom, Dad, and I were the only ones “in the know” on the old man’s conniving plan, my nervousness over what was coming put me even more on edge as understanding dawned on everyone’s faces. This business of utmost importance had delayed everyone’s chores for the day, and even today’s classes were even being put off until this little matter could be decided.

Each and every name had been dropped into the hat, and Mr. Matthews called me to stand beside him in the center of the commons. As the raffle prize each day, I was expected to draw today’s lucky first winner. Mom and Dad stood by my side, each of them rested a hand on my shoulder in support. We were a family unit, the strongest in our Haven, and as long as we were together, nothing could rattle us too much.

“Is everyone’s name in?” George asked, though it was obvious that every name was entered. “Very good,” he continued. “As I said earlier, Emalee will choose a name every day and spend time with that man that day. Outside of classes and chores, of course.”

That had been yet another stipulation Mom had opted for in hopes that it would get me out of this mess. And even though it didn’t get me out of anything, I’d never been so grateful for school and work until now.

“Whoever is drawn will have their name immediately placed back in the hat so that he has an equal chance as the rest of you each day,” George continued, not allowing me time for my internal rambling.

That hadn’t seemed fair to any of the boys because it meant that some could spend time with me more than once, while some may not get the chance for a while—if at all. But, there was no use arguing with George, especially after he’d been forced to give in on some of his ideas.

George shook the hat in his hands. “Emalee?”

Giving a mental sigh, I reached over and stirred my hand around in all the folded papers before drawing one out. Unfolding it, I looked down at the name as my stomach lurched.

“Well?” Mr. Matthews asked, setting the hat down on the boulder beside him.

“Can I draw another one?” I asked. “This one is blank.”

“No, it isn’t,” he replied monotonously. “I thought you’d be a better sport than this.” He snatched the paper out of my hand. Grinning widely, he looked up into the crowd of boys and men who were watching in rapt anticipation. “Well well,” he said.

Please don’t say it. Please let me draw another name.

Any other name.

“Billy Matthews.”

Of all the freaking luck. Seriously? Billy Matthews. George’s oldest son.

Once his name was read, he flashed that half grin that I hated more than anything else in this world. Billy was a cocky son of a gun that had gone out of his way to make my life a living hell for as long as I could remember. More than any of the others, he’d teased me and pulled my hair, spilled water on me, and, and… the list just goes on and on!

I hated Billy Matthews!

George seemed more than pleased with the outcome of his drawing, and I briefly wondered if he’d rigged it. Not that I’d put it past him. I wasn’t the only one angered by the results. Other guys started muttering things under their breath, and even my mom had gasped at my first would-be date.

“No, not him,” she warned the old man beside me. “Em can’t stand him.”

“That was not a requirement, last I checked,” George replied with that stupid wide grin. “And you failed to make that a stipulation in this drawing.”

“Because no one can make any restrictions when it’s something you want,” Mom hissed.

“Well,” he huffed. “I can see where Emalee’s lack of sportsmanship comes from.”

Mom took a step closer to him and I reached out, stopping her. “Don’t,” I said, not wanting to make this situation any worse than it already was. “It’s okay Mom. I can handle one date with him.”

It was easy to tell she was unconvinced, but she nodded anyway. George, still donning that ridiculous grin, refolded the paper and dropped it in the hat.

“Enjoy,” he said, in a singsong voice. Then he walked away, hat in hand.

Everyone dispersed then, the commons area clearing out except for a few people who lingered along with my parents and me. I guess George’s acceptance of the date was enough to call our little meeting to an end.

Mom pulled me in for a hug. “We’ll talk later, honey. Go on and get to class.”

Dad once again put his hand on my shoulder, letting me know in his own way that he was 100% behind me. I turned on my heels and followed the winding hallway until I reached my room. I’d already laid my books on my bed, and I quickly grabbed them before heading back in the direction I’d come from. Crossing through the commons, I followed another pathway and slipped into the classroom. Every eye was on me as I took my seat.

If you would like to continue reading, click here for Part 3.
Copyright © 2014 Katalyn Sage
Also available on WattPad.

The Taken

Below is my submission for this month's short story theme. I doubt this will end up being a short story in the long run, so here is the very beginning of what will likely be a full-length YA novel. Enjoy!

Our entire community was witnessing the argument going on in the middle of the commons. Just like everyone else in the room, my eyes shot back and forth between my mom and George Matthews. The room was dark, only the fire creating any sort of light, the warm glow of it bouncing off the rocky walls. They stood near the fire pit in the center of the space, yelling at each other, debating their sides. Again. Everyone in Safe Haven hoped that the outcome was different than it had been every other time this disagreement had surfaced. Well, that is, everyone except for me.

“Absolutely not,” Mom spat. “It is out of the question.”

What were they arguing about? Me.

My dad, with his short brown hair and wire-frame glasses, stood next to Mom in his trademark faded plaid button-up shirt and khakis. Arms folded and eyes narrowed on George, he’d managed to bite his tongue so far, but I could see how hard it was for him to rein in his temper. Each time this argument had broken out, I’d felt sick to my stomach. Thankfully my parents always won.

George, with his graying hair and his round, burly figure, copied my dad’s stance. Only instead of looking at my dad, he was staring angrily at my mom. She had a small frame, the only bit of fat on her was in her cheeks, and by the looks of her you wouldn’t think she’d pack much of a punch. But out of my parents, she was the force to be reckoned with. “MaryAnn, you’ve got to think of us as a whole, not just that she’s your daughter,” George said.

“I don’t care.” Mom shook her head, her brown curls bouncing around her face. She kept her arms folded, practically shooting daggers at George even though she was only five foot four. My parents and Mr. Matthews had never seen eye to eye, and I could see in her expression that she didn’t want to hear another word out of his mouth. Though I got the feeling that was the general consensus. “I won’t force her into this.”

“We need our numbers replenished. She’s old enough.” George tightened his folded arms. As if that would prove his point.

“She’s sixteen,” Mom gaped.

“Only for a few more days,” George argued. “She’d be nearly eighteen by the time any children were born, and that’s even if she becomes pregnant right away.”

I could actually feel everyone’s eyes fall on me. Mr. Matthews and my parents weren’t the center of attention anymore.

George, and a few of our other leaders, had been pushing for me to start ‘breeding’ for the last six months. Like I was some sort of horse. Sometimes I felt like one. Being the only girl that was of a fertile age, I was a precious commodity. Mom had birthed child after child, but with the harsh living conditions of the caves, I was the only one to make it. There was one other girl. One. And she was six years old. Her mom, Lilly, had passed away after giving birth to her younger brother, Nathan.

I was actually grateful my mom couldn’t get pregnant anymore. I didn’t want her to die like all the other women had. The men in Safe Haven’s society had been adamant that they keep breeding to regenerate our numbers. But a woman can only take so much, and comforts that they’d used to have like pain medicine had run out a long time ago. For me, it was a relief that Mom couldn’t have any more children. It meant that she’d stay alive. What did scare me, though, is that that duty now fell to me. Our leaders had been pushing harder and harder over the last six months, hinting that I was of age to begin bearing children. And with any hope, daughters. That was what everyone wanted more than anything. More women meant bearing more children which meant a bigger increase in our ranks.

“I’m not suggesting that she… lay with any of the older men,” George said, and then he cleared his throat at a few of the boys who snickered. He eyed my parents. “We have young men, closer to her age. That would do just as well.”

“Oh, and that should make her feel better about it?” Mom asked. Her face had started turning red. I could see the look in her eye, the one I’d seen plenty of times while growing up. It usually accompanied me being grounded or even spanked. It was terrifying. And right now it was focused on George. “You know damn well I’d never let someone older even think about touching her. The fact that you’re trying to force my daughter to have sex with every guy here is the problem.”

A few more male snickers sounded around the room, most of which came from the teenage boys I had classes with, and a few that were a few years older. I blushed and tried to ignore them.

“We need daughters,” George insisted.

“And you think that forcing my daughter to bear child after child just to die from exhaustion is the answer?”

“It’s better than your suggestion,” he growled.

I personally liked my mom’s suggestion of looking for other people, other survivors. Close to eighteen years ago, the human race was attacked by forces no one had seen coming. Somehow the sadistic monsters that had raided us did so without anyone knowing—at least until it was too late. None of us knew if the attacks happened all over the world, or if it was just on our continent. There was really know way to know. My parents, along with the elders in our community narrowly escaped the monsters’ grasps. Especially my mom. She’d been taken by one, but my dad refused to let her go. He’d hunted down the monster that had snatched her and rescued my mom before it’d had a chance to kill her. They’d gone on the run, seeking shelter anywhere they could. My dad had known they’d need to get far away from the cities since they were the most targeted, and they’d driven until their car ran out of gas. And that was when George found them. He and a few other survivors had brought them to the caves, which has served as our hideout ever since.

“Why are you so certain that we’re the only ones?” Mom asked, turning to an argument they’d had on more than one occasion with the elders. Neither of my parents agreed with the others that so few humans survived the raid. As for me, I had no idea. We’d never seen anyone else, and we’d sent men out plenty of times. Of course, they hadn’t gone out looking for other people, they went out scavenging for supplies: clothes, school books, food, and anything else we needed.

Mark Bellows rose from his seat in response to my mom’s question and stood next to George, squaring off against my parents. “Because we’d have seen someone by now. MaryAnn, you know as well as any of us that we need more people if we want the human race to survive. We need more numbers, which means we need more children.”

“Are you so willing to give up your daughter in ten years?” Mom asked him, her eyes focused on his.

Mark’s face fell. He looked quickly at little Natalie who was sitting next to Nathan. They were watching the argument like everyone else, though they were probably still too young to understand what it was all about. Looking back at my parents, he nodded. “I would convince Natalie that it would be the right thing.”

“And you wouldn’t mind her being raped by every man here?”

Mark’s jaw tightened. He said nothing more.

Mom knew she’d gotten him. I could see it in her smirk. “That’s what I thought.”

“It wouldn’t be rape,” George said, jumping back into the conversation.

My dad’s eyes burned with anger this time. “What else would you call it?”

George rolled his eyes. It was something he did when he thought people were being unreasonable. It didn’t matter what anyone thought of his ideas, since apparently he was always ‘right.’ His eyes landed on me.

“Don’t even think about talking to her,” Dad growled. “You won’t force her into anything.”

“You know we’ll leave if you try,” Mom added.

“And where would you go!” George yelled, facing them again. My parents had hit a nerve. They always did when they mentioned leaving the sanctuary of the caves. “Oh right,” he continued. “You’d find other survivors. Except there aren’t any!” His face was red as he pointed at Mom. “And you’d take the only possible way for us to procreate just to save her from something she probably wants.”

Now he said it. I felt all eyes on me again. The looks were heated, begging me to say that I wanted to sleep with every guy in the caves. I wanted to stand up and punch George in his fat face, but instead I avoided their stares by averting my eyes and focusing on the ground. It only lasted a few seconds before my gaze was drawn back to my parents and Mr. Matthews.

If looks could kill, George would have been incinerated from the glare he received from my mom. As it was, he brushed it off the way he did everything else, and Mom stepped away from him. She sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “See? You’re doing it now. You’re making her uncomfortable.”

“These are facts, MaryAnn,” George said, slightly calmer than before. He focused on me then, his anger draining. “Right Emalee? We can’t let our race die off, can we? Don’t you want to help save us all?”

He thought he had the facts? Here was a fact: I didn’t have any feelings towards the guys at Safe Haven. I’d been the odd one out growing up. Every boy my age had teased me beyond belief. Anytime I looked at any of them, I saw brothers instead of…well, boyfriends. It felt wrong to want anything with any of them. I could see the same feelings reflecting back at me in some of their eyes. Others, I could tell they wanted more. That was teenage hormones at work for you, and apparently some of the guys had an extra dose. It was those guys that made this all the worse.

“Emalee?” George asked again.

I shook my head and focused on him once more. “I…I don’t know,” I said quietly.

His jaw tightened. “You don’t know?” He hadn’t phrased it like a question, and that scared me even more. George’s gaze danced around the common area, his eyes barely glancing at each person. After a few seconds of silent calculation, his voice boomed throughout the room. “Everyone return here after dinner tomorrow. Anyone not seated in this room by 7:00 forfeits their rights.” His gaze landed on me as fear coursed through my body.

Their rights to what?

If you would like to continue reading, please click here for Part 2.

Copyright © 2014 Katalyn Sage
Also available on WattPad.