Simplicity

"Wake up!" Ruby's said sternly looking at her sleepy daughter who was spread across the cot.

"Go away." Sophia grumbled trying to fall back asleep shooing her mother away. "I would like to be alone since I only have a few days left to enjoy."

Ruby sighed walking toward her child who looked like a sleeping beauty. She smiled as she knelt beside her stroking her black charcoal hair which she inherited from her good looking father.

He too, was a vision to look upon, which made Sophia even more remarkable to look at. She took a long moment to trace her daughter's face knowing she was truly the last piece she had of her beloved husband.

"I know you had a long night, but you still have some days before the full moon. You ought to enjoy your time." She whispered toward Sophia who was still listening. "And laying here all depressed won't solve anything."

"Mother, I know you're not use to it yet, but I'm not a morning person. It seems I will never be able to be that, so just get over your disappointment." Sophia snapped still feeling herself drained from all the crying from the night before. "After all this time, I expected you to actually just be use to the disappointment I always bring you."

Ruby flinched a bit knowing her daughters attitude and the action didn't escape Sophia's eyes. After a moment of silence, guilt began to build up in Sophia's heart knowing her mother just was a bit different than her and somehow deep down loved her.

"You know Sophia," her mother began trying to speak to her openly. She looked toward her daughters window which was small, but her child's favorite spot in the house. The dark haired girl often pretended it was an open passageway to another world since she often wanted to escape this one.. "I love you. I know you felt alone last night and I wish I could take away all the fear. But I am here to listen. I actually am willing to take your burdens."

Sophia finally sat up in her bed looking into her mother's blue eyes. It was the only feature she inherited from the woman when everything else was inherited by her father. And it was surprisingly what made Sophia even more desired since it was a rare eye color among the village people.

She looked at Ruby feeling sympathy toward her knowing she was trying to be the typical mother expected around this mundane town. She had been sick for years and had taken care of Sophia all on her own even though she had no cure to help her. Although their beliefs didn't align, Sophia couldn't let her mother have guilt in her last days.

Everything inside Sophia was burning with rage, but they both would be dying soon, so there was no point. And she knew her mother wouldn't be able to handle taking on any of her burdens.

"Like you said mom, I should be enjoying my time these next couple days. How about we go for a walk in the village today? I heard Maxine makes the best bread! We could spend some of our coins and spoil ourselves!"

Sophia gave her mom a big smile even though it was forced quite dramatically. Her mother was close to being bound to a sick bed, so she decided to have memories that could get her through those dreadful days since most likely the village people would ignore her when she was truly alone. It also reminded Sophia that she needed to cut more wood for the next couple winter months since the villagers would most likely not help her.

It would seem like the skies didn't care for their small family since death kept happening. First, Sophia's father died even though he was a strong healthy individual, but now even his wife and child would suffer worse fates. It seemed that the gods were cruel.

Ruby nodded giving her daughter a bright smile not expecting her usual fierce child to be so delightful to her.

"Yes! But Madam Clarice is coming to speak to you as well! So we must have that happen before we head out. Apparently she will be training you everyday till the full moon."

"When is she coming?" Sophia deadpanned with her usual annoyed attitude returning.

Ruby looked out toward the living space in the hut giving her daughter an awkward shrug. Sophia followed her eyes determining what her mother was saying. And she wanted so badly to scream.

"She's here, isn't she?" Sophia whispered knowing the blind woman had the best hearing ability and cursing herself for not figuring out this is why her mother actually wanted her to wake up. The question was, how long was the seer actually here?

"Yes I am!" Came the old woman's singasong voice from behind her bedroom wall meaning she was listening.

Sophia groaned slightly getting off the cot giving her mother an annoyed look. But Ruby smiled and walked out continuing a discussion with the elderly lady that the girl tried to ignore hoping they might both disappear.

The young girl hurried and placed on a brown dress in her wardrobe which had a few holes around, but it still properly fit her. It was a couple years older, but it was probably the nicest gown she owned and was given since a tossed it in the trash due to not liking the color. If she was planning on seeing villagers today, she wanted to be presentable with her head held high.

Sofia brushed her hair pulling her dark hair to the side braiding it loosely. She tried to take her time in her bedroom wanting to avoid the company outside her door but she knew Clarice was probably one of the few people who outdid her stubbornness.

Eventually the girl made her way out noticing the older women sitting on some furniture sipping from the hot drink her mother boiled that morning. She could smell the ingredients as soon as she walked into the small area making her scrunch her brows on why their was alcohol in a drink for the old woman!

"Do you enjoy this drink as well Sofia?" She asked before taking another sip of the drink.

Sofia sat in front of the lady kneeling on the floor still having a feeling that the blind woman could see her. "I like to drink hot water, but if the drink has too many ingredients, It has too much flavor for my liking Madam."

"Ahh. You like simplicity." Clarice said smirking at the realization. "It will make things easier for you."

"Yes… do most villagers fix you this sort of drink when you visit?" Sophia asked with genuine interest looking at her mother who avoided her gaze leaving the two alone in the living space. Ruby didn't like having alcohol in the house which made the girl wonder where it came from.

"Hmmm. I wish. They think water is all I need. But since I'm old and blind, some few ingredients help the day go by more enjoyable." Clarice giggled taking another sip of the alcohol beverage before placing it down.

"What kind of training am I suppose to do Madam Clarice?" Sophia asked still staring into the black eyes that seem to be looking directly back into hers.

"Today I am just here to speak to you. I would like to get to know you personally. You have a special purpose sweet child but I don't want you to feel like all we do is talk about the sacrifice."

Sophia nodded looking away frowning. She didn't see the point in any discussions since she was to be sacrificed and the small talk of getting to know each other was useless.

"You worry too much little red."

Sofia snapped her eyes back to the woman. Had she heard someone call her by that nickname?

At that time, Ruby left the hut to go fetch more wood for the fireplace leaving the two to discuss things in private so she wouldn't overhear their shared thoughts. Madam Clarice felt that the two were finally alone and decided it was best to speak openly.

"You wish to escape? You seem like the type who has a bag packed. You are a resourceful girl." Clarice said again before taking another swig.

Sofia narrowed her eyes wondering how this women was so aware of her surroundings.

"Yes. I'm sure someone would have been smart to do that." Sophia said rolling her eyes. "But I should have left before the picking. I would have been spared if I had that thought." Sophia sighed regretting for allowing herself to even participate. If she had just left, she could have escaped this whole place.

"It would have done no good." Clarice said making Sophia give her a questioning gaze.

"It still would have been you as the chosen. It was wise to stay sweet girl. Trust me, you stayed behind because of your mother, but it makes things easier so you can complete your destiny."

"For the village? To spare them by sacrificing myself?" Sophia questioned thinking the woman was speaking as her mother always did. Someone's destiny to give their life in place for others didn't please Sophia when these people didn't seem worth saving.

"Child, did you not listen to what I said in the prayer circle?" Clarice asked with a small chuckle. "Your sacrifice is not meant to be of some dreadful death."

Sophia furrowed her brows confused on what the woman was speaking of.

"No offense, but all you do is speak in circles." Sophia said annoyed.

"No my child. You are not paying much attention to my words." Clarice said sternly with a serious tone.

"No one has survived before. Do you mean that I won't die on the full moon? Is the beast going to spare me?" The girl asked sarcastically knowing deep down that no beast in their right mind would give up the opportunity to kill.

"Absolutely not!" Clarice laughed placing her cup to her side. She reached out her hand touching the small girls chin giving her a smile. "But you can still survive. You just have to survive till the sun rises to be spared."

"You mean I should hide in the forest till the sun appears?" Sophia asked. "I wonder why no one has ever thought of that?" Came another sarcastic comment.

"No no. There have been many girls who have tried to hide and they did die." The woman laughed making Sophia grimace knowing she shouldn't be so light concerning the other girls who did die. "You are not going to escape the beast by such a stunt. You just have to be prepared. Hiding is cowardly. But running around confusing the creature will make him consider you somewhat of a challenge maybe making him more intrigue to keep the game continuing."

"Shouldn't I try to leave the woods then?" Sophia questioned. "Then the animal can be searching for the whole night while I'm somewhere safe."

"No. You must stay in the woods and survive till the sun rises. You have a purpose and you will be spared by the Wolfmen when you prove your worth in surviving their game." Clarice said grabbing the girls chin. "What we discuss stays between us. Do not share this with your mother. Do you understand?"

At that moment Ruby walked back into a hut with a bundle of sticks which Sophia took note of making her frown.

"Here, I have some wood to warm up our little home. I'm sorry if it's a bit chilly in here Madam Clarice."

But Clarice stood grabbing her cane ignoring Sophia who again was shocked with the blind woman's awareness. How did she know her mother would enter the door?

"No worries Ruby. I must get heading. I will visit again in the morning for Sophia. Enjoy your day together and try to enjoy your time with one another! Time is precious and the Gods have take joy to see happiness."

The Red women watched the older woman navigate out of the hut with puzzled expressions.

"I know she is the seer, but she is an odd one." Ruby murmured heading toward the fireplace to place the wood to warm up their little house. "I don't ever know how to speak to the woman. I guess I'm just not as connected to the skies as her."

"You shouldn't be doing the housework!" Sophia chastise ignoring everything else as her mother placed the wood on the floor. "You are suppose to stay indoors mother! Your health-"

"I have to do many things now…" Ruby whispered making Sophia press her lips together. Things would definitely be changing for her mother. But right now was not the time to allow her to hurt herself.

Sophia bent down on the floor organizing the wood as her mother lifted her head smiling. Her daughter was always one to help her.