CHAPTER 1:
Lyra's POV:
A gentle sigh escaped me while I walked through the markets, watching people interact with each other and the exchange of goods and money.
Not like I had much money to buy so many things.
Living with me-maw isn't luxurious.
We aren't related in any way but she took me in when I was a baby.
She said my parents were killed and I was left to die in the woods.
I don't know what I'd do without her.
I'm sure you're wondering why I call her 'me-maw' well she said she tried to teach me to say mother so she said 'you, baby; me, mother' I couldn't pronounce it well thus bringing me-maw.
Humans these days have lost their humanity.
We treat each other like trash and it isn't right.
Things are really hard on us.
Every week, a carriage or should I say cage on wheels comes into town and takes humans away to the castle.
I live in Redlake, the Vampire kingdom and the number of humans they come to take is getting out of hand.
They need our blood to survive which makes them the weaker species but they over power us so that makes them stronger.
Because things are hard here doesn't mean it isn't on the rest of the world.
From what I heard; the humans that live in Bloodlake or the land of Demons would trade places with us.
They undergo torture on a daily basis.
Even those who live in Blacklake or land of werewolves are used as food.
Things have always been like this with or without the great priestess.
Sometimes I feel like she gave us up to prevent another war from happening.
Why are things like this on us?
My species is under the food chain.
We feed on the little we can get and that's why I'm here.
Sometimes when food isn't enough, I steal.
Call me a thief if you want but survival is number one on my list.
I've been doing this since I was 8 and I've gotten pretty good at it.
Me-maw tells me to stop but we later end up eating whatever I bring.
After all, we need all the strength we can get.
My name is Lyra by the way.
I'm 19 with crystal blue eyes and brown hair.
I've lived most my life in fear.
Fear of the day I'll be taken.
Sometimes I like to believe that the day will never come but I can't be over confident.
I looked around through my cloak.
The hood covers a great deal of my face and leaves only my lips.
Everything was clear.
The guy who was selling apples was distracted with a customer.
I took that as my cue.
Grabbing a handful of apples and stuffing them inside my cloak.
Luckily, he didn't turn around and I took off running.
Another day, this is how I might spend the rest of my life.
I took a quick bend to my right. There was a boy.
His whole body was covered with dirt and he looked skinny and malnourished.
Not like I can blame him.
Everyday there are strays.
People who are all alone in the world.
Nowhere to go, nowhere to call home.
"please h-help me" he looked at me with big brown eyes.
Yes, I don't have anything but at least I have a roof over my head, food at least once a day and some water.
Taking off the hood and squatting, I took out an apple.
Deep down, if given a chance, my heart would give so much more.
Me-maw would be proud.
"take this. Honestly, if I had more I-" he stopped me with a hug.
The little boy was so small and warm in my arms.
"thank you" he whispered and reluctantly let go of me.
We said our goodbyes and I took off running.
.......
After so long, I'd gotten to our little home.
It was on the farthest part of town and so close to the woods.
Me-maw doesn't exactly fit in the society.
People think she's crazy but I love her; crazy and all.
After all, she was the one who took a baby she didn't know of.
So how bad could she be?
People are judging her based on what they see and not who she really is on the inside.
"Lyra, where were you?" I could tell she was rolling her eyes while doing something in the kitchen.
"oh, I went out for a little bit of air" I gave her a quick hug but the apples were making it really uncomfortable.
"you've gone stealing again. Lemme see what you brought for us today" enthusiastically, she rubbed her hands together.
Carefully, I brought out the apples.
"you know you can't keep doing this" she placed a hand on my cheek.
I stared into her warm blue eyes that was slightly covered by her grey hair.
"but if I don't what'll we eat?" I leaned into her hand.
We"ve been having this conversation ever since I was 10.
The punishment for stealing is immediate death.
Honestly, death sounds like a way better option than living in this harsh and cruel world.
"I know but one faithful day, the priestess shall come again. She shall save us once more" me-maw placed her hands together like she was praying.
"me-maw. You know the angels saved us, first, right?"
"yes, but the great priestess stopped the five hundred-year war" she stuck her tongue out.
Though she's old, she acts like a five-year-old.
"whatever you say" I threw my hands in the air like a fake surrender.
This is how the conversation normally ends.
"well I'm going out again"
"where?" worry filled her eyes.
"the river. I promise I won't stay long" I waved her goodbye and went through the back.
Every time my hunt is successful which it always is, I go to celebrate by the nearest running water.
Not so far from where we live, is a little river filled with fishes.
Whenever I don't feel like risking my life, I come here to fish.
It's way easier than risking my butt.
Unsure if I'll ever see another sunrise.
The walk was pleasant.
Birds singing their sweet melodic tune, the gentle rustling of the leaves.
Sounds of animals walking around was so relaxing.
From what me-maw told me, it was always full.
People would come here, sing and dance but now, it's mostly deserted.
Maybe people still come here when I don't?
A smile crept on my face when I could hear the sound of water.
That gave me enough energy to pick up the pace running like my life was on the line.
When I got there, I collapsed by the bank and washed my face with the clear water.
I'd bring a bucket here from time to time.
That's whenever we run out of water.
But today I didn't.
I was pulled out of my thoughts then I heard a twig snap...
And a quick FYI, I didn't know what to call the grandma lady and the nickname Sheldon Cooper (Big Bang Theory) gave to his grandma came to mind.
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XOXO...