9

The crowd looked neutral. No one was really very invested in mysticism or destiny, but they respected the assembly's opinion enough to leave and go about their business quietly. You were handed back into your mother's arms. In a few minutes, only your parents and the log-chairs remained. Eventually, your parents returned home. You had quite a grand future.

You would never know this, but that night your mother wept and your father downed the last jar of grain alcohol.