The Girl With The Map

The Scars She Hid From The World

REGINA MCBRIDE

The heavy iron gates of the Wilderness Correction Camp groaned as they released me after three years of state-sponsored hell. I stood on the dirt road, clutching a plastic bag that held my entire life, waiting for the family that claimed they sent me there for "rehab." My brother, Brady, picked me up in a luxury SUV only to throw me out onto a deserted highway in the middle of a brewing storm. He told me I was a "public relations nightmare" and that the rain might finally wash the "stink" of the camp off me. He drove away, leaving me to limp miles through the mud on a snapped ankle. When I finally dragged myself to our family estate, my mother didn't offer a hug; she gasped in horror because my muddy clothes were ruining her Italian marble. They didn't give me my old room back. Instead, they banished me to a moldy gardener’s shack and hired a "babysitter" to make sure I didn't embarrass them further. My sister, Kaleigh, stood there in white cashmere, pretending to cry while clinging to her fiancé, Ambrose—the man who had once been mine. They all treated me like a volatile junkie, refusing to acknowledge that Kaleigh was the one who planted the drugs in my bag three years ago. They wanted to believe I was broken so they wouldn't have to feel guilty about the "wellness retreat" that was actually a torture chamber. I sat in the dark of that shed, feeling the cooling gel on the cigarette burns that covered my arms, and realized they had made a fatal mistake. They thought they had erased me, but I had returned with a roadmap of scars and a hidden satellite phone. At dinner, I didn't beg for their love. I simply rolled up my sleeves and showed them the price of their silence. As the wine spilled and the lies crumbled, I sent a single text to the only person I trusted: "I'm in. Let them simmer." The hunt was finally on.

Modern Revenge Scheming

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Hanley ✓

During the first full moon of every eighth month of the year, Masarkkav held a ritual marking.

A period when the Shape-shifter alpha comes to choose his mate.

We respect it like we respected God, but that's for them, not me.

Girls at the age of eighteen to nineteen are tied at the village ground where they'll be marked, if chosen.

They always say the lucky ones are those who are taken by the alpha's and high ranked Betas, but to me, it's a hell nightmare.

Last year, the Alpha had come, leaving without a mate. It was said none were of his taste.

This year, he's gonna come for sure, maybe to find his luck... I guess.

The elders has send letters to all families whose daughters would be participating for the ritual.

Since my entire life, as far as I was never picked, I never seemed to care.

Until today, when mother read the shocking letter to me. " Hanley, you've been picked for the ritual. "

Right now, I felt like exploding. And if the ground would open in half, I would be glad to have myself thrown into it.

" I'm leaving Masarkkav for good." I said to their amazement.

" You're what?! " Dad stormed as he dropped what he was doing to look at me. " Did you just say you're running?"

" I can't stay here, dad. I don't want to undergo the ritual. " I insisted.

" Don't try what you'll regret after. " He said.

" There's nothing to regret in this. I'll just run and when they don't find me... that's it. No markings. "

" Now you listen to me young lady, get yourself ready for tonight. Whether or not you like it, you must participate in the ceremony. " He finalized.

I know there was no way out of these. There will never be a way out of these as far as mom and dad are concerned. Especially Dad.

I went to Florence's house to spend the rest of my day with her while I think of how my night will be. She was making sandwiches for the family.

Her grandmother had convinced her parents to have her make it. All those grandmother's who talks about marriage even when you're twelve. Tsk.

" Hi." I greeted, drawing her attention.

" Hey. " She beamed her lips with a smile, then returning her gaze back to the sandwiches on fire. " Thank your stars you came at the right time."

" I always come at the right time. " I said, knowing that I'll have a share from the sandwiches.

I sat on the stool by the side. " So, did your parents receive any letter?" I asked.

" You mean for the ritual? " She asked, not looking at me.

" Yes. "

" Nope, no letter. What about you?" Now she was looking at me for an answer. I nodded my head. " Really? "

" I thought about leaving the village but then, dad said I must stay whether or not I like it. I don't know why he has to be this mean over things. " I scoffed.

" I don't wanna stay, I don't wanna stand between those fires and I don't wanna think about being chosen. Flo, this shouldn't be happening, at all. " I said, depressed. " I'm scared, Flo. I really am."

" Look Han, your father is right about what he said. You running away will only end up getting your parents in danger. No matter what, you must stay and participate. " She advised.

" Honestly, I wish I were you, I won't have to bother about the ritual for the whole year. "

She chuckled. " Let's just hope it doesn't work out this year. Because, that's the only way you can become like me. "

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