Challenge Me If You Dare

[Broken Inside]

A shadow moved in the dark. Glowing amber eyes stared from the safety of a bush. Long black hair could be seen through the dark green leaves.
“Zariah, why are you here?” another shadow asked. This one had green eyes.
“My daughter has been chosen, why is that? She could be killed!” The amber eyed shadow hissed.
“She herself has not been chosen. One of her descendants have been chosen. Zariah, I thought you knew the rules.”
“I know, Coraline! But this is my family we are talking about. Why Mureeka’s descendants? Why not Palina or Sikura? Why Mureeka? Why didn’t you choose your own daughter?”
“Zariah! I can not choose by myself! Loriko, Kakia, and Uniqua have to agree. I was out voted, I wanted Pursia to be chosen.” Coraline murmured.
“Who brought up Mureeka? Who! I will kill them!” Zariah snarled.
“You can not kill Uniqua. She is a Sorceress. She would kill you before you raised your weapon.” Coraline’s green eyes dared Zariah to go on about how it was unfair.
“I will make Uniqua pay!” the furious mother roared and stalked off. Her skirts dragged in the mud all the way.
“You need a seamstress!” Coraline called and turned away. Zariah was going to get into some trouble.


Zariah sat in her home. Mureeka in her lap. The baby girl was wrapped in a gorgeous blanket. A blanket that Zariah’s own mother had sewn by hand for the beautiful babe. The young mother looked up as someone knocked on the door. She stood up quickly, but very quietly. Men with ropes and sharp weapons had been coming to the houses and stealing the children for slaves. The frightened mother hurriedly hid her little one in a basket of unfinished dresses. She was taking no chances. Then she walked across the cold floor, barefooted and peeked out the single small window. Coraline was standing outside the door with her own babe and toddler with her. Zariah quickly opened the door, offspring should not be standing in the snow without shoes! She opened her mouth to scold Coraline, but she saw the frightened look in her friend’s face. “What is it?” she urged and ushered the three into her small home. She took the babe from it’s mother and set her in the basket with Mureeka. “Samina, go play with the dolls.” Zariah quickly moved the young girl into the corner with some wooden dolls. “What is it, Coraline?” she repeated.
“They came, they took Malesa! Oh! my baby girl!” Coraline sobbed and leaned on the door. Her body shook with tears.
“Who took Malesa? Coraline! Be strong for Samina and Barika,” Zariah pleaded. She was starting to cry too. She was in the process of making a dress for Malesa, her niece.
“The men!” Coraline gasped and held her chest, “They tied Malesa to the horse like an animal! My baby, treated like an animal!”
“It will be ok. The police will get Malesa back like they did all the other children,” Zariah comforted. She hated seeing her sister-in-law like this. But the police had to get Malesa back! They had to get the nine year old girl back!
“Mama, I’m hungry,” Samina cried. Zariah heard the child’s stomach rumbling with hunger. Her own mimicked the little girl’s. She hadn’t eaten since last night, after Mureeka was chosen to carry the savior.
“Samina, play with your dolls and I will make some breakfast. Then we shall go the seamstress and get you fitted for a new dress. Would you like that?” The promise would break Zariah, but she had to do something to make the tiny child happy. “Coraline, can you tend to the babes?” Without waiting for an answer the mother moved towards the fire to boil some water.
“Zariah, how did you make it through when they took Pransik? I mean, how did you go on. How did you stay strong?” Coraline asked while taking a baby in each arm.
“I looked at Mureeka and realized if I wasn’t strong then she would grow up scared and only know a weak mother.” Zariah hated talking about her lost son, but Coraline needed to know how to make Samina and Barika happy. She knelt down and grabbed the kettle of hot water. Her skirts were covered in soot when she stood back up. But that was common here. Years ago every house would be as clean as only the richest could afford. There was a light you didn’t have use fire for, a stove you could walk away from and not burn you food. There was even something called a faucet that had hot water come from it without boiling it first. But now, it was just a dream. You didn’t hear anything but tales about these things though. The elders swore that when they were young things like this was still around. That their parents would wrap them up in warm blanket that somehow connected to the wall. But nobody believed them.
Zariah poured the water into a bowl and sighed. She needed to milk the goat today. The young woman walked over to her company and gave Samina some bread. Her eyes lit up when she saw the food. Zariah could barely keep herself fed, she was poor. And so was Coraline. Zariah took Mureeka from the other woman and settled onto a soft pillow.
“Samina, don’t get the floor dirty. Please, girly. You don’t have to clean up the messes you make, Zariah does!” Coraline scolded and sighed. “Oh, do I miss him.”
Zariah didn’t have to ask who. Coraline and her both would randomly bring Zariah’s brother, and Coraline’s husband, up. He had died trying to fight the men off of Pransik, trying to save his nephew. Zariah herself had tried to battle the infection off. The knife that Kanak had been stabbed with was rusty and the rust was what killed her brother. Kanak was a fun loving man with the touch of an angel. He had never hurt anything in his life until it came to those men. He had stuffed a sharp rock into one’s chest. The body was found a week later. Zariah shuddered when she remembered the face of her brother’s killer. It was just a teenager for heaven’s sake!
Barika chose that moment to start crying. Both mothers’ eyes lit up with fear of the men being led to this house by her cry. Zariah kneeled down by the babe and tried to feed it bits of bread and some water. But the baby would not stop. Pictures of men dressed in animal skins, armed with sharp knives, holding ropes, filled her mind and she franticly tried to get the child to be quiet. Coraline grabbed Samina and Mureeka to hide in the basket of dresses, while Zariah pulled Barika into her lap and rocked back and forth. Finally she went into a small slumber that sent both women crying. The fear of their remaining children dieing would haunt them to the grave. The reality that everyday children were stolen would never leave them. Coraline leaned on Zariah and cried. Her eyes were puffy and swollen by the time she stopped. Zariah was to tired to do anything but hide Barika with the other little ones. She had told Samina to make sure they stayed quiet and didn’t leave the hiding spot. Then the young mother pulled out tow mats, one for Coraline, one for her. Both mothers stretched out on them, and hoped that their children would be there when they woke up.

“Mama!” Samina yelled and Zariah jumped up. Why was the child yelling? A knock came at the door and Zariah jumped. She shook Coraline roughly and held her hand over Samina’s mouth. She prayed it wasn’t them, that they hadn’t come to take Mureeka. Coraline stood up and wrapped her daughter in the blanket she was slept under. The older mother took all three children into an underground room that Zariah’s husband had built after Pransik was taken. Zariah refused to put Mureeka down there alone. The younger woman slowly walked towards the tiny window and moved the cloth away from it only enough to see who it was. With a cry of joy, she threw the door open and wrapped her arms around her husband. “Zariah, where is Mureeka?” fear was plain in the father’s voice, “She hasn’t been taken has she?”
“No, she is in the room with Coraline and her two youngest girls.”
“Why isn’t Malesa with her?”
“She was taken.”
“I am so sorry, Zariah.”
“Polikan, I’m so glad you’re home!” Zariah sobbed into her husband’s coat.
“Lets go get Coraline. Let her know it’s safe.”
Zariah nodded and started moving towards the underground door. Her skirts made a whispering sound on the wooden floor. Polikan followed close behind her, afraid to see the face of Coraline. The entire village was afraid to leave their house with their children with them. He was terrified to let anybody know about Mureeka. The tiny babe was a secret to everybody but the closest friends and family. Barika wasn’t known by anybody except her mother, sister, and aunt. He followed his wife down the steps to the only thing that kept either of them sane. Every sound they heard would make them go into a frenzy. Hide Mureeka, hide the toys, hide the trapdoor, hide everything. It was hide, hide, hide.
Zariah took Mureeka into her arms and sighed. The babe was only months old. Not even old enough to crawl. The young mother sat down and decided right then that she would risk her life to make the baby’s life as safe as possible. The determined mother started to make beds from blankets and extra mats. The floor was covered in straw, very soft on one’s bare feet. Zariah sat down and cuddled Mureeka to her chest. Coraline held Samina and Barika in her lap. Singing a lullaby, you wouldn’t know that she was terrified of every sound. But Coraline, and Zariah, both stood strong and acted like nothing could phase them, even though they were both screaming in rage inside. You couldn’t take a mother’s babies and not see them flying at you fury. You just couldn’t.


Zariah opened her eyes in the dark and sighed, she was sleeping in the hiding room with Coraline and the girls while Polikan slept upstairs on guard every moment. The mother rolled over and went to sleep again.

After a week of hiding the family thought it was safe to come up again. The village hadn’t lost anymore children and the men hadn’t been seen in a while. Zariah was sitting outside on the porch with her daughter in her lap when she heard the holler. It was like a “Whoop!” like men yelling on horses. Then it hit her. They were back. She moved so suddenly that Mureeka started to cry. Coraline came around from the back of the house, her face had no color. Samina was hugging her leg, while Barika was in her arms. Both women could see the men now, there was not time. Zariah pulled Coraline behind the house. A small box was half covered by snow. The young mother put her baby in it and told Coraline to do the same. The older mother was reluctant, but did as told. Zariah grabbed a wooden board that Polikan had left out when he was building something or another and moved around the corned of the house. The scared mother raised her weapon in defense of both of her children. Coraline joined her with an apron full of rocks. The men just laughed, One had eyes like blood, a crimson red. It made Zariah sick to her stomach. Another man tried to grab the board, but the enraged woman swung her weapon. It made contact with the man’s head. Coraline started to throw her rocks. Most of them hit the horses and the animals reared up, moving backwards. Both mothers were fighting for their children. Hands grabbed Zariah’s arms from behind and she screamed. The man with crimson eyes hit her hard and fell to the ground. Blood poured from her nose and she wanted to hit him back, but she only saw another man with Mureeka in his arms. The babe wailed helplessly. Coraline shrieked and hit the man with useless fist. Everybody was hiding in their houses, they knew what the screaming meant. Zariah gained her feet and lunged at the man. He easily swiped her to the side. The man with red eyes moved towards his horse, a huge black stallion. Both mothers were on the ground, screaming in pain, fear anger, confusion, and need. Something fit Zariah right above the eye and she had time to say, “Ouch,” before everything went black.




















Crimson stood in the meadow with Rosewood beside her. Crimson’s mother, Mureeka, was across the meadow, picking apples from one of the many trees around here. Crimson was supposed to be doing the same, but Rosewood had talked her into taking a walk through the forest. Both girls looked around to make sure none of the soldiers around. They would get punished if they were caught leaving. Rosewood slipped into the trees like a shadow, but Crimson was more clumsy. Her mother said she was destined for greatness, but Crimson didn’t believe it. The girl with midnight black hair and amber eyes was different among the girls here. Most had chestnut hair and brown eyes. But Crimson didn’t. She felt eyes on her back as she melted into the trees. Mureeka wouldn’t scold her for running off. The woman had been raised here. No memories existed of her mother, Crimson’s grandmother. Mureeka just remembers growing up with a woman named Barika, and another girl named Samina. One man claimed Mureeka as his sister, and Mureeka believed him, but only because Samina backed him up. Pransik said he had been taken from his mother when he was only five. Mureeka was only a few months old at the moment. Samina, Barika, and Mureeka were brought to the camp only two months after Pransik had turned six. He also said that Mureeka’s and his mother looked exactly like Crimson. Crimson quickly followed the path right behind Rosewood. Rosewood was Samina’s daughter. Samina thought her daughter was perfect and never got into trouble. But only Mureeka and Crimson knew about how much trouble she gets into. But usually Crimson took the blame. The girl with amber eyes didn’t know why she was still friends with the troublemaker, but she was. Rosewood was always quick to say it was Crimson’s fault, never hers. Crimson would take it without a word. Then at night when she was alone with her mother she would cry and Mureeka would promise Rosewood stop someday. But it was just talk, Crimson had put up with seven years of Rosewood’s torture. The girls were twelve now. They could be sold to another camp if they made the soldiers mad enough, but Mureeka had married one in trade for Crimson staying her with her mother.
“Crimson! Can you walk any louder?” Rosewood snarled.
“Sorry,” Crimson whispered and tried to make less sound. Rosewood seemed to be happy so Crimson was doing a good job. They walked father along, Crimson didn’t know this part of the forest, neither did Rosewood.
“We need to go back,” Crimson said and stopped.
“Why? Are you chicken?” the other girl demanded.
“No! I just don’t want to get in trouble!” Crimson defended herself.
“You’re chicken! Chicken!” Rosewood started pretending to peck the ground and made a clucking sound.
“Stop!” Crimson yelled and pushed Rosewood.
Rosewood got up and was about to yell something back when her eyes filled with fear, real, true, pure fear.
Crimson turned around to see a huge soldier. Her eyes filled with a terrified light until she realized the Mureeka’s husband was right behind the soldier.
“Crimson, why are you out here?” her father asked.
“Rosewood convinced me it would be ok, then she got lost. When I told her we should go back she called me a chicken,” Crimson gasped for breathe.
The soldier turned to Rosewood, “Is this true?” His voice was threatening, and Crimson immediately regretted telling on the girl.
“Crimson told me it was fine! She said we wouldn’t get in trouble!” Rosewood lied, then started crying.
“I did not! I’m always getting trouble for you!” she exclaimed.
“Back to camp, both of you!” Crimson flinched away, but Rosewood huffed and started to follow the men. Crimson did the same, but more slowly.


Mureeka was sitting in their hut when Crimson came in. The mother’s face became older, and harder. “How much trouble did Rosewood get you in this time?” That was Crimson’s mother. Straight to the point.
“I don’t want to walk about it,” the girl said simply and picked her skirts up from out of the dirt. The soldiers wanted pretty girls and women, not dirty ones.
“Crimson, look at me. You want to know how you got your name?”
Crimson was always asking how she got her name, why Crimson, and not Honey, or Rosewood like the other girls. She nodded.
“You have to talk to me first,” Her mother said.
Crimson looked down and sighed. She sat down on the soft straw and started, “Me and Rosewood slipped away when you were gathering fruit. I know you saw us. I don’t why I followed her, but I did. Then after a while we went into unfamiliar woods and then Captain Prikale found us. Maalis was with him. Rosewood immediately said it was my fault.”
“Oh, baby,” Mureeka sighed and ran her fingers through Crimson’s black hair, “I’ll talk to your father.”
“What about my name?” Crimson pushed harder.
“I have one memory from when I was little. Crimson eyes. They were so red. I thought it was the right name for you. Something strong, wise, and different. It was either that or Moon. I’d rather Crimson.”
Crimson nodded and stood up. “I’ll help with laundry,” she offered. She watched her mother’s dark brown hair shake as she nodded. Her brown eyes held only flecks of gold. The young girl gathered some soldiers’ clothes and then a few dresses. She put them into a straw basket and sighed. Work was hard here, but the dances were always very fun. “Mama, when is the next dance?”
“Tonight, but you only get to go it you get the clothes clean. You dancing dress is in there,” her mother laughed and ushered the girl out.

Crimson sat by the creek, scrubbing the clothes. Her knuckles were bleeding from where she hit them on a rock earlier. Her hand had slipped. “Crimson! Crimson! Where are you, Crimson!” She heard her mother’s frantic yell and dropped the clothes into the water.
“Mama, what is wrong?” Crimson hollered and hurried towards the voice. She was immediately engulfed with Mureeka’s hug.
“We are leaving. Moving towards the north. Along the way most of the camp members are being sold to the eastern camps. We need to hurry. Go grab those clothes. We will need them in the cold north.” Crimson quickly gathered the laundry and followed her mother.


Crimson sat on the pony and sighed. She didn’t want to be here. She wanted to be running around like they did in her old camp. She wanted to walk around, but Captain Prikale had made it clear that the ones who were to stay with the camp were to stay on horses. The girl’s black hair whipped at her face whenever the wind blew. Her mother didn’t allow her daughter to cut her hair short in fear that the soldiers might mistake her as somebody else. If it kept her with Mureeka then she would do it. “Crimson!” Crimson turned her head to a boy riding a bay mare. His name was Gale. Crimson sighed and turned away. He was always trying to show off for her, it got annoying. “Crimson! Come up here, I want to talk to you!” another boy yelled. His name was Storm. Crimson kicked her pony into a run and quickly caught up with the boy. His easy blonde hair fell over his blue eyes. Crimson smiled and ducked her head. “So, what did Gale want?”
“I don’t know, he was showing off again,” Crimson explained.
“I don’t like him,” Storm said.
“Why?” Crimson jerked her head up.
“He’s just strange. He’s different,” Storm said.
“I’m different!” Crimson growled and moved her pony towards Mureeka’s mare. The gelding Crimson road was proud, to proud to listen. Storm followed Crimson, his own stallion racing beside Crimson’s. All of a sudden Storm’s stallion bit Crimson’s pony. Crimson’s gelding, Little Boy, Reared up in surprise and the other horse went in for another attack. Little Boy slammed onto the ground and took off. His small legs pumping fast, but Storm’s horse was faster.
“Goat! Slow down!” Storm yelled and pulled in the stallion’s reins. Crimson saw Mureeka gaining on them quickly. Then Goat kicked out at Little Boy and hit Crimson instead. The girl flew of her pony and landed on the ground. A huge bruise lay on her cheek. Mureeka jumped of her mare while the horse was still running. The woman kneeled down by her daughter and made sure Crimson was breathing.
“Oh my god,” Storm said, Captain Prikale held his stallion. Crimson’s father’s face was bright red from anger.
“She’d better be alright boy,” The captain threatened. A crowd had started to gather and an old lady pushed her way through.
“What happened!?” she demanded and turned to Storm.
“Back off, hag!” the boy growled. Mureeka stood up and brought her hand around till it connected with his cheek. Storm fell to the ground and held his face. Gale stood to the side and watched Crimson, her beautiful black hair was covered in dirt. He looked at Storm, and promised he would kill that boy if he died doing it.


Crimson opened her eyes to see a piece of cloth hanging over her head. It was a pretty blue. All of a sudden Crimson was wet and shivering. “You are awake!” a voice cried happily. Crimson slowly sat up to find out she was sitting in a tent. And it wasn’t blue. It was gray. A huge bandage was taped to the girl’s cheek.
“What happened?” Crimson asked. Her head hurt and a terrible taste was on her tongue.
“Storm’s horse kicked you in the face. Then you mama smacked him hard enough to make him cry,” an old woman was saying. She had dark skin, a wrinkled face, and a hunched back. Her gray hair was pulled into a loose bun on her head. “You’ve been out for about a week, Crimson. Your mama is scared to death. Storm was sold to a rich camp. Twenty dollars they paid for him, they did. They also offered to beat him with a whip if you didn’t survive. But Captain Prikale said you would make it through. Mureeka is praying for you right outside this tent. You might want to go out and greet her, Oh! And take this coat. We are in the north now,” the lady laughed and turned towards some plants in the back. Crimson knew this woman; her name was… her name was… her name was… Coraline! Her name was Coraline.
Crimson picked up her skirts, wrapped the cloak around her shoulders, and set out into the cold snow barefoot. None of the camp members had shoes. They were too expensive. The young girl walked around the side and was immediately covered with hugs from everybody. Even a few men and women gave her kisses on her uninjured cheek. Mureeka moved everybody out of the way and looked at her daughter. Crimson saw that her mother’s usually bright eyes were dull and tired. Scared for her daughter’s life. Crimson also saw a lone boy standing by one other many huts around the camp. His brown hair was pulled back into a pony tail, like most of the other boys here. Crimson hadn’t even met most of them, but they all came to say hi, except Gale. Gale stayed to the shadows where Crimson could just barely see his black hair. It fell over his eyes in beautiful waves. His ponytail was pulled back with a bit of leather string. Crimson smiled, a tiny thing, but Gale smiled in return. “Crimson!” The girl turned around and saw Rosewood.
“What?” Crimson snapped. Nobody seemed to be surprised. They all gave her dirty looks too.
“I just wanted to say goodbye. Me and Samina are going to a camp farther up north. Where strange girls like you don’t blame everything on me!” The girl with chestnut hair stuck her nose in the air like she was too good for Crimson. Crimson just shrugged and turned back to her mother.
“It’s alright, mama. I’m fine, see?” Crimson spun around. Her butt length hair following her in that small circle.
“It’s Little Boy. Storm’s stallion, Goat, killed him. Pransik gave me that horse before he died,” Mureeka murmured.
Crimson’s face fell, Little Boy was dead? Her pony was dead? He was dead? The only thing her uncle had left for either of them was dead? Crimson turned around and started to run. None of these new kids were used to being shoeless in snow. The girl with midnight black hair ran into the forest. Every scratch seemed to be nothing compared to losing Little Boy. That pony had been around her entire life! Crimson kept running. She didn’t care if she wandered into an other camp. Nothing mattered now. Her mother was broken inside, Little Boy was gone, and Crimson was done.
“Crimson! Mureeka is going to freak if she knows you went this far. We have to go, this is a hostile camp territory,” someone called Crimson turned to see Gale’s muscled frame coming after her. She hadn’t realized she had stopped. Crimson gave a nod to Gale and took off again. Running was her strong. Crimson couldn’t sing, write, draw, or even read. But she could run. Crimson didn’t have the traits of the normal girls who would sing at the dances, or drew art for lodging. Crimson worked. The girl with midnight black hair would work like a man. Her arms were a golden brown, her hair got blacker by the day. Her amber eyes seemed to fill with sun. Crimson wasn’t normal in any way. The girl was a different breed all together, or that’s what Rosewood thought so. Rosewood also thought Crimson didn’t know about how Rosewood treated her friend behind her back.
Crimson ran from everything that was in her past. She barely felt the cold setting into her feet. Her lungs took in air like no other. Crimson had the slight feeling she was being watched, but she wasn’t going to worry. After a while of this she heard Gale come crashing through the bushes behind her. She grabbed onto a tree before the boy could look up and swung herself onto a low hanging limb. She watched as Gale started to run again. He came to the T only a quarter mile down the path. Crimson had silently moved through the trees above his head. Gale rested his hands on his knees and panted. He looked down each path and sighed. He started going to one before Crimson dropped to the ground. “You looking for me?”
“Mureeka is going to kill you, then hug you, then kill you again,” Gale gasped. His chest heaved from all the running, and his face was red.
“You let a girl beat you in a race?” Crimson’s voice was teasing and her amber eyes held a soft light.
“I’ll race you back,” Gale panted and smiled.
“On your mark, get set, go!” Crimson pushed off from the ground and flew through the air. Her black hair streaked behind her. Gale followed her, with a fun gleam in his eyes.
Crimson stopped suddenly just out of sight in the woods. No one from camp could see her. Everybody she knew was gone. All her friends were sold to other camps. She heard Gale come up behind her, “You do know it’s ok to meet new people. Prikale has promised to keep everybody together now. No one is going to be sold. Your camp now, is forever, not just now,” the boy said and walked out of the woods. Crimson stayed where she was. She was the freak, the one everybody secretly talked about. She hated being that girl. Crimson slowly moved backwards and sighed. She had the ease to melt silently into the shadows now. Since Rosewood wasn’t here to be her master Crimson was being herself. She watched as Gale talked to her mother. Mureeka glanced over, but did not move towards her daughter. Crimson’s eyes held a fear that was mysterious to even her. She only knew part of what she was afraid of. She was afraid of being the freak, the outcast, the different one. A single tear slid down her cheek as she watched the new people dancing. The sky was starting to dim, and the dance had begun.
Crimson blinked and started to move towards the campfire. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it was the tempo to the music. She still stayed to the shadows while she got closer to the group. She watched the flames dance across Gale’s face while he danced with a new girl. She had silky chestnut hair, deep brown eyes, the perfect body, and he smoothest moves. She glided around the circle with an unseen ease. Gale caught her eyes and smiled. He stopped, bowed to Crimson, and the girl moved to sit down around the side. Crimson smiled, her cheeks becoming a bright red. “Please, Crimson, for me?” Gale begged. Crimson looked around to see many faces, but her mother’s stuck in her head. It was sad, aged, and tough. Crimson nodded and took Gale’s hand. They glided around the fire; Crimson’s black hair began to shine in the reflection of the fire. Her amber eyes danced along with the music. She moved around the circle with a grace she had never possessed before. Gale’s brown eyes seemed to skip a beat when Crimson began to move faster. Another boy moved forward and stopped them; he bowed to Crimson and smiled. Crimson took his hand, a grin on her face. She didn’t mind that it was freezing cold. “Ice,” he whispered and started to spin her around. Her hair was shining with an orange light, her eyes were a deep gold, and her gold skin had shadows twisting around it from the fire. The girl who had danced with Gale earlier had apparently been used to getting all the attention because she sat in the shadows pouting. Gale motioned for yet another boy to go forward. His hair was blonde, his eyes blue. His body was thick with muscle. “Raven,” he bowed and kissed the top of her hand. Crimson smiled and bowed back, “Crimson.” They linked hands and started to twirl. The music started to slow and so did their dance. It was hard to see any faces now that the sun had gone down, but she didn’t need to see a face to know who the voice came from. “You wouldn’t catch me dancing with a freak! Who else here has amber eyes? Is she part wolf?” The girl’s voice was like velvet. Crimson stopped dead, all the color draining from her face. Gale stood up and looked at the girl, Ice and Raven both looked at her too. Mureeka, Prikale, and Barika also stood up. Crimson turned to the girl; her eyes were full of sadness. The fear of being a freak was back and she started to slip back into the shadows. But Gale grabbed her wrist. Crimson ripped free from his grasp and was gone. She had just melted into the shadows like a ghost. She was actually running. She could hear Gale’s faint yell, “Look in the forest! She runs, it’s what she’s good at.” Crimson swung up into a tree to look at the camp. Gale had turned to the girl, “Angel, why did you do that?” the boy growled.
“Haven’t you figured it out? I get what I want, and I want you,” her voice was soft and fuzzy. Crimson wanted to scream. Tears streamed down her face, her cheeks were soaked instantly.
“Crimson! Where are you?” Raven yelled. Ice walked beside him. Their bodies were covered with shadows. The yells from around the forest and camp covered up the sound of Crimson crying. The young girl curled up in the tree and cried herself to sleep.




Crimson opened her amber eyes only when her stomach growled with hunger. The sun was glowing high up in the sky. Crimson just hoped her mother called of the search party. If Crimson could do anything, it was spend a day out in the woods.
“I hope she never come’s back. She is a freak. You know with those glowing amber eyes. Crimson scares me to the bone,” Angel said. Crimson laughed. An unsettling sound in the dark forest.
“What was that?” one of the girls that Angel was with gasped. The total of four girls stood under the tree Crimson was sitting in.
“Probably nothing. You scare to easily, Daisy,” Angel sighed and continued on disusing the girl who sat right above her head, “I bet Crimson can’t even run faster than me. Gale will so pick me over her. I’m just so much prettier. Plus, no one can scare me.”
Crimson laughed softly and moved silently down the tree. ”So I can’t scare you?” she asked. Angel spun around while squealing.
“I-I, UGH! Why did you do that?” the girl growled.
“Because, I was here first. You are just some girl who thinks she can get whatever she wants by batting her eyelashes. You don’t get it. This camp is a family, we look after one another. We don’t call each other freaks. We don’t try to ruin each other’s lives. Now excuse me, I have to go apologize to my family.” Crimson moved away and started walking towards the camp. Her black hair alerted everybody that Crimson was back. But beneath the words she had spoken to Angel, were words she was afraid to say. She was a freak, she would never fit in.
Raven and Gale were the first to greet her. Crimson moved away when Gale tried to hug her. Her heart was broken, she did like Gale. And Angel would win him over if it came to that. But the boy wasn’t used to giving up. Gale took Crimson’s face in his hands and held her face to his, “What did she say? What did Angel say?” Crimson pulled away rapidly and moved even faster. But Raven grabbed her arm. It all happened so fast, they moved faster than normal. Gale and Raven seemed to notice too. “What was that?” Gale said softly.
“I don’t know,” Raven’s deep bass rang in Crimson’s ears. But she was too busy staring at the old lady who had helped her when she was kicked in the face. “Mureeka has given birth to the chosen one,” she had heard the woman and another woman like her arguing. Coraline had said that Crimson was ‘the chosen one’ and she would lead the others to victory. But Crimson had thought nothing of it at the moment. That was years ago though. Was it some freaky prophecy that Crimson had no part in? The girl wished she knew what was going on.
“Crimson, Crimson. You getting ready to get hit in the head,” Raven said. Crimson blinked and looked at the boy. Her eyes were glazed with confusion. “Are you ok? Crimson!” Something hit Crimson like a full on shock wave. She was thrown backwards, through the air and landed hard against a tree trunk. But the girl was right back up on her feet, trying to figure out what had just happened. Raven and Gale were looking around; making sure no one had seen that. Crimson staggered towards the two, her eyes bright with fear. What had just happened? Gale reached out a hand to steady her, “What the hell was that?”
“Crimson, are you ok?” Raven said. Crimson managed a nod. She grabbed each of their hands and pulled them towards the grey tent Coraline lived in. The tent was packed away along with all the herbs. Coraline was wrapped in a shawl and huddled over a tiny fire.
“Coraline!” Crimson said loudly. The old lady turned to her.
“You want to know about the prophecy and what just happened,” it wasn’t a question. Coraline beckoned them to circle around the fire. “When Mureeka was only a young babe the council had received a prophecy. One young child would lead the warriors to victory. The council was made up of four people, one man and three women. I was on the council. We had reason to believe the young child wasn’t born yet. And everything that we learned led us to Mureeka. Uniqua, the lead council woman, said that Mureeka would carry the child who would save the lands from them. When I saw your face right after birth I only saw amber eyes. I just knew you were the chosen one. But Uniqua said no. You were not, why would they send the one with hair like black diamonds, eyes like liquid gold, skin like honey, the exact opposite of every other child in the lands. I knew it was you, even though you were different you were better than any other child. You had feelings, strong and true. You felt pain, knew sadness, knew rejection. You were the perfect child. Each of you has been chosen for a specific role in the war between good and bad. If you choose to take your roles then you will travel through the territories as my students and find the remaining ones like you. But I think you know one already Gale. You are just praying that he never comes back into Crimson’s life. And Crimson, even if you hate her, she may still be one of you. And above all, remember that Light does not always equal good, and dark does not always equal bad.”
Crimson looked into the old woman’s face and sighed. She bowed her head and let her dark hair fall over her face.
“I’ll do it if Crimson does it,” Gale said.
“Me too,” Raven added.
Crimson stood up and walked around the small group. Her arms crossed, her eyes wet. This was what she feared. She was different. Different in so many ways.
“Crimson, only true friends will drop everything and offer to do something like this for you. I know you fear losing them, but if you love something then let it go. They won’t run if you don’t. It is ok to trust someone besides yourself to be there when you need them. Crimson, what do you say?”
Crimson said nothing.
“Crimson, I hate seeing you afraid. I hate knowing you’re afraid to trust me,” Gale said and stood up. No one was here to see anything; they were all huddled in their warm huts. He took her delicate hand in his and pulled her over to him, “I will never leave you standing alone. I will be there when you fall. Trust me, please, Crimson,” he pleaded.
Crimson looked at Raven and knew he would do the same. The girl looked down and sighed. She then nodded gently. Gale picked her up and swung her around. Coraline stood up and went down the line of huts, knocking on each with her cane. Crimson looked closer and saw a wolf head on it. It made Crimson feel warm on the inside. Her stomach kicked all the nervousness out and she felt calm. Ready for anything.
Everybody was in a group in the middle of camp. “I have chosen three young people to travel the lands with me and learn the way of a shaman. Crimson, Gale, and Raven. They are all ready for the tasks it takes to learn the medicines,” Coraline hollered. Her voice was surprisingly strong for a woman of her age.
“Are you sure, Crimson?” Mureeka asked, tears rolled down the mother’s face. Crimson nodded and closed her eyes. A single tear slid down her cheek.
“Fine, I will give you four horses and two pack mules for you journey,” Prikale said. He motioned for some soldiers to get them ready.
“Wait! I want the students to get them ready. They need the work,” Coraline stopped the soldiers. Prikale nodded and Crimson’s heart broke. Was she doing this to her family? Was she really doing this? “Off you go!” the shaman commanded and the three turned towards the corral that held the animals.


Crimson saddled a palomino stallion. He had white socks, a snip, and a blaze. She swung her leg over the animal’s back and stroked his glossy mane. Coraline rested on a gray mare, Gale had a chestnut mare, and Raven had a black gelding. Crimson tied one pack mule’s lead rope onto her horse’s saddle horn. Gale held the other one on his mare. Crimson kicked her stallion, Bear, into a walk and they were off! Raven’s blonde hair was a bright yellow in Crimson’s eyes. The sun was making it brighter that what is was. Gale’s black hair looked like soot, faded by years in the sun. Crimson’s own was still midnight black. Her eyes were brighter than ever. The sun seemed to fill them up with its light. Crimson sighed and looked over her shoulder at everyone else. She was leaving her family behind, her life behind, and everything she knew behind.

“Coraline, where exactly are we going?” Raven asked.
“To a special camp that has been waiting for the chosen ones. It may seem normal when you look at it, but it isn’t. You are going to need to get some new clothes from the tailor, you only where those in training though. We need to look normal on the outside. Oh, and Crimson you will look wonderful in your uniform! You have the perfect body and look. My friend’s granddaughter will be your roommate in the school. She will help you do you hair, make up, and get into your clothes. Raven, you will be sharing a room with a boy named Bone, Gale, you with a boy named Blue. I will give your schedules as soon as we get there. You have to do certain things at certain times. And yes, you will still have to do work,” Coraline said.
Crimson shuddered, what would they be wearing that Crimson would need help into? Why did she need make up? Only the rich used that. Gale, Raven, and Crimson all shared a look that clearly stated, why did we do this.



Crimson laid her head on her arms and sighed. The wind was cold on her uncovered skin, and they had no cover out here that would keep the wind from biting there skin. All three teenagers had agreed Coraline got the only blanket. Raven was shivering right next to Crimson, keeping watch for anything that might threaten them. Gale was pacing back and forth, trying the keep warm. Crimson sat up and rubbed her hands along her arms. Coraline had promised that the day after tomorrow they would be in a warm camp. Crimson stood up and walked over to Bear. The palomino nickered softly and nuzzled the girl. Crimson smiled and buried her face in his silky man. All around them was bare trees, dead grass, and rocks. “Are you cold?” Gale asked. Crimson turned to him.
“Aren’t we all?” she had a smile on her face and a laugh in her voice. Gale smiled and started to run. Straight at Crimson. The girl giggled and turned towards Raven. She launched off one foot and after a few steps fell into his lap. Gale picked her up and Raven grabbed her feet. Crimson squealed and they all fell to the ground laughing.
Crimson rested her head on Gale’s stomach. Raven was leaning up against a tree right beside them. She didn’t know anything about Raven. But she knew everything about Gale. Gale was orphaned when his father took his mother away to a different camp. Gale was then raised by a woman named Korisam; she has long red hair, pale skin, and bright green eyes. Crimson had often stayed with Gale and Korisam when her mother and father left to visit another camp. Raven had just been bought though; he had no family except Crimson and Gale. The three friends silently fell asleep.


“Wake up!” Coraline yelled. Crimson was already half awake so she sat up and stretched out her arms. “I have a question for ya’ll,” Coraline continued when all of them were standing. “We can ride through the night and make it to the camp about sunrise, or we can sleep and make it to the camp about noon.”
“Ride through the night,” Crimson said immediately. Gale nodded in agreement while Raven just yawned.
“Ok, then. Well let’s go!” Coraline mounted her horse, Berry, and kicked the mare into a run. Crimson threw her leg over Bear and waited for the boys to join her. The mules were following behind Coraline and Berry faithfully.
“Easy, Sweets,” Gale cooed to his mare. Sweets was more of a stubborn horse, but she was really sweet, given her name Sweets. Plus her previous owner was always given her candies. So she got her name Sweets. Raven’s horse was named Jay. Crimson kicked Bear into a gallop and chased after Coraline. Raven quickly passed her so did Sweets.
“Come on, Bear,” Crimson urged and the stallion started to go all out. He flew across the land like there was nothing to it. He made it even with the other horses in no time.
Crimson’s black hair was mingled with Bear’s blonde when they started to slow. It was almost noon when they reached the river. The entire party was used to being hungry from harsh days with the camps. So not eating since yesterday didn’t bother them. Coraline tied one mule’s rope around her saddle horn and she sighed. Crimson took the other one. Gale pushed his mare into the water, Sweets didn’t shy away like some of the other mares did, but she surged into the cool water and started to swim. Crimson was next. Bear was fine, but the mule wasn’t. He pulled on his rope and made funny sounds. Crimson fought for control and finally Bear made it into the water with the stubborn mule swimming behind him. The water soaked Crimson’s skirts instantly and her legs were submerged in the freezing river. The water got up to Bear back and the tips of Crimson’s hair got wet. The girl slid off Bear and rested her hand on his neck. The mule whinnied and tried to pass the palomino. But Bear reared up, slamming down into the water with a huge splash. The mule quickly went to stay behind the angry stallion. Gale was knee deep in the water and he reached his hand out to help Crimson to shore. The sopping wet girl thankfully took it and pulled herself onto the land. Her dress clutched her figure like it would never let go, but Crimson didn’t mind. She loved swimming. Raven hurried over on Jay and everybody was there. Crimson turned Bear and they took off again.

Crimson walked next to Bear. She would have gotten very sore if she hadn’t. Raven and Gale walked too. Coraline, she didn’t have to say it, was much too old to be walking that far. Crimson looked up at the sky and sighed; they still had a couple of hours before nightfall. “What was that?” Raven yelled so he could be heard over the mules’ noises.
“What was what?” Crimson asked. She was also shouted.
A loud Whoop! sounded, “That!” Raven hollered. Crimson looked into the woods that was towards the east of them and her eyes got big. There was a large group of mounted people. War paint hid there faces, they also wore strange clothes.
“Coraline! I think we need to run!” she yelled and jumped onto Bear. Coraline nodded and all three teenagers took off. Coraline was about a mile in front of them and she held both mules. Crimson reached down into the folds of her skirts and pulled out a small pistol. Her father had made her promise to carry it with her now that she wasn’t with his camp anymore. Gale gave her an odd look before turning to Raven.
“Stay out of Crimson way!” he bellowed and swerved Sweets to the right of Crimson. Raven pulled Jay to the left and Crimson turned around. She trusted both boys to catch her if she fell. The girl pointed the gun at the lead man and cocked the trigger. Then the group stopped. Crimson turned back around and pulled Bear to a halt when the lead man behind her called out “Coraline!” Crimson swung her head around and stared at the man with unblinking amber eyes. Gale put Sweets next to her and Raven stood on the other side.
“Who are you?” the man called. Crimson felt a hand on her back and saw Coraline.
“Yes, but it is what! Bird!” the old woman responded. “What are you my dear?”
Crimson, didn’t even blink, “I am the chosen one!” Her voice echoed in everybody’s ears.
“She can’t be! Uniqua said the chosen one wasn’t born yet!” a woman with long brown hair called.
“Then why would Lord Laverious want her dead? He has already tried to kill her several times,” Coraline said.
Every time she could have died flashed through Crimson’s mind. When she was kicked by Goat, thrown in the air by something, when she was little and bit by the cobra, who was Lord Laverious?
“Uniqua won’t be happy that you have brought her! Who are the others?” the same girl spoke while her horse trotted closer.
“Speed,” she pointed to Raven, “and Compassion,” she pointed to Gale. Crimson wanted nobody to look at Gale and Raven. They were hers!
“Who are you?” Crimson snarled, but her voice wasn’y vicious and rude. It was like velvet, seemed soft, but hid a sharp blade. It would lure anybody in.
“I am Strength! And this is Fury!” an older boy took charge. His eyes were a deep black, his hair a bright red, his skin so dark, like chocolate. “But our mother given names are Cinqua and Brownie. She is Brownie. I am Cinqua.”
Crimson laughed, her amber eyes blinked, but held nothing of interest. But Brownie’s held pure rage. “I won’t be here forever. You know, I met another girl like you. She was used to getting everything she wanted. But she didn’t understand. She wanted my family; you don’t mess with my family. Not if you want to live,” shadows sunk into her eyes and Crimson turned to Gale. She kissed his lips softly, and then she kissed Raven. “Mine,” she hissed, her eyes getting even darker.
“A girl who puts up with no challenge. This is the chosen one. What has she survived so far?”
Coraline was about to answer when Gale spoke up, “She was bit by a cobra when she was only a small babe, kicked in the face only a week ago, and slammed against a tree from fifty feet up in the air,” his voice was like stone, cold and smooth. He didn’t like these people either. Crimson shook some hair out of her face and everybody gasped. Crimson quickly became the girl who didn’t want to be noticed. Her eyes became a scared gold; her face fell into thin lines of fear. Was she still the freak?
“Crimson, when did you get those tattoos?” Raven asked.
“What? I don’t have any tattoos,” Crimson said.
“You have a tear drop on your cheek, and swirls going from either side you your eyes to disappear in your dress. Tattoos don’t just appear. Especially not ones like that. They have so much detail, and they are so beautiful,” Gale said and gently unbuttoned the back of her dress. “Wow,” he whispered. They form a sword on you back. It’s all black and red too.”
Crimson sighed, she was a freak, still. Crimson turned away and Bear started to walk towards the forest. More running.







Crimson leaned up against a tree and sighed. Her life was falling apart. Why had she believed that she would fit in in this new camp? Why? The girl rested her head on her knees and fought not to cry. Why was she chosen? Why was she so different? Why did she struggle for every normal glance.
“Crimson, are you there? Bear came back to us,” a male voice called out to the girl. She jumped up and melted into the shadows. Her amber eyes flickered around, trying to find the speaker. “Crimson, where are you? Raven and Gale said you would be here! Crimson, please!” the voice babbled. Crimson saw the boy who had took charge over Brownie earlier, Cinqua. Crimson blinked her amber eyes trying to find the boy’s black ones. It was really to dark to see anything, but then she saw deep indigo eyes.
“So your eyes are purple, not black?” Crimson said while stepping out from the shadows. Her amber eyes glowed, and her tattoos seemed to light up with her feelings. She was mad, so they were a deep red and black.
“Not many people know about my eyes, almost none here at our camp. How did you know?” Cinqua asked.
“Eyes reveal everything about the being. My own eyes hold confusion, fear, anger, sadness, but never happiness. Your’s hold stubbornness, anger, sadness, happiness, and longing. I don’t usually get close enough to anyone to the point where they get close enough to read my eyes. I’ve been the freak for the past fifteen years. I have never trusted someone enough to let them get close.”
“You seem pretty close to Gale. Raven isn’t here for the camp and mission. He is here for you, to win your heart. After you kissed them tonight her knew you didn’t like him. He wants to die in the war now. Gale knows you like him, he doesn’t like Raven. The night you and Raven danced Gale found out that Raven liked you. It made Gale mad, to him you are his,” Cinqua moved closer and traced the tattoos on her neck, “You just want to find a place to fit in.”
Crimson stepped away, “How did you know all that?”
“I can read minds, that’s why they picked me to come here. Can you do anything special, besides make everybody think you would actually shoot them?”
“I have a need to survive,” Crimson said simply and began walking towards the edge of the forest.
“We have a mini camp about a mile away, everybody is there right now. Tomorrow we will go to the main camp, well it is a village,” Cinqua said softly. Crimson nodded and saw Bear. His coat was white in the moonlight. Crimson threw her leg over his back and saw a beautiful black mare standing farther across the meadow. Her eyes a deep crimson red.


Crimson moved into the mini camp to see only a few tents put up. Gale was pacing around one and when he looked up he smiled.
“Crimson! Did Cinqua do anything to you?” Gale hurriedly asked. What Cinqua had said about Gale thinking he owned her shook her head. Her amber eyes pierced his brown.
“Just to tell you, I belong to no one!” the chosen one snarled and moved her horse to another spot, far away from Gale. She hear Cinqua come in, and Gale rounded on the boy. Cinqua was about two yeas older than Gale, three years older than Crimson.
“What did you do to her?” Gale shoved Cinqua, but the older boy didn’t budge.
“I didn’t do anything! Now back off, tiny!” Cinqua growled and glared at the Gale.
Gale wasn’t going to back off, he was to proud. The sixteen year old boy balled up a fist and hit Cinqua in the mouth. Crimson moved faster than she thought possible and was holding Gale’s fist from another attack. Cinqua was holding his bloody nose. Crimson pushed Gale to the ground.
“He didn’t say anything! I can read it in your eyes! You are not good at hiding, Gale,” Crimson growled and stepped away from the downed boy. Raven, Brownie, and Coraline stepped out from a tent.
“Crimson! I want you to meet for roommate when you get to the school!” Coraline barked quickly to get the girl away from the fight. Crimson stepped over Gale, and walked up to a new girl



I will post more

[Broken Inside]

Crimson looked at the girl. She had the longest blue hair and white eyes. She turned her head towards Crimson and smiled. She blinked her long eye lashes and her eyes were green. Then red, then blue, then pink. They settled on pink and Crimson looked at her confused.
"I am the seer! I see your worst fear and your happiest moment!" the girl howled. Brown ears grew from her head and Crimson shuddered. A long fluffy tail lashed from behind the girl. "You think I am a freak," the girl's voice was hollow. Crimson shook her head and then sat down. The girl was wearing tight black pants and a white t-shirt. Tattoos were all over her body. Down her legs and arms and face and neck. Crimson touched her without realizing it.
"Sunny. Crimson. Crimson. Sunny," Coraline said softly and touched Crimson's arm. She ducked away from the old woman and stood in the shadows. Half of her face was in the light, half was not. She saw Gale walk in and he caught his breathe. Raven was breathing raggedly as he stared at her. "Get out!" Coraline roared and stood infront of Crimson. "You are not allowed in here until Crimson is changed!"
Gale nodded, but Raven just watched Crimson. She moved deeper into the shadows and Raven finally left. Then Coraline pushed Crimson towards Sunny. Sunny shoved her down into a hard chair and opened a huge box. Inside was a bunch of makeup. Crimson took in a deep breathe and let it out slowly.


Two hours later Crimson could finally look in a mirror. She took in a sharp breathe and touched her tattoos. They were now going down one arm. Then she looked at her face.
Her eyes were outlined in ebony black makeup and she had a smokey eye. Her lashes were long and full. She touched her cheek when she blinked. Gold sparkles were glittering in a sharp contrast to the black. Her lips were shining and sparkly. her skin was clear and her cheeks had a soft pink on them. Her long black hair fell in perfect ronglets down her back. Her bangs covered one eye and she looked like a true warrior. She was dressed in a plain red t-shirt and leather booty shorts. A sword was strapped to her belt. Knives were suck in sheathes at her thichs and ankles. her amber eyes stared at the mirror and she took in the gorgeous princess infront of her.

"You are gorgeous!" Sunny stated. Crimson nodded and walked outside. She saw Gale and gasped. He was wearing a black shirt and jeans. He held a huge sowrd in his hands and he spun it around easily. Crimson walked towards him softly. She stood behind him and he turned around.
"Crimson," he whispered and touched her flawless cheek.
"Gale," she murmured shyly and covered his hand with hers.



This is Crimson

[.:Emma:.]

You good, why do you have 2 topics for this?

[Broken Inside]

I didn't mean too. I share this account with my sister and she was trying to put all my stories on here. How do you delete?

[.:Emma:.]

I don't, but I COMMAND you to write more.

[Broken Inside]

Crimson was lost in Gale's eyes. They stared at each other and the world seemed to melt around them. They were the only two on earth. Gale bent down and touched his lips to hers and she was filled with his being. She wrapped her amrs around his neck and he put his into her hair. They stood like that until someone cleared their throat. Crimson pulled away, more than relunctant, and turned around. Cinque was standing with Brownie and Brownie was staring at Gale with pure lust in her eyes. Crimson glared at the girl and growled. Her tattoos were spinning and glowing with anger. Brownie smurked and pranced off, her butt shaking like a pompom. Crimson turned her nose up and stuck her hip out. She crossed her arms and glared at Brownie.

"Where do we go now?" Gale said and pulled Crimson close. Crimson leaned on him and looked around for someone she didn't see.
"We ride to the village," Cinqua said and mounted his horse.

[.:Emma:.]

Thank you.