I widened my eyes at the majestic abode standing before me. Every time that I saw it, I couldn't help but feel awestruck. It was made of brick, a substance that was rather costly, and the shrubs that stood in its walkway were neatly trimmed. Overall, this house nearly oozed wealth, and it was home to the cruelest person in the Occult Forest: Ian Riverdome.

He owned the entire Occult Forest, and was notorious for kicking out those who didn't pay their loans in time. Unfortunately for him, my mother was well off and she didn't tolerate a bully. From the first second they met, my mother and Ian have been warring against each other for reasons unknown to me. However, his son, Densel Riverdome, was a much different story.

Unlike his father, Densel was a kind-hearted soul that frequently hung out with me whenever he could. Densel only took after his father concerning his looks. Like his father, he was devilishly handsome. He had a very light complexion, sapphire-blue eyes, and blonde hair. In other words, he was the cliché popular boy in our community. Everyone knew him, and everyone wanted to get close to him. I've even received death threats telling me to "back off or else."

I jumped as a deep voice tickled my ear. "What are you doing here, Celeana?"

I looked down at my position. From an outsider's point of view, it looked as if I had been spying on the Riverdome's house.

I tried my best to ignore that fact, and weakly laughed. "I was...just admiring these beautiful roses. You know my favorite color is teal."

Densel chuckled. "I know when you're lying. Teal isn't your favorite color; black is. And those roses have been there since the very first time you visited my house. Now, tell me what's really on your mind."

I sighed. He was just too good. "I have been selected to compete in the Seer's Trial."

He winced. "That's harsh, especially after what happened with..."

He trailed off, noticing my pained expression. He clamped his hand on my shoulder, and whispered, "If it makes you feel any better, I also was selected too."

I grunted in response, not really listening to him. He waved a hand in front of my face. "Celeana, you there?"

I shook my head free of my claustrophobic thoughts, and turned toward him with the best smile I could manage without breaking into tears. "You were saying?"

He pushed me playfully, causing me to stumble backward and fall on the ground. He looked down, and mocked, "You were saying?"

Grunting, I sat up and pulled Densel down with me. He fell on the soft, trimmed grass and just laid there on his back, admiring the bright blue sky. "I was saying-" he continued, "that even I was selected for the Seer's Trial."

My face morphed into a blank expression. Densel backed away from me, and he just whispered, "You OK?"

I attempted to laugh, but the sound came out more like a bark than anything. "Am I okay? Am I OKAY? NO, DENSEL I MOST CERTAINLY AM NOT OKAY!"

He stammered, "Why?"

"Because I just learned that my best friend has a death sentence hanging above his head, that's why!"

He took a deep breath. "Just calm down. I also learned that my best friend is a part of the Seer's Trial, and I'm not throwing a tantrum. Just cool down."

I inhaled deeply and continued, "You don't know what happens in the Seer's Trial. The only reason the winner is appointed Seer is because he is the only one to survive. And it's always a boy. Do you know why? Because the Crøwn Service rigs this so that the strongest, most popular boy wins. I've seen these competitions. Even if a girl seems to be winning, they'll offer her a small fortune if she opts out. And of course, she always takes it. Nonetheless, I am still concerned for you. There are sons of Dukes and Duchesses here who will do anything to win. Paying off mercenaries and thugs to get rid of you is the least of your problems. You just need to stay popular, and you'll be in the top finalists for sure. I just need-"

"Stop! Stop! You're overreacting. None of that stuff is going to happen. Who knows? Maybe you'll win. Or maybe you'll be forced to opt out -which is still better than being committed to becoming a Seer at least."

I shook my head at his obliviousness. "Me winning is exactly what I'm afraid of."

He scrunched his eyebrows. "Why?"

"Because if I win, then you're dead."

He frowned in confusion. "That doesn't make any sense. What are you not telling me?"

I clamped my hand over his mouth. "You don't want to know."

He began trying to push my hand off, but I didn't let him. Finally, he licked my hand. I moved it away in disgust, and he quickly sat up. He took my leg in his hand and locked it underneath both of his legs.

I strained against his legs, and tried kicking him with my other leg. But he just took that leg, and stuffed it next to my other leg. Now both of my legs were trapped. I struggled against him, trying to break free.

However, he grabbed my arms and held them behind my back. I didn't bother to struggle because I knew by now it was pointless. He whispered in my ear, "Tell me, and I'll let you go. I have all day, and I am quite fine with waiting here for your answer."

I chuckled softly. "You want to know? Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. I wasn't kidding when I said that the winner wins because he's the only person left alive. But sometimes, there's the rare case in which all 5 of the finalists make it to the end.

"Usually, that would result in a deathmatch. But this year, the rules have changed. Now, they choose a winner out of whoever had the best score. The winner then proceeds to slaughter the remaining four contestants while their families watch. In past times, there were three rules surrounding the Seer's Trial:

1) Purposely murdering another contestant will result in disqualification.

2) Only children under the age of 14 are allowed to compete.

3) You are not allowed any help from the outside once you begin the Mùlas.

But now, the King of Dêdelas has changed the rules. Now, the only rule is: WIN AT ANY COST."

He shrugged. "I'm sure we can get through this Seer's Trial." He released my arms and my legs, then walked over to the front of his house.

Just before he went in, he turned around and shouted, "Meet me in Meadow's Grove tomorrow at noon!"

I replied sadly, "I can't, I need to pack so I can catch a ride to Firelight with Brother Vance tomorrow."

He waved me off. "I'll ask my father if you can join us when we make the trip tomorrow. You needn't journey with that old man."

I sighed. "Fine, but I need to take my leave now so I can finish packing."

He nodded, and spun around. I heard the click of the door's brass lock, and Densel disappeared inside his house.
~♤~
I looked up at the sweltering midday sun, and began to make my way toward my home. It was a short fifteen minute walk from the Riverdome's home to mine.

Once I had approached the old wooden sign that read "Emancius Household," I followed the worn down path to a small, decaying wooden shack with two horses tied up in the stables and a tiny garden growing off of the east side of the house. I grabbed the key from my pocket, and inserted it into the door.

But the door was already slightly ajar, and I pushed it carefully open. Everything that filled our home was thrown across the floor. There was not one thing still attached to the walls, and the torches lining the walls had been put out. All of the windows had been covered, which meant that there was nothing but darkness in front of me. Silently, I crept toward my bedroom, hoping to reach the knife that was safely tucked into my pillow case.

But as I snuck upstairs, my shoe involuntarily squeaked a little. I paused, listening intently for any signs of movement around me. When the house stayed eerily silent, I slowly continued my walk up the stairs.

While I climbed up into the unknown, my mind was thinking frantically about what could have caused this much destruction. It could be an animal, I reminded myself. A very, very big animal.

Finally, I made it to the top of the stairs. I focused on putting one foot in front of the other as I made my way to my room.

Suddenly, I heard a bang -like the sound of metal hitting something- and my head throbbed violently. My vision began turning darker, and I lightly felt around the back of my head. When I withdrew my hand, sticky redness covered it. Blood.

I screamed into the void, hoping that someone -anyone- would hear me. Finally, my vision faded, and I fell to the floor with a dull thump.

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