Shaun Jeffrey: Dead World

“Proud! Isaiah, help me out here.”

Isaiah stroked his jaw and looked at Lucy. He shook his head. “I don’t know what to say. It is an honour, but she’s so young…”

Roman held his hand up as the murmuring among the crowd increased. “Order. I don’t know how the name got in the barrel, it must be a mistake.”

“Mistake or not, the Gods have to be appeased,” one of the brethren said. “Hers was the name drawn. The rules say we have to go with the first name drawn. It’s the law. If we don’t abide by our own laws, what use are they?”

Roman nodded. “I know, I know.”

“She’s too young,” Anna shouted. “She still has too much life ahead of her.”

“She’s going to live forever,” a man said.

“Out with the old, in with the new,” someone chanted.

More people took up the chant, the words stinging Anna’s ears. She stood frozen to the spot.

“Not my Lucy. You can’t,” she said, but nobody took any notice.

“I can’t believe it,” Lucy shrieked. “Me, a Chosen one. Mum, mum, I’ve been picked. Me.”

Anna scowled. “You’re too young.”

“Then it’s fate. It must be.”

Anna glared towards the platform. Roman stared back at her, his expression neutral.

“She’s right,” Isaiah said. “This is wonderful. I’m so proud of you.” He embraced his daughter and kissed her on the cheek.

“So the matter is settled then,” Roman shouted. “Out with the old, in with the new.”

The crowd applauded. Each clap felt like physical blow to Anna and she winced. This wasn’t right. Lucy was too young.

She watched Roman walk off the stage alongside the brethren and pushed through the crowd, ignoring the congratulations bestowed upon her, not wanting to hear how lucky she was her daughter was chosen.

“Roman. You can’t do this,” she said when she reached his side.

He snorted and passed her the piece of paper. “Remember, before you let your mouth run away with you, that you have two other children.” He turned and walked away.

Anna unscrewed the piece of paper and read the single line. Unable to believe what she was seeing, her jaw dropped: ‘ Martin Wainwright. ’

Anna lifted her head and stared at Roman’s retreating figure. He turned at the last minute, expression like granite.

The bastard had rigged the lottery!

Consumed by anger, she raised her arm and was about to shout out when someone grabbed her wrist.

“Not like this.”

Anna spun around to see Mother Charles standing in front of her. “Let go of me. You don’t know what’s happened.”

Mother Charles nodded. “I can guess. You’ve broken it off with him.”

Anna’s eyes opened wide and she looked around. “Please keep your voice down. What if someone were to overhear you?”

“This is your daughter we’re talking about now. You must listen to me.”

“You can’t keep saying these things.” Anna shook her head. She grabbed the old woman’s hand and tried to lead her inside, but Mother Charles held back, a stubborn expression on her face. “You won’t be satisfied until you’ve got us all in trouble, will you?”

Mother Charles raised her chin in defiance.

“Very well. If I promise to listen, will you come inside with me? Please? People are beginning to stare. Come on. Let me walk you to your room.”

Mother Charles grinned, looped her arm through Anna’s, and shuffled towards the building’s entrance.

Back in Mother Charles’ room, Anna settled the old woman in her rocker, then she sat on the edge of the tiny, single bed.

“From the moment we met, you treated me like a daughter. You were like a mother to me. Having lost my own to the lottery, I appreciated that. That’s why I now feel so sad. Why are you doing this to me? Why are you saying these things?” Anna paused as she gathered her thoughts. “Some say you are losing your grasp on reality. Your own son believes this. Then again, he rarely spends time with either one of us, does he, so how would he distinguish if you’re in your right mind?”

“I hate to say this, but my son is blind; however, you can’t afford to be. There is only one God, Anna. You must save Lucy. The piece of paper in your pocket…what does it say?”

Anna’s hand instinctively went to her pocket where she fingered the piece of paper. She shook her head. “You know what it says. Lucy’s name.”

“I’m old enough and wise enough to recognise a lie. Tell me the truth.”

Anna swallowed. “Roman. He fixed the lottery.”

Mother Charles nodded. “I guessed as much when I heard Lucy’s name being called. I take it you’ve broken off your affair.”

“You knew?”

“Of course I did. Unlike my son, I’m not blind.”

Anna’s throat went dry and she lowered her head in shame, tears prickling the corners of her eyes.

“Come now, you’re stronger than this. You’ll have to face him. You can’t let Lucy become one of the Chosen.”

“How? What can I do?”

“Whatever you must. Now go.” Mother Charles started rocking, staring off into space, and moving her lips as if in silent prayer.

Anna stood up, surprised to find her legs were weak. “I don’t know what I believe any more. But the one thing I am certain of is I love my daughter.”

Mother Charles rocked to and fro but didn’t reply, her eyes unfocused.

“Roman, please. You can’t do this.”

“Your daughter’s been chosen. Nothing I can do.”

Anna held out the piece of paper. Roman glanced at it indifferently.

“She wasn’t chosen. You rigged the drawing. I don’t understand why. We were never serious, so why? Why do this? If you want to choose someone, pick me.”

Candles spluttered around the church. Roman’s shadow loomed across the wall behind him as he stood behind the lectern, arms folded.

“And turn you from whore to martyr? I don’t think so. What I say goes, and as far as everyone is concerned, your beloved daughter is the chosen one. At least your husband’s happy about it.”

“Why? I deserve better than this. What has Lucy ever done to you? She’s the innocent one in all this.”

Roman clenched his jaw.

“Is this because I broke off the affair? Is that what this is all about?”

Roman stared at her. “If you’re finished, I’ve got tomorrow’s ceremony to prepare for.”

“Damn you. You can’t do this. If I meant anything to you at all, please, call it off.”

“I don’t understand why you’re so upset. You should be proud she was chosen.”

Anna pursed her lips. Most people would feel elated if they or a member of their family were chosen in the lottery, but Anna was torn. She recalled what Mother Charles had been spouting to her that there was only one true God, and to be honest, she had her doubts about the others. But such thoughts were heresy.

“Perhaps I should call your family in here and we’ll all discuss this.”

Anna bunched her fists. “Please. Call it off.”

Roman shook his head. “Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do.”

“To hell with your work. This is my daughter. I won’t let you do this.”

“Really? Then perhaps you’d like to explain everything to the residents and your family.”

Anna threw her hands in the air, but knowing continuing to argue was futile, she stamped out of the church.

“I know it’s not how the lottery is done,” Isaiah said, “but it’s an honour to be chosen.”

“Yes, but only when you’re old enough. Lucy’s a child.” Anna sat on the edge of the bed and looked across at her husband. Lucy, Zeke and Ben sat on their bunks.

“But mum,” Lucy said, “I want to go.”