Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1004(@200wpm)___ 803(@250wpm)___ 669(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1004(@200wpm)___ 803(@250wpm)___ 669(@300wpm)
Even my mother.
Which stuns me for a moment.
And then I just feel… ashamed. Because everyone here is doing their part with as much grace as they can muster and I’m the one who isn’t living up to the standards.
This realization is enough to jolt me out of the state of shock I’ve been in all day and I step forward, taking my place in the center of the stage.
I turn and face the people, sucking in a breath and letting it out as I look down the central canal of Tau City. It’s lit up cyan-blue, like it’s made of spark itself. It gives off a glow that leaks across the shores, lighting up the city, just a little bit on either side of the water.
A line so bright.
These words hit my head and immediately come out of my mouth. “A line so bright.” I don’t say it loud enough, and the bells are still ringing, of course, but the people of Tau City know the speech by heart by now. Just as I do. So I clear my throat and continue, making my voice big. “That is what we are. A line so bright in the dead sandy world that resides outside the safety of these walls. We are what’s left of the human race after the Great Sweep and every day that we exist is a blessing bestowed upon us by the god who resides inside the tower behind me.”
All eyes of the city look at the monstrous, black tower where our god supposedly resides.
Everyone but me, because I am talking to them and must face forward.
I glance up at the clock tower and realize it’s now eleven-fifty-four.
Six minutes.
And I still have more to say. So I put aside all the misgivings I have about being the person in charge of this woman’s death and proceed. Because what choice do I have?
“Once a decade we Choose ten of Tau City’s brightest Spark Maidens to represent us in the tower. While only one goes in, all the others stand in waiting. Ready to do their duty when the god calls.” I look at Haryet when I say this. Look her straight in the eyes. She sucks in a breath so big, there’s no way to miss it. But if there was any doubt, she adds to her resolve by lifting up her chin.
She’s not crying now. She is doing her duty.
“With the ringing of the bells, the god has called and Haryet Chettle, Maiden number eight, will answer his call tonight.” I extend my hand in the direction of Haryet, Clara, and Gemna, then take a deep breath. “Join me now, Haryet. And I will walk you to the door.”
Clara and Gemna give Haryet final bits of encouragement, and then drop their hands and take a step back. This step back—this separation of Haryet from the other Maidens—is what always jolts the Chosen one out of her stupor of shock and makes the moment real.
It separates Haryet from everyone else in Tau City now. Leaving her no choice but to see this stupid ritual through to the end.
Haryet joins me and I speak low now, my words only for the Maiden next to me. “Haryet, I’m so sorry. I’m just… so… sorry.”
I don’t know what my father told the Maidens as they stood up here next to him. That wasn’t in the manual. It just said ‘words of encouragement.’ An apology isn’t encouragement, but it’s all I’ve got. So that’s all I say.
“It’s OK, Finn.” Haryet pauses to breathe and lift her chin up a little. “I told you. I’m going in, I’m gonna find out what’s happening, and I’m going to send back a signal.” She looks up at me now, meeting my gaze. “I will do everything right inside there. I will do everything he tells me. Clara will not be called. I promise. She won’t.”
A short burst of air comes out of my mouth and I nod. “I know. Because… if anyone can do it, Haryet, it will be you.”
And I find that I mean this. Really, really mean this. Also, I realize that her words have comforted me. I believe her. “I believe you.”
This is the right thing to say because Haryet actually smiles. All the way up to her eyes.
Suddenly the bell tower bells are tolling, because they are ringing up midnight. A short song of only four notes. They sound completely different than God’s Tower bells. Softer tones. More harmonious.
Haryet lets go of my hand and I have an almost uncontrollable urge to grab it back. To take her, and turn, and run down the line so bright. Which doesn’t even make sense because it’s water and I do not walk on water.
And anyway, she’s already stepping forward towards the big black doors. So it’s over. It’s just over and I stay right where I am, eyes fixed as the doors begin to open. Leaning forward, like everyone else in this city, desperate to see past the darkness.