Berserker

    Tonight was the night. At exactly midnight they'd come for the five teens that stood at the edge of the forest. The five unlucky souls. No one knew what the creatures did to the teens, all they knew was that they were never seen again.     The gatherers went from house to house, choosing the teens they deemed worthy for the sacrifice. I clung to my 18-year-old sister, praying that they would not take her. Praying for her to be spared. They couldn't take her away. They just couldn't. It was immoral. Unjust.     When the gathers entered our living room my sister and I quieted and we watched as the middle-aged males and females approached us. The head male inspected my sister pajama covered body, relief evident on his face.     I hadn't realized I'd been holding my breath until he walked away and it was released as I whispered a 'thank you' to my God. I get to stay with her. I was about to celebrate when I noticed the head female starring at me, her face grief-stricken. I paled and my body began to quake.      "Her..." The female said as she pointed to me. "She's the fifth."     My sister's eyes widened and her hands flew to my right wrist as one of the male's grabbed my left one. "No, she's only 16! You can't please!"      The male yanked and I yelped as my wrist was painfully ripped from my sister's tight grasp. A female stepped forth and blocked my sister.     I struggled to free my self. To get back to my sister. My parents moved to help but a male and female blocked them.      "No, please!" I cried but my pleas fell upon deaf ears. My heart beat erratically in my chest as the female started hopelessly at my sister.      "We are sorry, but there is no time to find another."     I was dragged out of the house, into the freezing night-dressed in nothing but a thin gown and undergarments-kicking and screaming. I clawed at the male's hand, kicked his legs, even bit him, but it was no use. I was dragged over to the edge of the forest-my feet bloodied and throbbing-and placed beside four other teens. Two males, two females. Five now. The two females held each other, sobbing while the two males stood with their heads held high.     When I looked up at the one I stood by I saw one tear cascade down his cheek. His eyes held fear but he stood as if he were a soldier. I wish I could borrow his bravery.     My gaze snapped back to the forest and I began to sob. I wanna go home. I was too young. Two years under the age limit. So why did they rip me from my home? From my family. Never in my life had I felt so much fear. So much helplessness. A feeling of inevitable doom fell upon my shoulders and I fell to my knees from the weight of it. Snap snap snap My sobs increased in volume as I heard the rapid snapping of tree branches. It was like they were in the trees. I looked up and a scream lodged in my throat.