tempted heart

In the heart of the snowy mountains, I'm sitting in front of the shrine praying to the gods for my village's prosperity. Hearing my father talking to one of the mothers in my village. "With all due respect shaman it feels like our prayers go unheard, when will the cleansing take" I can tell that she isn't happy with him as he deepens his voice clearing his throat "please be patient with the elders and myself we still need to wait for the new moon." She scowls before walking out of the temple he sighs walking towards me. I hear his footsteps as I stand up my white dress falling and touching the floor as am looking down. Compared to my father I am short and tiny. I've been kept in this temple since my birth, My mother died the morning after due to complications. The elders deemed me to fulfill something on my 21st birthday in a month. I know nothing about the outside world past my village and this temple. I thought when my birthday came I would be able to leave like others instead I'm here to fulfill this responsibility that I have and have no clue what that is. My father looks down at me with a very solemn look on his face knowing what's happening beforehand about my future speaking to me. "Lilian I know ur birthday is coming up and it is your obligation to this village you cannot mess this up. All the townsfolk is looking up to us" I sigh biting my lip "but father what is my duty I still have no clue what it is I am to do please tell me, father." I know he won't tell me but I hope he will finally. He sighs before shaking his head and turning around* "you know I can't tell you what it is but in three days times the elders will gather for a feast and you will find out" With that, he walks out as I fall to my knees crying feeling trapped for ten minutes before wiping my tears. Standing up, walking outside feeling the snow fall on my face, melting wondering what was past the village walls; what has my father so sad? My mind races with those thoughts as I step down the stairs of the temple, walking to the gathering hall to eat as I look around me. So many townsfolks are whispering and staring at me. walking faster as I open the doors to the gathering hall. I make myself a plate of food, sitting down at an empty table. I sigh, playing with my mashed potatoes with my spoon, listening to all the people talk about this cleansing and how the chosen one's blood will make our village prosper like it once did. Moments pass by, I'm almost done with my food before several people walk by me looking at me, then looking away as I get up to look at them. "I don't know what your issue is with me. All of you ignore me so just stop with the snide remarks about me." They laugh at me as I walk away from the table, leaving the hall and finding myself outside walking towards the edge of the wall one elder pulls my arm towards her. "what are you doing." I look at her as I quickly look down realizing it's an elder. "elder Margaret what can I do for u tonight." I look up at her as her face is bundled in fur to protect her from the cold." I know your path has not been easy but knowing your destiny means so much" I tear up trying to hold back my tears "I don't even know what it is I am to do so how can fulfill it if I'm clueless" Margaret's face softens seeing my troubles shaking her head. "all the advise I can give is to live while u can and stay pure for all us and keep your innocence and get inside before u catch a cold young lady." She turns to leave walking away as I look up at the night sky seeing the stars slowly walking home. As I'm walking I hear sounds from the other side of the wall before shaking my head and going inside shivering from the cold. As I push a chair by the fire to warm up, my father looks towards me. Clearing his throat as he says "I want you to know that I am aware your life has been hard, but what is to come will be worth it. You will soon learn what that purpose is in two days' time. My daughter, I acknowledge this is a hard time with everyone looking to you." I scowl looking at the floor, getting upset with how vague my father is being about this duty. I get up and head to my room walk out on this conversation shutting my door behind me laying down on my bed looking up at the ceiling. I am nearly asleep when I hear a loud crash from outside. I jolt out of bed rushing to my window noticing a fallen tree; a shadow of what looks like a man walking onto the tree branch. I gasp rushing out of my bedroom grabbing my long thick white fur coat and putting it on. Heading down the stairs Running towards the door bumping into my father he starts to speak I cut him off before I tell him "father I'm heading outside there was a tree that fell I'm going to check it out." I slam the front door rushing outside where I saw the shadow and the branch looking around as everything is already cleaned up and everything but an indent in the snow and fallen leaves are the only things left. I shake my head thinking I'm seeing things so I Start going back to the house. I start getting changed into my nightgown, laying in bed slowly falling asleep as I stare out the window wondering what happened out past the village walls closing my eyes as the next day slowly creeps towards us.