[Child of God]: 416.Short Stories.Blue Days

The blue curls fall over Clarissa’s pale face as she stares at her naked reflection in the mirror. This was the moment she had been born for, what she had been raised to be. Why then was it so frightening? Why was her head swimming in fear and doubt? Why did her heart throb painfully at the thought of loosing her family, her friends, her home?
Why is it that after a lifetime of training, of preparation, she was suddenly loosing faith in herself?

“Sister, it is time.”

Clarissa turns towards the voice of the older woman, her mentor since she could remember. Pain, but also hope swam in the old woman’s eyes as she stares at the naked blue-haired priestess. The seventeen year old girl looks down, unable to meet the elder’s gaze when her own shows her doubt so blatantly.

“Ruth, what if I’m not ready?”

Unconsciously, Clarissa’s hand begins to stroke the scar; the offending, thick red line that ran from the top of her left breast down to just above her hipbone. It was her constant reminder of her last failure.

    Ruth’s silver eyes soften at the sight before her. Clarissa was still so young, and just entering the prime of her life. She should be worried about finding a husband right now, not carrying the weight of her people’s survival on her shoulders. Any young man would gladly take a girl such as Clarissa; her blue hair was a rarity among the village, a reminder of both the glorious elder days as well has how far they had fallen. Her golden eyes always seemed to shine, even in the darkness, and her pale skin was molded perfectly to her muscular five foot frame. She looked like one of the elder goddess. Then again, Clarissa was supposed to be the gods’ representative, so it was only natural she looked the part.

Clarissa never seemed to notice her own beauty though. If anything, she thought herself rather plain looking, a freak even. She was the only one with blue hair and the unnatural golden eyes, a sharp contrast against the usual red hair and silver eyes of her people. Instead of dark skin, hers was an appalling white, and she easily stood a good three feet shorter than the smallest toddler. The scar was only another addition to her shame.

Moving into the tent, Ruth pulls the girl into a comforting embrace. “Shhhhh, none of that now.” Tenderly stroking Clarissa’s blue hair, she glances down at the girl who had become like a child to her. “No matter happens, we all know that you’ve done all you could.” Using a finger to tilt the girl’s now tear-streaked face upward to face her, Ruth’s eyes crinkle into a smile. “We all have the greatest faith in you. Whatever happens now is the will of the gods. Have faith in them.”

“But Ruth, you know I don’t follow the gods of the village! What if they abandon the village because of me?!” Tearing her face from the grasp, she buries it into the woman’s calf, openly sobbing.

“Even if our gods abandon us,” tenderly, she pries Clarissa from her body, using a sleeve to wipe her tears. “Hopefully, your god won’t.”

The words of her adopted mother ring such truth to Clarissa. What did it matter if the village gods turned away? Her god would still protect her. And with her, her people.

Taking a deep breath, Clarissa nods. Closing her eyes to gather her courage, her heart cries out to her deity, begging for the strength to do what she was created to do, begging him not to leave her.

Pride shinning in Ruth’s eyes, she nods her own head. “If you are ready then Sister, the ceremony must begin.”

Already the black cloud has descended on the village, encasing it in a dark field. Emerging from the tent, Clarissa is started to see the villagers lining the way to the alter on either side of her. Every one of them are looking at her with pride, faith and hope. She is their only hope for survival, yet the confidence shining in each face gives her the faith she needs in herself.

They all have faith in her. Now, she must have faith in herself.

The wind dies, seeming to hold it’s breath as she silently steps onto the onyx alter. Her golden eyes seem to shine even brighter in the darkness as she faces the through the stone window to the east. Even through the darkness, she can see the faintest ray of light trying to break through. Closing her eyes, she focuses on that the light, on the source of both that light and of her strength.

The villagers watch in awed silence as the wind suddenly picks up, as though a storm were blowing in. Wild blue hair dances in the wind seemingly to have a life of it’s own, as pale hands are raised to the skies. Lightening dances through the dark clouds, crashing at Clarissa’s feet and illuminating the onyx beneath her. Slowly, the light crawls up the tiny girl, illuminating and covering her.

    Clarissa can only gasp at the sensation, as her entire body began feeling light. Strength seemed to soar through every cell, making it tingle and hum. Power seemed to fill her, feeling as though it were leaking from every pore of her skin. As the light completely engulfs her, the villagers advert their eyes, the intensity too much for them.
A final surge shooting through her, Clarissa slowly opens her eyes as the light begins dieing away. One by one, the villagers turn their eyes back to her and gape in wonder at the sight before them. Gone was the blue-haired child; before them now stood a goddess. Blue hair was now replaced by a pure white river that ran down to the mid of her equally white back. The scar had been replaced with a quiver strap, and in her hands she held a long golden bow, the same golden colour as her eyes.
Clarissa was oblivious to these changes. The only thing she knew was that she was no longer afraid. No longer was she the outcast, the freak. No longer did doubt cloud her. She could feel the power of her god flowing through her and knew that no matter the outcome, he would remain with her, lending her all of his strength. And that alone would be enough.