Take Heed the Mother

The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room. Trees sprouted up from the cracks in the pavement, and the tall buildings surrounding their apartment were bursting with branches and lush green vines. A family of deer grazing on the hill paused and peered into the dirty window.

Grabbing her arm, he pulled her away from the window, pulling the shades tight. The threadbare curtains emitted streams of light across the cracked tile floor. “You must stay away from the window Marlo, how many times must I tell you?” Pulling the woman into his chest hugging her tight. “We mustn’t be seen; you know what will happen if Gaia sees you,” Owen said panting, stroking her brown hair down.

“I know Owen, but it looks so beautiful outside. Maybe she isn’t mad anymore? It could be safe now. We aren’t supposed to live a life trapped in a house, we’re supposed to be outside too.” Clenching her fists in his shirt she pushed back from his embrace.” I want to go outside, I want to feel the grass, and feel the water run around my feet. Just like in those stories I’ve read.”

“You know that’s impossible. We’ve lost so many people to the fool's errand; man isn’t safe outside. At least not yet, we have the Reciprocity coming up, this time will be different,” he said. Stroking his thumb down her face, his vision blurred as tears spilled over his blond lashes.

“I don’t want to go to the Reciprocity, we’ll be fine here,” Marlo said.

“I know, but we must do our part too. I must go help your mother in the garden before we get into trouble,” he said. Brushing a hand through his sandy blond hair he retreated from sight.

Not daring a second glance out the window, for fear the Cleaners would be there. Marlo followed Owen. The garden was a pitiful sight. Pots filled the room, green beans grew on teepees, corn grew almost to the ceiling, and strawberry pots hung on the walls. Her mother was squatted by a terra-cotta pot carefully inspecting the green beans and plucking them off one by one.

“Fancy the two of you joining me,” she said keeping her gaze on the beans. “We must prepare for the Reciprocity in two days. There is no time to dilly-dally around. And Owen, finish transplanting those sprouts. I’m hoping to trade for carrots or potatoes it has been so long since we had those growing here.” Leilani stood, the pouch on her apron filled with vegetables.” Help me wash these, will you?” Patting Marlo on the arm she headed down the hall towards the kitchen.

“It’s okay Mar, we still have two days left. Who knows, we might luck out this round,” he said.

“Yeah, sure, two days.”

“Marlo! I need your help in here.” She hollered her voice busting through the silence causing them to jump.

“Coming,” she murmured making her way down the hall as if she wore concrete boots. Biting her lip, she rounded the corner. “Momma, do we have to go to Reciprocity? Can’t we just stay here, we have it good here, don’t we?”

“Hush yourself, child,” Leilani said through clenched teeth. “You know good and well why we must go. We might as well throw Owen to the Cleaners ourselves. Do you want to starve? Disrespecting the other materfamilias would be the last thing we did.”

“I know, Momma, I was just asking is all.” Picking up the green beans she washed the dirt off, robotically cleaning each one.

“I warned you not to make friends with Owen, Honey, it wasn’t because I don’t care. I had an Owen when I was your age. His name was Ruben, I was head over heels, he was my best friend. But I couldn’t stop the drawing either,” she said. Wiping a tear from her eye she swiped all the vegetables in the pot hanging it over the small fire.

Marla sighed, placing six crudely carved wooden plates around the table. “Yes, Momma, I understand. I’m grateful for the Reciprocity really,” she said in a hushed whisper.

“I am proud to do my part too. Just imagine after we pay our penance, we can feel the sun on our faces, or the purr of a kitten around our legs,” Owen said. Flopping into an open seat, his hazel eyes locked on Marlo’s big doe eyes. “Think of our child playing in the river, catching frogs.”

Running her hand over her pregnant belly, her head whipped toward the door, as two women came shuffling in the door. Glancing from Owen to Marlo unsure glances passed between them. A smack broke through the tension in the room, Bronson ran into the back of his mother.

“Watch where you’re going child,” Raya said waggling a scolding finger at him. At nineteen she had to crane up to look at her son making the exchange almost comical.

“Come now, let's eat,” Leilani said beckoning them in with a waved hand. Pouring the contents of the pot onto the serving dish the meager amount of beans and corn wouldn’t be filling any bellies tonight.

Pushing his ration of beans onto Marlo’s plate Owen picked up his corn, smiling softly.” I never much cared for beans, I’m more of a carrot guy.”

The light streaming through the curtain, began its retreat as darkness chased it out of the room. Running a dry rag over the plates Leilani stacked them in the corner, putting her hands on her hips she pulled up tall to address the room. “Okay, everyone off to bed with you we leave at dawn. It’s a long walk to the house, prepare your provisions tonight, and any trades you have.”

“Yes ma’am,” they said in unison shuffling out of the room. The unspoken goodbye hanging around their heads in a threatening cloud.

Laying down on the makeshift pallet of leaves the threadbare blanket on the top didn’t stop the leaves from poking through. Marlo laid her head on his arm, stroking her stomach he hummed to the baby. “I can’t wait to meet you, I really hope you’re a girl,” he whispered into the dark.

“I really think we should talk about this, just in case, ya know?”

“What is there to talk about?”

“Well for one, what should we name the baby?” Pushing up on her side she stared into the darkness. The dense blackness obstructed his face.

“Can’t we talk about it when we get home?”

Silence hung heavy in the air,” We’ve been lucky the past five years. What are the odds you will make it through the sixth? There are fewer and fewer men every time.”

“Jeez Mar, I’m not dead yet.”

“Oh god, I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it.”

“Don’t worry, I have a plan just in case I do get picked in the drawing. I’ll meet you guys back here and then we can pick the baby’s name. Besides, it’s bad luck to name it before it's born you know that” he said gently pulling her back down onto the mat.

Lying silently in the dark, Owen’s breath evened out, and soft snores filled the air. “It must be so easy to be so sure,” Marlo said into the void. “I really want to name you Merritt, I think it works for both Baby,” rubbing her baby bump, she sighed “But, I do agree with your father. It would be for the best if you are a girl.” Closing her eyes, she drifted into a deep slumber.

She awoke to a gentle tapping on her forehead, he ran his finger down her nose, “Mar it's almost time. Wake up, sweetie.”

Groaning she rolled over snuggling her face into his chest. “Not yet,” she said grumbling “Baby is still tired.”

“I mean if you want your mother to come and wake you up then that’s a great idea.” He said laughing, the deep tone vibrated through his chest the happy melody echoing off the walls.

“Fine, no need for threats this early,” she said sitting up she stretched to the ceiling, yawning, and wiped the sleep from her eyes.

Using the wall, she felt her way down the hallway to the living room. Faint whispers seemed impossibly loud in the early morning darkness.

“Marlo and Owen are here now, that’s all of us,” Charlette said. Tying the rope around their waist. “Jeez, Marlo if you get any bigger you will have to sit the next one out.” Laughing she tied the end to her waist.

“Be nice Char,” Leilani said, “it’s pitch black in the tunnel so make sure you take care walking down the stairs and be mindful of the person in front of you. Panic will only cause injuries, or worse being unhooked from the line.

The procession started down the steps, the heavy cobwebs broke away as they passed through the tunnel.

“I really hate spiders,” Raya said. Flipping her hand every which way to remove the webbing.

“Shhh, we don’t want them to hear us,” Charlette said.

Muffled sobs greeted her words, and Raya pushed on in silence. How much time had passed while they were in the tunnel, they couldn’t be sure the darkness that surrounded them gave no sign of breaking. A chorus of groaning bellies accompanied the sound of them marching. Tugging on the lead in front of him, Owen felt around in the darkness, fingertips grazing her arm he handed off a small pouch. Fumbling to get the pouch open, her fingers brushed the leafy caps of strawberries. Popping one into her mouth, Marlo chewed as silently as possible, smushing it to the roof.

The slope of the tunnel began to rise, ushering the group back toward the land above. The wooden stairs creaked underfoot, a sliver of light escaped around the crudely constructed door. Knocking three times on the door, they waited for an answer.

“Who presents themselves upon our step?” A female voice called through the door.

“It’s Leilani from the New Haven house, we have trade, and one entry into the lottery.”

The door swung open revealing a short and round older woman. Smiling she opened her arms in greeting. “Welcome to our home.”

Leilani leaned in for a brisk hug before hurting the one through the door. Untying them one by one, she stuffed the rope into her sack.

“Just the one, Leilani? Where is Bronson? He’s missing a very important dinner.” Kamara said squinting her eyes which made her face curl up like a raisin.

“Bronson is tending the garden while we’re away. He still has another year before he enters the lottery.” Leilani said returning the glare with daggers of her own.

“Yes, of course. Please make yourself at home, the drawing will be held a little later in the evening.” The plastic smile returned to her face before she scampered off.

“Owen, please put the seedlings next to the Mater altar,” she said walking away before the last words left her lips.

Marlo followed on Owen’s heels to the alter room. The giant red bowl in the middle of the room sat, like a great stone giant. The air was thick with its ominous presence, and squares of paper already littered the bottom of the bowl.

Humming a sad song, he took the small pots out of his vender tray and placed them around the altar. The stone statue featured a woman peeking out from a tree, the red apple in her hands a stark contrast to the pale stone.

“Owen, I’m really scared. What if they pick you, I just...I can’t-” a sob choked off her words.

“There is no reason to cry, Mar. If they do pick me, I’ll be honored.” Looking side-eyed he saw a rat hiding in the corner. The dim light reflected off Kamara’s gray hair. “Think of the opportunity this could give our baby.” Pulling her into a tight hug he whispered roughly into her ear “I have a plan, I’ll tell you later, it’s not safe here. She’s listening.”

Marlo straightened up. “Of course, how silly of me. It must be the baby making my mind crazy,” she said. Laughing softly, she wiped her eyes. The smell of burning sage invaded her senses, her breath began to quicken, pulse-pounding like a drum in her ears. “It’s time.”

The room filled one by one with women clinging tightly to their sons. Standing as far as possible from the red bowl, as if the distance would grant them safety. A tall stern woman approached the podium behind the altar wearing a golden cloak. Raising her arms above her head, the room fell into a dead silence. “Welcome to Orchard House. I’m so happy all of you came into my home to share in the Autumn solstice with us. Even though the Mother turned a blind eye to us, we have been blessed with a bountiful harvest this year. To decide who gets to pick the first trade, we will draw for the offering. Kamara if you please.” Dinah said gesturing to the wooden hand crank at the base of the altar table.

Kamara waddled over the crank, wiping her hands down her skirt, she grabbed the crank with both hands giving it a hard turn. The scraps of paper in the bottom began to toss around like popcorn. Cranking the handle faster, the paper started their climb to the top of the bowl. One hard crank later a square of paper shot up out of the bowl. Dinah snatched the paper midair, bringing it into her chest.

“We have the price of Reciprocity; the blood will pay for our transgressions against the Mother. May Gia shine her loving light back on us and bless us with the gift of walking in the sun among her other children.”

They all held a collective breath. The intense silence made Marlo’s ears ring. Clutching onto Owen, she settled into her own hell awaiting the name.

Opening the paper, Dinah’s head shot up, looking right into Owen’s eyes, her gray eyes cold and empty. “Owen of New Haven.” Folding the paper in half she handed it down to Kamara. “The New Haven house will celebrate with the last feast, and the first pick of trades.”

Silent tears raced down Marlo’s face, color draining as they fell. Squeezing her daughter's arm Leilani stepped forward. Steeling her spine, she squared her jaw standing tall. “We will trade green beans and corn for carrots and potatoes,” she said. Stepping back into the huddle she squeezed her arm once more, tears spilling over her cheeks.

Kamara stepped forward holding the slip of paper over the open flame. Glancing down at the folded square, in neat penmanship, it read Kyron of Orchard House. Dropping the paper into a brass bowl, she watched it burn into ashes. The families ran out of the room, seemingly in a fraction of a second, the New Haven family was left alone in the grand room. Their sobs created a heart-wrenching melody, and the pain in their voices pushed the ominous air from the room.

“Come children, we have a lot to say in a few short hours,” she said. Leading the family down the ornate hallway, the black door at the end of the hall depicted a golden goddess with a moon held high above her head. Pausing briefly with her hand on the cold knob, she gave it a gentle twist and pushed the door open. The round banquet table was covered with fruits and vegetables of all kinds, some she has never seen before. Gasps of awe echoed behind her as they came into the room. They had never seen so much food, the serving platter was piled high with bread, and various spreads filled small bowls surrounding it.

Marlo sat hands in her lap, staring at the plate of food in front of her. Owen gently brought a bunch of grapes to her ashen lips.

“You need to eat, think of our baby.” Leaning forward, he nestled in her ear. “I told you I have a plan I’ll tell you about it tomorrow,” he said in hushed tones.

Sitting straight up she looked at him, hope hanging on every word. “Okay, I will...I’ll eat.”

“That’s the spirit Mar, we still have our goodbyes, before the ritual bath, okay? Don’t be sad yet, save that for tomorrow night.”

“But the ritual is tomorrow morning, waiting until tomorrow night seems too late. By then you’ll be gone from us.”

“We’ll talk later, you need to eat up. Both of you,” he said rubbing her swollen belly.

The minutes ticked by like seconds, and a sharp knock sounded on the door exploding like thunder. Gasping wide-eyed they stared at the door. Slowly, it swung open, revealing Dinah’s tall frame, draped in a black robe. This time she looked pale and ghastly.

“It’s time for final goodbyes,” Dinah said, solemnly bowing as she exited the room.

“Let’s leave them to say goodbye,” Leilani said pushing back from the table. Grabbing onto the back of Owen’s head she held their foreheads together. Fresh tears dripped off her cheeks, sliding down his jawline. “It was an honor and privilege to know you, I pray we shall meet again in the Ever Forest. You were like a son to me, I will help Marlo watch over your baby, I swear it.”

Murmurs of goodbyes followed as each one patted them on the back, the room was empty save for the two of them. Pushing his chair back from the table, he pulled Marlo into his lap. Petting her hair from her tear-stained face, he whispered into her crown,” They will take me to the bath soon. After that, I’ll be escorted to the sacrament chambers until morning. I’m sure the harvest pyre is all ready for me to bleed on.”

Sobs wracked her chest, “Is this the pep talk you had in mind at dinner-” leaning over she lurched spilling the contest of her dinner on the floor.

“Oh baby,” he said wiping her mouth, “I’m getting to that part. Now the doors I’m sure will be locked, so I can’t go back the way we came. However, I’m willing to bet the windows will be open.”

Marlo inhaled a sharp breath. “Do you mean to walk outside? All the way back to New Haven? If the animals don’t eat you, they will surely alert the cleaners.”

“If I stay here, I’ll be put on a platter and wait for death. If I try to run home, there’s a chance I could make it alone. Slipping silently through the dawn, I know no one will come after me and they will expect me to be dead. We just need to pray they let your mother keep those trades or she might kill me herself.”

Straightening her shoulders, she wiped her eyes “I love you, Owen, I will tell our child all about your sacrifice to the cause. The baby would be so proud.” Leaning in for a kiss she got up and slowly walked out of the feast hall.

The ritual bath was nothing like he had expected, he had never had a proper bath, much less a hot one. The oils they poured in had a floral scent, it smelled of heaven, even if it led to hell. The elders washed and scrubbed every part of him and presented him with the nicest set of clothes he had ever seen. There were no holes, threadbare spots, or even a tear to be seen. The irony of getting the best gifts of his life on his last night was not lost on him. As he was being beckoned to the sacrament chamber, he passed the altar room.

“Excuse me, ma’am is there any way I could have the seedlings of the carrot and potatoes in the room with me tonight? I just want to pray over them, I pray they grow the best bounty for New Haven.” Owen said bowing slightly.

“That’s fine young man, but those are the only plants they get, so If you destroy them...”

“I understand,” he said. Picking out the healthiest-looking plants he carried the pots back to his room. Closing the door behind him he heard the latch click. Sinking down onto the bed he crossed his legs. “Well, plants you have to come with me, they might not let her keep them after I leave.” Sinking into the soft bed he fought sleep; it was too dangerous to sleep. He might not wake up in time to leave. “Okay, plants, let us see if my plan is futile. Bargaining on the window sounded so good when I was looking at her, but now it’s a crap shoot.” Putting the plants down on the floor in front of the window, he braced his hands on the glass, gently pushing up on the glass it didn’t budge.

“God dammit!” He screamed kicking the wall, “When one window is closed, knock the fucking glass out,” he said. Balling the pillowcase around his fist, he cradled the plants in his other arm. “They won’t follow even if they hear me.” Punching as hard as he could the window shattered, knocking out the rest of the glass he hopped out the window, the glass crunched under his sneakers as he hit the ground.

The door burst open as he ran around to the front of the house, the sky was painted like fire as the reds and oranges burned brightly across the sky.

“Owen’s gone; He ran out the window. Help, we need to catch him!” the guard shrieked into the empty hallway.

Footsteps pounded down the wooden hallway. “Gone? Where would he go? It’s not safe outside, he’s doomed us all. The sacrifice must be today,” Dinah boomed.

A scream tore up the hallway. Marlo had her face pressed into the bay window. Owen Paused when he heard her cry. Pointing her finger to his left her scream grew in volume, frantically she tugged on the door. Vines ran across the ground snaking up his legs binding his torso cinching his arms down. The clay pots cracked into pieces under the force of the vines, blood trickled down his arms. He stood frozen in place eyes glued to the heap of vines shambling towards him. Another vine shot from the shamble; it had orange finger-like fibers growing from it. The vine was wrapped around his head shoving the orange growths into his eyes and mouth. The heap of vines retreated into the surrounding bushes.

Owen’s screams filled the foyer he crawled around on all fours swatting in front of his face. Marlo forced the door open running out into the early dawn.

“Come back, Marlo he’s been infected he’s turning into one of them. We can’t save the cleaners, you know that.” Dinah shouted from the porch.

Falling onto her knees she grasped at the orange fungus trying to pull it off his face. “You can’t die here, you promised it would be okay. We haven’t gotten the chance to talk yet.”

“Mar, you have to go back...Please Marlo go back inside,” he said. Contorting he screamed grasping his stomach as he rolled onto his side. “Please, leave me I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I thought I could make it.”

“I’m not leaving you here, alone I’ll go with you. Let’s go home Owen,” she said. A wale of agony ripped from her chest. Pulling on his arm she tried to move him back inside. Try as she may, Owen didn’t move, defeated she fell to her knees.

Owen stilled, and his screams died down, the brisk rise and fall of his chest halted.

“Owen, get up, you have to get up. We never named the baby, please baby please get up.” Sobs wrecked her body, gasping for air she beat her fists against his back. Marlo collapsed over his motionless frame.

Owen jerked under her weight, going limp he groaned, jerking again. Marlo raised her head to look at him. Sitting up with his back to her, he jerked once more. Standing up he turned to look at her, his hazel eyes were covered in a gray film, jerking his head to the side, he took a shaking step toward her. Scrambling backwards, she collided with a tree.

“Owen, are you in there? It’s me Marlo, come back to me,” She pleaded.

Vines weaved out of his chest, floating in the air he took another shaky step towards her.

“Owen, stop. Don’t come any closer,” she said. Pushing up onto her feet, she pressed her back into the tree.

Dozens of horrified faces filled the windows, frozen in place they watched helplessly as Marlo inched around the tree. Countless people shambled from the woodlands. Their gray eyes glowed brightly in the early morning sun. Plants sprouted over their bodies, orange finger-like growths decorated the tops of their heads. Walking towards the manor en masse vines lashing out around them.

Vines shot out of his torso, stabbing her shoulder, she was pushed back into the tree. Frantically pulling at the vine, her fingers slipping through the blood.

“Owen, let her go!” Leilani screamed in the doorway, several other women held her back, pulling at the door frame she struggled to break free.

Vines shot out from his palm; they punched through her chest dragging her towards him blood leaking around the vines. Marlo threw her arms out holding him tight in a hug.

“It’s okay, baby, I’m right here. Let's go home, we can still be together, just like we planned remember?” she said crying into his shoulder.

Opening his mouth, he coughed orange slime into her face. Marlo’s hands shot up holding her head, she began to scream. The slime slithered into her mouth and her eyes, falling limp her body hung on the vines. The vines retreated dropping her onto the ground, a cloud of dust blossomed as she fell in a crumpled heap. Convulsing on the ground with a final spasm, she fell still. Quivering she climbed to her feet, she cocked her head sideways looking into the manor.

A chorus of screams rang from the manor, as the onlookers retreated from the windows. The twelve great families were reduced to roaches scattering around the foyer.

“Cleaners,” Kamara screamed “We have to go into the tunnels.”

“No, calm down, don’t panic. Maybe they will leave. If we leave Orchard Manor, we lose everything we have worked so hard to preserve.”

“Shut the fuck up, Dinah, this is all your fault! You lied; I saw the paper. The Goddess is punishing us because you lied. It said Kyron, confess, tell them how you brought the wrath down on us.” Kamara said backing Dinah into the corner. “We should throw them out and make it right.”

“What? Why would I lie? It said Owen, really,” she said her voice shaking with panic.

“I’ll prove to you Kamara is lying,” she said running into the altar room, she returned holding the scraps of paper. Unfolding them one at a time, she threw them into the floor. “Owen of New Haven...”

Tears fell down Dinah’s face “I couldn’t let them take you, I wasn’t ready...no one was supposed to know-” a fist smashed into her face sending Dinah crashing to the ground.

“So, you take my babies? How could you? I vote we throw them out. Both of them, we need to appease the Goddess.”

“Kyron didn’t know I swear it was all on me. Please have mercy on my son.” “No, he was the rightful sacrifice we can’t keep him. It’s too dangerous.”

Vines shot into the house wrapping Dinah, Kyron, and Kamara pulling them onto the porch. Screaming, they tried to cling to the doorframe, but the wood splintered into their hands as they were ripped away. Coming out of the surrounding trees hundreds of people walked out of the woods. Covered in various stages of plant growth they walked on shaky legs to the house. Vines snaked out of their skin wrapping around various parts of the captives. With a hard pull, they were slowly ripped apart, their screams echoing in the distance. Blood sprayed over the lawn. Legs, arms, and heads dropped onto the morning dew-covered grass.

Marlo dropped on her hands and knees; a beastly groan rolled from her lips. Rocking back and forth she let out a demonic howl. A soft thud fell into the grass, a baby’s cries drifted upon the breeze into the house. The cleaners began their retreat into the woods. Standing Marlo followed suit, Owen on her heels. Peeking behind the demolished walls Leilani ran out into the field, dropping onto her knees. She looked at the baby, wiping away the blood, and stared into her golden eyes. The baby smiled and cooed reaching her tiny fists out to grab Leilani’s fingers.

“We’re going to be okay.” Sobbing, she scooped up the baby and ran back to the house. “Look, she’s Marlo’s baby, she’s okay.” Kissing the baby all over the head she cuddled it to her bosom. “I think we're going to be okay; the Goddess has forgiven us.” Knees buckling, she dropped to the floor. “My sweet child. I’m going to call you Oriana, you’re our second chance. Our promise.