Shattered Reality

Chapter One: The Beginning of a New Life, and Its Trials.

Elizabeth walked through the doors containing her excitement. Today she would start the Trials. the Trials were a group of challenges made to see if she along with the other women could pass them. She walked in, scared but confident that she would pass the Trials. She sat down in the front row of the church.

Her father, the priest was the one who orchestrated the trials every year. Elizabeth happily looked around for her father. when she found him she waved ecstatically as if saying to him, "Look, father! I'm here. I'm finishing what you started. What you both started. Aren't you proud of me?" But to her dismay, she didn't get the reaction she wanted. For once he did notice her but looked at her with disappointment and disgust.

Why? Why must you look at me that way? I am trying my best to please you? Maybe he never loved me. Maybe his expectations are too high for me to ever reach. No, that's nonsense! He loves me, and he loved my mother too. He loved us even when it didn't seem that way. whenever he'd hurt her and me it was out of love. Cause that is just a way he shows his love!

She didn't realize the women walking through the doors. The number of people in the church was now equivalent to the amount needed for The Trials. "Hello, today is the day of The Trials." my father spoke loudly to the crowd. "You'll need to show your endurance and strength to pass. Now please go through the doors behind you." Row by row, back to front, women walked to the doors in a straight line.

Elizabeth was one of the last people to walk through that door. Once the last girl walked through the door, it shut, seemingly by itself. What in the world? How did the door close? Elizabeth thought to herself. She questioned this for a long time. Wait, how long is this hall? Did mother have to walk this hall when she did her trial? Most likely. I am kind of nervous. Was this the right choice? What am I thinking! This has been my dream my entire life. Right? Stop second-guessing yourself. This is your dream. Your future.

Even though she didn't know it, she was near the end of the seemingly never-ending hallway. The Trials were about to begin, and she was unprepared for what lay ahead for her. "Watch it!" She'd unknowingly walked into the girl in front of her. "Sorry!" Elizabeth whispered. The girl responded, "Okay." She then got closer to Elizabeth and whispered, "You better be." The line started moving again, but slower than before.

I wonder what the first trial will be? Maybe calling a verse from memory? Maybe we will try speaking in front of a crowd? I am really good at speaking in front of a crowd! I've also memorized the holy speech from cover to cover! I'll definitely pass The Trials!

Elizabeth was thinking all of this as the line slowly moved forward. Elizabeth looked past the line to try to see what the test would be. What she saw horrified her. Her instincts told her to run away, but her head told her to move forward.

She felt more anxiety as she got closer to the stage, desperately fighting her instincts. I have to stay! It's probably not too bad. This is my dream! They're probably doing this to test our loyalty! This can be justified! It's for the greater good!

Her mind was racing, trying to justify the horrible act that they had to do. In all honesty, she was scared. Terrified even, She'd have to walk on burning coals. Sooner than later, she was next up. She braced herself for the pain. "Next!" A voice yelled. Elizabeth walked up to the short set of stairs. She was about to step onto the stage, but someone stopped her. "Take off your shoes." The person said in a low stern voice. Out of fear, she did as they said. This is going to be painful. Why did they make me take my shoes off! Do they know that the pain would be worse? They probably do.

Even though she knew that it would be agonizing, she stepped onto the stage. Augh! She winced. Slowly she walked to the microphone. When she looked up, she saw they were. Pleased! What the actual heck! Why are they pleased! This is so wrong! Wait. They aren't wrong! This all is for a purpose. There isn't any malicious intent! This all is for a purpose. All for a purpose.