by Kasondra Morin

Created on: March 16, 2010

“I don't want to be a girl!”

Demetra laughed softly at the voracity of her daughter's anger. “Darling,” she replied, “you're not quite eleven. It's too early to begin worrying about this sort of thing. Besides, you were created female so there's nothing you can do.”

Evy put her small fists on her hips and exclaimed, “I heard there was a way. They talk about it in the bathroom at school. A man went away because he wanted to be a girl...”

“Daughter!” Demetra barked. “We do not speak of such travesties. That man was sick and was forced to leave. We do not mention him.” She glanced nervously at the small screen on her hip hopeful that the leader would forgive the small child. After a minute of silence she asked, “Why do you feel this way?”

Evy's green eyes welled up with tears. Her voice was small and soft as she whispered, “I don't want to die.”

The next instant she found herself in her mother's arms. “I know, honey. It's all part of being. I remember being frightened too, but it's not so scary once you become a woman.”

The little girl continued to sob. “When will I begin to die?”

Demetra stroked her daughter's hair as she paused in thought. “It's different for everyone. I was only thirteen, your aunt was fifteen, but my mother was eleven. Brevis Quietus comes when it comes; there are few warnings. Some you've already begun to show.”

This made the girl sob harder. “I know.” She buried her face in her mother's dress, “It's too late.”

Demetra froze. “What did you say?”

Evy raised her head and looked at her mother. “I'm dying.”

Demetra took her daughter's face in her hands. “I'm sorry. I must tell your father. You know the rules.”

The Populace had strict rules regarding this time in a girl's life. Blood was considered the fountain of life. The people knew that when blood flowed a person was closer to death. They also knew that women died much sooner than men. Therefore, it was assumed that it was the frequent loss of blood that caused a woman to die so quickly. Only once was this time celebrated. Tonight there would be a town festivity complete with a blood sacrifice. In the months following the girl would be expected to ostracize herself from the town until she could be recounted among the living. With pregnancy her body would be growing new life and, therefore,

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