~ Before The Feast ~

After Misty returned home from their date, Scottie couldn't stop smiling. She left in a hurry, which bruised his ego a little, but she answered his texts right away, so he considered it a win. He was walking back to his bedroom when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Thinking it was Misty, he went to check it. He was disappointed when he saw it wasn't a text from Misty, but rather a reminder he set. Feast - Next Saturday.

He put his phone back in his pocket and grumbled. Of all the stuffy events he had to attend, the Feast had to be his least favorite. It was nothing more than a chance for his grandfather and his buddies to pat themselves on the back. They didn't have the Feast to honor anyone but themselves. It's only purpose was to make everyone else feel like shit for not being "elite" enough. It was all so fake. He'd much rather think about Misty.

He let the memory of her soft lips on his fill his mind. If he concentrated hard enough, he could hear her little giggle in his ear and the way her hair tickled his cheek. Man, he thought to himself, if only she could be there. That'd really make the night worthwhile.

Then, he thought, why can't she be there? He had the means. Lady Katina made the guest list and she was right down the hall. She always had a soft spot for him. All he had to do was whisper some sweet nothings in her ear and the invitation was as good as his.

He went over to Lady Katina's office, a big smile on his face. The more he thought about it, the more excited he got. He could see Misty's face when she saw the invitation. It may have meant very little to him, but it would mean the world to her. She'd be so happy, she might even kiss him again.

"Knock, knock," he said with a smile and poked his head into Lady Katina's office.

Lady Katina was buried in a pile of papers, but she dropped what she was doing the second she saw him. Scottie could tell by the smile on her face that she was more than happy to see him.

"Scottie. What do I owe the pleasure?"

Her answer was laced with light sarcasm. Although she truly adored Scottie, she knew him well enough to know that he wanted something. She had grown to know that cheeky grin of his.

"Well," he said, sitting on the edge of her desk. "I was hoping you could do me a favor."

"Of course you were," she said playfully.

"Hey, I'll keep asking as long as you keep saying yes."

Lady Katina looked down and shook her head, knowing he had her number.

"What can I do for you?"

"So, the Feast is coming up next Saturday and it got me thinking. I'm curious to see who will be in attendance this year."

"Scottie, you know I can't do that. It's highly confidential."

"Oh come on," he said, egging her on. She was only playing. They both knew she wouldn't say no to him. "This is me we're talking about. Who am I going to tell?"

Scottie gave her a heart-melting smile and really laid on the charm. She fought with herself but eventually gave in like he knew she would.

"All right," she said.  "I suppose it couldn't hurt."

She took out a scroll from her desk drawer and rolled it out for him. His eyes scanned the list and narrowed in on the Ts. His heart sank when he saw Misty wasn't on the list.

"What about Misty Tarby?"

"What about her?"

"She's the top of the class and she totally kicked ass in The Arena. If anyone should be there, it should be her."

"You can't be serious," she laughed and gave him a look of disbelief.

"I'm serious. That girl's special," he said. "If it were up to me, she'd be on that list."

"Well, it's not up to you."

"I know," he said. "That's why I came to you. I want her there. Will you do that for me?"

He looked her in the eyes and she could see how earnest he was. She was confused by his request but felt the need to placate him. So, she agreed.

***

Once Scottie left, Lady Katina got up from her seat and rushed to find Thomas. She ran into him in the hallway and demanded his attention.

"Thomas," she said urgently. "I need to talk to you."

Thomas looked around, to make sure no one else was there before telling her to go ahead and speak.

"I'm concerned for Scottie," she said. "He was asking about the Tarby girl. He wanted me to put her on the guestlist for the Feast. He asked that I do it as a special favor to him."

"Did he now?"

Yes," she confirmed. "He sounded quite...enamored with the girl."

"I suppose I should have a talk with him."

Thomas's words were drenched with cold, calm anger. He didn't know what that boy was up to, but he intended to find out.

Thomas entered Scottie's bedroom without knocking. He made himself appear fatherly and concerned for his well-being when he spoke, but Scottie knew it was all a farce.

"I had an interesting talk with Lady Katina just now."

Scottie's stomach dropped. He wasn't dumb enough to believe it wouldn't get back to his grandfather, but he had been naive enough to believe that Lady Katina would cover for him.

"Oh, yeah? What about?" He said, trying to keep the conversation light and casual.

His attempts were made in vain, as Thomas had no patience for games. He pushed Scottie against the wall and got right in his face.

"Don't play dumb with me," he spat, his fatherly demeanor quickly dropping. "Though you can't help it, can you? You've always been such a fool."

Scottie shrunk into himself, but he tried to stay strong.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said meekly.

"She's using you, boy. Don't you see that? She only wants to gain favor with The Assembly. She doesn't love you. Who could ever love you?"

Scottie shriveled up completely, his heart dejected. He knew his grandfather was wrong, but his words had a way of worming into his brain and making him believe they were true.

"Misty's not like that."

"Of course she is. They're all like that."

"No," Scottie maintained with all the courage he had. "Not her."

Thomas scoffed and shook his head. He pitied Scottie and his foolish heart. He was weak, and where there was a weakness there was exploitation.

"You really care for this girl, don't you?"

Scottie kept his eyes and his head down. He kept completely still. He wasn't going to nod or say yes. He knew his question was disingenuous and meant to trap him. He refused to answer, but it was too late. He had already shown his hand.

"I'll tell you what," Thomas said. "She can come, but I promise you this, by the end of the night you'll see her for the harlot she is. And so will everyone else."

Scottie could tell by the way that he spoke that his grandfather had something sinister planned, and it was sure to ruin everything he built with Misty.

"Forget it," Scottie said, trying to backtrack in hopes that he could protect her. "I don't want her there."

"Oh, she'll be there. You're going to make sure of it."

***

Monday morning, Scottie was filled with dread. In his pocket, he carried the weapon of his own destruction. It was so simple, an invitation, a piece of cardstock. No one would ever think it would be the source of such devastation, but more often than not, it is the unexpected that causes the most heartbreak.

Thomas didn't trust Scottie to get the job done on his own. He knew he would have to take control. He had gotten in his head and took over his thoughts, dominating his subconscious. He demanded Scottie's every move and threatened him if he dared to disobey.

The entire morning, Thomas was pushing Scottie, telling him to find Misty and give her the invitation. Scottie was actually glad when Misty rebuffed his attempts to get together, but he could only avoid the inevitable for so long.

He saw Misty in the cafeteria and Thomas demanded he make his move.

Here's your chance. Thomas's menacing voice rang in Scottie's head. Make it convincing.

Feeling he had no choice, Scottie went over to Misty. His heart was heavy knowing he was the shepherd leading the girl he loved straight into the slaughter.

***

The night of the Feast came. Like they did every year, Scottie and his friends met up to get ready. Zachariah and his crew huddled together in the corner of Scottie's room, laughing and joking and already half-drunk, but they were only getting started. It was a game they played. A sort of social graces chicken. They poured each other drinks, seeing who could get the most messed up without getting caught.

"Yo, Scottie, you gonna join us?"

Scottie shook his head. He wasn't in the mood to play the part they wanted him to play. He had too much on his mind.

"Not tonight."

Scottie entered the hall and looked around for Misty. Across the room, he could see her looking lost. God, she looks so beautiful, he thought. Seeing her usually made him happy, but that night, he felt nothing but sadness. He thought of how crushed she would be in a few hours' time and it broke his heart. He hadn't lost her yet, but he already missed her.

He felt his grandfather's strong hand on his shoulder. He squeezed tight, causing a painful cramp as he exerted his control over him.

"Not having regrets, now are you, boy?"

"Please don't make me do this," Scottie begged one last time.

"Stop whining, you're embarrassing yourself."

Scottie's grandfather gave him a hearty pat and walked away. He kept his eyes on Misty, appreciating her beauty one last time. Then he went over to her and said goodbye to any chance he had at happiness.

As the night went on, it was more unbearable than Scottie imagined. They were talking to her and asking her questions. They were acting like they actually cared. They were building her up to tear her down. He wanted so badly to get her out of there or warn her or do anything to stop her from getting hurt. But, his desires to save her were overpowered by his grandfather's voice inside his head. He filled Scottie's head with flashbacks of the worst he'd given him, reminding him he could easily do it again if he stepped out of line.

The malevolent whispers and haunting images were tearing him up. He couldn't take it anymore. He had to break up the conversation and get away. So, he made an excuse to pull Misty out of the fray and went to the bar.

As they walked over, he could feel Zacariah's eyes on him. He knew exactly what he wanted, and damn if Scottie wasn't tempted. His grandfather's demanding presence, the impending heartbreak, the fakery, it was becoming too much for him. He wanted to be strong enough to face it, but he wasn't. Years of abuse had beaten him down and left him desperate for an escape.

He met Zachariah outside of the men's room. Zachariah's arrogant smile irked Scottie. He was broken and Zacariah knew it.

"I knew you'd change your mind."

Zachariah reached into his pocket and dangled a little baggie of white powder in front of Scottie's face, taunting him. Scottie grabbed it from him, angry with himself, but unable to resist.

The rest of the night was somewhat of a blur for Scottie. He felt good at the moment, but he was dancing on a paper stage. It was only a matter of time before Scottie ripped through it's delicate structure and went crashing to the floor. That moment came quickly. Misty ran off, and under the watchful eye of his grandfather, he was too afraid to chase her.