Bound By The Midnight

rine'

the cold earth, picking up the flowers that have fallen from my ba

to kee

is m

e me as nothing more than a fragile, disposable human.

eets of the poorest sector of the clan. The buildings here are old, crumbling, and covered

he weakest

awl tighter around my shoulders, though it does little against the cold. My dres

my arms, the last hope I have for to

rce my aching legs to move,

s-the wealthy, the powerful, the untouchable. Their mansions line the streets, t

le skin glowing under the dim light. Their sharp, red eyes fl

eak, even as my throa

Fresh flowers! Pleas

ing away as if my presence alone taints the air they breath

try. Becaus

ng hair. She wears a fine coat lined with fur, her gloved

quickly, lowering my gaze in respect.

sket. For a brief moment, hope rises in my chest

one who needs filth l

flick of her wrist, sending the fl

mach cl

delicate petals with trembling ha

er-sharp, crue

tle human beggar aga

Not them.

I lift

and her

n fine dark gowns that shimmer even in the dull light. They don't need to work, don't

ders like silk. Her blood-red lips curl into a smirk as she loo

How desperate. Tell me, Katherine, do you even make enough to

r voices like the ringing of a be

refuse to give her

nce only mak

s, tilting her head. "The king could wipe out all the humans in this clan

old, pale fingers gripping my chin

ld remind you

wrist, she knocks my

e street-delicate petals crush

My throat

dripping with mock innocence.

but I refuse to cry. I won't

s with trembling hands. Even if they are

own, I know

one

tly unspoiled flowers in t

riends fades as they walk away, w

ion burns. Bu

rushing dirt from the petals. I d

have enough to buy bread. My siblings will look at me with hope

I have to find a wa

means swallo

treets again tomorrow, knowing I

or survival in a world where

dom of monsters, I am

m still

ll keep b

er what