~Jada
I’m mortified.
There’s a smile on Kael’s face, but it’s subtle. I’m ashamed the answer came out like that, as a lie. Within the depths of me, I knew the answer would come out as a lie, however, I was hoping it wouldn’t come through. This is quite the technology. I bet Alpha Alden of the Wisdom Pack is proud of this one.
“Ask another question,” I say quickly, staring down at my knuckles rather than Kael’s face. I can feel his eyes looking down at me, waiting for the reaction that he is looking for. Little does he know he won’t get it. “Actually, ask that question again.”
~JadaCruel.Cruel was the first word that came to mind once those words left his mouth. Initially, there was no way I was about to believe him. As far as I was aware, we aren’t even halfway through competition, so with him saying that, I assumed immediately this is some kind of test to gauge my reaction.As serious as Kael is, I wouldn’t put it past him to use this as a test against us all. Swallowing uncomfortably, I lean back in my chair, refusing to look affected by this. I can’t believe him, and I won’t believe him.When I
~JadaI don’t like the idea of being alone with Blue.With Kael gone, quiet has fallen over the group. The look in Blue’s eyes is so intense, I have to look anywhere but him. Out of all these Silent’s, it’s surprisingly the one I know who frightens me the most. Now that Kael has left, most of them turn to each other to mutter under their breath, whereas Blue concentrates on only me.“Come outside with me,” Blue says in a way that is less of an offering and more of a demand. I bristle, however, I don’t react with anything other than a nod. “I want to test your skills to see what we have to work with.”
~JadaI took me a moment to process that.Here for me? That doesn’t make any sense. I mean, Blue looks familiar, but I know for a fact I don’t have any surviving family. No one has reached out to me since, and no one has expressed any care for my position. So staring at Blue, hearing him say that to me fills me with a strange sense of anger.He seems to notice my expression morphing to personify my emotions, jumping to explain himself further. “It might not make sense now, but there’s little I can say. If anyone hears, we might both get in trouble.”
~JadaThe night came by quickly.Kael went back to his own manor, leaving us in temporary housing for the night before we would be shipped off elsewhere in the morning. Ace and I returned to our rooms after we were fed dinner in the Silent’s building which had once been where the trainers resided. It was beyond awkward sitting with them all.They talked between themselves about things I wasn’t clued in on. Ace kept to himself on the other end of the table and I did the same. I kept my head down, eating my dinner quickly before running back to my room.
~JadaI didn’t have time to question my dreams the next day.A Silent whose name I don’t know knocked on my door and demanded I get up and met everyone on the front field. I barely had time to get myself together, throw my hair into a ponytail before I grabbed my things and left. Once I closed the door to my room, I realise this is the last time I’ll be here. The last time I’ll know what is coming next.I didn’t see Ace on my way there, which is a small mercy. Now I’m assuming he’s going to try stay far away from me after I tried to find out more about his past. I’m going to take a step back now.
~JadaI didn’t get much sleep last night.Jess’s words clung to me, even during the trek to the next camping spot. At least by the end of it, my aching feet and sore back distract my mind enough. I’m not going to listen to what the rest of the Silent’s have to say. I’m sure they are just messing around with us, telling fake stories and luring us to believe something that isn’t true.If it’s some kind of initiation, I don’t like it. I’m not sure why they are out to get me in particular, since Ace isn’t getting any of their attention. He just lingers on the outside, head down. He passes by everyone’s radar.
~JadaI couldn’t get to Axel from here.Everyone crowded around him, asking him where he has been. He must be fairly popular if everyone is so interested in where he has been. Of course, they refer to him as Blue, the name he has gone by thus far as a Silent. It reminds me to keep my mouth shut on what I know and others don’t.So without anyone noticing me, I back away from the group and slink back to my tent. When I glance over my shoulder Kael is watching me, but luckily he doesn’t question it, most likely assuming I’m just tired.
~JadaAxel paid me no mind the next morning.We packed up all our belongings and started our walk again. Axel didn’t come near me, and I didn’t come near him. He walked at the front of the group and I stuck to the back, trying to think of how to deal with this. Should I tell someone and get him removed from the Silent’s, or should I keep it to myself?It doesn’t seem right to tell Kael about it. He sacrificed everything for me. I might not agree with why he did it, and how he feels now about me, but I can’t have his entire career taken from me because of a crush.