"Alexis?" I recognized that voice. This was a dream. "Alexis!" The voice strained, unsure what to do. Another series of footsteps charged through, followed by another and then another until I lost count.
Wet. I was wet. My cheeks felt unbearably damp. The paralysis slowly drained from my systems.
A dream. It was a dream.
Forcefully I snapped my eyes open the smell of sulfur disintegrated and sweet chocolate filled my senses instead. Instantly I locked my eyes onto Zee, her expression screamed everything, fear. Absolute fear possibly the overwhelming thought that I was the key to fixing the world, I could remember what she said about me being the 'savior' and Isaiah agreed with her, my mind flowed back to him saying he didn't know why they wanted me and he seemed surprisingly honest. Did he lie to me? If he did, how, why would he choose to slip up like that, right in front of me? Could I trust him?
My shoulders shook with violent force, reality seemed to seep back in. Zee.
Opening my mouth to somewhat reassure her, nothing comes out, only air. I had to catch my breath. I had to calm down. Quickly I placed a cold hand on her warm ones making sure I locked eyes with her, I nodded. Her tense, hunched shoulders relaxed. That was enough for now.
With dry lips and even drier throat, I managed to croak out what I could deduct was a question, "What happened?"
She gave me a ludicrous look like I was the crazy one, she took a seat on the bed, I guess she had quite the shock, but weren't they supposed to be trained for this, it was in their job description to handle crazy, right? "What happened? What happened! Alexis, you were the one screaming, we thought something bad happened, or someone broke in-"
"We?"
She gestured towards the entrance of my room, everyone like everyone was there, which explains the multiple footsteps. This was unbelievably embarrassing, a grown teen that had a nightmare acting like a baby. But that nightmare, that nightmare was so realistic I could have sworn it happened and that sulfur smell afterward. How? Maybe it was a good thing, Evan was safe, home tucked in by now and fast asleep.
Threatening tears nearly started spilling but then I laid eyes on Isaiah, his face held no amusement of any sort, just immense worry, he communicated with his eyes asking if I was okay, quickly I turned, I wasn't a child. One nightmare. No big deal.
I could swear even Elijah looked slightly upset, only slightly his sweatpants hung loosely around his torso, his rigid abs bear covered with intricate tattoos, I could nearly make out, we were all engulfed in mostly darkness except the hall light outside radiating light, that I learned turned on automatically. Leave it to Elijah to be the only one practically naked, Veronica wore a black nightie with blinders wrapped around her head, ready to go back to her 'beauty sleep' even Jordon looked worried. I could make out a musk of chocolate from him too, did he and Zee sleep together? Was that even allowed-
"Alexis!" Her tone came out particularly harsh for Zee, my eyes snapped directly to her "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Shifting upwards with Zee's help, I sat upwards, my face was soaked in tears, even dampening the pillows, bringing up my hand to wipe away the liquid from my face. "Thank you all, I'm okay-"
Something caught my eyes, instantly I stopped. My right arm bared three ruby red, deep, twisted scratches, to the point I was drawing blood. That definitely was not there before. My nails were not remotely long enough to make those marks that deep.
Silence. Complete silence.
Looking through my lashes, Isaiah's eyes met mine, instantly he ran to my bedside, taking my arm in his hands carefully analyzing the damage.
Jordon dragged Elijah who was leaning on the wall obviously confused, "We'll do a perimeter check."
My eyes met Zee's. Trying to be somewhat comforting she placed a hand on my other arm, " They're just checking if we have an intruder. Common procedure." We both knew it was a lie, something would have triggered off their security, it was state of art. But was there really a procedure to this?
Veronica proceeded to start investigating my room, looking out the window as if anyone can survive a first-floor fall. This surely woke her up, her faltering eyes suddenly buzzed with life.
"Alexis," He placed a hand tenderly onto the top of my wound, a little bit too hard, pain shot through my entire arm, I concealed it as best I could but knowingly he always saw through it, " Do you know how you got this?"
Irritated. Confused. Scared. Wasn't the best all mixed together, " Do you think if I knew I wouldn't tell you?" My voice was intended to come out hard, but I wasn't entirely comfortable talking to him in that manner, I know, he was just trying to help.
"I'm sorry Isaiah, it is just all too, well, you know." He knew exactly what I meant, he and I both knew it wasn't an intruder or self-inflicted. So what was it?
His eyes softened only to comfort me, I could see the worry behind it, slowly but surely he placed his hand, cupping my left cheek trying to wipe away the wetness. I know it's stupid but I felt myself slowly leaning into it. It was the only comfort I could hold onto right now. "We'll figure it out together."
With the boys already explaining to us that there was no one around for miles, I think it really dawned on everyone that this was deadly serious, eradicating the threat of an intruder instead was something we all could cling to, even hoped for, anything was better than the truth. But to our dismay, the boys extinguished our hope. My hope. Privately they chose to talk from earshot away from me, probably what they thought was for my own good. As if. They practically had to pry Isaiah away from me, he was so reluctant to go that when he left his fire and warmth died with him, at least I had Zee still by my side she thought it was best for me not to be left alone. I couldn't help but agree with her, silently of course. If they were nervous, how should I be feeling? Fearful? Scared? After their private get-together, all the boys stormed back into the room, Veronica still lingered in the hallway like she was anxious to come close to me, not sc
Chapter five My eyes felt heavy, my breath hitched, my body weak and despite it being morning since the sunlight ripped through the curtains I was still undoubtedly finished. Sleep didn't seem enough for me currently, maybe it was because I couldn't get enough of it or maybe because I didn't want to. Stress does extraordinary things to your body. I felt his presence before I heard his voice, "Good morning." My eyes flickered to him, Isaiah, standing towards the door fully clothed, holding a bottle of purple thick liquid, his eyes traveled down to the bottle too, "Oh I made a smoothie for you, you were fast asleep I thought you needed all the rest you could get, " Smiling he handed me the bottle, "Apples, grapes, and strawberries. I thought you'd prefer that over the protein-packed one we're required to drink, doesn't taste as good." Gratefully I accepted the bottle with my non-injured hand, his eyes glazed over to my bandaged one, "How's
It was hard getting ready with one damaged hand, but Zee being the type of person she is, helped me with everything. The pain was slowly subsiding and the pain killers seemed to be doing their job well enough. The soft fabric clung tightly to my skin, I guess they didn't wear anything loose-fitting. Tight black athletic wear pants and a sleeveless top. It looked relatively normal, nothing overly fancy like yesterday, for that I was grateful. Veronica insisted on wearing makeup and edged on forcing me to, when it was clear that at least for now nothing particle-filled will be even touching my face she dropped the subject. We were about to 'train', that meant physical activity, right? Wouldn't she just sweat the makeup off? Or was it so easy for her that she didn't even break a sweat? But weren't they forbidden to wear makeup or were those rules just a 'guideline' meant to be there but not meant to be fully followed?
Hastily I nodded, knowing that if I spent a moment of hesitation, I would just chicken out. And I needed this training, I had no idea how to protect myself. So I guess it's essential for survival. "Okay." Leading me to a training mat, he looked into my eyes, there were gentle, soft, somewhat understanding, "Don't worry. It's you're first time, I'm not going to go full out, Alexis. We'll build you up there, and one day you'll be as good as me, maybe even better." Despite him smiling up reassuringly, the only question that seemed to burn through my head was how long did I really have? Not even Isaiah could soften that worry. I tried to muster up what was my best attempt of a smile, it didn't seem to convince him, but he took what he could get. "Right. Position your body like this." His hands grabbed my waist, even though I was clothed I swear I still feel his bare skin, the burning and the tingling sensation I was feeling was so enticing a
Chapter six "Here. " Elijah said, handing me a pack of cold, frozen peas without hesitation I took it pressing in it quickly onto the nape of my neck, the pain sizzled out and I finally let out the breath I was involuntarily holding. "I'm guessing you need it." He chuckled the deep sound vibrating in the spacey room. Veronica was undoubtedly right, that was the three most gruesome hours of my being. But I learned a few things, how to hold the Blocking Position and how to execute a few oncoming attacks. Isaiah, though strict taught exceptionally well that I couldn't fault him on that. "Alexis," He spoke, I felt myself looking up at him, it must have been something in his voice that grabbed my attention but I couldn't figure out what, " You did good today." His green eyes concentrated on mine, suppressing down the lump in my throat, smiling, I answered back. "Thank you." His bold eyebrows scrun
Deciding that I was also too exhausted for another game I got up making my way towards the kitchen. This time I'd force Zee to accept my help and I'd leave no room for her to even utter the word no. Noticing Isaiah following behind me, I couldn't help but smile this past couple of days were trying to say the least but he's been there the best he could, the best that I'd let him anyway. Sweet, pleasurable aroma of food wafted as I got closer. With all the extra, excessive training I had to endure, I was constantly hungry and Zee's food was the only thing that made me feel like I had more than enough. The glass table held different varieties each and every night, this time I was graced with; big, shallow bowl filled to the brim of cooked plantain, pasta mixed with vegetables, a fat roast chicken situated in the middle, multiple salmon bombarded with different spices. No need to say, but it all looked undeniably delectable. It always baffle
"Veronica that's enough!" Zee's voice boomed through the room silencing even Veronica. Her chocolate eyes turned a shade darker. I've never seen her like this, I've never seen her so, well so angry. I instantly hated myself for turning her this way, this was my fault, all my fault. I should never have ran away, I should never have gone into the woods, that way me and Isaiah would never have met and our destiny could be rewritten. "You know better than to attack someone when they clearly aren't in the right space to defend themselves. Don't lose the morals that were instilled in us." This time her voice held all the authority, I could tell no one expected this from her, not even Jordon. "Veronica. Sit. Down. Or. Leave." Each word, each pause emphasized, neither girls were backing down, Zee held her ground equally as Veronica did, "Okay. Then leave. Now." It was clear by the tone of her voice her command held no room for argument. Her eyes flickered onto each in
Two bodies dropped. Isaiah. No. Steadily getting up from my knees, my eyes connected with Zee's, she finally looked up. So many emotions in one pair of eyes, it was scary to look at. Forcing my head around. I didn't want to come to terms with it. I didn't want to come to terms that he was dead. Isaiah was dead. One body laid in front of me, cramped at my feet, blood freely flowing, Isaiah stood opposite me, still recovering from his initial shock, his gun facing down. He didn't take the shot, it wouldn't have been possible. Two shots. There were two shots. So I would have been dead. Then my eyes followed his. Veronica mounted, slumped onto the wall, head hung low, the gun falling out of her hand clattering loudly against the polished floor, a layer of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, her eyelids shut closed, a hole in her heart. Dead.