Chapter 43

Alissa sat playing with the cereal in her bowl, she didn't feel like eating. She hadn't seen Luca for three days since the day the Council came. She was desperate to talk to him but he had locked himself away. Kristen sat eating toast trying to engage her friend in conversation. Alissa gave one word responses only. “What's wrong with you?!” Kristen gave a little exasperated noise.

“Nothing,” Alissa replied glumly. Everything was wrong, nothing felt right.

Luca walked in, both Alissa and Kristen sat up slightly. He hesitated for a moment before walking past the girls sat at the table. “Woah, Luca.” Kristen wrinkled her nose as he went past. Alissa had smelt it too, a sour sickly sweet smell came from him making her nostrils flare. Luca merely ignored his sister and started making toast. Alissa looked him over. He looked terrible, his usually perfectly combed and waxed hair was unwashed and sticking up in odd places. His eyes, bloodshot with dark rings under them. She felt a pang of sa