I try my best to keep up with her but she's too fast, her long legs crossing long strides before I even make one. I wonder how she's able to walk that fast with heels that high. She abruptly stopped, swivelling on one hell and facing me,My speed-walking comes to a sharp halt and I jump back. Lady Calloway silently eyed me, looking as though she wanted to say something,"Did he tell you what to say if anyone asks you any questions at the court?"It wasn't hard to guess who the "He" was so I nodded. After my revelation in his room, Theo had asked me to return to the court, he'd said he would find out answers but I already had one. I let him though, the whole was just as shocking to me. "Good," She made to turn back when I called out her name causing her to freeze.I searched my mind for the best way to phrase the question before settling on, "You know who I am."She cocked a brow, "Of course, Dahlia Winchester." She said with a chin tilt but the sparkle in her told me that she was dan
"This is nice."I twisted my head to look at Paige, her face was tipped towards the sky, eyes closed and there was a relaxed smile on her mouth. I smiled gently, taking another sip from the bottle in our middle.I welcomed the burn and swallowed it down, taking another sip before dropping it back. The warm buzz from the alcohol soothed my system and I relaxed against the bench."It really is," I whispered and she chuckled. I could feel her reaching for the bottle, then I heard the sloshing of the liquid.My eyes popped open just as she dropped the bottle back. The two of us had snuck out after dinner to the courtyard, I'd proposed we get some air but hadn't thought she would bring booze along. When I questioned about the illegal item, she just winked and told me to enjoy the moment. And I was doing just that,"You know, there's something I've been meaning to ask you," She said again, breaking the silence, "I just -" She broke off chuckling and took a big gulp from the bottle, "I was j
Anticipation.That was the only word that I could use to describe the swirling in my gut. My fingers nervously twisted with each other and I chanted a mantra in my head,The third phase would began in a few minutes, bringing about the end of the second round. I was feeling a flurry of emotions; excitement, anxiety and doubt. Nobody had an idea of what we were going to do, we were just asked to gather in this small room. Another portion of the castle, making me wonder just how many rooms were in the palace. I knew it was a big place but I had no idea how expansive it was.The entrance door creaked open and Carissa sauntered, "I apologize for the delay," She said curtly, passing us an emotionless look."She reminds me of a robot," Paige whispered, making my eye dart to her from the corner, "I wonder if she has ever tried smiling."I snorted, covering my mouth with my palm and looking at Cora for a reaction but the girl had a straight face. She wasn't even looking at either of us, her ga
"Time up!"Those words were like music to my ears, my chest pumped up and down, droplets of sweat pouring down my forehead. The needles retracted from my skin and almost immediately the box unlocked. I shakily withdrew my hands from the device, a small choked noise escaping my mouth when I saw the battered state of my palms,"Congratulations," Carissa continued, a smile lighting her face this time, "All thirteen of you made it to the third part of this contest."Thirteen?The number shocked me and I looked around, true enough most of the girls had fled the area leaving me and few others. I spotted Cora who was looking pale and sweaty, Jessica remained as well and her head hung limp, I feared she had fainted from the overwhelming pain. A few of the others girls I recognized, Paige was nowhere to be found so I guessed she must have left earlier."Now, the nurses will tend to your wounds," She clapped her hands and people materialized from nowhere, a young girl my age knelt in front of m
"I'm going to miss you."I wrap my arms tighter, snuggling into her warmth. Paige chuckled, her cold breath blowing against my neck. It had showered lightly this morning, a small indication that the rainy season was on its way, much sooner than we'd all expected.I had thought it was a good omen since the girls were delayed for a bit. But the rain stopped as soon as it started and the evicted contestants were ushered out of the court. I opted to follow Paige to the van, she would be sharing with six other girls that their packs were en route with hers."I'll miss you too," She mumbled, retracting from the embrace. "I'll be rooting for you back home."I smiled at the way she mentioned 'home' like it was for the both of us, although I hadn't even seen the place yet."Take care," I pressed a small kiss on her cheek and she giggled, nodding boisterously."I will, you too."The driver hollered for the girls to get in and everyone started scurrying inside. Paige smiled again at me, giving m
I let out a blood-curdling scream, my fingers scraped against the dirt and my back was arched in a painful angle. I screamed again, this time crying for it to stop. White hot pain ran down my entire body, coursing through my veins and rendering me in total agony,"Stop!" I screamed, nails digging deeper into the moist soil, "Please, stop!"It ended quickly and my body dropped limply against the ground. Theo was quick to rush to my side, cradling my upper body on his lap."Hey," He called gently, pushing the damp tendrils of hair stuck to my face away,I smiled weakly, it felt like a thousand bricks had fallen on my body. I was too weak to move, my limbs laid sprawled messily,"You did good," He said encouragingly causing my lips to quirk. We didn't say a word to each other, silently agreeing to remain on the dirt, his fingers rubbing soothing circles on my face.I clutched his other arm for support, rising to a siting position. I was still too weak to sit on my own so I relaxed my bac
We trudged through the room, my legs dragging against the ground. One of my arm was slung over Cora's shoulder, she had wrapped one hand around my waist, holding me upright,"Come on, we're almost there," She grunted, pulling me forward. I mumbled something under my breath, bobbing my head,She pushed the door open and we walked out the door, the door closing shut behind us. Another crack hit my spine and I gasped, arching back,"What's wrong?" She fearfully asked, clutching my hand, "Are you okay?"I nodded again, muttering a yes. My entire body felt hot, my throat scorched and it felt like I was going to throw up any moment from now."I'm fine," I said, my breaths coming out in short pants. "Fine."She arranged the arm that was on her shoulder and resumed walking, moving slowly. We turned in the direction of the stairs but someone popped out of nowhere, startling both of us,Jessica narrowed her eyes at the two of us, "What the fuck are you two doing?"I felt Cora stiffen beside me
I tried to peer out the tinted windows but it was of no use, everything seemed dark and gloomy from the inside. So I looked back down at my fingers, my leg was bouncing up and down, nervousness twisting in my gut.I still hadn't forgotten what Cora said last night. If what she said was true and I was a hundred percent sure that it was, then we were all in danger today. My eyes slowly went over to the she-devil, she sat across me, her head leaning against the backrest of her chair and her eyes closed.I wanted to punch the satisfied smirk on her face and the more I looked at her, the higher than urge grew. I quickly looked away, my legs bouncing with more aggressiveness now, "Can you stop that?" My eyes flickered to the blonde by my side, She had an irritated expression and her gaze was narrowed, "What you're doing with your legs, It's annoying and loud." I could feel everyone staring at me now and when I looked around, sure enough, I was the object of attention. My cheeks burned and