“Is there a problem now?” I asked the girls, stamping down, with all of my will, the panic that was threatening to rise to the surface at the prospect of me being bullied in the store room. I could see one of the girls, Nina, bring out her phone from the slice in her jacket. They were going to video whatever was going to transpire here, whatever they were about to do. For a full minute, I regretted stopping here to eavesdrop. But then, would I have escaped this? They would have still waited for me. It was better that I had even eavesdropped. That way, I did have some hold over them. But then, I knew that I couldn’t use it now. It would be forcibly taken away, and my leverage would be gone before it could even be used. No, I couldn’t do that. But then, what do I do? How do I get free from this entanglement? I wondered, wishing almost frantically, that Raul would come here, to perhaps take something or anything at all. I wished that would come to check on me, and taunt me. During
‘Move, big head.’ The voice came from inside my head, just at the same time I felt a flurry of energy scurrying from my belly down to my leg; and then I was at the other side of the room all of a sudden, right across Chyra, who was looking at me with an open mouth. What just happened? One moment I was there, and now I was here?I looked at the wall where I had been reclining against, and it now had a dent on it. Something that would only knock me unconscious? That would have left my entire face bleeding! My annoyance got beaten down when I compared the distance from where I had been to where I was. Unless I was a cheetah, there was no way I would have moved that fast. What happened? I asked myself again, trying to check inside my head where the strange voice had spoken from. Move, big head? What was that? Who was that?I attempted talking to it mentally, but nothing came up. ‘Who are you? Why are you inside my body?’ No reply came. Was it a wolf? I shook my head. The pack
“You call her by name too? Who do you think you are? I don’t care if you descended from the goddess directly, I won’t take this lightly from you!” Oh, it’s because of that then. I looked at the other females. They were astonished. But I had remembered to put the Queen title right? So, what was the big deal? No one was allowed to say Aliana together with the title? Or was it reserved for the elites of the so called communistic community? “I didn’t call her by her name. I added the Queen title; in case you were deaf to that.” “We are not allowed to do that, at least not us.” The same Gabriella, her voice still of the same tempo, although she sounded like I would turn on her. I would have loved to tell her I wasn’t like Chyra and the others, but this didn’t seem like a good place and time for buttering. “Oh, I didn’t know that. Apologies then, Chyra. You can leave with your friends.” Gena and Nina tightened their hands on their bags. Nina bent even and took Chyra’s bag which Gabr
I got home, and just like last time when I had stood up to Prof. Bulock, nobody said a word to me until I had eaten and freshened up. It was a bit comforting in its predictability. I could feel the weight of their gazes, though, as I moved from one hut to the other, heavy with unspoken questions and concerns. My thoughts too remained a tangled mess as I tried to make sense of what had happened earlier. I was as confused as them. I had questions just like them. Like who exactly was I? Why did I have a voice in my head? How had I expended such power? It was magic, and then something else. The voice in my head had accentuated that theory. But what could it be? A wolf? A Jaguar? What exactly? My mind reverted back to the strange dreams that had been popping up since I had been thrown into the holding cell by Adam’s father.The dreams have depicted me hungering for blood. Which species of supernatural had that? Research Maya, research. I couldn’t talk to Laura and her family about th
My heart rate spiked when Peter stepped aside, and allowed the Queen to enter the sitting room. Of course I knew why she was here. Or rather, what occasion had brought her here. I just wasn’t sure if she was here to administer punishment or banish me.The Queen moved gracefully, just like always, entering properly into the room. Her eyes never left mine. The room seemed to hold its breath as she approached me. I felt a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. What could she possibly want to tell me?"Maya," She said, her voice gentle yet commanding. "We have much to discuss."My family stood by, their expressions a mix of worry and fear. But not confusion. Not that. They had known that it was only a matter of time until the Queen had visited.There was not a word said to break the silence, not even a greeting to welcome the royal woman into the house. They watched, still standing, as she walked to the sofa nearest to me and sat down.“Please have your seats.” Everyone moved to theirs
I sat there, on the couch, my mind racing, as Queen Aliana ruminated on her thoughts, and probably her next words. It would be foolish of me to believe she had come to commend me sincerely, that suddenly she had sidelined my lies and deception which she knew of. No. I knew better. After all, I had the tape in my bag, the one with the incriminating evidence against her. The Queen was evil, and I had proof of her dark deeds, at least against Zande.I watched her closely, trying to keep my expression neutral. No matter what she said or did, I couldn't let her see my true feelings. The tape in my bag might feel too heavy to carry as a secret, but keeping it was necessary. I had to keep it safe. It was my only weapon against her. I wasn’t sure when I would be using it, but I won’t be taking chances. Not at all.The Queen smiled at me, whilst I made my decisions, but it didn't reach her eyes. I shut down the animosity that rose up my chest as a bile would and forced a bland, polite loo
Peter had made sense. To take Levina whilst on my quest to see the Queen. But did it matter? Wouldn’t Levina be stopped by the guards? The Queen's guards were notorious for their vigilance. Diana had mentioned that to me, during one of the times she had regaled me with stories about the palace and its features. So, Levina might not even get through the gate, let alone into the Queen’s chambers. The Queen would have informed the guards that she had sent for only me.I huffed.But what did the Queen want with me, anyway? My mind raced with questions and doubts.She had talked about plans. What plans could I be of use to, in this unrefined state of mine? Or was she just making small talk?I stood up from my seat down suddenly, to the surprise of Laura and Peter, and started to pace the living room, wringing my hands at intervals. Levina’s presence was supposed to provide some sort of protection, but I was sure it wouldn’t be enough or even necessary. The Queen was powerful and unpredi
Was this how painful siblings fighting was? I thought, almost rubbing my chest at the stub of pain that was festering there. I had thought it was only a broken heart from a broken relationship with a lover that could cause this hurt, but the more I watched Diana fuming and probably cussing me in her head, the more the pain increased. I haven’t experienced it before, because I hadn't had a sibling, ever. Lent and Lilian hadn’t been siblings. They had been plain thorns in my flesh. But it was different with Diana. I and Diana, despite the short amount of time we have known each other, were closer, loved each other, and had a deeper relationship than I even had with my foster father. But still then, I didn’t regret making the report to Laura and Peter, even though she was boring holes into my head, even though Laura and Peter were looking at me in disappointment. Better now than later, or rather better late than never. “You both should come over here, and sit down. Seems, we have a
Because the beast’s voice could be heard by all in the field, and maybe even outside of the field, I used magic to amplify my voice, so that everyone could hear me speak too. So, when the crowd erupted in mild shouts and mutterings at the previous words of the Queen, they echoed affirmations after mine; affirmations mixed with amusement at the nonchalancy in my voice and then anger at the Queen for breaking the laws that had been in place for many years. The beast obeyed. He turned his mighty head and stared at the Queen, whose hands were shaking. Out of nerves or shock or anger, I wasn’t sure. But her cool composure was gone. “Well, to be fair to the Queen, she didn’t call you out…” The beast grunted, in confusion I was sure, if the thinning of his eyes were anything to go by. “Who called me then? Only she has the power to call us out…” “Well…” I smirked, and pointed at a Rachel who was shaking with fear beside her mother. Oh well, she was scared of what she had conjured? Inte
Rachel stood still even when the crowd was shouting ‘Fight!’ ‘Fight!’ like a mantra. I knew she wanted me to attack first. “I’ve been watching you fight, and you have never attacked first, well apart from your last match….” She started, placing her hands on her waist.“Well, that’s a stupid deduction to make. I’ve only fought two contestants. Didn’t your mother teach you that, when she taught you how to fight with the subtle magic, when she taught you how to cheat in the competition?” I shot back, a smirk appearing on my lips.Her eyes widened, and her composure disintegrated by a meaningful portion, as she looked around her, to check if the others were hearing. “Tsk, your family is terribly disgusting. You want me to attack you? Then you will have it. Don’t regret it though. There’s a reason I don’t attack first. I thought my last battle would have explained that, but it seems you are slow…” I said, right before I advanced toward her. She jerked back, as I approached, causing me t
Laura’s infamous meat sauce would have been enough reason to win this last battle, even if the Queen’s rewards hadn't been attached to it. Thinking of it now as I sauntered into the battlefield brought out the hunger pangs that had managed to stay hidden for a while, under the layer of fruits and water. I was hungry. “Wait, until I am done with this.” I muttered to myself, flexing my hands. Laura should have better prepared my favorite meal to celebrate my win, because I wouldn’t settle for less. Not when my mind was already clouded with meat sauce. Rachel was already waiting for me in the field, her arms folded across her chest, disdain notable in her eyes. I didn’t bother mirroring the same, I just wanted to be done with this, so that I could go home and eat. ‘That’s a good attitude, keep it up.’ El spoke then, causing me to pout. ‘Is that sarcasm?’ She chuckled. ‘Not at all. It’s good that you’re not nervous, considering the principal’s insight, considering that it lowers you
Rachel won her own fight. But it had been by a sharp luck; the senior had been varsed in combat, very varsed, despite her not so big stature. Probably why the organizers had linked her to Rachel; they had thought it would be an easy defeat. After her match, the Queen had called for a little recess, so that the final contestants could have some rest before the last phase of the competition. It was why I was reclining on the chair in my tent, drinking an energy mix that Laura had given me. “I’m sure that the Queen is giving Rachel some tools on how to fight you, some tricks. You have to be careful out there, Dora…” Diana spoke, with a disgusted expression on her face. “That woman can be so sneaky.” She added, placing her arm around my shoulder. “If you win Rachel, I will give you my meat sauce for a week.” I laughed then, unable to hold it this time around. Diana was a darling. “Deal!” I shouted, jamming fists with her, whilst her parents and Levina watched on with wide smiles on th
My second opponent was the senior that had tried to bully me in the hallway a few days ago; that had tried to instigate me to fight her so that I would be disqualified from the competition. She was prancing around the field like an overzealous proud horse, getting cheers from the crowd. I thought she looked hilarious. I was going to win her. That was a given; not because I was proud, but because I had no choice. I had no choice than to make her eat her words, than to make her regret troubling me that fateful day. My quiet demeanor was mirrored by Rachel and her family. At intervals, I looked at the people in the crowd, at the Queen, at her. It was as if they knew that the senior was making noise. A noise that was uncalled for. Rachel, especially, had a bored look on her face. She knew I would win, never mind that it wouldn’t be pleasing to her. When I had won Courtney, I had seen the dread that had flirted past her face, right before she conditioned her countenance to stoicness. Sh
The battle was over before the senior knew it. With swift movements that I had never learned in any training, I started to free myself from the painful hold of the senior. It was like my hands and feet knew exactly what to do, guided by some unseen force, guided by El.I twisted and turned, using techniques that felt instinctive yet unfamiliar to me. With each move, I could feel my opponent's grip loosening. I managed to break free and turn the tables. Now, I was the one in control.I didn't hesitate. El didn’t hesitate to attack. It was like a dance, each step calculated and precise. I surprised myself with my own agility and strength. El was not just guiding my body, but also my mind, giving me the confidence to face my opponent head-on.I dodged punches and countered with moves that I didn't even know I was capable of. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. But I trusted El; she wouldn’t let me down.Soon enough, I gained the upper hand. The senior was struggling to k
The fight was against ourselves. Since we were just eight contestants, we were paired against each other in a duel. But the announcer had picked out rumpled papers in a bowl to know who we would be contesting against. For my first time, I was selected to duel with the senior that had bothered to speak with me after my victory in the magic prowess session. We were both surprised to be fighting each other, but we had no choice but to advance to the field when our names were called by Professor Zokel. We had been the last in the list too. The others had fought, and now there were only three females moving to the final; three and whoever would win this duel that was about to happen. “I had never imagined to be pitted against you, Dora. But I will make it quick. You have outlasted than we all had gambled for, a feat, but it comes to stop now.” I nodded slowly, not knowing what to say. The seniors had gambled on my position in the contest? Did anyone gamble for my win? “Did anyone gambl
Standing in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by the never ending, echoing applause and cheers of the people, I felt a rush of emotions surge through me. The silence that had enveloped the arena moments ago, as I wielded my magical powers, was now replaced by this overwhelming cacophony of approval. It was surreal, almost like a dream I never dared to dream.I turned towards my family, their voices rising above the rest, shouting my name with unabashed pride. They had been there from the beginning, believing in me even when I doubted myself. Then I saw Adam. He was sitting two bleachers behind his family. And his smile stood out—bright and wide, his eyes shimmering with a mix of admiration and wonder. I couldn't help but touch the scarf he had given me, a talisman of his support and friendship.Friendship? We will see about that. I wondered if he had confided in his brothers about the change of the status quo. I didn’t think so.Bowing graciously to the audience, I savored the m
As I stood in the midst of the expansive field, chosen for the competition for its grandeur and open skies, doubt crept into my mind like tendrils of mist on a cool morning. My earlier dose of courage had evaporated.The memory of Rachel’s captivating rain dance rather haunted me. The way she effortlessly commanded the elements, enthralling every eye and heart in the audience. Could I match that? Did I have what it takes? I could. And I did. But what do I create? The judges were still talking animatedly about Rachel’s magical display. How do I get their attention?I clenched my fists, trying to dispel the doubts that threatened to paralyze me. "You are capable, Maya," I whispered to myself, my voice almost lost in the rustling of the wind through the tall grass. I needed to win this competition, not just for myself but for my family, and for my pride. A movement caught my eye, and I turned to see her – Rachel with that infuriating smirk playing on her lips. She knew she had the upper