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.
.
The miscreants were still shouting, going about entertaining themselves with whatever seemed great. There was a huge bonfire, crackling in the distance. Heavens knew whatever they needed it for. Then there was me, a thousand goosebumps running up my cool skin, as the little hairs on the back of my neck stood upright. Athena's dark eyes didn't betray signs of a joke. She looked straight at me like she was daring me to deny it.
I swallowed, and slowly looked around like Hayden could be somewhere watching me, but all I saw was the increasing violence of the night, and Valen's confused look. I looked back at Athie.
"How… does he do that?" I asked her.
"I don't know," she shrugged.
"How did you know?" Valen asked her.
"I'm smart. I figured," she replied, and something like a faint blush appeared on her cheeks as her eyes acquired a distant look. It was the first I'd seen on her, "When we were back in middle school. I think it was in Flowas… ah sorry. To you, that would be the second year of middle school. So when we were in our second year of middle school, he had a thing for me, I guess. Instead of coming naturally like a person to know more about me, he spied on me, and some really awkward things happened, but hey, it's all in the past. Then I noticed when he preys on people he needs to punish or prank, there's always one of his mirrors broken somewhere on the site of… " she paused, her eyes flicking back to me sharply, "you know, I'm talking too much. Bye," she suddenly stormed off like she'd said too much when she'd barely even said anything.
"Athie, wait!" I called out, but Valen stopped me from going after her.
"Did you hear that last part? Broken somewhere on the site of…?" He asked, and I nodded.
"I did."
"She knows something about the rumors surrounding Hayden. Site, in terms like this, usually means site of the crime, or site of the murder," his amber eyes seemed to tingle with some kind of excitement. Maybe Valen was just waiting for something that interesting to happen with someone a little close to him. But no. Not when I'm at the center.
"No. Come on, don't fill my head with insane stuff," I muttered, walking away. He followed after me, "You know, I'm not about to believe Hayden is watching me so he can kill me because I took his room from him. That's really childish. I can stay in the living room if he wants. If it's because he doesn't like my parents, or my dad or whatever, he can have it out with them, not me."
Valen put his arm around my shoulder, "Fear, is that you?" He grinned, flicking my earring with his finger; I rolled my eyes.
"I've barely gotten over that hyena, and you guys want to make me believe Hayden is going to kill me? He's been protecting me all night. Surely, he's not going to kill me," I reinforced, as we re-entered the hall, and was only yanked back in time to prevent being knocked down by some creature that sped out of the hall real fast.
"What the!?" I exclaimed, my hand over my chest, as I looked out the door. The creature didn't even stop!
"Forget it," Valen said, pulling on my arm, although I spent a few more seconds watching the creature, before turning back to the view before me.
The host was seated on the stage, his elbows on his desk, fingertips together against his face like he was praying. His eyes were closed, and the peaceful aura about him made it feel like he was unaware of all the violence around him. Above him was a giant clock ticking slowly.
"Is this whole thing timed?" I asked Valen, who had taken out a mirror from his pocket, his arm finally off my shoulder.
"Obviously. Everyone's fighting to be King, while some fellow hides the crown," he said, adjusting his white hair, smiling into the mirror at his handsome face, "do you have some gloss? My lips are dry. I think I should change these earrings too. They look dull."
"They're just fine, Valen. By the way, why is everyone fighting to be King and Queen?"
"Respect, Honor," he answered without skipping a beat, "It also shows strength. You know, survival of the fittest. You get to represent Mysia High at events. If you're not a prefect, you get high chances of being one, and boy, prefects in Mysia are the coolest things ever. Like superheroes the humans adore. They have power, authority, the best rooms, the best books, extra lessons, training and practicing rooms. They have access to the teachers' facilities. They have whatever food they want.
"They also have, like, millions of followers on M Cube, who want to know what they do with their day. Goshhh, I can't wait! My date says she's going to find the crown. She's a witch, so I'm trying to believe she's going to do something impressive, but she's taking too long. If only I just spotted the crown, I'd be a bad foxie. I'mma manipulate the bitch into giving me that shit," he said, and went back to retouching his hair in his mirror.
"That was a very long speech," I said dryly, the sound of my heels drowned in all the noise. The idea wasn't really entertaining to me, but I understood how much people lusted for power, and the feeling of having everything at their fingertips. Would it be okay if someone like Hayden had that power?
Did he even want it?
Maybe he did?
Maybe if I got it for him, he would reconsider whatever ill thoughts he had towards me. Or maybe he had no ill thoughts towards me, and everyone was just overthinking the whole thing.
"Valen!" A tiny-voiced lady called, and Valen rolled his eyes.
"Oh, save me, Christ," he mumbled, before turning to her with a bright smile, "Kaylee!"
I turned to see a rather short witch, wearing just a panty and a bra with a cape on. My laughter couldn't wait. I had to spin around as my face cracked into a large smile. It took me biting into my lips to keep myself from smiling.
Is that the date that picked Valen, or the one he picked?
No wonder he was happy she was going to get the crown all by herself. Why would anyone want to walk with you in your underwear?
I looked at Valen, who was being dragged away. He spotted me trying not to laugh, and gave me his middle finger. Finally, I was able to burst into laughter, watching them go. Who did she think she was? Mother Malcon? Superman? Or wonder woman?
Finally, my laughter subsided, and I realized I was alone once more. Towards my left, a group of creatures were torturing someone.
In the air, a girl, jerked, twitching horribly, her face going white, as she was being strangulated by something invisible.
The laughing idiots suddenly took a couple who were both wearing glasses, and strung them up.
"No, no, please no! I promise we're not even looking for the crown!" The guy begged, as he struggled to breathe.
"Ah! How can someone like me be... ah, please..." the girl cried, her legs also twitching and dangling.
Rage built up within me like dangerous heat, mixed with fear. I looked from the silent Host on the stage to the wicked bags of scum. Forget about the host. He was completely out of this world.
I thought they weren't allowed to kill each other in Mysia.
I took my first step towards them, my foot heavy
What are you doing, Ceci??
I didn't know, but I just couldn't walk away. The looks of pure agony and fear on the victims' faces were too much. As they let out shrieks—pleas for help, my legs jerked in their direction. Yes, my heart was thumping, but my brows were knitted. My lips were pulled firmly, and my eyes blazed daggers. I was running towards them now, unable to hold back, and the moment I broke into the large circle above which she was held up, I pulled on her legs, and tried bringing her down. However, it seemed to suffocate her the more.
"Stop!" I shouted, "bring them down!"
It was horrible! My heart clenched. I couldn't imagine being strangulated in the midst of so many people, yet no one was moved to help.
Mysia was safe? My parents really thought so? Or wasn't this the Mysia they remembered?
And then the rage took over. I gave up tugging, and turned straight to the girl whose hand was held up high, her fingers bent as she controlled the invisible cord. With all my strength, I pushed her on the chest hard, and she fell to the floor.
"Stop!" I roared.
She lost her focus, and their three hostages fell to the floor.
She looked at me, shocked.
My chest rose and crashed heavily, my nostrils flared.
It was then I realized all eyes were on me.
I was now the main focus.