Chapter 24 CHAPTER 24
“You're lying,” I breathed, “you're just saying that to scare me into accepting this madness. How is the Academy not a murder ground if stronger people can just do anything and get away with it?”
“Because no one is as weak and useless as you!” Akua snapped at me, forcing me to take a step back. “Do you know how weak you make us look? We're going to be paired with you on the last trial and you're going to make us lose, so I don't even mind if they kill you.”
“Stop being so mean Akua,” Erin breathed tiredly, “she still has six months to get stronger.”
“Or die.”
“Erin?” I called back her attention, hoping to stop hearing my name and death mentioned so casually in the same breath over and over again.
She zipped her clothes before turning towards me.
“What they're saying… they're exaggerating right? I can report to the Principal so Kovar can be punished and this won't happen again… right?”
My heart beat faster as she sighed and walked towards me. She reached out to cover my marks properly with my hair and then handed me clothes.
“Change and come outside,” she instructed and went to join the guys, keeping me in tense suspense.
I'd never showered so quickly before. A large part of my mind was already predicting her response, but I refused to believe it.
Refused to accept the possibility of this being the norm.
The communal showers had been mercifully empty by the time I stumbled in, but I couldn't let anyone see how broken I was. I let the hot water run over me, washing away the glowing blue pool water and the memory of hands dragging me under.
Or at least tried to. I still felt the panic every time I tried to slowly close my eyes so I don't blink back to earth.
Although the option was becoming more appealing as the hours rolled by.
The heat from the hot water stung the bruises blooming on my ankles. Dark, finger-shaped, deliberate.
An attempt to kill me by someone I didn't even know.
Done with the quick shower, I changed into my clothes in the shower stall, dropped the swimming attire where everyone else kept theirs and I rushed out to meet them, ignoring the pain in my joints.
Other students were also emerging from the changing rooms and I caught the weird looks they threw my way so I had to keep quiet and walk with everyone until we got to the cafeteria.
The energy was different here.
Seniors and juniors were all in the same place and I had to hold my lips further until the girls took me to our spot.
“Keep your bag over there,” Erin pointed to the window side, “we'll go get our food and I'll explain everything before you tear out that strand of hair you've been pulling at all morning.”
I quickly pulled my hand out of my hair, I didn't even realise I was doing it, but I was on edge, worried and all I was physically aware of was where my legs were headed. The entirety of my being was dedicated to worrying.
Worrying that I was in deeper crap than I thought.
I hated how my entire existence has been filled with that – worrying.
I just wanted to sleep for one whole week without worrying about anything or fearing for my damn life.
I joined them in the queue, picking up a tray as they did and ignoring the conversations around me.
I'd gone to school and I knew what cafeteria food was, how bland it was supposed to be.
But for some reason, these people were being fed steak, grilled fish, vegetables, and a full-course meal.
The aroma suddenly attacked me, dragging me out of my mind and my eyes widened, my mouth watered as I realized that there was actually something to be enjoyed in this place.
“Shocking right, Ferguson?” I heard Kovar behind me, draining all the excitement in my veins and replacing it with dread and anger.
“Fuck off,” I gritted under my breath before I could stop myself.
“What did you say?” He turned me so effortlessly and I was facing his face.
Why do heartless and cruel people have to look good over here?
“I… nothing,” I muttered and looked down, fear winning over the anger in my blood.
“I thought as much,” he tapped my shoulder. “And I was saying you must be excited to finally see real food, huh?”
I didn't say a word.
“I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!”
“What is happening on the line over there?!” A senior snapped from behind Kovar, and I saw a tiny dose of fear leak into his eyes.
So he could feel that emotion.
Good to know there was something stronger than this bully.
I just needed to report him to Principal Draco so he'd back off.
“Nothing Senior Ansel,” he threw back, and then faced me. “Next time I ask you a question and you don't answer me, you won't be having brunch that day,” she sneered in my face.
And then twisted me around again and pushed me forward, so hard I nearly crashed into Erin's back.
I held my tears at bay, pinched myself so hard to focus on anything but the loud roar in my head and the realization that no one even cared to stop this madness.
I placed my tray and I watched it get filled with more food than I've ever eaten and I couldn't tell them to stop piling it up because I knew the second I open mouth, sobs would follow.
When they finished, I carried my plate and walked towards the table where everyone was already settled.
Erin rubbed my back soothingly as I sat down, but still continued her conversation with Akua and Mira, making me realise I was probably putting her in trouble.
Bullies like that loved to humble as many people as they could, I'd had a fair share of mine when I was younger.
The difference was that I was Erin and I was stronger than everyone else back in my classes on earth.
But here?
No one was as weak as I was.
When she sensed that I was finally calm, she then turned to me, her eyes somber.
“She's not wrong, Alira." Her voice was quiet, resigned. "Kovar's father is Lord Tarven. He sits on the King's Council and is one of the most ruthless men in the kingdom. He is the only one who has a domain all to himself and this makes his power a little bit unchecked except by the King. If you report this, and if the Principal punishes Kovar, his family will see it as an insult. And they'll retaliate."
"But the Principal is the authority in this place. Isn't this supposed to be his own domain?"
"It is but the Principal can't protect you from everything. Politics, family alliances, blood feuds... those things run deeper than academy rules. The academy is the foundation of our society, the deciding factor of who ends up where but that is all it is. A system of selection. Out there, the rules are different. If Lord Tarven decides you're a threat to his son's reputation, he could have you removed from the academy. Or worse."
"Worse?" My voice cracked.
Erin glanced at Mira, then back at me. Her scales seemed to dim in the fading light. They exchanged a look that made me slink deeper into my seat, the food getting cold.
"There was a girl two years ago,” Mira started, and although she was nonchalantly eating, her voice carried dread. “She accused a council member's son of something quite sinister. The Principal investigated, found her claims were true, and of course, punished the boy."
She paused and then looked up at me.
"Three months later, she disappeared. They said she went home. But no one believes that."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
"So you're saying I should just... let it go?" I whispered.
"I'm saying you should survive," Erin said softly, taking a hold of my hand under the table. "Pick your battles. Right now, you're weak. You can't fight them. But if you get stronger, if you survive the year, and you bond with your dragon... then maybe things change. Just stay alive long enough to get strong, okay?"
I nodded numbly, but I wasn't really hearing her anymore.