So suddenly, Gail and Simone were killed. I could be killed just as quickly, wiped off the face of the planet. It felt like I had a target on my forehead, and there was nothing that I could do to shake the constant feeling of unease and fear. It trailed me like a shadow, gripping my shoulders and refusing to free me.
Noise drifted from the food hall as students chatted and ate at the tables scattered around the large room. I stepped inside, feeling a weight drop on my shoulders that could’ve brought me down to my knees. It was probably all in my head, but it felt like everyone’s eyes were on me as I walked to the side to grab a tray of whatever mush was being served today.
I reached the serving counter and peered down at a plate of bland pasta with limp noodles and a tablespoon of tomato sauce. At least there was a piece of toasted bread with it to make it somewhat salvageable, but my stomach was already starting to churn for a reason other than the questionable food. I grabbed the tray and turned toward the tables, my eyes sweeping over them to find one to sit at.
I usually sat with the Kings, but that wasn’t going to happen anymore. I needed to sit as far away from them as possible. Unable to help myself, I looked toward the Kings’ table, being struck by a sinking feeling at the sight of Erin and Poppy seated next to Arvo and Zephyr. It had been a while since I last saw them there.
Now, I was the outcast. I wasn’t the special girl. That struck me harder than I expected it to. It was nice being a King’s girl. He had my back. He made sure no one treated me with disrespect. He gave me attention and affection that no one else would ever experience.
A lump formed in my throat as I found an empty table to sit at on the other side of the food hall. Despite everything, I missed Zephyr. At so many instances, he made me feel so alive, so cared for. Then, there were other instances where he made me fear for my life. We had such a chaotic relationship, but I felt empty and alone without him.
I didn’t look their way the entire time that I ate. I didn’t want to catch Zephyr’s gaze and see how he looked at me with disgust. I didn’t want to see Arvo smirking at me. I already felt humiliated being outcast to a table in the corner all by myself. I suspected that things wouldn’t get that much better moving forward either.
I stuck the last bite of my bread into my mouth before standing from the table and putting the tray up. Not looking behind me, I hurried out of the food hall and down the hallway toward the door that led out to the courtyard. I needed distance from them. It hurt too much being near them, especially as they ignored me and focused back on Erin and Poppy.
I remembered when they’d tossed Erin and Poppy aside, favoring me. The girls had been beyond pissed, but they couldn’t touch me. They knew what that would mean for them if Zephyr found out. Now, the situation was reversed.
I strode through the courtyard as a light drizzle sprinkled down on me, quickly putting one foot in front of the other. Then, something struck the front of my ankle, tripping me and making me tumble over. I hit the ground in a section of mud with a pained groan, my shoulder aching from the impact. I glanced around to see what I tripped over, spotting a thin rope tied to two trees on either side of me.
My heart thumped heavily as I tried to hurry up and push myself to my feet. That rope had been put there on purpose, and a dark feeling made me think that it had been put there for me. The mud was slippery beneath my hands and knees, and I knew that my clothes were ruined.
“Oh, no, no. You’re not going anywhere!” Erin’s voice sounded from behind me.
I suddenly felt a kick to my side, knocking me right back over. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth, placing my hand on the aching spot as rain fell down on me. I tilted my head up and saw Erin, Poppy, and a few other cohorts walking toward me from the trees they hid behind. All I could think was that I was doomed. I’d pissed them off, and I couldn’t fight them off.
“You stole the Kings away from us, you bitch!” Poppy spat at me as she reached down to grab the front of my shirt. She yanked so hard that the top of my collar ripped. With a smirk on her face, she kept yanking.