Chapter 30 #4
He flips me around, turning my back to him. My face hits the wall as he grips my hands behind me, clasping something cold and firm around my wrist.
“Pesh!” My lips utter his name.
“Shh,” his deep voice whispers like an addictive mist to my skin.
He lets go of my hands and flips me back to face him. He stares so gently, the golden sun reflecting against his sculptured skin. And my eyes can’t help but glide up into the depths of his soft gaze, before I look down to see that he locked a golden band on my wrist.
My mouth opens to ask him about it just as the rain dies down, but he grabs my tongue before my words can escape, kissing me mercilessly.
It feels so vigorous and addictive at the same time.
His presence is a drug that I crave, and he’s using this drizzling rain in his best interest, seeing that I am drenched.
His hands are flying all over my body, the deep of my waist, the depth of my curves, consuming every part, swallowing every part. I don’t know how he can aim so precisely and yet get everything at the same time. I had better win now.
My eyes look up into his. Gosh, he’s so intense. My lips mutter, and I don’t know why it comes out in a whisper, “What was that for?”
“When you win, you become my Sachi.”
“You’re placing your bet on me?” My eyes spark.
“When you win.” Emphasis on “when.” His hand caresses my blushing cheeks.
Why are my cheeks blushing? Why is red showing through my sunkissed skin? My first bet. Wow. But Patrons don’t even bet on Sachiselection. Teachers are the ones who hand us to them. The pressure is on. Just breathe, Shantavia. You can do this.
“I thought Patrons only bet on Lerod selections?” I say.
“So did I. So don’t owe me.”
“Mm…” I nod, eyes lowering to the ground, and my head continues to nod. Then I realize, and stop. “Thank you!” I say, looking up into his eyes.
His rays trace me. Dearly. Strongly. He leaves.
I won’t lie, that was quite addicting and energizing at the same time.
I glance down at my pocket, and that’s when I see it—a letter from my grandparents telling me how proud they are of me.
Pesh must have sent a message to them. That’s so sweet.
Even though I couldn’t be with them, it’s nice to know that they’re thinking of me.
Just as I exhale, about to leave… darkness precedes my steps, chilling me.
Something is behind me. A dark cloud surrounding me. A shadow consuming my view completely.
I turn, and terror washes over me as my skin is brushed by a touch of darkness.
Then it comes. A whisper from behind, close to my skin, sinking like thunder into the deep of me. I stay still, gulping, lest my neck be slit as I feel Lenon’s breath on my face just as the skies open and rain breaks through.
“I’m coming for you, Gaski. You had better run.”
Oh my God.
I run. Bolting out of the blue. Panting. Lightning striking in the distance. My chest rising with every step, pounding against my drumming heartbeat.
My eyes snap to the right. I have to start the test now? Crap! Breathe, Shantavia. Breathe.
I have to block out what just happened, all of it—or I’ll fail. But I know he must be coming for me. They all are. Londe. Lenon. And every devil I’ve pissed off since laying foot in The Commons.
Rushing to my testing zone, murmurs rise all around me. And that’s when a bolt of blue shines through the blinking note on the screen. Lenon has placed his bet… on me? What the…
Doctor Val ascends the podium as roars escape in the audience, halting my step.
“Our first Act of Pasachiect ever in 50 years. Patron Lenon has claimed Shantavia Lerogaski. Your spot as his Sachi is now secured regardless of your scores, bypassing any bets placed by any other Patrons. Round of applause, everyone!”
Pesh rises in shock, my mouth wide open, frozen, as Lenon stares at me with a lightning beam shooting through his thunderous gaze.
What the bloody hell…
“Two of Londe’s sons betting for the same girl!” a Patron exclaims. “What an inconceivable novelty! Who on earth could she be?”
What? Lenon is Patron De Londe’s son? Pesh’s brother? What!!!???
My mind shudders in shock and horror as I am taken into the arena full of countless mirrors. Mirrors on the wall, on the floor, on the ceiling. I can see my reflection on every corner.
My gaze narrows to see a crack in the reflection.
Mirots.
And that’s when it shows up.
Myself.
And I am to fight… me.
As I look at myself in the mirot, I realize—I had faced near death experiences. I had almost lost my life. My sister. My friends. But I had found myself.
I had found my sister.
So why am I staying here? For the love of The Commons? Of course not.
But For The Love of The Commoners.
Take me anywhere, and I’m there. I would die for my sister. I would die for my brother.
I do not know what the future holds, but one thing I do know is, I will not stop until all is made right, and I will never be quiet or trapped again. So, The Commons was right, when the status quo is challenged, the system is destroyed and that’s exactly what we plan to do.
Because the truth is, it is us the system is afraid of. For we are the tragedy of The Commons.
The End