Treasured

14)

Wren

"It's hurting you, isn't it?" Sal frowned, gesturing to my gimpy leg.

I bashfully looked away, trying not to make it into a big deal. We were currently heading to breakfast, but I was taking longer than usual because as Sal had guessed, my leg was rather stiff and painful. I was only halfway down the stairs, but it was aching quite badly, and I honestly didn't know if I would make it to the bottom or not.

"Stay here, and I'll go get someone to help you," Sal said, quickly descending the stairs and heading for the dining room.

I gripped the railing, gingerly lowering myself down another step. Maybe I could do it. I could at least try.

"Here, let me help," June offered, bending so I could wrap my arms around his neck.

I hated being carried, but there was no hope for it. I didn't want to be touched, but I was exhausted and in pain, so I didn't have an option. I laid my head on his shoulder, resigning myself to my fate, and letting him gently scoop me up.

Once in the dining room, I realized I was ten minutes late, and everyone was still patiently waiting. I flushed from guilt and embarrassment, but nobody said anything.

I took my seat with a grateful smile at June, even though I wasn't hungry.

"Hmm, I guess you are rich to be babied like that," Trix suddenly said, directing her words toward me. "Are you so important the floor is too dirty for your feet to touch?"

I colored at the implication. I wasn't trying to be demanding or pathetic, nor did I think I was arrogant. Then again, arrogant people didn't think they were proud...

"Trix! Stop it!" Cedar demanded, fire igniting in his golden eyes. "Wren is lame, you should have compassion on him!"

"He threw himself off of a balcony!" Trix rolled her eyes. "Did he think that would have no consequences? I refuse to sympathize with someone as near sighted as that. I refuse to let him be a victim when he put himself in that position!"

Tears were pricking my eyes, but I lowered my head so nobody would see. I didn't throw myself off the balcony though. I was a victim, and I wasn't trying to be pathetic or anything...I just needed help sometimes.

"Master Daily, I think you're a pitiful, weak thing! You can't stand life without mommy and daddy, so you throw yourself over a rail to get attention? That's pathetic! Everybody here is burdened by your own selfishness! How dare you act like the victim when you are stealing something valuable away from everyone here? You aren't a victim! You're a thief! I wish you had died!"

The room went silent, nobody knowing what to say. Cedar was fuming, his face going red with the effort it took to contain himself. Mr. Edward paused in his eating to face Trix, a stern expression spreading across it.

"You know what, you can just be quiet," Branson stated, his face turning dark with fury. "You are wicked and vile, and I refuse to let you ruin anyone else. I hate you, and I'll make you miserable if you dare say another derogatory remark towards anyone."

Branson's face was dark and threatening, and the whole table froze as he spoke. I was completely shocked that he would come to my defense the way he did, much less in the manner that he chose.

"How rude!" Trix gasped, looking toward each of us as if to find an ally.

"Don't look at me," Cedar snarled as her gaze landed upon him. "You're more rude, and cruel. You deserved everything he said, and I'll help him if you decide to hurt anyone else here."

Trix threw her plate across the room, letting it shatter into pieces. I flinched, automatically grabbing for Mr. Edward's cuff.

"Young lady, I will have to ask you to leave immediately," Mr. Edward commanded, rising from his chair and resting his hand on the table, my hand still clutching his jacket sleeve. "You have disrespected my house, my wards, and my possessions. You will leave directly after breakfast, and you are banned from my property."