Silent Rebellion

Chapter 19.) Conflicts

Night fell and we moved deeper into the woods while Nick and Jason waited for Luke to come back. Finally, the boys came running back, with Luke behind them. Carolynn ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him. He picked her up and twirled her around, planting a small kiss on her nose.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I just really want to be normal again." They released from the hug and said, "I found her. She'll come out here tomorrow morning." We all cheered, then went into the tent we shared. It was Luke, Carolynn, Alan, Elliot, and I. I looked down at my bowl of food I hadn't touched.

"Here," I said to Luke, passing him the bowl, "you need to eat."

"You didn't," Alan pointed out. I shook my head at him. "I'm not hungry." I lied. I was constantly thinking, my mind never at ease. This happened much more often lately. I sensed Elliot's discomfort, since he kept fidgeting next to me. I looked at him and our eyes met. We stared at each other in silence, paying no attention to the conversation around us.

"They're in love," Carolynn said. "It's in her eyes."

"How do you see it? They're just staring at each other!" Alan asked her.

"Don't question me. I know love when I see it." I snapped back from my daze and glared at her, but she just laughed. I looked around us and saw Nick had joined us in the tent. He was staring back at me.

"Evelyn, can I talk to you?" He asked me. "Alone?"

"Sure. Be right back guys," I said, trying my best to sound cheerful. I walked outside with him and followed him deeper into the forest. It was cold out here. He finally stopped and turned to me.

"What the hell?" He said, throwing his hands in the air.

"What do you mean?" I inquired.

"You and Elliot! As if you don't know. We kissed, Evelyn! What are you trying to do to me?" He raised his voice.

"Nick, why are you acting like this?"

"Why do you think? I'm being cheated on!"

"It wasn't even supposed to be in the first place!" I yelled. "I'm matched to someone else!"

"With Jason, not him!" He was practically screaming at me now.

"Maybe it's not a bad thing, Nick!" I shot back at him. He glared at me, a hard stone cold glare. I began to shake. Not just from the cold, I was scared.

"Nick-" I began, "NO, EVELYN. STOP!" He yelled, taking a step towards me. I cautiously took a step back, and then he charged me and tackled me to the ground. He punched me in the stomach and began kicking me. I gasped for air. He stood up and left for the camp. Dizziness swirled around me, clouding my thoughts. I began to scream, yell, something, but I didn't know if it had any affect. My nausea got worse, until I felt sleepiness circle around me.

"Help me!" I managed to barely whisper before darkness engulfed me.

Hey! Short chapter, sorry about that. I love cliffhangers, I can't help myself.

Anyway, love you, my Ducklings!

Ashley 😘