Hell is Other People

Chapter 5

Ella's POV

Crow.

That word has being running in my mind the last couple of minutes.
Crows are basically large birds with mostly glossy black plumage, a heavy bill and a raucous voice, that are assembled in groups over a possible prey, right? Well, most people have the crow as a symbol of death because it's a dark bird and it is always found in pictures where Doom is drawn and mostly because is a bird that eats dead animals, and yes, even its own kind. Some cultures have it as well as a symbol of bad luck and even do a lot of rituals to dismiss the deathly aura of them and from their loved ones.

Here is the thing, the word crow can even be used to describe not only the animal.
I don't know if many people use this but where I come from we use the word crow even to describe a person's behaviour.

I never had to use that description before but right now with what I see is the only thing that I can think off. A bunch of crows all around me, ready to get their prey. Just the fact that I was right and judging by Gale's face I can tell she doesn't like it either. I mean by the time we stepped in the staff's bar it was only two to five minutes until the crows assembled. First, it was the 'queen' and the rest followed. Don't get me wrong, I definitely don't form an opinion from the first impression about a person but the situation right now is not the best to form a good one.

I don't know if my suspicious side is talking or even the fact that I don't trust easily and especially men but right now I really can not avoid being biased with the situation. I'm guessing with what Mrs. Evelyn told me the third person of the twosome is Steve. By the time he talked to us the other two followed... I'm not saying that they were, I don't know... let's say, waiting for the 'ok' from the oldest one to come along but in my eyes it seemed like it. I'm probably wrong and I'm just a crazy person with a very good imagination but with my past experiences had let me to believe so.

We are the fresh meat, right? Mrs. Evelyn said so and right now I can see why she said that. I mean I should have known from this morning from the catwalk they did for me.

"Are you ok?" Nicole whispers in my ear.

I turn my mind from the infinity and look at Nicole. I nod at her to not worry and try to focus on the situation that unravels in front of me. She smiles at me and walks away with Steve and Annabeth to talk by themselves.

"So girls where are you from?" Zach asks politely at the girls.

"I'm from Canberra, Gale is from Irwin. The both of us met in Melbourne when we went to study. As for Ella, she told us she is from Melbourne, Carlton." Jane smiles politely at the boys.

The twosome turn towards me with wide eyes.

"You are from Carlton?" the tall one asks me surprised. I don't seem to remember his name for some reason.

Why? Is it hard to believe that I'm from a suburb? I don't look good enough?

"Yep. Is there a problem?" I fold my arms in defence.

He smirks at my comment while he lights up his cigarette "No at all. I guess we are town pals." he laughs.

"You are from Carlton? Seriously? What's your name, anyway?" I ask a little bit confused.

"Am I that hard to forget little one?" he replies still with that smirk in his face.

Little one?! Seriously?! We probably are the same age! I was right to believe that he was bad news...

"I doubt you are older than me... From what I see I would say you are either at my age or younger with a lot of attitude. Did you have a mommy's boy life?" I fire back with a smirk.