the pretty lies, the ugly truth; completed

Seventeen

The next day Aspen left her room, for the first time since she arrived. She went to the training area, it was close to the arena.

She had her sword gripped tightly in her arms and she took all of her frustration out on the dummies, ripping them to shreds. She screamed and yelled. "THIS ISN'T FAIR!" She screamed at one of the dummies as she tore through it with her silver blade. Tears streamed down her face.

"Someone's feisty." Julian said, he seemed to have just materialized behind Aspen.

"what is wrong with you?" She snarled. "What pleasure do you get out of this?" Her tone had an unhinged note to it.

Julian only smiled. "You're beautiful. Even when you're fired up. I do hope you make it out."

Aspens eyes widened. "Leave me alone." She glared at the ground, gripping the sword until her knuckles were white.

Julian walked back towards the school, not saying another word.

Aspen stormed back to her dorm. She had to find a way to…"discard"...of Julian. That gave her more motivation to live through the fight. To get justice for everyone whos suffered through this school. Whether it be from Julian, or anyone else in his awful, awful family.

[∆∆]

Everyone was doing school as normally. Except Henry, he was isolating. He wasn't seen outside of his dorm for the entire week. He couldn't lose one of his only friends he's made here so soon.

All he did was stare at the ceiling.

Lilith couldn't focus in class, she was riddled with anxiety. She couldn't watch a new friend die. And she was worried for Henry, he hasn't done anything for days. Has he even eaten?

Eliott was worried for Lilith, and Henry. He wasn't really close with Aspen, but since Lilith was worried about her, so was he. He checked up on Lilith at any point he could.

[∆∆]

The time had come.

Aspen carried her broad sword to the arena. She waited to be called out.

Katrina was on the opposing side, they were glaring at each other. The two girls were both determined to make it out of there alive.

Henry left his room, only for this. He chose a seat high up, so he was able to monitor everything.

Lilith and Eliott accompanied him, on either side.

"Welcome! I'm glad you all made it, again! This one seems like it'll be.. interesting! I just know it." He looked at the competitors, smirking at the. Especially Aspen. "Welcome, Katrina!" He waved her over, and she walked onto the sandy floor. She stared at everyone in the stands, determination written on her face. "Welcome, Aspen!" She walked out, facing the crowed. Her hands were sweaty from gripping the large sword so hard.

Julian walked over to Aspens direction to leave. "Don't get too beaten up. Wouldn't want to ruin your beautiful body, now would we? Especially before i get to see it."

Aspen was disgusted. He was more than a crazy man, he was a pervert. Maybe she didn't want to live past this point.

She spotted Henry, and gained the sense that she did want to live. Even if it were only for the nice people she met.

"Ready, set….fight!"

Katrina locked the arrow into the bowstring, and pulled it back. She released it, it soared towards Aspen. It missed by an inch, settling in the sand by her feet.

Aspens adrenaline was skyrocketing. She lifted the sword off of the ground, and charged towards the other. As she slashed the sword down, Katrina dodged the sword, and loaded the bow again.

She released the arrow at Aspen, it lodged in her shoulder. She cried out in pain. But this wouldn't be the end. She had more to give still.

Henry was on the edge of his seat.

Aspen was stuck for a brief moment, catching her breath. "You haven't won yet." She muttered.

She stood up, walking towards Katrina. She noticed arrows were lodged in the sand behind her. She had been shooting while she was down. But she missed all of them. "You're a terrible shot." She remarked. Katrina didn't say anything.

As Aspen approached, Katrina grabbed hold of the arrow in her shoulder and twisted it, and ripped it down her side, all the way until her ribs. Before she got any further, Aspen pulled away.

Blood seeped through her clothes, and dripped down her body until it hit the ground.

The wound was deep, she was loosing blood fast. Her head felt foggy, and she fell to the ground. This was it. She was wrong. She wasn't going to make it.

Katrina took victory, even though Aspen wasn't dead. But she would be.

Katrina left the arena to clean herself up, she had splattered blood on herself.

Julian approached her. "What a shame." He lightly kicked her in the ribs, and left her to die.

"ASPEN!" Henry screamed, and ran from his seat, down the many many stairs and into the arena. He fell down by Aspens side, crying, on his knees.

"Please, please, please! You- you can't die!" He held his hands on part of the wound, but it was too large and deep.

"I'm sorry, Henry. You were a great roommate. I regret everything mean I've said about you. It isn't true. You're amazing, and the best roommate I could have asked for." She muttered, her eyes closed, and her heavy breathing stopped.

Henry stared in horror at her lifeless body.

{ hey reese 😝 }