Her Five Protectors

TWENTY-SIX

Athena ducks her head down to avoid the glares of Sarah. She is furiously whispering something in Ariana's ear. Of course she have stored vast amount of bitterness. Max looks pretty much ignorant regarding this. He is sitting quietly and listening to the teacher who is continuously blabbering something in front of everyone.

Finally the class ends and Athena wastes no time in grabbing her backpack. But however her path is blocked by Brittany.

"So Athena huh!" She says loudly to catch others attention. Soon the rest of the students crowds the poor Athena in the corner. Athena purely confused looks towards Ariana for help who is completely unbothered.

"You know what, I had my own suspicions regarding your real identity... I mean you and Ariana might have the same face and height but there is something different about you." Brittany exclaims with a dramatic sigh.

"Are they going to bully her?" Max whispers.

"Who cares?" Sarah rolls her eyes.

"My brothers will probably. She is my cousin, don't forget." Ariana mumbles weakly. The training session with Alexander has taken a toll on her. Every part of her body is hurting badly.

"So you will protect her from bullies?" Sarah asks with pure curiosity flowing in her eyes.

"I never said that. Let's just get out of here." Ariana replies back and walks out of the classroom following by Max and Sarah.

"I think you should hang out with us, Athena... We like you. I mean you are better than Ariana in person." These words of Brittany surprises Athena completely.

"Right." Others too agrees with her. Athena can't help but give them a shy smile. This is something that she hasn't expected but it is good. Today is just full of surprises.

"Oh no Ariana! Stephan Riccardo is coming here." Sarah whispers in Ariana's ear who flinches slightly.

"Ariana!" Ariana tries hard to control her fearful shudder in. His voice is just like his younger brother. Angelo, her tormentor! She turns back to look at him.

"Stephan!" She nods her head lightly.

"Sarah! Max! Leave us for few minutes and please make sure my brothers don't come here and know about this." There were questions and hesitation in their eyes but they silently does what she said.

"Where is Angelo?" This question, this dreadful question is the only thing that is Ariana deliberately trying to get away from.

"I really don't know. He almost killed me that day then I don't really remember what happened." She whispers faintly but Stephan heard her alright.

"This is why I warned you at the first place. There must be something that he wants. Because I know he won't let you get out alive for no reason." Stephan's voice darkens with every word. Tears fills in the corners of Ariana's eyes. She doesn't know how to reply this. After judging Angelo's personality, she knows Stephan is speaking truth.

It is alone her own fault. Her reckless and insensitive decisions have created a deadly chaos. Suddenly she remembers the day when Angelo told her that he had found something. Something more intriguing than her. But what it could be?

She is about to open her mouth to tell Stephan about this when suddenly Stephan takes a step away from her. Ariana follows his vision line and her eyes makes contact with Athena who is standing in front of them with a hesitance in her eyes.

Athena slowly walks past her towards her own new locker that is beside Ariana's. Ariana glances up at Stephan Riccardo and sure he is staring at Athena's back with a indescribable look in his eyes.

Ariana's eyes widens slightly in realization and she hardly manage to swallow her fearful gasp in.

When Athena finally walks out from the corridor, Ariana fixes her attention on Stephan.

"I think-I t-think I now know why A-angelo let me leave."

****************

"I like pretty things and your face is so beautiful sweetheart." Angelo Riccardo smirks while running a sharp tip of knife across a girl's face. She is trembling and crying too much. Her heart is thumping slow but loud in her chest.

"L-l-let me g-go, p-please. W-why are you d-d-doing t-this?" She cries loudly but he only laughs at her misery.

"I didn't brought you here just to let you go." He whispers while digging the sharp blade of knife deeper in her face.

Within few minutes, his hands were covered in blood. He laughed maniacally while looking at her ruined face. He sets the knife down and opens the small window of the dungeons. He admires the moon that is shining high in the sky.

"You have been only gone for a week and I am missing you so much, Ariana. It really is fucking so hard to be away from you. I am coming back for you Ariana---" A sinister smile comes across his evil features as he whispers the next words.

"And my dear Athena!"

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