𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔑𝔦𝔫𝔢

The wind tossed my hair about, laughing in shivering whistles as it played with the strands. I stood on the balcony pathway that led to the next dorm building, leaning toward the beautiful view. Despite the darkness of the night, the buildings' small sparkling lights dazzled the night.

It was hypnotizing.

The red eyes from my dream turned into something that felt so unreal that it was no longer terrifying. It felt like exactly what it was—just a bad dream.

I breathed in the soothing crispy air and allowed my eyelids to dip slightly. It was disappointing that reality couldn't be just like this view: beautiful and perfect.

Something flashed in the distance. Then it disappeared from view as I was knocked to the ground. I landed on someone's chest, arms wrapped tightly around me. I heard a whiz above me. The sound of glass shattering filled the silence after. A car alarm went off, shredding the peaceful air.

"Are you okay?" Theo asked, releasing me from his hold and grabbing my arms to pull me away from him so he could examine my face.

I pushed myself away and leaned back against the balcony wall. "What was that?"

He leaned toward the balcony, popping his head up slightly to look out into the city. Then he slid down the wall and sat beside me. "A sniper," he replied.

"What?"

"A sniper!" He grabbed my wrist and yanked me into the dorm hall, leading me far away from the clear glass doors.

"Stay in your room until morning," he said. "And lock your door. I highly doubt they'll make another attempt, but depending on how desperate they are, we can't be too sure."

"Are you saying someone is trying to scare me? Or—kill me?"

"Do you want to find out?" he questioned. I shook my head quietly. "Then listen to me," he finished, pushing me toward my dorm room.

"I get it! Chill!" I snapped, turning my head to look at him as he continued to pull me along despite my cooperation. "Why are you helping me anyway?"

Theo stopped, one bare foot dragging slightly against the carpet floor. "Let's just say I overheard a very unfortunate conversation between my aunt and our school's chief of police." My eyes widened as I understood the meaning of his words.

Did that mean he was on my side? Or did he just feel sorry for me?

Suddenly he paused, his posture going stiff. He clenched his jaw before pushing me back and widening his stance in front of me. Then he was gone in a flash, my eyes unable to keep up with his swift call to action. But when I saw a flash of pale blond react in a similar manner, my legs pushed me forward before I could register what they were doing.

My rash decision got me two punches, one on my right cheek and one on my left.

The boys immediately retreated when they saw my held-out arms signaling them to stop. Both hands then went to my cheeks to feel the damage. I winced as the pain came flooding in.

If I wasn't awake before, I sure was now.

"My queen, why don't you wish me to kill this man?" Elio questioned. He pulled out a gun and aimed it at Theo, seemingly as just a threat, although the gun would probably go off if Theo moved.

"For lack of a better phrase: What in tarnation?!" Theo cried. His British accent was laced with some sort of funky southern accent and made him sound like a dying cow.

"Dude, there were a thousand other ways to ask why he has a gun to your head," I deadpanned.

"Tell me who you are, and why you wish to harm this lovely maiden," Elio demanded, swiping his arm to gesture at me while keeping his narrowed eyes focused on Theo.