Fatal Order

Part 4: Meaning of Death - 2

The next day felt incredibly similar to the last, with Alex still begrudgingly pulling himself out of bed and stepping out into the bright morning hall of the Living Quarters.

The air was cold and sharp, and the fluorescent light fittings in the roof led Alex to avert his tired eyes as he stepped outside into the hall.

Once he came to, he saw what looked to be an argument between two of the facility's favourite people: Violet and Nathan.

"I'm not going to clean your shoes, Violet!" Nathan stomped on the ground. "Go do it yourself!"

"Do you think disobeying me is a good idea?" Violet asked. "Go do as I've asked! It's all you're good for."

"All I'm good for?!" Nathan snapped. "I'm the only one in this facility who doesn't hate you, so how can you say that to me?!"

"Everybody loves me, Nathan," she stated, flicking her hair back.

"I don't love you at all, Violent!" He exclaimed. "I don't even like girls!"

"Blah-blah, Natey..." she whispered, "you are devoted to me. All of you are. Because all of you love me soooo much."

"No, we don't," Dante suddenly corrected, "leave Nathan alone."

She stood stiff for a moment in disbelief, before slowly turning to glare sternly at Dante.

"I'm sorry," she began, in shock, "who put you in charge?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he remarked, folding his arms.

"Excuse me?" she laughed. "I put myself in charge, sweetheart. I'm the boss around here, and you know that."

"I see you wandering around me like a goddamn idiot," he mocked, "the hell are you doing?"

"Idiot?" she snapped, "I'm no idiot. I'm a predator, and you are all my prey."

Dante then proceeded to descend into a laughing fit, holding his hands over his knees while hysterically releasing his emotions, leaving Violet looking flabbergasted and utterly offended.

A few of the others were stood by their doors watching their quarrel, and Alex's mouth was gaping with pride as he witnessed Dante's profound boldness against the girl they all despised.

"Wow... you're funny. Pfffff..." he then laughed once more, serving only to further aggravate her.

"Who do you think you are, Dante?" Violet asked, looking completely baffled.

"You just answered the question yourself, dumbass."

Her mouth then gaped also, and she looked as though she wanted to say something back, but couldn't find the words.

Dante left her totally speechless for a moment there, as his completely unprecedented boldness had surprised her beyond belief, especially given their previous confrontations and how she'd always have the upper hand.

"Your attitude is surprising! I suppose I have to put you in your place."

Then, when she attempted to further confront him, Maria confidently and quickly stepped in front of her with her arms folded, piercing a darting glare into her eyes, immediately stopping her in her tracks.

"Could you please move, Maria?" Violet passive-aggressively asked.

Maria didn't budge.

"Are you deaf, Maria? Hmmmm?"

Again, Maria had no reaction.

"Please step away before I make you really regret it."