Flames left behind

6{Rules}

No one moved.

For a long moment, silence prevailed, and I was internally debating whether to stand up and walk out, never to return. I was quite sure no one would notice my absence, and the sentiment was not one sided. These people unnerved me, a rarity in itself. Typically, I'm at ease with everyone and everything.

"Just because she knows how to bite back, gives you no reason to get her locked up!" The pretty girl shouted. Amaya. I'll make sure to thank her later. After this whole mess, or whatever you call it, is cleaned up.

Her chair screeched back, echoing the array of emotions coursing through Amaya. Do I possess such power? It seems I may ponder this often during my visit here.

The Inquirer glanced at her, then his gaze shifted to me. I diverted my eyes to my nails, but I could see the smirk on his face, even as he spoke to Amaya. It was a smirk, I think, or perhaps a grimace of pain—hard to tell. He looked like he was having a rough time on the toilet. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but honestly, I do judge people by their appearance quite often. It might be considered mean, but it's a common human tendency. Or, vampire tendency now.

"Amaya, I will not tolerate any unauthorized behavior from you. I have given you so much, given you a home here, do not take my kindness for granted. What I say goes, and what goes is the law. You can deal with it, or you can leave. I suggest you deal with it like a big girl."

Red faced; she sat back down as Damian glared at him. He pulled him closer and slung an arm over her shoulders, whispering something in her ear to make her giggle. I could have used my hearing to listen in on them, but it seemed like a private moment, and I didn't want to intrude.

OK, that's a lie. I completely wanted to listen in to see of what Damian said was actually funny. Amaya looked pretty heated.

I felt bad for Amaya, so I decided to spit out my retort. And I wanted her to laugh more at what I said. Petty, I know. I waved and said,

"Unpopular opinion over here, Sir, but are you constipated? Or do you just have sprouts stuck in your teeth? I'm sure we can all wait for you whilst you do your business in the bathroom."

I kept my face cool as I watched everyone, included Amaya, bite back their laughs. Mission accomplished.

Robert's smirk dropped, and he clenched his jaw.

He continued talking.

"We have all witnessed the cause, the devastation of the Apocalypse, and I am grateful to each one of you for your efforts in rebuilding our nation, our world. However, I harbor concerns that this outsider, this being whom you may consider an ally, is merely a ruse. Consider this a caution. She will, as I firmly believe, introduce further turmoil to the wonders we have accomplished and the progress we have made in these recent months."

He looked around the room. There were a few people agreeing with him, but the majority was enraged. They felt bad for me. I could feel the anger radiating off them. But I didn't want them to feel pity on me, I want them to hate me. If they hate me, I can leave. I can go back home. Then again, it's impossible to hate someone this pretty. Yes, I have a pretty big ego. So what?

Mary Kim stood up. Her eyes were full of rage, hate, betrayal, and loss. No woman should ever have that sort of look, should have experienced that sort of pain. Who hurt her? I watched her eyes as she spoke. Eyes always show the emotion words can't express.

"Inquirer, I believe you are wrong. This girl, this child has done no wrong, no harm. She has barely lived any of her life, and all of the life she has been living a lie of who she is. Give her a chance." I noticed that she wasn't meeting his eyes, just staring at the wall past his head. He hurt her.