The Warrior- Laila Nomon

14. Bloody

Twenty minutes later, the four of them descended the stairs together and entered the common area. Immediately, since Laila was with them and being the stare-magnet she was, all eyes turned on them. Fedrick's hands rushed to cover the blush creeping up his ears. 'What are you sorry for?' Helena half-whispered. Fedrick cleared his throat and let go. Laila noticed everyone had a fixed table, like at school- only seats could be changed. As they sat down at their table, Nick excused himself and went to speak to Dylan. Laila raised her eyebrow at Helena who just shrugged as she pulled her light auburn hair into a bun, 'Dylan's his uncle.' Laila marveled at how he was okay with everyone knowing his identity and remembered in time to nod.

A few minutes later, Nick came back. 'Okay, I explained last night to him. I gave him the 5-minute version.'

'This should be easy then, depending on what you left out.' Helena said. Nick shifted, uneasy.

Lita was about to stand up but Dylan signaled for her to let him speak first. He stood up. 'I think word has already spread of what happened yesterday night. People talk. We'll jump straight to the main part with a short summary. A few beginners were out of bed and while going back up, they accidentally found a bloodied coat- or jacket- at the bottom of the main staircase. Lita, here, found them with it and called a search. The leaders, the half-trained and the fully trained.' Dylan spoke each word slowly in a British accent, looking around for any reactions from the listeners. Laila made a note not to mess with him.

'Anyway, post the search nothing suspicious or anything out of place except the bloody coat was found. Now, if it was a bloody prank, whoever did this better give yourselves up before you get bloody grounded or get patrol-duty for a week. This is the coat in question. Jake could you-' Dylan gestured for it and Jake lifted it up.

Now it looked more like maroon since most of the blood had dried up. He looked at Laila's table once before he closed his eyes in concentration. He held it with one hand while he kept his other hand at the dampest spot he could find. A moment later, he retrieved his hand; his eyes flew open, his dominating demeanor quickly changing into a passive-reserved one. He turned to Lita and whispered something gravely. Lita nodded in understanding. She too stood up, 'I'm afraid the Leaders must converse in private. The activities for today are cancelled. All Warriors, back to your dorms. In order, please.' She walked towards Nora and said something which was inaudible. The four of them left first through a door at the back of the room, behind their chairs.

'What order- oh.' Laila started but cut off as kids at each table nearest to the door stood up in silence and marched out quickly one by one in a systematic way like they'd practiced it. When their turn came, they stood up and walked out as well; though not towards the staircase- Helena led them to the training arena. The others followed knowingly though Laila followed only because she didn't remember the way and therefore didn't know where they were going. When it took too long, she decided to look through Helena's mind. 'Wait.' She paused. The others stopped as well. 'Why are we going this way?'

'Laila, I'm not in the mood to play question-bank. The place is safe for...talking.' Helena cut her off.

'No.' Laila said firmly and stayed rooted to the spot.

'No, it's not safe, or no, you don't trust me?' Helena asked.

'Neither. No, I'm not coming to the training arena. Lead us to our dorms, please.'

Fedrick started, 'Laila-'

'I'm not coming. Is this because I'm new here?' Laila gestured with her hand to go.

Nick spoke up. 'Laila, it's okay.'

Immediately, Laila felt the effect of his compulsion power and wanted to comply. She shook the thought away and turned sharply toward Nick. 'Is that compulsion?'

'No- yes.' He looked flabbergasted, waving his hands around frantically. 'I-I didn't mean to, I'm sorry. It happens when I- but it really is okay. You can trust her- us,' he stammered.

'Then why are we the only ones going this way?' Laila continued stubbornly.

'You really want to know, Laila?' Fedrick continued without waiting for an answer. 'Well, the training arena is our hideout for emergencies. Only we three go there always. I guess Helena wanted to include you as well, I mean, we all did. You're not that annoying. Seems like you don't think of us as acquaintances, though we -' He broke off as the fingertips on his right hand lit on fire and he shook them hurriedly to extinguish it.

'Fedrick, are you okay?' Laila exclaimed as she watched with surprise.

'Yeah, it happens  sometimes... I've been learning how to control. It doesn't hurt me anyway, just tingles and lights things up.' He said as he stepped back a little.

'Now what?' Helena asked impatiently.

'What what?' Laila asked.

'I've actually started to wonder, do you or do you not comprehend English, last century girl?' Helena looked at Laila and crossed her arms.

'O-Of course I do. Let's just go.' She looked down.

'I'll take you to your room since that's what you want, right?'

Nick piped up then. 'I think someone's coming our way. We should hide; we're supposed to be in our rooms.' The other three strained their ears- sure enough, there were footsteps coming this way. They rushed into a storage room nearby. Helena pulled in Laila just in time as Nick to closed the door. 'Could you be any slower?'

'I'm sorry.' Laila quickly apologized.

'No, you're not,' Helena shot back. 

A/N: My midterms are going on so I have even less time to upload. So, thanks a lot to all readers who patiently wait for new chapters!