Emperor of Annihilation

THIRTY

🦢

Instead of going to school, I spent the next day at my house. Some may call it hiding, I call it.. well, hiding. But for good reason.

I don't want to die, and if Ezekiel's words weren't a threat of my life, then I don't know what is. One thing about him; He's as unpredictable as can be. What I did was even more unpredictable. So unlike me. I don't know whether I should hate or love it.

Whatever. I felt more safe in the comfort of my own home surrounded by my fishes. My adorable fishes. A breathless laugh leaves me when Arny blew a bubble in my direction as if he heard my inner thoughts. I lightly tap on the glass, making him inch back before leaving with his flock to the right side of the tank.

I take a quick shower and when the water pours down onto my naked body, I make it a point to scrub my skin until it's red. Maybe if I scrub hard enough, I'll be rid of his touch.

His disgusting.. sinful touch.

God, I hate him. I hate him so much I could just puke.

I exit the washroom in a towel after putting lotion on. Glancing at the clock on my bedside table, I take note that it's only 8 in the morning. I quickly throw on the nearest thing to me—a maxi skirt in creme, the skirt rides down my legs, hugging my slight curves while making an example of my slender body. I pair it with a cropped lace camisole.

Instead of rushing through my morning routine like I always did, this time I took my time, applying my eyeliner with perfect precision. I'm in the middle of doing my lipliner when I get a call.

Without looking at caller id, I raise the phone to my ear and speak, "Hello?"

"Clem!" Autumn's voice cuts through. "Oh thank god you answered. Hi!"

I catch myself smiling in the mirror as if she was here. "Hi."

I spent the next hour or so on the phone with her, only hanging up when a teacher catches her skipping. With one final look in the mirror, I leave my room, headed downstairs.

"Miss Monroe." Aditi lowers her head when I descend the steps of our grand staircase, my slippers hitting the cold floor. Her hair was pulled tightly into a low bun and eyes sharp, like I was my father, the man of the house. "Will you be joining your mother in the garden?"

"I told you a million times, just call me Clementine, no need for formalities." I pause, taking note of her words as they process into my brain. I then tilt my head probably looking like a lost pup. "Mother's in the garden?" I ask.

She's like a vampire, always straying far away from sunlight like she'd shrivel up, turning into ash. She's been like that for as long as I can remember. My entire childhood consisted of the nannies taking care of me. That includes taking me shopping, to the park, to playdates. You name it and I'll tell you she never showed up.