Helheim

CHAPTER 17

I was walking down the corridor towards the main entrance of the Institute carrying my hand luggage, as people glared at me. I tried my best to keep my head held high, but their eyes made me self-conscious; of course they did that all the time, sometimes they even scurried away when they saw me coming alongside The Seven. They stared at times shamelessly in the corridors, in the classrooms, in the library, in the dining room, even when we were walking around town. The Seven were obviously used to it, every so often they seemed to actually be oblivious about it, and when I was with them nobody else mattered, the world outside our bubble faded, and I was confident and revitalized, as if I was somebody else, someone I liked. Yet, at brief moments like this one, when I was alone, I wanted to disappear, to make myself invisible, to be deaf towards their murmured words, and blind to their judgments.

Winter break was only a couple of weeks away, finals were starting first hour next Monday. And regardless of my and Imani's complains, objecting that we had to study, the rest of the group had planned a weekend getaway, to "relax and ease our minds, before Helheim sucks our soul out of our bodies" had said Elio.

So there I was loading my bag into Kaden's truck, on my way to a cabin further up in the mountains owned by Zian's grandfather. Killian's ford raptor following close behind us.

It took us about three hours to get there. The day was gloomy and rainy. We saw less and less civilization and cars as we advanced, until there was nothing but a stretch dirt, irregular, path that led further and further into the woods.

-Wow- I murmured as soon as I descended the black jeep wrangler.

I embraced myself pulling the sleeves of my sweatshirt as I saw the heat of my breath forming little white clouds in front of me. It was freezing. There was still no snow in sight, but it wouldn't be long till the first storm, it could even happen that weekend; scenario that I hoped didn't occur, because I feared we would be stuck there and freeze to death.

-I truly hope you brought another jacket Soph cause that one is not going to cut it- commented Imani passing next to me, as I shivered a little.

-Come on! Let's go inside! I want to pee so bad! - cried out Amelie almost running towards the front door.

The cabin was completely made out of wood, the second floor had two bathrooms and three bedrooms, and the first floor was an open space connecting the kitchen, the dinning and the living room which had a giant fire place on the left side of the wall, that Nox and Zian immediately turned on, and windows all around the rest of the place overlooking the woods and the back porch.

-There's a Jacuzzi back there big enough for all of us to fit- mentioned Elio as he saw me staring taking in all the details of the place- We should definitely go for a swim later-

-But it's freezing- I said nervously, and left out the fact that I hadn't brought with me a swimsuit, since that was the last thing I thought we would be doing.

-The water is going to be hot dumbass- replied Killian who had been listening to our conversation.

-Killian, you don't have to be such a douchebag- scolded him Elio.

-Whatever...- babbled the Russian boy rolling his green eyes, before heading to the kitchen.

-Don't mind him...- told me Elio shrugging- It's been a long drive and he's hungry-

-Talking about being hungry...-jumped Imani into our conversation- I'm going to start preparing lunch so I want you all out of my space while I cook-

-That means it is time to go for a walk- smiled the Greek boy.