Dellings Secrets of The South

Chapter 18

Sakura

I sat in the cafeteria, listening to the sound of chitchats and utensils clicking around me to get a distraction from my thoughts. The plate of stew in front of me had gone completely cold, the supposedly watery sauce now thick with clumps.

But it wasn't that that made me nauseous, it was the guilt of what I did. I hated the commanders for heartlessly hurting us and now I had done the same thing. I wished I had done that to James instead, everything would be different if it was him. Maybe then I wouldn't have guilt.

A new set of plates settled down in front of me before another one joined and I looked up to see both Dimitri and Tom.

Dimitri had a soft half-smile on his face, the one he usually wore when he was both in shock and curious about something. I usually enjoyed looking at it from the side but now that it was directed at me, I didn't know how to feel.

"What?" I asked, voice breathy with nervousness. I almost felt naked under that gaze. Like he knew something he wasn't supposed to.

"You broke his arm." He said.

And just like that looking in his eyes suddenly became impossible. It wasn't just guilt now but embarrassment. Embarrassment that I let my anger get the best of me and everyone probably knew that.

Dimitri probably knew that.

If only news about how the Katkumas were infected with a virus travelled as fast as this. Things would be way different.

"How did you even do that?" Tom enquired, bewildered. "You're not big, Sakura. You're skinny. I understand with James it was technique but this..." his voice trailed off because he didn't have the words to continue.

I just shrugged. "He underestimated me. I just hit him at the right angle and it snapped. Besides they don't give us the proper nutrition. His bones were probably already weak to begin with."

That was not an excuse. It was the only valid explanation I could come up with and hopefully they'll agree. Tom was right, in nay normal circumstance I would've not been able to do that, I don't think anyone would've been able to break bone by a simple punch but in here nothing was normal. His bones were probably waiting to be broken by the slightest contact and by my misfortune, it was mine.

"You did good." Dimitri commented to my surprise. I had to look up at him to make sure I heard right. I realised I did when I saw him nodding with understanding. Or was it approval?

"If you continue like this, they might appoint you as a commander." He said it like it'll be a good accomplishment. As if he didn't hate those people as much as I did.

"Why would I want to be a commander?"

"Better a commander than a commoner. At least then you'll have the right to make a decision. You can stand up for those who don't have a voice."

I didn't have a response to that. I hadn't been here for long so my words didn't mean much when I said I had never thought of something like that.

I despised those people; why would I join them even if I was given a choice?

It wasn't like I'd be able to do much. I saw how they treated the female commanders. Those women only got power when commanding us commoners, when it came to their fellow commanders, they were nothing. Just another person that wore the same uniform but held less value.

I didn't want that.

Besides, if there was anyone of us that could be a commander here, it was Dimitri. He was good at whatever tasked they threw at him, always coming on top. Plus, he didn't have anger issues. He might be able to make an actual difference.

I released a giant breath then picked up my spoon for probably the fifteenth time now before putting it back down. Tom was already busy, tearing apart his chicken wings so he could get to the meat. I regretted glancing over at him as soon as I saw the bones.

"I hope they don't kill him because of this." I voiced out for the first time and it didn't make me feel any better. "His arm might be irreparable."

"Luke? Nah." Dimitri shook his head, casually. He had begun digging into his food too. "He wasn't badly hurt, you just fractured a small fragment. The nurse said he'll be alright in about a couple of months."

My brows furrowed.

A couple...

That was impossible. His entire arm was broken. I saw the bone dangling with only the skin keeping it attached. How...

Then it hit me and my eyes slowly drifted over to where a group of Dellings sat nearby. It landed on Kane. And like he felt my gaze, his eyes found mine, impassively, as blank as the face that revealed nothing, then he looked back down at the food he hadn't even touched.

I felt my heart skipped a beat, not sure if it was out of joy or confusion. Because if he was able to get someone to heal Luke then it means someone here had that ability all along.

Why did the general never used them to heal our casualties?