THE ULTIMATE STANDER (COMPLETED)

Chapter Thirteen

      Days after days. Fights after fights. And it all came down to eight of us. Myself, Mia, McKayla, Saanvi, Nancy, Erika, Roxanne, and Livy.
There was only one rule. Do not make friends with each other. This rule had nothing to do with that fact that Erika Li Jing had chose to fight against Nadia Carlson and Rochelle Fred. Two opponents. Sam who had seemed existed about the idea hadn't hesitated to approve.

      Erika had been quick. She, mostly, had moved so fast, that eerie speed, that I had saw little more than a blur, and heard the clash of swords like silver thunder. Erika had blocked them, drove them back, and slithered away from the force of their attack.

      Taking Nadia's advantage, Erika had beat her sword aside, and in that flash of an instant Nadia was open, she plunged her own sword at Nadia's heart.
Rochelle had no chance against Erika. Even as I had watched, in moments I had understood that they were facing the most formidable being. Her sword had ripped down Rochelle's arm, sent her clattering against the rocks. When Rochelle had charged again, Erika had gripped the wrist of her sword arm in her hand. She smirked at her, before plunging both her sword and Rochelle's at the same time into her heart. Rochelle's eyes had gone wide before dropping to the floor.

      The fight between Roxanne and Sabrina had ended as quick as it had started. With Roxanne ending her with a quick slit on Sabrina's throat. However, no battle occurred between Stella and myself.

      "What're you doing, Stella? " I'd asked, watching her backing away.

      "I can't do this," she had answered. "Why do I have to fight you? You saved my life, remember? "

      "I remember. But you have to fight me. Or you'll be killed."

      "What's the point? I'm going to die anyway."

      "Stella don't."

      "You'll end up killing me anyway."

      "No. You can't predict the aftermath of this fight. You might end up killing me instead," I'd said.

      She had scoffed. "I don't think I have a chance against you. I saw the way you killed that wolf in the woods. You fought really great."

      "Stella. Fight me. Now!"

      "I'm sorry." She had shook her head. "I—" She was cut off by a bullet that pierced through her forehead. I had screamed, and had watched her bled to death.

••••♦••••

      Mia and I were lying together on my bunk bed, with her pressed against my chest while I playfully ran my fingers through her purple hair.

      "I love your tattoo," she commented, referring to the one drawn at the side of my neck.

      "You love it?" I whispered to her, and I felt her head moved beneath my chin. An affirmation.

      "When did you get it?" she asked.

      "Got it when I was seventeen," I replied above her head.

      "Really?" She looked up at me, and I tilted my head, a little backwards to look down at her face. "How old are you now?"

      "Curious?" I smiled.

      "No. Just want to know."

      "I'm twenty," I responded.

      She turned her face down toward my chest. "You're two years older than me. Was it painful?"

      "Hm?" I wasn't sure what she meant.

      "Your neck tattoo. Was it painful when you were having it?"

      I chuckled. "A bit. But not to the extent that it made me cry. Why? You want a tattoo?"

      "Not really."

      The door suddenly opening to Cameron and four ninjas cut Mia and I off. They walked in, wheeling in two closet racks with hung clothes. We all stood up from our beds, wondering what the dresses and suits were for.

      "Evening ladies," Cameron greeted. "There's a feast coming up in an hour. You are all expected to choose a dress or a suit of your choice and get prepared before the feast."

      "Why the suits?" Saanvi asked the question I was just about to ask.

      "Well, I figured one of you might want to try on a suit. And yes I'm pretty much aware that you all are ladies. It isn't a must for you to put on a suit. However if you wish to, be my guest." Then, he turned around and left with the ninjas, just as quickly as they came.

      I decided to pick a suit. I chose a wine colored one, while Mia, on the other hand, chose a long black dress. She smiled at me at the choice of my pick. I eyed the dress in her hand, and I immediately pictured what she would look like while having it on. Sexy and confident.

      Mia refused we take a shower together as we usually do. So I went first. Unlike me, she usually tend to spend a lot of time under the shower. However this time, she was taking a whole lot of time than expected. In my suit pants and black shirt, I walked into the bathroom. To my surprise, I found Mia pressed against the wall with Erika standing close in front of her, caving her in.

      "Hey!" I yelled, and they whipped their heads toward me. "What do you think you're doing?" I asked.

      Erika moved away from her, walking over to me. She stared at my face and so did I. When I had gone in, I heard them conversing with each other in Chinese. Erika brushed past me, leaving the bathroom. I looked over to Mia, she looked somewhat relieved.

      "What happened?" I inquired, as I walked over to her side.

      "It's nothing," she replied. "Come on. Let's go."

      "No." I took a step away before she could touch me. "What did that creep say to you?" I demanded.

      "It's nothing."

      "You're lying. Why would she have you at such angle if it was nothing? Tell me what's going on, Mia."

      She stared at my face for a few moment. "Okay, I'll tell you."

      "Go on." I urged.

      "She was just warning me about the fact that you and I are dating. She was reminding me of the rule. You know, don't be friends to each other? Said one of us would die here eventually."

      "That bitch!" Mia held my arm the moment I turned around to head for the room.

      "Don't," she said to me. "We have a feast to attend."

      "Are you done having a shower?" I asked.

      "Yeah."

      "Come on." I took her hand in mine leading us out of the bathroom.