The Dead Among Us

Betrayal and secrets

  Recess at Bronzeclaw School finally arrived, and the sound of the bell marked the much-anticipated break for the students. Benji, with a sense of excitement, slammed her textbook and made her way over to Mikael's desk.

She approached him with a skip in her step, her mouth falling open about to speak. However, just as she was about to, Mikael swiftly darted out of the classroom to join the other students, leaving Benji puzzled and alone by his desk.

What the heck? Maybe he didn't see me.

"Mikael, wait!" Benji shouted, desperately chasing after him. He just kept going, his strides growing longer and quicker.

As she swung the heavy metal door open, the bright sun almost blinded her. She quickly spotted him darting behind a thick oak tree, clearly attempting to avoid her.

She marched over to him, arms crossed tightly across her chest, her jaw set in determination and confusion. He made a feeble attempt to evade her, but she managed to close the gap and seized his shirt, her fingers gripping the fabric with all her might.

He cried out in protest, digging his heels into the ground in an attempt to escape until it seemed likely that his shirt would tear.

"Benji, let me go!"

She demanded back. "Not until you tell me why you're running away from me!"

"You mean to tell me you don't know?!" Mikael shouted back, his tone harsh. He was no longer attempting to flee but actually confronting her with a fierce intensity that caused her to recoil back.

"...Know what? What's gotten into you?"

"Your brother nearly killed me after the service! He told me to stay away from you!"

"Wait, what?! Which brother??" She cried, standing tall up to him.

"Which one do you think, dumbass! Sabin! He's gonna kill me! He thinks I get you in trouble when really it's you! You always get me in trouble! Now leave me alone!"

Benji's world shattered as he suddenly reached out with a look of betrayal in his eyes and forcefully shoved her away. Her heart raced as she felt the unexpected force propelling her backward, and she was so startled that she didn't even attempt to regain her balance. Before she knew it, she found herself on the ground, landing flat on her butt in the unforgiving dirt.

How could he yell at her like that? Call her a dumbass and shove her? That's her best friend.. or at least was...

Something trickled down her cheek, and for a moment, she mistook it for dirt in the breeze and went to brush it away, only to learn tears were slipping from her eyes.

Her body trembled with anger, her heart racing in her chest, and her head felt like it might explode. On the ground beside her, she noticed a stick, and without a second thought, she snatched it up. Acting on impulse, she leaped to her feet and sprinted towards Mikael, the stick held menacingly above her head.

Just as she closed in, a large hand swooped in and lifted her off the ground, her legs flailing in the air.

"Drop it!" Mr. Isaiah's voice cut through her rage, holding her suspended until she reluctantly complied and slammed the stick back down.

Once back on her feet, he firmly grasped her hand and led her back inside.

They walked a few feet past the door when Mr Isaiah stopped, placed his hands on his hips, and looked down at her with a scowl.

"Benji? What was that?"

She wiped her bitter tears away with the back of her hand without an answer. When she tried to keep walking towards their classroom, assuming that's where they were going, he grabbed her shoulder gently and dipped down into a squat in front of her to be at eye level.