Haunt

Ch. 12- A Pleading Voice

Eric never came for me.

And as I lay in bed, I think of all the reasons why he wouldn't come. Bethany had shown up and they seem to have been pretty cozy the last few times I saw them. God only knows what he's doing to her. Then there's the mere fact that he is a leader and he has responsibilities to his faction. I would hate to be under his leadership. The constant abuse that is both verbal and physical would be unbearable.

As much as I've always wanted to be something other than Amity, I don't know if Dauntless is who I am. Eric is the perfect glimpse of what that world can be like.

Mean. Sadistic. Abusive. Cunning. Manipulative.

I want to be brave and fight my own battles, not any of those things. I just want to be my own hero for once.

The door to my room opens suddenly and in walks Ebony, her blonde hair swaying behind her as she closes the door shut. It's dark outside now and my parents had to of let her in. Funny, seeing as they said I wasn't allowed to have any guests over.

"Where have you been?" She asks, exasperated. I curl up tighter on the bed, hiding myself from who knows what. A small part of me feels ashamed for having run off to Eric so many times, to only have been treated terribly.

Stupid girl.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Ebony slides next to me and we both lay on the bed, staring at one another. Her eyes are narrowed as she examines my face and I see a twinge of curiosity cross her path.

"You have a black eye." She says, bluntly.

My heart drops down into my stomach at her realization. No. It has to be just a shadow. Eric couldn't have given me a black eye, could he? By only slapping me? Jesus. How much force did he use?

I remember all the pain I felt from that one blow but never did I think that it would bruise. I run my hand over the skin beneath my eye and there is a throbbing sensation.

"I fell down today...while I was out."

Ebony gives me a skeptical look.

"Did you run into a tree while you were at it? That's a fairly big bruise."

Don't remind me..

"It will heal."

What else is there to say? What's done is done. I won't let it happen again.

"Yeah? Well, you better hope it heals fast before your parents start asking questions."

Does she see through my lie? Does she know what I've done? Who I've been with?

Has Eric's mark become evident?

*****

A few days later...

"You all should come to fight night. I heard all the leaders are going to be joining in." Nate rambles on as he, I and Ebony all walk along the fence.

I haven't said much while we've been together, mainly because I'm too afraid I'll say or ask something stupid that will cause suspicion.

Ebony grabs my arm, pulling me closer to her side. "We should go!" She squeals.

"Won't we get in trouble for being there?"

Nate shakes his head.

"Nah, I doubt anyone would care. Well, actually, Eric might but he's been pretty preoccupied these past couple of days."