Five Kingdoms

Chapter 6

My body is in pure and utter agony as I, fully clothed, settle into a bathtub. I rest my head against the wall as I place pressure on my throat and close my eyes. I did it; I made it through the first test, and all I have left is a fighting test tonight. I open my eyes and remove the daggers at my waist that have slightly dug into my skin. I'll be fine as long as I wrap my wrists, I didn't go too deep because I knew I needed to be able to 1, live and 2 not pass out in front of people, but I fear I came close to that one. Once more, I close my eyes but instantly regret it as images of today, of my sister, flash behind my eyes causing me to open them in fear. Then I hear a knock at the door as I try to slow down my breathing

"Whoever is there, I must tell you, I'm not in a good mood and I don't recommend coming near me,"I say

The door opens anyway with a little head popping though.

" I'm sorry but I figured you probably wouldn't want to be alone," Cara says

Even though I very much do want to be alone I can see in her eyes she feels the need to do this.

"Well, by all means, come on in," I say, leaning my head back, closing my eyes

The door closes and silence falls between us.

"Well, this is a sight."

My eyes bolt open not excepting the voice I hear. My eyes land on Vance sitting on the bathroom counter and then Cara who sits on the toilet with her legs crossed. Even though I'm fully dressed I sit up and bring my knees to my chest, trying to cover myself.

"I didn't realize we were throwing a party in here," I say

"Well, he was just as curious as everyone else," Cara says

"And yet they didn't seem to get an invitation."

"Well, if you hate my presence that much, I can leave" Vance offers

"No, it's fine. You just startled me." I say, avoiding his eyes

"Where's the gauze?" He asks

"In the sink beside you, why did you hurt yourself?"

"No dummy, there is such thing as people wanting to help others."

"Oh really?" I ask sarcastically

"I know it is foreign to you but it genuinely disturbs people when they see that someone is justifying bleeding out."

"Well,...I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention."

Cara stands up and walks to the counter. She grabs the gauze as she pulls out a pair of scissors from a drawer and starts cutting strips out.

"You really don't have to do that," I say

"I could say the same about going into the bath fully clothed," Cara says

"Look I'm tired, I wasn't thinking about it."

"Go help her out," Cara says looking at Vance

"No, no,no," I say standing up, "I got it."

I'm a little wobbly as Vance gets off the counter and walks to the tub.

"There's nothing wrong with getting some help."

"Except I don't need it," I say picking up the bottom of my dress and wringing it out.

Eventually I step out of the tub and drop the bottom of my dress. I look up to see Vance hasn't moved from his spot and notice how we are almost the same height. He's only a few inches away and reaches his hand out for my wrist but I squat down and crawl over to Cara as they stare at me. I stand up and grab a price of gauze from the bathroom counter and start wrapping it around my left wrist tucking the ends in. I pull up my right sleeve and do the same thing.