Wild Tree

Chapter 6:

It was Sunday.

We all sat in the library.

Every Sunday we would gather here to brush up on studies before classes on Monday.

I caught Joanne's eye at the other end of the room, she was on the floor leaning against a shelf, legs crossed.

We had two days.

I swallowed as I stared at the Chemistry textbook.

Two days.

'Has everyone started?' Marcus spoke quietly, his eyes on the literature book.

'Yea.' Marcy nodded, looking out the window with a slight frown.

'Me too.' Diane said, Stella nodding next to her.

'I'm done.' Joanne spoke up.

'Done.' Tim mumbled, glancing to the door once.

'Eve?' August turned to me from the chair he sat next to Marcus.

'Mhm.' I swallowed with a nod, turning back to the textbook.

We had all started packing.

Marcus had made it clear. Essentials.

Nothing more than a duffel bag or backpack. We needed to travel light.

We were not to pack at once. A full bag in our rooms could garner suspicion.

We were to take clothes we didn't wear too often, items we knew we would need in the long run. It was only on the day we were to escape that we'd fully pack.

I sucked in a breath in anticipation.

We could do it.

I didn't like the way it sounded like a question.

Our guardians did not question us staying outside yesterday. We did it quite often. Stella however nearly lost her cool during dinner, when aunt Sarah had tried to help her slice her chicken.

I had seen it in her pale eyes.

The utter dread.

Marcus covered it up with a laugh, saying she suddenly had a fear of sharp objects because of a scary story he had told her.

We had gotten away with it.

But how long would that work?

How long before our slip ups can no longer be covered?

I noticed Tim's hooded eyes as he stared at his history book, and it was clear he wasn't actually reading it.

Unlike the others, Tim did not react the way I had expected, partly because he might have already suspected it.

But even now that he knew.

There wasn't fear in his eyes.

He looked up my direction, like he knew I had been watching him, green eyes dark.

He smiled weakly at me, turning back to his book.

There wasn't fear in his eyes.

I felt cold sweat slide down my back at his expression.

It was pure,

Untouched,

Rage.

'Now.' Marcus stood after he checked the time.

We had been here for six hours already, and it was almost time for dinner.

' 11 pm, My room.' He said simply, walking out. 'Someone will keep watch.'