Connection

Chapter Fourteen: Charlotte

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Chapter Fourteen: Charlotte

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When Charlotte woke, she was disappointed to find Ross sitting across from her. She was sure after the near miss they decided they had to be a bit more careful, but a girl could dream.

At the thought, Charlotte felt her stomach drop. Bitter defeat rushed through her mind. She had failed. Despite her valiant attempt at an escape, Charlotte had been captured once again. Though she was lacking details-the remnants of the spell were still present-she knew she'd come close to getting away. And now she wasn't likely to have another chance at a getaway. They were sure to be smart enough to keep a closer watch on her from now on.

Charlotte closed her eyes in misery, wishing with all her heart she was somewhere-anywhere else but here. Aria was speaking, and Charlotte was half listening, half drowning in her pool of defeat.

"-Train their students up good. You should have seen her. Her abilities with fire are more in tune than any other seventeen year old I've seen!"

"Well, you know, there was supposedly some education plan that supposedly improved what they were being taught. And she is the best in her year," Will said, sounding more intelligent than Charlotte had ever heard him before. She couldn't help feeling a bit of pride at hearing them talk about her in such a way. At least she impressed them, maybe even sparked a bit of fear in a few of them.

But to match the pride was utter confusion. Why, after everything they'd done, were they talking about her like this? In a sick portion of her mind she had expected them to speak of her as if she was prey; to plan what they would do with her next. But they seemed like normal people speaking of a student they'd seen performing magic. Why was that?

"Either way," said Brooklyn, "we'll have to be on guard won't we?"

"I bet if no one was watching, she could most likely get away. She doesn't even use her hand when she uses spells; she uses her mind," Aria said, her voice holding a small bit of admiration.

Brooklyn sighed. "We'll have to tell about this at the meeting. Maybe they'll have tips."

Charlotte jerked, her eyes opening. She had forgotten completely about the meeting. This would, it sounded like, determine her fate. How does one prepare for that? Would she be in the room? Would they kill her then and there? Her heart quickened at the thought. They wouldn't do that, would they?

"I see you're awake," Ross said loudly in an attempt, Charlotte assumed, to get the others to stop talking.

Charlotte threw her best attempt at a dirty look to Ross, though kept her mouth shut. She still felt absolutely miserable after her failed escape.

"Thought you'd be able to escape did you?" Brooklyn sneered. She wore a convincing vexed glare, but Charlotte didn't believe it-just minutes ago she had no issue hearing how impressive she was at magic. Charlotte knew without a doubt that her supposed anger was an attempt to scare Charlotte.

"We're faster than that, though, aren't we? Did you forget you were dealing with people who were better at magic than you?" She gloated in a sickening tone as if she found pleasure in being superior to others. In the mirrors, Charlotte could see Brooklyn's long black hair was dissolved and dust coated her face.

Something about the way she spoke strengthened Charlotte's will dangerously.

"Sorry, maybe your spell has tampered with my memory like it did the last time, but I believe it was Aria who caught me. If you're so great why didn't you keep me from running when you were right behind me?"