Darkness of the Woods

Chapter 26

Elfrida

She didn't know what Audrey was going to do. Or even when she was planning on going, she just avoided her for a few days, after what had happened to Rose. They didn't talk about what had happened when they were together, and they never talked about Rose.

In fact no one in their inner circle, or even the rest belonging to Of The Woods, mentioned her name. Other people didn't even realize that Rose had disappeared until two days after there was no sign of her. Some teachers asked questions, then news about the Headmistress death finally came out.

This then caused some panic, some parents came in and took kids away. None of them were members, of course. Then Elfrida's parents sent letters to their daughters, asking if they wanted to come home. Elfrida said no, same with her other triplets. This was not a surprise.

Then the school received notification from the Velent Army, since they were a school of two different kingdoms it had to be handled by the joint army. They will send some of their warriors, along with a replacement principle to the school in a week and a half. This prompted several more parents to come in and take their kids away. Some parents were worried that the soldiers would take their kids hostage and force them to return back home to the fatherland.

It has happened before, but that was before the Velent Army even existed, when there was giant unrest between the kingdoms. This had been when the kings and queens were worried that their people in the human world would be killed by their enemy kingdoms, which also happened, and so they forced them to come home.

By the end of the week there was less students. It was Friday when Audrey told her to sit with her sisters for breakfast. Elfrida was confused by this, and a bit offended, but Audrey said. "I need you to be close to them." And said nothing more than that.

So instead of sitting with the others she passed her usual table, which was oddly empty, and sat down right next to Akili. Her sisters gave her surprised and questioning looks, Elfrida said, "What? I just wanted to sit with you guys for the day." She went on explaining. "Audrey and them have been acting odd, well odder than usual, and I just, with the disappearance of Rose, wanted to leave them alone."

Akili finally said, "That's okay with us. It's nice to eat with you again."

Elfrida smiled. And then Chase sat down right next to her, stretching his arm over her seat. She sighed and looked pointedly away from him. "Chase move your arm off my chair."

"Why?" He asked, she could hear his smile.

"You know why."

"No, I don't." he said annoyingly

"Because I'm already taken. You know I have a boyfriend."

"Ahhh, the mysterious boyfriend." She finally looked at him to give him a glare. He gave her a wide smile and looked at her sisters. "Do any of you know about this boyfriend of hers?"

"Nope," Cammi said leaning forward, "I never even knew she had one."

"Yeah, me neither." Akili said playfully, putting down her fork. "What's his name Elfrida?"

"M." Elfrida replied.

"M? What kind of name is that?" Cammi said condescendingly. "If you're going to make up a name, make up a better name."

"I didn't make it up. He's a real guy, it's just his nickname." Elfrida said, annoyed. "I'm not lying about having a boyfriend that would just be sad."

Cole had also come in with Chase and was sitting down next to Cammi, holding her hand. Cammi smiled at him and he smiled back. It was adorable. Adorably disgusting. He said in her defense, "You guys leave her alone." Then turned his attention to her. "I believe you, Elfrida."

"Thanks." Elfrida said giving him a thankful smile. But she knew he didn't actually believe her. Finally Audrey, Victoria, James, and many others had entered the room. Elfrida looked around and noticed that all the students were in here, not only that but members of Of The Woods were blocking all the doorways. "Hey, what is it? Why do you look so worried?" Chase asked her, lightly putting a hand on her arm.

"I-I, nothing." Elfrida said avoiding their gazes.

"No," Cammi said, "it's something. You know something. What is it?" She looked around and saw the doors blocked by bodies. "What's going on?" she gripped Elfrida's arms tightening her grip. "Tell me Elfrida Crescendo."

Elfrida twisted from her grip, trying to get away, glancing once again at the ring leaders moving toward the front of the room. "It's-it's just that I didn't expect her to actually do it."

"Do what? Elfrida, what?"

"Cammi, let go of her. Cammi!" Akili yelped, ripping her sister's hands off of her other sister.

Chase pulled Elfrida towards him, trying to comfort her since she had started to shake with fear. He was about to say something, same with Akili, but Audrey beat them to it. "My fellow students, I have an announcement to make." Her voice echoed throughout the room. All talking stopped. Everything was silent. You could hear a pencil drop, Elfrida thought. "It was brought to my attention that there are certain individuals have decided to take it upon themselves to try and get rid of us. So I, I mean we, have decided that it was time to make ourselves known, fully and with the Master's blessing. And that those that have set themselves against us, will fall. They will leave this place or deal with the consequences. Those that stay here are welcomed to join us, please do. If you don't the Master has commanded us to get rid of the doubters because we bring a message from the goddess, and she wants you to come back home to the belief. Be wise in what you choose." She warned. "The Master does not forgive twice."

She motioned to the people blocking the doors. "As you can see there's no way out. No one is allowed to go out and warn the Velent Army, so as of now, you are all prisoners of war." And then she dismissed like anyone in charge would do, but politely. "Please, continue your meals, we will escort you all back to your rooms after."

There were gasps echoing through the room, and many knives and forks and spoons falling as everyone just gapped at her. People started talking amongst themselves warily, glancing once in a while looking at the people they thought they had known, lined up against the walls. Watching them like prison guards.

At Elfrida's table, no one really talked. Cammi and Akili seemed to be assessing the situation. Staring at their new guards' positions, at Audrey was standing in a tight circle with James, Victoria, and a few others, and at how the guards talked to on another, which was not at all.

While Cammi and Akili were strategizing, Chase and Cole were whispering together, most likely doing the same thing since they were also staring at the young guards too. None of them talked to Elfrida but they would occasionally send her a worried glance since she appeared to be freaking out still. Akili reached over to her and held her shaking hand. "Don't worry, Elfrida, we'll get out of here, I promise."

Elfrida gave her a smile, but was clearly not convinced. "I mean it, you know us, we will get all of us out of here. We already have a plan."

"Okay," Elfrida sighed, "I'll believe you."

"Elfrida." A voice said directly behind her said. Elfrida gulped and turned around. Sure enough it was Audrey. "You need to come with us."

Elfrida nodded, as though this was inevitable and got up, walking away from the table. She could feel her sisters and the guys' eyes on her back.