Forest Sisters

Confession

Ivy's POV

"It happened when I was seven." I say, my voice shaking. I look down at the ground, fighting back the tears. "My parents and I had just gotten back from a day at the park. It was a normal day, like any other. When we got home, strange things started to happen." I look up at the crowd, my eyes pleading. "I didn't do anything." I say desperately. A reassuring hand rubs my back. I flinch, not expecting it. I look up into Pipers face. "We know," she says, "just tell us what you can." I take a deep breath and continue, her words somehow giving me the strength to continue. "Soon after we got home, the smoke came into the room we were in. The fire alarm never went off, and I don't know why." I say. "The next thing I can remember is fire climbing up the walls." I get lost in the memory, but force it down. I couldn't have an episode here, not now, not ever again. I take in another breath, clearing my head. "Before the fire could reach us, something shot out of the fire and grabbed me. I went out of the open window, and I heard and explosion. I woke up later on the street, my "
apartment already collapsed and nothing but ashes." I finish my story and look up. "Is that all?" Someone asks. "Yes." I lie.
The room erupts in questions. Everyone yelling over one another. "She's lying!" One shouts. "How do we know?" Another demands. "Do you have any idea what we should ask then, smart guy?" Someone challenged. "I like Doritos!" Another shouts. Every one stops and looks at the speaker. "What?" He asks.
Piper steps forward in front of me before anyone else can speak. "What is your name?" She asks. Her voice seeps into my head and all other senses are gone. " Iveryne Forrister. " I respond, feeling like I'm floating, nothing holding me down. I want to tell her, want to give her whatever she wants, to listen to what ever she says. She speaks to me again. "We're you there that night?" She asks. "Yes." I say, my voice sounding sleepy. "Did you have anything to do with your parent's death?" She asks. "Yes." I say. There is an intake of gasps around the room. The shouting starts again, but Piper cuts them off. "How were you involved with your parent's death?" She says. "It wasn't them, it was me. They saved me when I should have saved them." I say. When the words register in my mind, I'm shocked. I had never really said that out loud, only thinking it in my darkest moments. What if it was true. It had to be, everything else I had said was true.
"We're you the ones to kill them?" Piper says, more urgently. "No." I say. Piper nods and steps back. Now that Piper isn't speaking to me, my mind clears. What have I said, what have I done. I desperately push the panic down, refusing to let it show. Someone puts their arm around my shoulders. I look up to see Leo. For once he doesn't have a goofy smile in his face, his eyes even look sad.
"I think it is obvious that Ivy us existed, after having such an eventful day." I jump, because the voice had come from behind me in the doorway. I glance over my shoulder and see Chiron, now in a wheel chair. "I propose she goes and gets some rest." He says. I feel existed, both mentally and physically. I wonder if I should leave, but decide to wait for further instructions. Annabeth steps forward. "I think that we should have a guard with Ivy at all time, at least until the camp settles." She says, and I see a few nods. "It's not safe for her right now. She was already attacked twice today, who knows when the next will come." More nods and muttered agreement. "Conner, Travis." Annabeth says. They come out of the crowd, hands behind their back. "We didn't do it!" They both yell at the same time. Annabeth rubs the bridge of her nose in frustration. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you two need to watch her. Your in the same cabin, so keep an eye on her."
Connor looks concerned "But tonight we're-" Travis cuts him off my elbowing him in the stomach. He leans over to his brother and whispers in his ear. "Okay, we'll o first watch!" Connor says excitedly. Annabeth looks around the room, as if to see if someone else could do the job. When she done looking and seems to not come up with any alternative, she sighs and shakes her head. "I guess this will have to do." She says.
Travis and Connor come over to me, throwing their arms over my shoulder. "Come on, kid. You'll be hanging with the cool kids today." Travis says as they lead me out of the room. "So," Connor says, "how good are you at handling the hot glue gun?"
"Um, good?" I say hesitantly. "Oh, just for a project we're doing later." Connor says cheerfully. "We've been banned from using any type of glue and anything that has the words 'glue,' 'permanent,' and some other weird things like that." I'm starting to understand why they're banned from using curtain things. Connor turns to Travis. "So, you take her back to the cabin now and I'll watch her later." He says, pushing me towards his brother. Travis shakes his head. "No," he says, pushing me back, "I need to get the supplies, you need to take her the cabin and watch her." Connor pushes me again, glaring at his brother. "I can't, I'm going to hang out with Katie, so you need to do it."
"You can go on a date with your girlfriend another time." Travis says, pushing me again. "She's not my girlfriend!" Connor yells. "You wish she was." Travis taunts. I'm standing there between them, now forgotten as the two brothers fight. I was considering just going to the cabin by my self, but just then a hand grabs my arm and pulls me out from between my guards. I look over to see who grabbed me, and I'm slightly surprised to see Helena's face. She starts to March off, still gripping my arm. "I'll watch her!" She yells at the two fighting brothers. They barely here her now that they have each other in a head lock. Yeah, both of them in a head lock at the same time. I didn't know it was possible, but with them, anything could happen.
Helena's grip loosens a little. "Thanks." I whisper. "That's what sisters are here for." She says. I smile. Sisters. I never had a sister, much less a friend before now. But since up got to camp, I can actually call some people here a friend.
By the time we make it to the cabin, my limbs feel like they are made of stone. I walk over to my bed and flop down on the pillow. I welcome the numbness of sleep with open arms, desperately wanting to be anywhere but here. Luckily, I fall asleep before any of my tears can escape.