The Long Road to Recovery

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I aimed my arrow over President Brick's heart. I felt so tempted to let go, but I couldn't. Atlanta's camera focused on my face.

"Brick, I'm not afraid of you, or anyone else," I told the camera."Be prepared; I'm always watching."

The red dot stopped blinking. "You told her, Artemis," Atlanta said.

I sighed. "Let's get back," I said shooting a tree.

We ran back to the hotel. Atlanta downloaded the video onto out computer we were given. She then emailed that to Witeville's tech guy, Henry. I could only hope he wouldn't put it on TV until I could hide. I watched the TV all that day to make sure it wasn't up. I guess he understood that if he put it up today, I would be killed. I looked at the clock. It was almost eleven. I laid down in my bed and instantly fell asleep.

"Artemis, wake up honey," Jake said shaking me gently.

"Come on we only have two hours," Justin said hastily.

"Let me get ready myself," I said quietly.

Someone pulled my covers off me. "You know you aren't allowed to do that," Robert said.

I reached under my mattress."Try me," I said grabbing a 5 inch hunting knife. They all backed up.

"I'm sure we can work something out," Justin said quickly.

I got up and slit the front of his shirt open. "I am a hunter," I told him. "I can be very persuasive."

Justin ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay. Jake will supervise though," he told me. He and Robert left the room.

"Dare say anything and I'll rip your throat out," I growled getting some clothes. I changed into some old blue jeans and a tank top. I walked out of the room and into the kitchen. Jake and Avril were whispering.

Isabella came in. "Are you ready to go?" she asked me.

I pulled my hair up. "Now I am."

We walked out of the hotel and then to the platform. President Brick walked on to the platform a few minutes after we walked up. She smiled at me as the guards chained me to the poles for the last time. "Artemis Webster will be getting the last of her 140 lashes today. All of the 35 she is getting will be the same as always," President Brick told the crowd. As she walked by me I spit in her face. She slapped me. I heard people gasp. The taste of blood filled my mouth as I bit my cheek. I spit the blood out of my mouth at her feet. I smirked as she walked away wiping her face hastily. I heard her give the command of the beginning of the lashes. I was hit with the whip. I screamed in agony. Blood trickled down my back.

"What was that?" I asked through clenched teeth.

Brick gave me a look of false pity. "Did that hurt?" she sneered.

I looked to my left. Peter was standing there again. He was fighting two guards that were holding him.

"Eighteen," I heard Brick say. I was half way done. The time dragged on until I hit 30. I was proud of myself.

"Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five," the crowd counted.

My last lash. It hurt the most, but felt the best. I was unchained.

"I hope you're happy," I said walking over to Brick.

She stood up taller in pride. "I am," she said placing a hand on my arm.

I wiped my raw, bleeding back with my hand. Then I wiped my bloody hand on her other hand. "My blood is now on your hands," I said collapsing.

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