Opposites: The Staff of Light [Book One]

31. Finally Brought to Court (Not the Jury Type)

Alice

"WHAT? NO!" I screamed as Colton summoned a wind to plunge Alex into the well. I watched him crash into the water with a splash. Alex never swam back up. Tears welled in the corners of my eyes. "You're insane, that's what you are!" Tyler held my shoulder. "Colton, you crazy son of a gun, you killed my only brother! How could you possibly—?"

A smirk tugged on his lips. "You said I better tell him he was about to die. So I decided to kill him." He laughed hysterically, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye (weird kid, huh?). He turned to the others. "So! I'm offering you all two choices, either you plummet to your death or I throw you down hell—I mean, well. Think about it. I'm counting to ten. Fail to pick a choice and I'll automatically kill you. Go on. One. Two."

Raven spoke from behind us, "You're crazy, Colton. You've been separated from Annabeth for too long."

He frowned. "Would you just jump already? Three. Four." Raven, hesitantly, jumped into the well. Colton smiled to the others. Georgia shifted in her place, fidgeting in her uniform. She was obviously unsure of the matter. Mitch, like so, was scratching the back of his head, trying to put the puzzle pieces into place. My heart was pounding hard against my chest. I looked at Colton. What is wrong with him? I wanted to cry at the thought that I lost both my siblings in one day—one who ran away to her own will, the other killed by a friend. This is such a perfect life.

"Five," Colton continued.

Mitch stepped forward and continued to walk towards the well. He bent his torso over to catch a sight of the waters that waited him below. Don't do it, Mitch. "Hmm," he began, observing the water's surface. "That sure does seem low. Well, I'll see you guys on the other side. Also—" He gulped. "—it was nice meeting you all." Mitch folded his leg and placed his foot on the top of the well's wall. With a force, he lunged, and down he went into the water with a splash.

"Six," Colton said, "Seven..."

Georgia approached the well, eyeing me, then Colton, then Tyler. Her knuckles turned white. The pink highlights in her hair had lightened. Her green eyes sparkled with delight. "Don't do it, George," Tyler blurted with his eyes concerned for his cousin. "You could die. He even said hell instead of well."

"No, I didn't," Colton hesitated, grinning. "Eight."

"Trust him," she answered, then eyed me. "Annabeth isn't dead. She's inside that well. Colton threw down your brother because he trusted Alex. Have a little faith in Colton. He isn't as crazy as you think he is. I'll see you guys soon." And with those words, Georgia plummeted down the well, the splash sound right after her.

Georgia somehow made me feel stronger. Should I really trust them? Annabeth... how I wish she didn't run away... how I wish I made her feel loved in the past so she wouldn't deal with so many emotions... As Colton made his way through nine, I grasped Tyler's hand which squeezed mine right back. I stared at my uniform and took a deep breath as if thinking they would be the last clothes I'd ever wear. "You ready?" Tyler asked me as we stood on the well's wall. I looked back at him with a smile tugging at my lips. For one moment, he pulled me towards him for a hug. My heart hammered inside my chest as my arms wrapped around him, trying to get the strength I needed. Once we pulled away, realizing Colton had gotten over the fact that he had to count to ten, Tyler turned to face him and said, "I'm sorry I had to do that in front of you, Colt."

"No problem, dude," Colton smiled, the once insanity in him drifting away. Combust ruffled his feathers on his shoulder. "I'll see you guys on the other side." I clasped Tyler's hand and together, we plunged into the well. I shut my eyes tight as I felt every bone in my body breaking. I've never felt so pained in my life. Forget Rebecca's choking. The well's water hurt like acid. I felt Tyler and I being pushed down continuously until I gave up. I didn't have air to breathe. We died. That's it. Story's over.