I run fast, lugging my backpack on my back.
I finally get to the house and lean against a tree.
You can do this. It's your duty. Your duty. Just get it over with.
I take a deep breath and walk up the steps to the front door. I ring the doorbell and fidget.
Becky answers the door, wearing a bathrobe.
"Hey."
"Hey. Is.... Gianna around? I wanted to see her."
"Upstairs. You know where her room is?"
I nod.
I climb up the stairs, pausing outside the door to pull on my shroud.
I don't pull the hood up.
I open the door and walk in.
Gianna's propped on a couple pillows in the center of her bed. She's splotchy and she smiles when I walk in.
"Hey.... Aria."
Her voice is barely a rasp.
"Hey Gianna."
I sit on the edge of the bed.
"I have to tell you something."
Her brow furrows. "What is it?"
Get it over with. Just do it!
I take a deep breath. "I'm.... Sorry. Really truly. I'm only doing this so you don't suffer anymore."
"Wha-what?"
"Please. Forgive me."
I jump up, and swing my scythe, striking her sternum.
Her eyes go glassy and she screams. They pierce my ears, tears falling down my face. Her eyes are white and milky now, bloodshot vessels popping against the white.
She convulses under the blanket, her back bending and her arms curving at unnatural angles. She screams again and goes limp. Her eyes stare at the ceiling, clouded over with lifelessness.
I lean forward and gently kiss her forehead. Tears fall on her face and I tear off my shroud and put away my scythe.
I run down the stairs, frantic, pretending that I don't know what happened.
"BECKY! MS. SALVEREZ! THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH GIANNA!"
They race up the stairs, little Lucy tangled in their arms.
I choke back a sob as I follow them into the room.
"Gianna? Gianna?! GIGI?!?!"
Becky's stoops over her body, crying wracking sobs.
Her mother stands off to the side, gripping a confused Lucy.
"What's wrong with Gigi? Ari, why is Gigi sleeping?"
I feel tears flow down my cheeks.
"Lucy......" I stroke her hair.
"Why is everyone crying?"
We all stay silent.
Becky jumps up. "We're going to the hospital. Let's go."
She carries Gianna in her arms and drags her mother with her.
Ms. Salverez turns to me. "Do you need a ride home?" She looks at the door urgently.
I shake my head. "I can walk."
She nods sadly then briskly follows Becky to the car.
I lock the door behind them and sling my backpack onto my shoulder.
I run back to my house, tears flowing from my face as I speed up.
Why? What did I do? Do I need the lose more? What next? I have to kill Zane? What about the others? Lucy just lost a freaking sister, and she doesn't know it yet. No husband or dad. No daughter or sister. Becky probably just lost her best friend. I just lost my best friend.
The tears feel burning hot on my cheeks and I wipe them away furiously.
I reach my house faster than I expected.
I rub my face outside the door, trying to run away the tear stains. I shake my head and bounce on my feet. I feel like my stomach's been turned into a washcloth that's being wrung out.
I take deep breath and push open the door.
Mom and Dad are sitting, well Dad is laying, on the couch drinking something.
I see Zane who's talking with them.
They look up when I walk in.
Zane smiles. "Hey Aria! Wanna have so- Why are your eyes red?"
I shake my head. "I just got some wind in my eye. I was running."
He nods slowly, looking doubtful. "Ok. Sure."
Mom stands up. "Sit with us. Zane was talking about his ideas for catching the traitor."
I whip my hair around, trying to hide my eyes from her.
"Where's Riel?"
Dad speaks up. "At the facility. Investigation."
"Ah."
I sit down near Zane on the couch. I stare at my sneakers and mess with my shirt.
"What's wrong?" Zane asks, his voice low.
I shake my head and smile crookedly.
"Nothing. Why?"
Zane stares at me for a few moment then sighs.
"We're talk-"
Suddenly, the front door bursts open and Riel spills through.
He's gripping something in his hands tightly.
Mom walks out of the kitchen.
"What on earth....?? Riel, what is it?"
He pants, looking around at us, his eyes wild.
"Investigation."
He take a breath then looks up again.
"We found something."
He swings his arm forward.
Mom gasps. Dad's eyes go wide.
Riel's hands are gripped tightly.
I stare, my mouth open.
"A scythe."
YOU ARE READING
Prep School
Fantasy15 year old Aria is not your ordinary teenage girl. She's not exactly normal but she doesn't stick out either. She has powers. Powers that mortals like you and me can't handle. When she moves to a new school, she has to learn how to control her powe...
