The Protectors

Chapter 3

•Chapter 3•

I wake up in a bed. Sitting beside me is a boy with black hair and electric green eyes. And the moment I see him I fall in love with him.

"Am I dead?"

The boy chuckles. "No, you're not. But you almost were. Good thing I grabbed you just as Cristian let go."

I cough. Every muscle in my body aches. "Who are you? What am I doing here?"

"Well I do know a few medical tricks. Picked up on them from my mother. This is the training infirmary."

"You still haven't answered my second question. Who are you?"

"Oh yes. How rude of me," he says sarcastically. "My name is Quinton. Quinton Sterling."

Oh my god. Even his name is hot.

"You don't have to stay if you feel better. We're about an hour away from the training facilities."

"I don't know. I feel a little light-headed, I think I'll stay a little while," I fib. I'm not going ANYWHERE.

"How long have you been here? Are you in initiation too?" I ask.

"Yep. I must be in the other group. Hopefully I'll see you on the list."

"Me too."

He is SO dreamy.

"What's your name?" he asks.

I jolt out of my love struck trance. "Emity. Emity Hallings."

"Emity Hallings? As in Uribe Hallings's little sister?!"

"Yes. Why?"

"My brother Daniel is best friends with Uribe Hallings!"

Yes. More opportunities just keep flooding through.

We keep talking for a while. I learn that he has one older brother, Daniel, and a younger sister, Michaela, who is five. He has a dog named by Michaela, called "Meila". His birthday is April 21st, only six days ahead of mine. And we share a favorite color~ gold, like the sunrise.

"Trainees. You have 15 minutes until we arrive. I repeat. 15 minutes till arrival," a screechy voice echoes over the loudspeaker. "15 minutes."

I sigh. Time was cut too short.

"Well you'd probably get going then. Nice meeting you Emity." He smiles, a genuine smile. The 13 year old inside me giggles uncontrollably.

"Nice meeting you too, Quinton."

I get off the train with Louise, who had red eyes from crying so hard when Christian held me off the side of the train. I comfort her the best I can.

We approach a single file line, based off of last name. We separate as she heads off to the front and I stay in the middle.

I can see Quinton in the back of the line. I wish I had my mother's maiden name, Tannil. I could be RIGHT NEXT TO HIM!

Wesley Matt, the main trainer, walks up to the front of the line and everything falls silent. Wesley is a harsh leader. One sound and we will be thrown back on the train. If we're lucky. If we're not, we'll board the train with a red F on our forehead. I saw one girl with one, trying to wash off. it doesn't come off, only burns your skin when you try.

"I am about to post the list of the top twenty trainees. If you did not make the list, then you will leave the premises immediately. If you are on the list, then you will report to the gymnasium at 6:00 am. Those who are late will also be cut. There will be no exceptions."

She tacks it up on the wall. We step up to it one at a time. It's my turn.

I take a deep breath, which soon I release in a relieved sigh. Louise, Quinton and I have made it. Then my relief turns into elation.

Cristian didn't make it.

I contain my joy as I walk past him to go meet the other initiates. Louise and I celebrate quietly to ourselves.

I see Cristian's anger and I can no longer contain my smirk. He glares at me and I know I made a mistake.

Louise leaves to go to the bathroom. I tell her I will catch up with her. I walk over to Quinton.

He smiles. "Well congratulations. I must admit I had my doubts at first," he says jokingly.

I punch his arm.

"Emity, would you mind if you came with me to tonight's party? I'm hosting."

"YES. I mean, uhhh, sure, I do t have anything else to do, so maybe."

He smiles. Ahhhhh, those eyes!

"I can't wait. See you there, Emity."

"See ya, Quinton!"

Oh yes I will see you, Quinton. I will see you there.

I run over to catch up to Louise in the bathroom.

"Louise?"

No response.

Maybe she left.

I try again. "Louise?"

Still nothing.

I peek in anyways.

I gasp.

No.

This can't be true.

There is a giant pool of blood. Growing. Growing.

And in the middle is a girl with knife marks all over her body.

Louise is dead.

I start to get dizzy.

Right before I black out, one final thought enters my brain.

CRISTIAN.