Bleed Black: An Academy Novel

Chapter Fourteen

     After Katie finished telling the story of three nights ago, Athena showed no reaction, and said nothing. "Are you going to punish them?" Katie asked, feeling slightly guilty for wanting her "friends" to be punished. "No," Athena said to Katie's horror, "They did nothing wrong. It is their sworn duty to rid the world of that filth. I will talk to them about the fact that they let Hero bleed more than they should have, they did a sloppy job at that." Athena said, now checking on Hero, who was still asleep. "But they tortured that man! They-" Katie started before Athena cut her off with a stern look. "They tortured a former man! Tainted by that witches blood!" Athena said loud and sharply. Katie opened her mouth to protest, but quickly shut it again. "Katie, I am sorry I yelled. I know it is going to take time for you to ever understand what we do. But, that group did their duty to our people. You will learn over time." Athena said, in a softer voice. "What if I don't? I'm not like everyone else here." Katie said in a soft voice. "No one was at first, our god and goddess knows that." Athena said, obviously trying, and failing, to get Katie to feel better. "I could be the reason Hero dies. She got hurt because of me. She was looking at me when Zec struck her." Katie said, tears threatening to fall. No one else had saw, but Hero had looked at Katie when she had gotten hurt. "Katie, you were not prepared for this fight. Seers usually get their first vision after training and after knowing what to do. Never as soon as you did." Athena explained to her. Katie could feel her face drain of color. It reminded her of every book ever. A girl gets dragged into a whole other life, and she finds out she is special. "I'm not special." Katie stammered quickly. 

     "Of corse not dear. You're just like the other Seers in the world. Some do get their first vision sooner then others, do not think of yourself as some different person who is more related to our god and goddess. You are just like the rest of us." Athena said protectively. "I'm sorry ma'am I didn't mean to offend you." Katie apologized quickly. Athena had this sharp grace to her, that scared the pants off of Katie. "Katie, I know this must all seem crazy. But, I promise you we are the good guys," Athena said walking to the doors, "rest now dear. I will check on you soon." She said as she walked out. Katie put the soup on the nightstand and laid back down. She turned her head to look at Hero, she could see that her lips had their color back and her chest rose and fell faster than it did in the alleyway. "Hero, I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm so sorry. I never wanted you or anyone to get hurt, but I didn't know what to do. I couldn't help." Katie said, coughing on her tears. Hero's body did not react nor move at Katie's apologetic words. Katie shut her eyes, though she knew sleep would not come anytime soon. She wished she could draw, listen to music, talk to one of her friends, her true friends. Katie knew she would never fit in here. Everyone was attractive, strong, and elegant. While she still looked as if she was going through puberty, could hardly take the trash out, and tripped over her own feet. She was an outcast. "You probably don't like reading, but it's better than nothing." A voice said, making Katie jump. Sam stood beside her bed, holding a book. That was another difference Katie had from everyone else here, they were silent, she sounding like an  elephant walking over chips. "I'm not a big reader." Katie admitted to Sam. "Doesn't matter. I can't go in your room, Athena won't let me. So you can read." Sam said putting the book on the nightstand. "What book?" Katie asked, trying to see the book title. "The Outsiders, by S.E Hinton. Great book." Sam said. Katie had heard of the movie, but never read the book. "Okay, thanks." Katie said, trying to sound happy. "Don't mess it up. It's my book." Sam said protectively. "You read a lot?" Katie asked surprised when Sam nodded. "All the time. I'll bring you a new one when you finish that one." Sam said as she turned and walked out the door. 

     Katie reached over and grabbed the book. Opening the book she started reading, hoping she would like it. As her eyes scanned over the words she tried to picture the character Ponyboy. Small and scared as he got beaten up. Katie felt guilty, the people who beat Ponyboy up, reminded her of her old friends, loved by all and popular. Once she reached chapter five, Katie was sucked into the book, and the world it was creating. Losing track of time, Katie had to force herself to put the book down, not knowing when Sam would come back with another. Placing the book on the nightstand Katie laid on her back, her side hurt from where she cut herself on Hero's blade. Shutting her eyes and begging sleep to come take her over. She was tired and wide awake that the same time. Giving up on the idea of sleep, Katie stared at the ceiling and hummed. When the door opened. Turning her head she saw, in her shock, Julian. He walked over to Katie, his face stone cold, as it always was when it saw her face. "Katie, we should talk." He said sitting down in the chair that had not to long ago been taken by Sam. "Look I know," Katie started not wanting to hear it, "I'm a terrible fighter, I shouldn't  be here, I'm a disgrace, you hate me, and I'm why Hero is hurt. You tell me this everyday. I don't want to hear it again." Katie snapped at him. "You forgot one thing." Julian said in a deep raspy voice. "What?" Katie asked still annoyed.

     "You're still new at this. So don't act like you know everything, I know you were valedictorian at your old school but here you know nothing." Julian said locking his eyes with Katie's. "How'd you know I was valedictorian?" Katie asked surprised. "Sam told us." Julian said as if it were a normal thing. "So she's a stalker?" Katie questioned her voice alarmed. "No she's a retriever, it's her job to, yes stalk, but it's in her blood like being a Seer is in yours." Julian explained still in a normal voice. "Did she retrieve you?" Katie asked, hoping he would not lash out at her for all of the questions. "No, I've been here longer than her." Julian said with a small chuckle. Katie only nodded, still afraid Julian would start yelling at her like he always did. "I'm not sorry for everything I've said to you. Newbies aggravate me a lot. But, take my advice and just listen and don't act like you know everything. Maybe in your old life you did, but in this life, you're a new born baby learning from your superiors." Julian said as he stood up. Katie opened her mouth but shut it again, unsure to what she would say, though she felt a simple thank you would have done the trick. "I'll bring you your textbooks so you can study. Maybe you'll understand why we do what we do." Julian said as he walked, no, strutted out.

     Then she was alone again, alone and utterly board. Knowing if she tried to stand she would fall back down, Katie said screw it under her breath and threw the blanket aside. Slowly  swinging her legs over to one side of the bed, Katie placed her feet on the floor. Straightening her legs, Katie stood up. Only to receive sheering pain that swept through the whole right side of her body in merely seconds. Without thinking, Katie grabbed her side and had another wave of unbearable pain go through her. Collapsing onto the bed, Katie lifted up the plain white shirt she had on, to look at her wound. A cut running from the bottom of her breast to her belly button was placed on her right ribcage. The scar popped up with dried blood and the skin pushed aside. Small drops of blood appeared from where the scar stretched when she stood up. Feeling the urge to throw up, Katie threw her shirt down, hiding the wound. Laying back down on the bed, Katie shut her eyes and wished for sleep again. Tossing and turning, yearning for another visitor to come and see her. No one else came. Waiting for the sound of the wooden door to open and someone to walk in. 

     After hours and being bored and staring at the wall and ceiling, the door creaked open. Expecting Lilith, Nick, or Blake, Katie turned around. Through her eyes, that had crust on them from keeping them shut so long, she saw Jake. Quickly wiping her eyes and sitting up, Katie grinned at him not showing her teeth. "Hey, I heard what happened. Wanted to see if you're okay." He said with an open grin as he sat down. "Why? I didn't think we really got along." Katie asked, hoping he was not the kind of guy who just talked to girls when they wanted something. "You seemed nice. Is it a crime for me to be nice?" He asked, in a slightly defensive way. "Why does everyone at this school get so defensive whenever I talk." Katie groaned with a small snippy tone in her voice. "Because you're new, and maybe they aren't use to such a beautiful voice." He said with a smile. "You'll have to do better than that." Katie said shaking her head, making her tangled hair fly out. "We don't get many blonds, that could also be why. Most of us have natural black, brown, or we dye our hair." He said shrugging. "What about your hair? What color is it?" Katie asked, her eyes on the black beanie that covered his hair. Pulling the beanie off, Jake showed Katie the dirty blonde hair that framed his face. "Dirty blonde. We don't get light blonds like you." Jake explained further placing the beanie back on his head. Nodding along, Katie could feel her eyes weighing down, signaling it was time to sleep. "Well you're obviously about to pass out, guess I'm that boring. I'll leave you alone." Jake said as he stood up from the chair. "You aren't boring, I'm just tired." Katie said, worried she made the boy feel bad. Shaking his head with a smile Jake and waved and walked out the door.

     Katie rolled back onto her unhurt side and let a sigh out. A boy she had never talked to before visited her before Lilith, Nick, or Blake. Did they hate her? Or blame her for what happened? Guilt washed over her in a cold wave, making her shiver and pull the blanket tighter around her. Shutting her eyes, Katie tried to shake off the bad thoughts that swarmed her head like wasp. Bending her legs slightly and letting her breaths fall into a pattern, Katie let the darkness of sleep take her over. Seeing no dreams or visions, only black and dark.