Phases Eight

Phase 19 Alter-ed Date

A traitor is never a stranger.

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Amelia could no longer be seated amidst the gathering. She began to choke as she felt an invisible noose being tightened around her neck. All the eyes in the trial were intently focused on the screen, whereas she couldn't afford to have a glance at it. Anxiety and remorse weighed down in her chest and fretfully she began twisting the ring on her thumb.

If the members of the D.R.E.A.M's board were common people with simple reasoning brains, she would've easily manipulate their way of thinking, tempted them with monetary deals and gotten herself out of the fix.

Unfortunately the D.R.E.A.M was made up of filthy rich psychiatrists from around the globe, whose trust couldn't be easily bought. Further they had a solid evidence against her, which blocked her route of escape from all the sides. Though she didn't dare to look at the screen, the voices from the video forcefully drilled into her ears.

"Isn't Amelia doing fine without you? Why can't you just leave her?" Jake's pleading voice churned Amelia's heart. The sight of the alluring sea-green eyes filled with tears made her want to jump from the tallest building in Manhattan.

"She's the one holding onto us. When we all leave her, she'll be a dead body like you'd be in a few minutes"  threatened a hollow version of her own voice. "Jake, have you heard the saying curiosity killed the cat? If I were the one to write your biography, this would be its title" smirked Nick.

"Do I have any last wishes?" said Jake, trying to extend the time of his execution. He broke his knuckles repeatedly. Amelia's condition was no worse than Jake's in the video. Aaron who sat beside Amy, mocked her with his devilish grin. Amy held back the urge to break his jaw.

She bit the inner wall of her cheeks as the video came to the nerve-wrecking part.

"Killing time, huh?" snapped Nick. Jake gasped. The tip of the knife, scratched its way from Jake's Adams apple, to his collar bone.

"Sorry Jake, I warned you earlier that I did things unexpectedly"

Jake let out a groan, as the tip of Nick's knife pierced his throat. Amy's vision blurred. She touched her cheeks and felt moisture over it.

Tears? Haven't you seen this video numerous times? What is the immediate necessity to cry when you can't afford to show weakness?

But the last time Amelia saw the video was the day before Jake moved into the Hamilton Mansion. She was unstirred by the sight of blood that stained Jake's white shirt and his eyes that was scathed by the fear of death. Was it because she saw the video before they became... close?

Amelia wiped her tears with the sleeve of her blouse before the screen went blank. All the eyes in the room bore holes on her face. She shivered from top to toe. Some felt pity for her unfortunate fate, whereas the others devoured every bit of fear inside her. Discussions and arguments intensified the atmosphere among which none was in her favor. The invisible noose around her neck became tighter and tighter.

Her ears began ringing.

'Leave it to me. I can handle this situation'  whispered a voice inside her head.The ringing became unpleasant and unbearable.

"SHUT UP" growled Amy. To her astonishment the ringing abruptly came to a halt. The board members became quiet and looked at each other's faces in utter confusion. Blood rushed to Amelia's face, making it scarlet red. She cursed herself for blurting out senselessly.

Orion was the only person pleased about her sudden outburst. Enthusiastically, he walked up to the screen with audible footsteps that echoed throughout the room. He clasped his thin, ghost-like hands and turned to the anticipated audience.