Mismatched(A collab with EmeraRider)

Chapter 11

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

            Hey, guys! Sorry it's been a while, I've been working on this chapter for such a long while--it's probably the longest one I've written, and these past three weeks have /not/ been easy. Anyway, I just wanted to shoutout to my friend Anna who helped me out with this last bit of this chapter, which you guys will see is kinda..well..you'll see xD So, I hope you guys like it! Happy reading!

                                                                           --DD32

"Goodnight, Nathan."

" 'Night, Zoe." He mumbled drowsily. He had already situated himself on his bed, his back facing me.

I quietly closed the door behind me, suprised that there were no guards. 

  Of course Nathan wouldn't bring me with him. There wasn't any valid reason that'd he'd bring me. We had not known each other for long, and with the little training I had, I would only be a burden. I understood, so I shouldn't have been disappointed. He had been alone for years now, so why would he make an exception for me? And why should I care? I blinked quickly, willing the tears to not come.

   But then I imagined waking up the next morning to only find Eric telling me that Nathan was gone, and a pain I can only describe as deep, unfathomable ache ran through me.  But there was no reason to cry, he didn't care for me, and I him..right? I quickly wiped away the few tears that had escaped. 

    I started down the hallway. The silence of these grand, enormous hallways was eerie and only added to my lonely mood. But, I still felt a small surge of pride as I found myself easily navigating the entanglement of hallways with ease. I had adapted to this harsh way of life much too quickly, and home already seemed a world away.

     

    I found myself slowly opening the door to my room a few minutes later,  trying not to awaken the guards on either side. I shuddered as I tried to hold back tears. 

        I closed the door behind me, and sat on my bed. I took deep breaths in an effort to calm down, though I could already feel an ache in my throat, promising tears to come. I hated this place, and everyone in it. I hated Michael for beating me; I hated Alexandra for capturing me.  And I hated Nathan, most of all, for starting this whole blasted thing, and for wanting to leave me when I needed him the most.

           A sob escaped from me, and I punched my pillow, as if that would help anything. I wanted to scream, but that would wake the guards. I laughed, on the verge of hysteria. In a place where all Outsiders should be free, I was the most trapped of its residence. I wanted to run away, to leave this cursed prison behind. Because if I had to die as an Outsider, at least it would be in comfort, not in this hellish place.

           Then an idea came to mind. What if I did leave? I wiped away my tears one last time. They wouldn't notice until morning, at the very least. Nathan obviously wouldn't care when he found out. The only person I would miss would be Eric. He was different from the rest of them, aside from the fact that I might have felt..something towards him. He was kind and gentle. He cared about me.

           I silently apologized to him as I started to pack. I found a small satchel in my wardrobe. With shaking hands, I quickly folded a few days worth of clothing. A burst of sentiment caused me to toss Sinarae into the satchel too. That was all I could take, really.

             I looked around my room, searching for anything I could possibly turn into a weapon. Attempting to steal one from the training room would be futile; I knew they had capable guards patroling there. I finally took the silver candle holder. It wasn't the best weapon, but it was better than nothing. I smiled grimly; the Defiant training had gotten to me after all.  I hid my makeshift weapon  inside my cloak, and pulled the hood over my head.