EQAO

Chapter 22 - Betrayal

We collided with the wall to my right. The air had been knocked out of me, and I was seeing spots. Sameera scrambled up again, and looked at me without recognition. When my breath returned, I managed to choke out,

"Sameera? Why...?"

She looked straight into my eyes, and grabbed me, lifting me off the ground. I screamed, as she attempted to throw me into the pit. I wrenched my hands free, and grasped onto the metal ladder. With my feet, I tried to push Sameera back away from me and the pit. When that didn't work, I pushed off her stomach, and swung myself backwards, escaping her grip. She stumbled back, and I seized the opportunity to land safely on the ground, and run at her. I grabbed her arms, and held her.

"Sameera!" I shouted at her, "This isn't you, you would never try to kill me! What happened to you?!"

She looked into my face, and for an instant, her eyes were pleading. Then, she knocked my feet from underneath me, and pinned me down. I struggled hard against her grip, and I was starting to get loose, when three more pairs of hands pushed me roughly back down to the ground. I looked up, and my heart broke.

No...

Michelle, Anika, and Kat were staring down at me with pure hatred in their eyes. I stopped struggling, knowing I couldn't beat all of them. Anger boiled up inside of me. Not at them, but at the people who were making them do this. A hot tear trickled down my face.

"Guys!" I yelled at them, "Fight it! You don't want to do this!"

They didn't seem to hear me. Michelle reached into my armour pocket, and produced a small, silver dagger. I gasped.

When had that got there?

Michelle pointed the blade at my heart, and raised her arm.

"Michelle!" I cried desperately, realizing what she was about to do, "Think of all the good times we've had! Think of all the laughs, the snorts! Think of your best friend!"

Michelle hesitated, then the dagger shot towards me. I shut my eyes, and waited for the blow to come.

The grass is so soft... This wouldn't be a bad place to sleep...

SHUNK

I opened my eyes again, and looked over to my left. The silver dagger had sunk into the dirt beside my shoulder. I looked up at Michelle. She was panting, and down on the ground, still holding the dagger. She raised her head, and her eyes were full of horror.

"I-I" she spluttered, "You... Almost killed..."

"It's okay," I said weakly, "you saved me."

Suddenly, the three pairs of hands that had been holding me, were now advancing on Michelle.

"No!" I cried, and leapt in front of her.

I grabbed the dagger from the ground, and held it in front of myself threateningly. They stopped, and looked at it. My heart was pounding, and my mind was racing.

How are we all going to make it out of this alive?