Thorns of Fate: Serendipity Saga Book One

Chapter Fifteen

After my mother had died, I became withdrawn. I was young only six and felt entirely lost without my mother. I found myself only opening up to Will and Kellic. It was at that point that they became my only friends. I became silent, exchanging meaningful gazes with my grandmother but only truly speak to the two of them. They were my defenders, my protectors, of my feelings, my heart, even my voice.

My emotional crisis and new kid status at my school opened me up to a lot of teasing and torture. Fortunately for me, my best friends were a defensive lot and stayed with me always. But equally unfortunately, this didn't prepare me for the odd time when I did get cornered alone. This became a problem as I got older. Other girls seemed to find joy in calling out the quiet one.

Lynn Sturgess was my mortal enemy. She and her pet witches slammed my shoulders against the cafeteria wall, the brick digging into my skin. She locked her forearm over my collarbone, keeping me from sitting up. She screamed profane names at me while I wrinkled beneath her onslaught.

It was Will and Kellic that found and rescued me. Kellic actually decked the girl and cracked her jaw. Will took a couple of blows, refusing to hit back but eventually scaring them off by not backing down. All the was left was a cowering Lynn Sturgess.

Will stared down at her as Kellic whispered reassurances into my ear. Lynn furious panic in her eyes and glared up at him. I never knew what he had said, but she didn't bother me after that.

That was who will was. He defended the weak and just wanted to have a good time. He enjoyed sitting and playing on phones as much as playing beer pong with twenty friends. He was innocent. He was kind. I was almost one hundred percent positive that Will was the best person I had ever met.

Though we hadn't ever gotten a chance to talk about it, I knew Will had to have his reasons about why he hadn't chosen to turn. Will wouldn't leave someone to protect themselves lightly. I would've guessed he would've snatched up the opportunity to live forever and be imbued with the ability to do good. But he hadn't.

And standing there shell shocked in the projector room, I begged the question in my mind again and again, not sure what Henrick was planning to do to him. Damien and Carson were speaking in front of me. It was like a game of ping pong, even if I couldn't actually make out the words.

Kellic stood beside me with Gabrielle, speaking in hushed tones. My mother stood behind my father, watching his and Carson's brief take place. I tried to focus in on their conversation, knowing it was important, but couldn't. My mind was foggy and couldn't understand their words right now. Don't misunderstand, I could hear them. But their voices sounded like those parents in Charlie Brown.

Wah, wah, wahhh.

Wah wah, wah.

My mom occasionally looked over to me, fear splattered on her face. I felt like I was that little kid again. Instead of losing my mommy and gaining a best friend, I had kept my mother and lost my best friend.

My father and Carson discussed some more, finally breaking apart. Damien took my mother and led her out the door, yelling to men in the hallway. Kellic and Gabrielle followed, right behind them. I stood there, pain jabbed through my chest, freezing me into place.

Carson was in front of me now. I couldn't understand what he was asking me.

A blonde hair peered around the doors, then made his way over to us. He and Carson argued for several moments before he looked deeply into my eyes. His eyes were like golden embers. He grabbed my upper arm.

The world came swirling into focus again, the pain in my chest receding little by little. Anton dropped to his knees in front of me, losing grip of my arm. Carson gripped him and helped him to his feet.