DESPERADO | SWEET PEA [2]

27

Later on that day, Izzy sat with a few other girls that resided at the Sister's, including Betty. They all sat in chairs that were positioned to form a circle. Izzy was extremely drugged up as she sat with them. Her eyes were a bit droopy and she looked beyond wrecked. She had even lost hope of ever getting out. Well, until Betty had knocked some sense into her and told her about her plan.

"We have a very special relationship," Betty explained to the girls with a large smile on her face as she talked about the Gargoyle King, clearly trying to get on Ethel's nerves, "He tells me secrets, gives me personal quests. And I know people are scared of him because he's all-powerful, but he's honestly super funny."

If Izzy had the strength, she would have found herself smiling when she saw how furious Ethel looked from where she sat on the couch reading at Gryphons and Gargoyles manual. Ethel couldn't take it anymore and slammed the book down, beginning to walk over to Betty and the rest of the group.

Ethel stopped walking when she was in front of Betty and looked down at her, "Who's super-funny?" She questioned Betty, a cold look on her face.

Betty turned to Ethel, looking up at her with a smile on her face, "Oh, hey, Ethel," She greeted the girl, "I was just telling everyone about how the Gargoyle King and I have gotten really close."

"Very funny, Betty," Ethel replied, clearly not believing Betty.

"It's true," Betty nodded her head in confirmation, "After I met him, I couldn't get him out of my head, you know?" She questioned the group, all of which nodded and smiled, "He's amazing. Yesterday, he said..." She stopped talking, smiling up at Ethel before turning to the rest of the group, "Nevermind."

"He said what?" Ethel asked in a stern tone.

Betty smiled, glancing between Ethel and the rest of the group, "Yesterday, he said I was his new favorite."

The whole group of girls gasped in shock, but smiled at Betty's fake revelation. Ethel smiled fakely, glancing at all of them while Betty smiled proudly, looking over at Izzy, who seemed impressed by her manipulation skills, "That's not possible," Ethel argued in disbelief before turning to Betty, "You're not worthy enough for him. You're making all this up to make fun of me, aren't you?"

"Of course not, Ethel," Betty replied without hesitation, placing a straight look on her face as she stood up, "But if you don't believe me, you should go ask him yourself. Or you, Izzy, and I can go talk to the Gargoyle King together. You do have the keys to his chamber, don't you?"

"Why should Izzy go?" Ethel asked with an attitude, glancing over at the girl who still remained in her seat.

"Izzy and I are a package deal. You take me with you, you have to take her, too," Betty informed her and Ethel sighed out, hesitantly nodding her head.

Betty walked over to Izzy, grabbing her by the arm before pulling her up with her, "Come on, Izzy," She told her sister, who weakly followed them, but didn't say a word.

Soon after, Ethel, Betty, and Izzy arrived at the door of the Gargoyle King's chamber. Ethel held the key to the door in her hand, but didn't open the door, "What, Ethel?" Betty questioned her, "Are you scared?"

Ethel sighed, turning to look at Betty as she shook her head. She turned back to face the door and unlocked the door. Just as she opened the door, Izzy used all the strength she had left in her to roughly push Ethel into the chamber. Ethel walked forward as she stumbled. When she did so, Izzy made sure to close the door and lock it, trapping Ethel in.

"What are you doing?" Ethel asked fearfully, "Open the door!"

"We can't, Ethel," Betty replied, "And I'm sorry, but Izzy and I need to fast-track our plans, and you're our best shot at converting someone."