She's an Ancient (rewriting)

Chapter 17: Here Among My Enemies

I peeked around the large gate leading into the school, the bell had just rang and everyone was eager to leave. I bit my lip, hoping I would find Kyoni before anyone found me, I wasnt in the mood to deal with questions. I stood up straight and began walking towards the front doors of the school. I spotted a familiar face and grinned in relief. It was Issi, she would understand, she always understood. I made my way over to her slowly, careful not to reopen my wound.

"Issi!" I called. She turned around with a smile that quickly faded when she saw me, and her face went pale.

"Amaranth. You're here." She said, glancing around nervously. I smiled a bit at her.

"Yeah, is... everything okay?" I asked noticing how uncomfortable she looked. She glanced away before taking a few steps back.

"Sorry, I have to leave, I'm meeting Karia somewhere." She said in a rushed voice as she turned and ran in the opposite direction. I clenched my teeth together, it seemed like she was almost afraid of me. Pushing it out of my mind, I wandered into the building, looking for Kyoni. Everything seemed to have changed, somehow I knew deep down something was wrong, that I had lost everyone, and even the walls felt like they could just fade away at any second. But I wouldnt accept it, not until I saw Kyoni. A soft giggle rang in my ears.

"Oh come on, it wasnt that bad. I think you looked adorable in those cat ears." Another giggle followed. I rolled my eyes and began turning away.

"I think you really dont know what you're talking about." A male voice followed along with a deeper laughter. I gasped as I clenched at my chest. My heart began beating out of control, threatening to reopen the wound. That was Kyoni's voice. I slowly turned back and walked to where the voices were coming from. I stood in the doorway and my heart shattered. Karia and Kyoni were sitting side by side, their lips pressed together in a passionate kiss. Kyoni opened his eyes and glanced towards me, quickly breaking away from the kiss as he stared wide-eyed at me.

"Whats wro-?" Karia gasped as she saw me and looked to Kyoni.

"Mara... you're awake." Kyoni said quietly. I couldnt speak, I had no words, that was it. Kyoni was the knot at the end of the rope that was supposed to stop me from falling into the oceanic abyss below. Kyoni stood up and took a step towards me but Karia caught his hand, forcing him back.

"Amaranth. We're dating. Kyoni's moved on." She said, her voice like a thousand delicate shards piercing into my wound. I had never even had the chance to admit I liked him. I turned my empty eyes away from the two of them.

"Dont look so sad." Kyoni said in a mocking voice, sitting back down with a loud thud.

"You chose to be with him, so why should I wait around for you." He whispered icily. My eyes widened a little. Hayden. He had tried to warn me but I chose not to listen, and this was the punishment. I began walking without another word or glance back at them. Karia had appeared out of thin air and just like that, she took over my life, she filled the gaping hole that I left while I was asleep, and now its too late to fix.

"Mara..." A soft voice called. I turned my head a little to see Issi. She beckoned me to come behind the building, perhaps she had seen what I had seen and had come to console me, perhaps she already knew long ago. She sat down on some concrete steps and patted the spot next to her. I slumped down and put my head on my knees.

"I dont know what to do Issi." I whispered. She put a hand on my head, a silent comfort. I turned to look at her but she was looking away. Was she really here to help me? Or did she have something to tell me? After a moment of silence I continued speaking.

"I never got to tell Kyoni that I liked him before he got with Karia. She just comes out of nowhere and sudden-" A small click sounded in my brain, the gears began turning and suddenly everything made sense.

"Its an anagram!" I said as I sat upright. Karia didnt appear out of nowhere, she just took on a different name. Karia was an acronym... for Akira! My eyes widened and I turned to Issi, Kyoni didnt hate me.

"He's being used. Issi we have to-" Issi cut me off with a cold glare.

"Would you shut it already?" She hissed.

"I really hate how you do that! You pretend like you have feelings, that you've cared for us, but this whole time you were really just a monster! And now you're trying to turn us from Karia!?" She growled. She wrapped her hands around my neck tightly and began squeezing. I struggled to push her off but she grinned, tears beginning to form through her evil smile.

"Not so strong without the moon are you?" I gasped, trying to find air but none came to my lungs. I could feel the pressure in my head and my vision began blacking out.

"Issi- please... you dont-" My words failed me as she squeezed tighter.

"Nothing you can say will ever make me forgive you." She whispered as tears fell down her face. The warm, salty taste was the last thing I noticed before my vision went black.