4
I whip around and look for the source of the words. I see the woman, standing about a meter away from a wall. She crosses her arms and nods her head once. I stomp over to her, grasp her throat with my right hand, and slam her against the wall.
"How do you know me?" I hiss at her.
"Let... go... and I'll remind you," she strains her voice.
I let go slightly, then decide to grab her wrist instead. "How do you know me?" I hiss again.
"Let's see," she taps her chin with her other hand. "We were in the war together? Not on the same team, but I risked my life saving yours."
I think back to the war. When did a Kieran soldier save me? Never, I don't think. Wait... no, the day I finished it. The woman standing behind the man who shot me. That's why I felt that pain in my side before. To remind me.
"Oh..." I drop her hand and step back. "I- I'm sorry I-"
"Kate, it's OK. I'm glad you don't trust as easily anymore. Taking off your vest was a risky move, but you've got to take risks to win, right?" The woman smiles and I can see little wrinkles form at the outside corner of her eyes.
"I... have to go," I stutter as I climb backwards down the stairs.
"Really?" Ainsleigh says.
"Yes..." I say slowly. "I have to go home."
"Why are you here anyway?" Ainsleigh asks.
"I ran away," I say plainly. "I have to go, really. Nice seeing you again. Bye, Ainsleigh."
"Uh, Kate?" Ainsleigh says.
"Yeah?" I answer quickly.
"Good luck getting home," she smiles. I instantly feel a slight release.
"Thank you," I sigh. I turn around and head into the bathroom, where I straighten myself out and try my best to forgive myself for almost killing the woman who saved my life.
“You ready for dessert?” Brodie asks when I return to the table.
“Sure,” I say as cheerily as I can. Linae orders four desserts called 'parfaits' and they're sweet. Half way through my own, I give it to Brodie because it makes me feel sick. They way he eats reminds me of Leo. How he'll eat anything that is edible and doesn't taste too bad.
