Marked: Part 2; The Wronged

Chapter 6

Oglm looked at Amilia as she lay on a hospital bed. She was much better now that people had treated her.  She was still black and blue and had many butterfly bandages along with casts' as well. Her neck was restrained with a neck brace. Amilia was still asleep, but not fully into a comma. She had an IV of course and the doctor checked on her regularly. Oglm worried as he heard the beep of the machine measuring her heart sound. It was slow, but still there. Her breathing bothered him as well, it was slow too. He got up after some time and walked into Akxfo's room. He had the same setup as Amilia, but his shirt had been removed. He had bandages covering the scratches that had gotten clean. Akxfo was still asleep as well.
"He doesn't look about as bad as Amilia." Bella said to Oglm. "sorry about Amilia i have no idea he would ever hurt her that bad."
"I don't believe he did." Oglm stated. "Did you see his wounds?"
"No, he was covered when I got here."
"Exactly. When I saw him in the arena all of those scratches were infected."
"They were?"
"Yes, and the fact that he had wounds or 'scratches' in the first place is quite strange."
"I agree." Bella paused a moment. "But nothing can be said until they come and tell us their results." she said looking at him. Oglm got up and left the room.

Amilia ran on the street as the sun started to set. She ran for the trees as she saw them. She tried to hide behind the tree so that the troll could not see her, She attempted to catch her breath. As soon as the troll stopped he looked around. His eyes were all blue. Then he smashed the tree she was behind. But before she could turn around to see the troll everything turned black. She looked around and still the whole place was black. She began to run, but still no luck, it was still all black.
"Well, well, look at you." Suddenly the room lit up with torches, Amilia recognized it immediately. It was Unora's throne room. She turned around to face the witch upon her throne.
"Won't you come closer?" Unora motioned to the floor in front of her. Amilia thought for a moment and then walked up the stairs and then across the floor so that she was closer to Unora. "Your special, did you know? Your friends are protecting you." She paused. "You mide as well be worth my time." Unora stood up out of her chair and appeared behind Amilia.
"I could be your shadow, follow you around everywhere. Have you run special little errands for me. You could be the perfect child, a very good little girl." Unora started to walk back to her throne.
"Like there's any way I'd help you."
"You don't know that quite yet, dearest. I'm not yet sure that you are worth my while... your performance has been very...Uh, disappointing."
"What are you talking about? I've grown more this year than any other!"
"In what? Mental capacity? All those useless things they teach you in an old brick building? That's useless. What the heck is that quadratic formula useful for? Or that arts and crafts class they require you take? And proofs!? When will you ever need to prove two triangles congruent with statements? It's hilarious! There is no need for your 'human' schools. The Marked schools teach language and culture. Things like perimeter and area, density. They train you physically and mentally for people like me in that matter. If only you grew up like everyone else in the Market... what a warrior I'd have." Unora laughed. "I don't know, do you want to make a deal?" Unora extended her hand. Amilia shook her head.
"There's a slim chance I'd partner with you. No force in the world could pull me to your side, begging and pleading, bowing and kiss at your feet. There's a heck of a chance!"
"I wouldn't be so sure." Unora popped over to her. She pulled Amilia to her side with her arm and didn't let go. "Don't be so negative about it. Can't you accept it?" She moved away from Amilia again. Amilia looked around herself. "Silly child. A no is never solid. An excuse is nothing but that, a lie even. You can say no, show all the hatred in the world, and yet someone could change your mind in a snap of a finger."
"There isn't anyway I'm going to let myself fall to you."
"Oh, but I am above you! Think. Jasvinder for example. Oh please, oh please, oh please! He pled to you. And what happened? Oh yes, you caved and gave in. If I remember right, you two got in trouble and you knew you would too."
"That's one time!"
"Oh, but Beath? Know they didn't find out about this one. You went off hunting down certain ingredients. You told him no at first because he wouldn't tell you what he was making. But finally he handed you the basket and dragged you along anyway. And although it was forced after some time you walked by yourself with him, caring his basket." Amilia looked around and then back to her with her eyes.
"I, I suppose that's correct."
"Not to mention keeping Nim's secret, or that other time with Oglm and Akxfo. Or..." Unora covered her mouth. "Even me. I'm a secret aren't I? You have told no one, yes? So what does that say? You'll come crawling, and listening. And you'll bow and kiss at my feet." Unora stopped to look Amilia in the eyes. "Watch your dreams, you'll never want to sleep."