The Eyes of the Dark

Nine.

The next few days seem endless, but each day gets easier. The day after Dale's execution all of our rooms were searched, and training was cancelled. Luckily Max told someone to come replace my mirror before the guards came in. It's like it never happened. They won't find anything, and Max assured me of that. I have barely talked to Kim since the execution. She seems like she doesn't want to talk about it. I get it. No one wants to see someone killed right before their eyes which is why it's wrong. Most people don't see that. I guess I wouldn't really want to talk about it either if she brought it up. I still haven't told her anything about Max and the engagement. I just don't know how to tell her. No one knows and it is starting to bother me that soon everyone will know. We are friends, right? Friends tell each other everything and things that no one else knows.

The last two days have been nonstop training and we have barely gotten a break. Continuous drills and duels. It's exhausting. I think its punishment since no one has come forward. I feel bad, but I know that all this will be over soon. Ava has been back in training, but she hasn't tortured me too much. Everyone seems pretty scared and quiet after Dale. Knowing the Queen could do anything to anyone is scary. It scares me especially when she is about to find out Max and I are engaged. Her eyes will be on me.Only me. Sage hasn't said anything to Max yet, but today Max is telling Joanna about our engagement. No doubt she will want to meet me soon.

Breakfast is dull this morning. Everyone is tired and wants to go back to sleep. I am way more anxious and energetic today than anyone else. I can't wait to see Max later for him tell me what his mother said about me.

"How are you not tired?" Kim groans in front of me. I give her a light smile.

"Guess I'm just used to the pain now," I lie. I am most definitely not used to the pain. My legs feel like I've been running for ages and my insides feel like jello. I look down at my scared wrist. I took the bandage off this morning because it no longer burns. Kim sees me looking at it.

"I can't believe you're going to have that burn scar for the rest of your life because of her," she says. I glance at Ava across the Hall who is in a deep conversation with Jeremy and a few others.

"It doesn't even hurt anymore," I admit. Kim shakes her black hair.

"It's not right. She should have at least apologized."

"Come on, this is Ava we are talking about," I scoff. She smiles and laughs at how silly it sounded.

"I guess she was born a bitch," she says. I laugh and continue eating my food.

Training goes by fast. Today Cedric teaches us, and we go through the tennis ball exercise again today. I'm so close to be getting all five balls. No one has successfully burned all five yet. I'm still determined to be the first. We did more drills and partner work. I've noticed since the past few days of drills I'm a bit faster than I was before. My reflexes are better, and I feel stronger. I tell myself every day to do it for Dale because he would be proud of me right now. So, I push through the pain and keep getting better for him.

Once we are dismissed, I stay behind to help Cedric put up the matts. Mainly to wait for Max, but whatever. I stack a set of matts against the wall and Cedric hands me another.

"You're getting better. I didn't know it was possible," he says. I laugh.

"I still need improvement," I say.

"Octavia, you're top of the class," he gives me a straight face. I didn't know it was possible for Cedric to be nice to me. Not for much longer though. He's going to think I'm literally insane for agreeing to marry Max. If only he knew. It isn't real...right?