Starless Sky

Chapter Eighteen - Zara

Something felt off at lunch today. The other prisoners were hostile and secretive, at least more than usual. Most of them, no doubt, in on Nym's plan or whatever she was gathering people up for. Orion exchanged a knowing look with me, mutually agreeing to keep a low profile, for a little while at least.

I shift my gaze from Orion to the far left corner of the cafeteria. People crowded around a ghastly pale Nym who was talking intently to the crowd around her. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. The only difference was that unlike everyone else, I had no idea what was happening. The prisoners weren't the only ones who had started to notice something, the guards were also keeping an eye on them. None ever actually went up to confront them but you could tell they were nervous. Even though they held guns they were still scared of us. Nym and her gang were lucky for that because I'm sure that if a few of those guards actually had the guts to stop whatever was happening, they would.

"What do you think is going on?" I whisper in Orion's direction without peeling my eyes away from the scene.

"Looks like a negotiation." He twirled the fork in his hands, his eyes shadowed as we examined the crowd. I brushed a hand nervously through my silky black hair, never averting my eyes from the crowd of people.

When lunch had finally ended, as usual, the guards shuffled us all outside. The sun was out today and a small breeze rushed through the air, I slightly sucked in a breath as the sun hit Orion's dark bronze skin. I sometimes forgot about how attractive Orion was, and I would be a fool to not admit that he was. I knew I shouldn't be thinking about this, especially now. He was my only ally in the prison, and I didn't want to screw it up by growing lustful feelings for him.

Orion halted in our usual spot and leaned against the wall, I let my previous thoughts fade away. But once they entered my head they became difficult to forget. I sensed him now, his every movement and breath. God, I was being such a desperate perv today.

It wasn't hard finding where Nym was, all you had to do was look for the crowd of people. Even the guards seemed to be tensing up at the mass of prisoners all in one area. None of them did anything though, because while they held the guns they still knew we held something even more powerful.

"Aren't we supposed to like go and see her?," I snapped my fingers in front of Orion's face. He seemed hyper-focused since Nym discussed an interest in having us join whatever cult she was running.

"Let her come to us if she wants us so badly," he flexed his fingers. "I won't come running to her like all her other obedient pups," he growled. I watched his fingernails slowly lengthen and sharpen into the claws of a wolf.

"You're too nervous," I stated crossing my arms.

"You are too," he grunted.

"Yeah, but I'm at least trying to hide it." Orion didn't respond to me, instead, his just glowered even more. His claws digging into his own arm, he would cut himself if he continued. "Orion look at me," I snapped finally. Orion's jaw tightened but he turned to look at me with his startling blue eyes, something seemed to clear in them as he looked at me. His claws slowly retreated, leaving behind sharp red marks. "You need to stop glaring, it's a dead giveaway. Just try acting more natural." I rubbed the back of my neck and looked at anything but his eyes. I had started out strong but under his... stare I seemed to falter.

"Now look who's nervous," he mumbled back. I could hear the small smile in his voice and my cheeks reddened even more. If only he knew the real reason why I am nervous. I swatted at him aimlessly, my hand slapping his bicep weakly.

"Besides the point," I coughed, turning my attention far away from him. Almost as if on cue, Nym and her posse of prisoners were heading towards us. Her sharp smile twisting her scars. I recognized a few faces in the crowd such as Dax, Elara, and a few other nameless people I have seen about. My eyes landed on someone I didn't recognize though. The guy was taller than me and had dark brown hair that swished in the wind. He had tan skin and green eyes that I swore had flakes of gold in them.

"Who the hell is that," Orion mumbled beside me. I simply nodded my head in agreement, my eyes never leaving the stranger. Almost as if he sensed my gaze he looked down at me, and I wasn't sure if I imagined it but he seemed to suck in a breath.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, I was just quantizing myself with the newbie over here." Nym rested her pale hand on the guy's arm, the guy tensed as her hand landed on him. His eyes flashing down at Nym warily. "He's such a mystery, but I think his help will profit. Just like your guy's help would."

"You suck at small talk Nym, so please just get straight to the point." I snapped at her, letting my eyes leave the new guy. Though I noticed the small lift of the corner of his mouth at what I had said.

"Such hostility, but alright. You want me to get to the point, so here it is. We want to escape, and not just one of those hide and run situations. We want to overpower the guards, take their guns, medical supplies, and much much more and then run." I gaped at Nym's words, she wanted to overpower the prison?

"How the hell would you even do that," Orion asked slowly. He couldn't be actually considering this, could he? It was utterly insane, we would get shot within the first second of this 'revolt.'

"Yes they have guns and could possibly obliterate us, but if we hit them at the right time, and use all our powers they stand no chance. We are still in the planning phase but it's better than nothing," Nym shrugged and I took note of the proud smiles from the group around her.

"How many are in? What do you have planned so far, we need more information than that." I shot back at her, not trusting her word.

"We have a few hundred, about forty-eight percent of the prison is in, though it grows in number every day. As for the plans I'm afraid we can't tell you without knowing if you can be trusted." Dax spoke this time, a small smile playing on his lips. Nym leaned towards him, and I noticed their hands brush against each other for a second.

"Look, you both are shapeshifters, and there aren't a lot of you guys out there. Plus you are the strongest ranked here. We stole the score sheet from the idiotic doctor. You have potential, huge potential." Nym waved her hand in the air as if it was such a small detail.

"You are utterly insane-" I started.

"We will join," Orion cut me off. My eyes widened and I turned around to stare at Orion, he looked down at me and gave me a small nod. I breathed in heavily through my nose and turned back to face Nym.

"Fine, what he said. But we want out if we decide that your plan is a suicide mission." I crossed my arms and set my jaw.

"It's a deal," Nyms eyes seemed to glow. Her scars shifted as a true, ugly smile spread across her face. In the back of my head I felt like I would regret ever agreeing with Orion on this one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Published: July 22, 2020, 11:13 PM

Words: 1401

Thanks so much for reading "Starless Sky," we would like to say sorry for taking such a long break. We just needed a little breather but now we plan to continue writing as usual. We want to publish chapters when we belive that they are prepared and well written, but as usual we love you all and be safe!- RiSaWa