Page 11 of Relentless Queen
“Fine. If anything happens while I’m gone, I’ll raise hell when I’m back.” She squeezes me and then stands up. Walking over to her suitcase, she starts putting her clothes in it.
We hang out while she finishes packing. Since she has a pass for her grandma’s funeral, it will just be me this weekend. I can’t wait to gain levels, and finally get some passes too.
“Hey babe. I’m going to bring you back some stuff. Don’t have too much fun without me.” She gives me a hug, picking up her bags and heading out the door.
Before she makes it fully out the door, she turns yelling, “The Sun” blowing me a kiss. Laughing, I yell, “the Moon,” blowing her a kiss back.
I sit by the window watching as girls leave for the weekend. Tonight I have kitchen duty. I love cleaning the kitchen because it looks good when level voting happens. You have a higher chance of getting levels if you volunteer for extra duties. As I’m bending down to pick up the dish soap, I see Chelsey’s shoe out of the corner of my left eye. It connects with my face causing me to stumble into the cabinet and fall to the floor.
I try to get up but she kicks all over my body. All I can do is roll into a ball and try to protect my head.
“Cade sends his best. You don’t listen. You don’t do what you're told. This is his last warning. Next time it will be worse.” With each hit she gives me, the more I wish she would just kill me.
I can taste the metallic taste of blood coming from my lip. My head hurts and I just want it all to stop. Why me?
What did I do? I don’t understand what is happening but I don’t respond either. What if I make it worse? They keep going and with every hit I just wish they would kill me already. Just when I think she's done, I go to get up but feel hands wrap into my hair and my head is being pulled backwards and then the force of my head hitting the floor. Once. Twice. Three times. And then everything goes black.
Chapter Five
ALUXIS
Beep…Beep…Beep…
Opening my eyes, they feel heavy, and it's too bright in here.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Am I in the hospital? What is that noise?
I go to move my arm, but can’t lift it. I look down, seeing it in a cast. My whole body hurts. What the hell happened?
I start to think back. The letter, saying goodbye to Jo, kitchen duty, and the shoe. The shoe! Chelsey! How bad did she hurt me? Why did Cade do this? Is the room getting smaller? I’m freaking out!
My chest is tight. My heart is beating fast, I can feel the pulsing in my ears. I’m beginning to sweat. I can see black spots in my vision. The monitors start making alarming sounds as the door bursts open. I can’t hear. I can’t think. I can’t see.
What is happening to me?
I feel hands all over me. Then I hear a soft, soothing voice.
“Aluxis, sweetie. You need to slow your breathing down. In, hold it, blow it out.” This has to be a nurse, or at least I hope so. I do what she says, breathing in then releasing it. After a few times, I start to feel better.
Once I'm completely calm they check me over. They ask me about the incident and take a report. Learning the extent of my injuries and the lasting effects it'll have makes my blood run hot. If they want a fucking war, fine. It's time I show them I’m not to be bullied. They won’t see me coming.
One Month Later
It's been a month since my attack. I’ve been keeping a close eye on everyone. Since the day I was released from the hospital, I’ve been devising a plan. They think they’ve won. I chuckle to myself and see Chelsey and her girls looking over in my direction. Refocusing on my thoughts and plans, I go back to eating my breakfast.
After breakfast and our tasks are done, we all head to get ready for the day. Today’s going to be a good day. I’m still not cleared to return to the school until Monday, but I was excited to hear Chelsey was sick and would be home today.
“Ms. Tina, I don’t feel well. I think I should stay home.” Jo says, pretending like she will throw up.
“Girl, you ain’t fooling anyone. Your butt is going to school.” Ms Tina laughs, shaking her head at Jo’s antics.
Laughing. “Now you know she wasn’t falling for that.” I turn to look at Jo.
“Last time I left you here, you were hurt. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” she wipes the tears from her cheeks.
“I’ll be fine. I promise.”
