Page 80 of The Commons

“Taken to The Seventh Zone, alone and without me.”

I hear footsteps and turn back. I am startled to see a group of three Water Patrons approaching me.

That’s when my heart stops.

It can’t be.

He wouldn’t.

What?

I am at loss.

He couldn’t.

No.

He wouldn’t.

Did he just outcast me?

I am completely blindsided.

I think he just betrayed me.

Or is it I who betrayed myself by thinking I could trust someone from The Commons?

In one last try to humanize who I felt he was, I cry. For the first time—I am desperate for my life. “You’re joking. You wouldn’t. Please, no! Pesh! You just said you loved me!”

He steps closer and speaks, emotionless, “I just said that to trick you into staying here till they came by. You were right about me. You can’t trust me.”

My heart stops. I freeze in disbelief. I don’t have the time to react or fight. The Water Patrons hold me down. I struggle and try to fight, but I can’t. I was caught by surprise. It was all a bit too much. My strength fails me because my heart is in pieces. I can’t believe what is happening. I’m in denial. My body is frozen. I scream, “No! Noo! Nooo!”

“Goodbye, Shantavia.” I hear his voice in a blur.

“Why would you do this!?” I scream, confused.

He steps closer to my face and stares straight into my eyes. Stubborn, I struggle against his entire being.

“My father is Patron De Londe,” Pesh exposes.

I gasp in shock. His words run deep, crashing into the cold crevices of my heart. I did not see this coming. How did I not discover this? How could I be so stupid?

I resist and scream as I am pulled into the ship. Maybe he had a soul somewhere. Maybe I meant something to him in some second somewhere, maybe. I scream his name, but still, he says nothing.

I am taken away.

He simply watches.

Does nothing.

I am speechless.

I am heartbroken.

I am livid.

The ship rolls away.