I looked away first.
In my peripheral vision, Kharon pushed away from the river’s edge with an evil smirk.
Satan: 1.
Alexis: 0.
The rest of the break passed in a tense silence, and even Fox looked unsettled.
But like all good things in life, it came to an abrupt end, and we swam the River Styx (drowned in a forward moving direction). The water was warmer than last time, but it was still a shock to the system.
Each stroke was desperate and filled with terror. Each ripple was the ferryman hunting. I didn’t think he’d kill me—notyet—but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t torment me with a little light drowning.
Kharon seemed like the type who played with his food.
When all seven of us crawled onto the shore as a group, the moon shone brightly above, and there were no foil blankets.
General Cleandro stood on the bank and looked unimpressed as he announced we had another five-hour break to study.
I didn’t remember making it inside.
Just had a faint memory of crawling on my hands and knees.
One second I was under the stars, and the next, I was sitting at a table, struggling to read a textbook while tears streamed down my face. Nyx’s cold scales were wrapped up in a ball between my feet.
Drex sat across from me, brow furrowed as he took notes.
He was also crying.
“You just got lucky. Your days are numbered, bitch,” Titus whispered directly into my right ear.
He stood behind me, and his breath was hot on my neck.
I focused on the text in front of me.Tell him he’s going to die alone. Just say it quick.
I flipped the page, unable to find the courage to speak.
“I said—your days are numbered,slut.”
Quickly, call his mom a bad name.
I reached up with shaking fingers to turn the page.
Titus grabbed my arm and stopped me. “You’re going to wish you?—”
I stared down at where his fingers were wrapped tightly around my forearm.
“Release me,” I rasped.
He squeezed tighter. His vile fingers pressed into my skin, nails cutting.
I was back in a trailer.
Titus laughed. “Make me.”
I shoved my chair back, whirled, body careening jerkily as I flung myself forward and slammed my fist into the side of his stupid face.
He staggered back from the force.
