Path parted between the children leaving only clear space between her and the finger and stunned silence.
_Blink_
_ blink _
Her brain short-circuited.
Unable to register what was happening.
Kira stared at the finger. At Eoman who happily stared at her like a prize collection. Then at the multiple pairs of eyes.
All with varying mixed emotions.
Shock, confusion, disbelief or was it fear?
More importantly, suspicion.
A few took a step back.
Had she done something wrong?
A sickening paranoia washed over her, fingers dug into the veins of her hand, eyes shifting profusely.
Her body stiffened under their gaze. Her head taking a dip.
Kira felt like she had been plucked and set upon the pedestal for scrutiny.
Like a weed amongst beds of flowers.
Anxiety spiking against the plummeting mood. And her hands did no justice but tear at her skin.
Did she do wrong?
Why were they looking at her like that?
But she couldn't think of anything. No answer.
It was suffocating.
On the path of self deterioration and conflicting internal monologue. Sapphire who had been beside her took a bold move and stepped in front of her.
Instinctively she crept closer to his back taking shelter both physically and mentally.
Sapphire fixed himself, rigid, shielding Kira as much as possible.
He felt her small hand shakingly grab onto the back of his training attire.
Eyes staring hard, defensive.
Trying to stay calm, squeezed fist at his sides betrayed his internal panic.
He was scared.
For him? Or for her? mostly for her.
She needed him and he was going to be her support.
Eoman smiled eerily at Sapphire gallantry, amused.
"Done" He said abruptly and walked away like he had lost all curiosity.
They watched him leave. At a loss for words and directions. Like they have been left hanging.
Silence
Ryven then stepped up to address them
"You are dispersed." He said, Then left.
'What an introduction' Lucian thought.
Nobody moved immediately, as if waiting for something to happen or to settle. They all looked in Kira's direction. Sapphire used his body to cover her while eyeing them.
Nothing was said but everything had been known.
They were on guard and Kira had now been isolated.
They began walking to the dining hall for dinner before heading to where they would clean up.
When it remained few of them did Kira come out from behind Sapphire but still held onto his clothes.
Nirro and Kealor were coming towards them. Lucian maintained his distance but was still near.
The boys looked at each other. Neither saying a word then looked at Kira who still had her head down.
"Let's go" Sapphire said, they all nodded, taking Kira by the hand and led her.
Eoman was a few hums in, walking idly through the grounds when he was immediately cornered and pushed to the wall.
A smirk played on his lips as he let his attacker crash his back hard. Then asked,
"Missed me—"
"Are you mad?" Ryven cut him, fuming with rage.
"Which version?" Eoman asked, eyes looking up to the left. Clearly confused about the question.
He had always been called mad and any other names related so why is he now being asked.
Ryven was left speechless, unable to fathom Eoman's thought process.
"Did you know what you just did?" Ryven barked, going back to the main topic. The spectacle that had just occurred.
"Hmm. Weren't you planning to single out the child before?", "I helped you complete that. Shouldn't you be grateful?" Eoman mocked.
Enraged, Ryven slammed him hard against the wall, some of his power spilling out threatening to destroy.
Eoman hissed. then looked up at Ryven
"Careful now. we can have all the fun right here" He said.
"You!"
"What? Surprised? Now you don't need to get your hands dirty" He smiled sadistically,
Ryven was boiling, he wanted to kill him. And his anger was too great as his fist was already flying.
But it missed its target, Eoman has already slipped from his grasp and appeared behind him. His fist paused before the wall. Cracks formed on the wall like webs from the sheer force of his fist even though it didn't make contact.
"What a damage. But…" Eoman said admiring it like a work of art. Ryven's head turned sideways as he eyed the figure behind him.
"Save your strength for when we need to clear out the weed. I need my rose intact." then turned around.
"You're insane." Ryven said as Eoman was about to leave.
"Your best compliment so far" Eoman answered and he was gone.
Kira moved through countless stares as she took her bath and dressed up. Doing everything quickly just to leave.
And she was out. Walking into the sleeping quarters where many eyes watched her.
Dinner had been silent. Bath too but sleeping quarters were not.
Heads down she walked in, eyes scarring the floor as she tried to maintain her anxiety.
chatters, murmurs and whispers echoed to and from one another, bouncing off from the group created between themselves.
They were talking about her and it was obvious.
Kira squeezed the edges of her nightwear. Her legs became heavy to move.
"Kira."
She looked up. Kealor was standing before her, beaming with a smile before grabbing her hand and leading her to his bed.
Kira saw the other children's attention turn to Kealor. Seeing this Kira wanted to remove her hand by wiggling her finger but Kealor grip shifted to her wrist then continued walking to his bed ignoring the stare.
Standing before his bed, he sat Kira near where his pillow had been arranged. He followed after her, sitting at the end, legs crossed, staring at her with delight.
"Sapphire and others will soon come. Let's wait for them." Kealor said.
After a while. Sapphire and the others were back. all cleaned. Kealor waved to them.
Sapphire and Nirro sat upon Sapphire's bed. Lucian sat on his.
"Where have you guys been?" Kealor asked. legs swinging.
"The healer called us to carry some items on our way back," Sapphire answered.
"Well you're late. Kira is already asleep" Kealor said.
"How is she?" Sapphire asked.
"Tired, plus the stares" As Kealor said it, they both turned to look at the other children who quickly turned their gaze as they were caught.
"What happened was awful and Kira had stood in the midst of it. What did that instructor mean my that?",
"We will die because of Kira. How? As if it's even possible" Kealor chattered on, clearly displeased by the turn of the event.
"Now everyone is looking at her weirdly. Poor Kira. He's clearly setting her up"
They all stared at Kira who was curled up, hugging the pillow tightly, a visible frown between her brows. Nirro used his thumb to smooth it out.
A yawn escaped Kealor's lips. He was exhausted.
He stood up, walking over to Kira's bed to collect the pillow and blanket before walking back to his bed.
But saw Sapphire trying to carry Kira.
"Hey, what are you doing" Kealor
asked, Sapphire looked at him then looked at Kira who he was about to carry then back at him.
What else could he be doing?
"She will stay on my bed," Sapphire said.
"But she is already sleeping on my bed"
"You fight at night" clearly talking about Kealor's sleeping habits
"Fair point but not good enough." Kealor retorted not wanting to give up
"then let her sleep on your bed then you sleep with me"
"No, I sleep with Kira, you sleep
alone" Kealor said, stepping forward and removed Sapphire hand away from Kira before jumping in beside he
"Case resolved. now go to sleep" Kealor said cheekily
Sapphire shook his head, smiling before entering his bed. Nirro and Lucian were already in theirs.
His eyes closed.