Randomly came up with this idea and wanted to see if it had any legs to stand on or not. Mostly want a baseline on how it feels before a more technical approach (though, I'm fine with any tips you feel like I could use). Did more screenplay writing compared to general prose, so I know I have a long way to go on that still. As a warning, it's about 2.7k words.
I died again.
At least, I think I did.
“Hey Steven, you awake?”
Unfortunately, I wasn’t dead. Just sleeping. And that meant I’d have to deal with him.
I felt the bed shake as Jared plopped down on the edge of my mattress. I knew he probably had an obnoxious grin on his face as he stared at me. And every second I didn’t open my eyes was another second he’d have to come up with a ‘prank.’
“You mind going back to sleep, I wasn’t done yet.”
“Done with what?”
Jared just stood up from the bed and walked around the room without answering. His hand trailed across the lines of books on the bookshelf. “You actually read any of these, or is it just to impress the girls you bring home?”
“I’m not trying to impress girls.”
“Oh, are they for me then?”
I ignored him, slowly pulling myself upright.
“You need a hand getting ready? How about you let me pick what you’re wearing today. Just tell me where you put your underw—“
“Go away.”
“Fine. But I’m eating both our breakfast if you take too long.” He walked out.
Once I was finally alone, I stood up and walked toward the nightstand. An ornate, oval mirror leaned against the wall, hammer and nail still sitting there from my father’s promise to put it up all those years ago.
Liar.
In the mirror, I saw that the dark circles under my eyes were deeper now, a reminder of the ‘sleep’ I’d been getting over the past month. Every night was filled with a new set of twisted games the woman would subject me to. But I wasn’t really mad at her. Besides the killing, she was honestly kind of nice.
I made my way into the bathroom, and turned the shower on to the lowest temperature I possibly could. It was the only way to really wake myself up for the day anymore.
Higher, idiot. I’m tired of freezing to death every morning, the woman thought.
Then leave.
Jared was already sitting at the table when I made my way downstairs, kicking his legs back and forth while my mother worked on preparing our breakfasts.
“Come on. You don’t have to do all that,” Jared said to her. “Don’t work yourself harder than you need to.”
“Oh don’t start. I already made it, so if you don’t eat it, I’m throwing it away.”
“Alright,” he sighed dramatically, as if that wasn’t his whole goal in the first place.
I sat down opposite Jared. Not to avoid him, but so I wouldn’t have to stare at the family picture that had one more person than it should.
“You know, you don’t have to keep letting him inside, mom,” I said.
“Don’t be so mean. He’s essentially family now,” she scolded me.
“Yeah,” Jared said, his voice muffled by food before he swallowed. “By the way. Did you hear, the boy scouts are coming back to our school.” He quickly shoveled another spoonful of eggs into his mouth.
“Oh? Redline? Didn’t they just come a few months ago?” my mother said.
“Yeah. Probably two or three.”
“You’re just saying probably because you can’t count that high,” I muttered, low enough that my mother couldn’t hear.
“The alpha doesn’t need to know how to do all that nerd stuff. That’s what I keep you around for,” Jared grinned.
“Oh… you two better run. Don’t want to be late, do you?”
It was 7:45. We had to leave now if we didn’t want to be late.
“H-hey!” Jared tried to reach out as I pulled his plate away.
“Let’s go.”
Jared grumbled one more time, before standing up.
“Thank you again for the meal, Mrs. Cranston.”
“You’re welcome!”
I opened the door, and a burst of air slammed into my face. Jared’s arms were crossed over his chest, rubbing his forearms.
I see. It must be cold then.
“You can use my jacket,” I said.
“I’m fine… don’t freeze yourself just because I’m an idiot.”
“I’m not putting it on, take it or it’s being left anyways.”
Jared grumbled, but didn’t argue further. As we walked outside, I looked back into the house to see my mother straightening the picture again. I turned away quickly, frustrated at such a pointless action.
He’s not coming back home.
We were the only kids from the entire neighborhood that went to Roosevelt High, and it seemed like the school district thought that was a good enough reason not to have a bus come out for us.
Why didn’t you take your jacket? Are you trying to freeze me? she yelled. She’d grown to hate our thirty-minute walks to school recently, complaining about the weather.
But I’d almost forgotten what the cold felt like at this point.
“You think either one of us would make it in Redline?” Jared asked suddenly.
“I’m terrible at physical things, and you’re terrible at everything. Only reason they’d need us is if they ran out of punching bags.”
“Terrible at most things,” he corrected.
“You know they pretty much live outdoors, right? Surviving doesn’t just mean hunting, it means no indoor plumbing as well.”
“It’s fine, I’ve been practicing.”
“Practicing what?”
A broad smile crossed Jared’s face, and he refused to answer.
“You know… maybe I should actually try and get picked this year,” Jared laughed, but it didn’t fully sound like a joke.
“Why? Are you trying to impress whoever it is you’ve been obsessing over recently?”
Jared’s face flushed and he turned away. “No… not that. I just meant…” he trailed off, burying his hands deep in his pockets and dropping his gaze to his boots. I waited for him to finish, but the rest of the thought never came. A quietness filled the space between us, but it didn’t feel awkward.
You never realize how loud snow crunches underfoot until it’s truly silent.
The small, circular imprints birds had left behind on the snowy roofs were mostly contained to the houses with smoke coming from their chimney. Was it a coincidence? Or did birds do that because those houses were the warmest? And why was the cedar smell so intense in the middle of winter? Had I just never noticed it before? I wasn’t sure. But I knew that I never would’ve bothered paying attention to these details before. Maybe that’s why people say when you lose one of your senses, the others become stronger.
We made it to the front gate just as the first bell had rung, yet none of the students cleared the way for us to walk inside. Not that it was really surprising. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the same shaggy haired blond guy wearing a thick peacoat. The only reason I probably even noticed him in the first place is because that was his goal. He always made sure to sit where everyone could see him, thoughtfully reading whatever book he’d brought that day. He was currently on the first page of his new novel. And somehow, he always was on the first page.
Jasmine stepped out from behind the corner with her arms crossed over her chest, but Jared quickly intercepted her, stepping between us. He knew I should’ve been upset with her still, and he was probably right. But honestly? It didn’t really bother me anymore. Nothing really did.
“Move, Jared,” Jasmine said flatly.
“I don’t think I will.”
“Fine…” she looked past Jared at me. “Look. I left your notebook in Mr. Barlow’s room. You can grab it before second period.”
“That’s all? Why not just leave a note in his locker like you did last time?” Jared said.
Jasmine rolled her eyes, glaring at Jared. “Don’t be upset I didn’t leave one in yours. It’s not like you’d be able to read it, anyway.”
“Only nerds waste their time memorizing every letter. The rest of us are smart enough to just focus on the ones that matter.”
“Steven.” She met my eye, but quickly looked away. “I just… can you stop being mad at me already?”
“No,” Jared answered. “Now stop bothering him.”
A few students walked past them, giggling as they watched the argument unfold. I hated this happening everyday. They were so—
Annoying, she finished my thoughts.
“Come on, Jazz. Leave them alone already,” Landon came around the corner and put a hand on her shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” she muttered, eyes never leaving Jared.
“That’s the question I should be asking you,” Landon said, giving me an apologetic smile. “Is she bothering you at all, Steven?” His voice took on a softer tone.
“I’m used to it,” I said.
“What happened to you, Steven? Why do you look so down?” Landon frowned, stepping away from Jasmine to walk in front of me. “Is there something wrong? Or at least, something I can do to help you?”
“He doesn’t need your help!” Jasmine snapped.
“Do you think he wants yours, instead?” Landon asked, glancing back.
She glared at him, before turning back to me. “I’ll see you after school.” Without another word, she stomped off, making her way toward the east building.
“Sorry about her,” Landon sighed.
“It’s not your fault. My sister’s probably ten times more annoying than she is,” Jared said.
“Thanks, for understanding,” Landon said. “By the way, are either of you planning on volunteering this time?”
“I probably should,” Jared said. “Not like I have much of a future anyway.”
Landon nodded, looking back at me. “What about you?”
“No. I’m comfortable where I’m at.”
“That’s fine. I understand where you’re coming from.” Landon turned to leave, then stopped to place a hand on Jared’s shoulder in a casual, almost friendly manner. His sleeves were pulled back just enough to reveal the small compass on the inside of his wrist. “You’re exactly what Redline wants. I’m sure you’ll get a spot if you volunteer.”
He said to Jared, but his eyes were on me the whole time.
Jared didn’t really notice, too absorbed in Landon’s encouraging words. A bell rang out, cutting me off before I could say anything. The large crowd in the courtyard wasted no time, surging forward in an attempt to be the first inside the building.
“Let’s go. The assembly’s about to begin,” I said, pointing toward the auditorium door. There was already a massive pack of students in front of it, trying to push toward the front so they could get front row seats. Jared nodded, snapping out of his daze. We joined the current of heavy winter coats and voices, weaving into the gaps left by those not attempting to hold back those behind them.
It took us ten minutes of shuffling forward, but we finally managed to slip inside.
The stage didn’t look anything like I had expected. None of the usual banners, flags, or uniforms. Three people were on the stage, two of them sitting behind a long table draped in a white tablecloth, while another stood toward the edge of the stage. There was a projector screen behind them, showing the Redline Youth Foundation logo, alongside photos of teenagers smiling in the woods.
The older man in the center wore a wool cardigan, his reading glasses pushed up to his forehead. He had busy gray eyebrows and his left eye didn’t seem to open all the way. Although he was sitting down, he still continued to lean against his wooden cane. He looked like someone’s grandfather, or someone that should be building a birdhouse. Not a man that exactly embodied the outdoor lifestyle.
The young man to his left sat with his arms folded and a brochure opened in front of him, but it was clear he wasn’t actually reading it. His body looked tense, ready to lash out at the first thing he saw if he looked up. He wore a Redline polo shirt tucked into khakis, and his sleeves were rolled to just above the elbow.
The woman at the front of the stage was almost his polar opposite. She wore a bright yellow blouse with a lanyard that had her name on it with a smiley face drawn on it with marker. She was already waving at the students as they filed in, her voice as bright and warm as her smile. It was the perfect image of what a friendly person might look like.
And that’s what made it so unsettling.
“Welcome! Welcome everyone! It’s so good to see you again,” the woman said, her voice crackling through the speakers. “Take your seats, everyone!”
The next slide clicked from one picture to the next. A boy learning how to tie a knot, a girl covered in mud and grinning.
If I was a pig, I would’ve been sold already.
“The Redline Youth Foundation has been changing lives for over a hundred years,” the woman continued. “We teach our kids how to be leaders. How to survive. And how it feels to be a part of a community.”
The woman pressed her hands together like a kindergarten teacher. “If all that sounds exciting, we’d love to give you a chance. Don’t worry if you’re not the strongest or smartest. What we’re looking for is the people among you with the most heart.”
The crowd was buzzing with energy, waiting for the chance to be called on. The older man hadn’t moved. His one open eye continued to drift across the audience, scanning the crowd.
“We’ll be looking for some volunteers to answer a few questions for us. Yay! How exciting!” the woman clapped the mic against her palm with overt enthusiasm. “Now… let’s see some hands!”
The entire room erupted into “Pick me’s!” and “Oh-Oh!” Everyone wanted a chance to get chosen by Redline, to change their life completely. Jared was shaking, hand twitching in anticipation to raise it. But he made a conscious attempt not to jump up in his seat like last year. They didn’t want the most excited, nor did they want people who didn’t want to be there. They wanted someone who didn’t know what they wanted.
“There we are. How about you be our first volunteer,” the lady said excitedly. The room fell into disappointed mutters as the kids sat back down in their seats. I looked around, wondering which idiot had gotten themselves picked. My eyes scanned the crowd, no one was walking down.
I looked toward Jared, whose face was pale and staring at me.
“Why did you…? I thought…” Jared trailed off.
I guess I was that idiot.
My left arm was raised in the air.
Why’d you do that? I thought loudly at her.
You know? I’m not actually sure. she let out a mirthless laugh.
It was hard to believe that this was the same woman who’d invaded my mind just a few months ago. She was almost quiet initially, barely a whisper that felt more like an echo of my own thoughts than its own being. But each death made her voice and personality grow louder. She didn’t just want me dead, which had once been her only goal. She’d grown unpredictable, and as a result, more dangerous.
I stood to my feet, ignoring the gaze of the room as I made my way to the stage. Murmurs filled the air, half of them jealous, the other half insulting for stealing their chance. But the overall sentiment was the same.
“Why.”
I sighed, stepping out of the way of a foot someone shoved in front of me.
You’re not even trembling. How… boring.
I tuned her out. She’d used up most of her energy to raise my hand, so at the least I wouldn’t have to be on guard for the rest of the day.
As I stepped onto the stage, the woman extended her hand squeezing mine for a little too long. The young man didn’t even bother to look up from his brochure. But the older man tilted his head, just slightly, and his one eye locked onto me.
His hand began to tremble on the cane, shaking.
And then his other eye opened.
I died again.
At least, I think I did.
“Hey Steven, you awake?”
Unfortunately, I wasn’t dead. Just sleeping. And that meant I’d have to deal with him.
I felt the bed shake as Jared plopped down on the edge of my mattress. I knew he probably had an obnoxious grin on his face as he stared at me. And every second I didn’t open my eyes was another second he’d have to come up with a ‘prank.’
“You mind going back to sleep, I wasn’t done yet.”
“Done with what?”
Jared just stood up from the bed and walked around the room without answering. His hand trailed across the lines of books on the bookshelf. “You actually read any of these, or is it just to impress the girls you bring home?”
“I’m not trying to impress girls.”
“Oh, are they for me then?”
I ignored him, slowly pulling myself upright.
“You need a hand getting ready? How about you let me pick what you’re wearing today. Just tell me where you put your underw—“
“Go away.”
“Fine. But I’m eating both our breakfast if you take too long.” He walked out.
Once I was finally alone, I stood up and walked toward the nightstand. An ornate, oval mirror leaned against the wall, hammer and nail still sitting there from my father’s promise to put it up all those years ago.
Liar.
In the mirror, I saw that the dark circles under my eyes were deeper now, a reminder of the ‘sleep’ I’d been getting over the past month. Every night was filled with a new set of twisted games the woman would subject me to. But I wasn’t really mad at her. Besides the killing, she was honestly kind of nice.
I made my way into the bathroom, and turned the shower on to the lowest temperature I possibly could. It was the only way to really wake myself up for the day anymore.
Higher, idiot. I’m tired of freezing to death every morning, the woman thought.
Then leave.
Jared was already sitting at the table when I made my way downstairs, kicking his legs back and forth while my mother worked on preparing our breakfasts.
“Come on. You don’t have to do all that,” Jared said to her. “Don’t work yourself harder than you need to.”
“Oh don’t start. I already made it, so if you don’t eat it, I’m throwing it away.”
“Alright,” he sighed dramatically, as if that wasn’t his whole goal in the first place.
I sat down opposite Jared. Not to avoid him, but so I wouldn’t have to stare at the family picture that had one more person than it should.
“You know, you don’t have to keep letting him inside, mom,” I said.
“Don’t be so mean. He’s essentially family now,” she scolded me.
“Yeah,” Jared said, his voice muffled by food before he swallowed. “By the way. Did you hear, the boy scouts are coming back to our school.” He quickly shoveled another spoonful of eggs into his mouth.
“Oh? Redline? Didn’t they just come a few months ago?” my mother said.
“Yeah. Probably two or three.”
“You’re just saying probably because you can’t count that high,” I muttered, low enough that my mother couldn’t hear.
“The alpha doesn’t need to know how to do all that nerd stuff. That’s what I keep you around for,” Jared grinned.
“Oh… you two better run. Don’t want to be late, do you?”
It was 7:45. We had to leave now if we didn’t want to be late.
“H-hey!” Jared tried to reach out as I pulled his plate away.
“Let’s go.”
Jared grumbled one more time, before standing up.
“Thank you again for the meal, Mrs. Cranston.”
“You’re welcome!”
I opened the door, and a burst of air slammed into my face. Jared’s arms were crossed over his chest, rubbing his forearms.
I see. It must be cold then.
“You can use my jacket,” I said.
“I’m fine… don’t freeze yourself just because I’m an idiot.”
“I’m not putting it on, take it or it’s being left anyways.”
Jared grumbled, but didn’t argue further. As we walked outside, I looked back into the house to see my mother straightening the picture again. I turned away quickly, frustrated at such a pointless action.
He’s not coming back home.
We were the only kids from the entire neighborhood that went to Roosevelt High, and it seemed like the school district thought that was a good enough reason not to have a bus come out for us.
Why didn’t you take your jacket? Are you trying to freeze me? she yelled. She’d grown to hate our thirty-minute walks to school recently, complaining about the weather.
But I’d almost forgotten what the cold felt like at this point.
“You think either one of us would make it in Redline?” Jared asked suddenly.
“I’m terrible at physical things, and you’re terrible at everything. Only reason they’d need us is if they ran out of punching bags.”
“Terrible at most things,” he corrected.
“You know they pretty much live outdoors, right? Surviving doesn’t just mean hunting, it means no indoor plumbing as well.”
“It’s fine, I’ve been practicing.”
“Practicing what?”
A broad smile crossed Jared’s face, and he refused to answer.
“You know… maybe I should actually try and get picked this year,” Jared laughed, but it didn’t fully sound like a joke.
“Why? Are you trying to impress whoever it is you’ve been obsessing over recently?”
Jared’s face flushed and he turned away. “No… not that. I just meant…” he trailed off, burying his hands deep in his pockets and dropping his gaze to his boots. I waited for him to finish, but the rest of the thought never came. A quietness filled the space between us, but it didn’t feel awkward.
You never realize how loud snow crunches underfoot until it’s truly silent.
The small, circular imprints birds had left behind on the snowy roofs were mostly contained to the houses with smoke coming from their chimney. Was it a coincidence? Or did birds do that because those houses were the warmest? And why was the cedar smell so intense in the middle of winter? Had I just never noticed it before? I wasn’t sure. But I knew that I never would’ve bothered paying attention to these details before. Maybe that’s why people say when you lose one of your senses, the others become stronger.
We made it to the front gate just as the first bell had rung, yet none of the students cleared the way for us to walk inside. Not that it was really surprising. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the same shaggy haired blond guy wearing a thick peacoat. The only reason I probably even noticed him in the first place is because that was his goal. He always made sure to sit where everyone could see him, thoughtfully reading whatever book he’d brought that day. He was currently on the first page of his new novel. And somehow, he always was on the first page.
Jasmine stepped out from behind the corner with her arms crossed over her chest, but Jared quickly intercepted her, stepping between us. He knew I should’ve been upset with her still, and he was probably right. But honestly? It didn’t really bother me anymore. Nothing really did.
“Move, Jared,” Jasmine said flatly.
“I don’t think I will.”
“Fine…” she looked past Jared at me. “Look. I left your notebook in Mr. Barlow’s room. You can grab it before second period.”
“That’s all? Why not just leave a note in his locker like you did last time?” Jared said.
Jasmine rolled her eyes, glaring at Jared. “Don’t be upset I didn’t leave one in yours. It’s not like you’d be able to read it, anyway.”
“Only nerds waste their time memorizing every letter. The rest of us are smart enough to just focus on the ones that matter.”
“Steven.” She met my eye, but quickly looked away. “I just… can you stop being mad at me already?”
“No,” Jared answered. “Now stop bothering him.”
A few students walked past them, giggling as they watched the argument unfold. I hated this happening everyday. They were so—
Annoying, she finished my thoughts.
“Come on, Jazz. Leave them alone already,” Landon came around the corner and put a hand on her shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” she muttered, eyes never leaving Jared.
“That’s the question I should be asking you,” Landon said, giving me an apologetic smile. “Is she bothering you at all, Steven?” His voice took on a softer tone.
“I’m used to it,” I said.
“What happened to you, Steven? Why do you look so down?” Landon frowned, stepping away from Jasmine to walk in front of me. “Is there something wrong? Or at least, something I can do to help you?”
“He doesn’t need your help!” Jasmine snapped.
“Do you think he wants yours, instead?” Landon asked, glancing back.
She glared at him, before turning back to me. “I’ll see you after school.” Without another word, she stomped off, making her way toward the east building.
“Sorry about her,” Landon sighed.
“It’s not your fault. My sister’s probably ten times more annoying than she is,” Jared said.
“Thanks, for understanding,” Landon said. “By the way, are either of you planning on volunteering this time?”
“I probably should,” Jared said. “Not like I have much of a future anyway.”
Landon nodded, looking back at me. “What about you?”
“No. I’m comfortable where I’m at.”
“That’s fine. I understand where you’re coming from.” Landon turned to leave, then stopped to place a hand on Jared’s shoulder in a casual, almost friendly manner. His sleeves were pulled back just enough to reveal the small compass on the inside of his wrist. “You’re exactly what Redline wants. I’m sure you’ll get a spot if you volunteer.”
He said to Jared, but his eyes were on me the whole time.
Jared didn’t really notice, too absorbed in Landon’s encouraging words. A bell rang out, cutting me off before I could say anything. The large crowd in the courtyard wasted no time, surging forward in an attempt to be the first inside the building.
“Let’s go. The assembly’s about to begin,” I said, pointing toward the auditorium door. There was already a massive pack of students in front of it, trying to push toward the front so they could get front row seats. Jared nodded, snapping out of his daze. We joined the current of heavy winter coats and voices, weaving into the gaps left by those not attempting to hold back those behind them.
It took us ten minutes of shuffling forward, but we finally managed to slip inside.
The stage didn’t look anything like I had expected. None of the usual banners, flags, or uniforms. Three people were on the stage, two of them sitting behind a long table draped in a white tablecloth, while another stood toward the edge of the stage. There was a projector screen behind them, showing the Redline Youth Foundation logo, alongside photos of teenagers smiling in the woods.
The older man in the center wore a wool cardigan, his reading glasses pushed up to his forehead. He had busy gray eyebrows and his left eye didn’t seem to open all the way. Although he was sitting down, he still continued to lean against his wooden cane. He looked like someone’s grandfather, or someone that should be building a birdhouse. Not a man that exactly embodied the outdoor lifestyle.
The young man to his left sat with his arms folded and a brochure opened in front of him, but it was clear he wasn’t actually reading it. His body looked tense, ready to lash out at the first thing he saw if he looked up. He wore a Redline polo shirt tucked into khakis, and his sleeves were rolled to just above the elbow.
The woman at the front of the stage was almost his polar opposite. She wore a bright yellow blouse with a lanyard that had her name on it with a smiley face drawn on it with marker. She was already waving at the students as they filed in, her voice as bright and warm as her smile. It was the perfect image of what a friendly person might look like.
And that’s what made it so unsettling.
“Welcome! Welcome everyone! It’s so good to see you again,” the woman said, her voice crackling through the speakers. “Take your seats, everyone!”
The next slide clicked from one picture to the next. A boy learning how to tie a knot, a girl covered in mud and grinning.
If I was a pig, I would’ve been sold already.
“The Redline Youth Foundation has been changing lives for over a hundred years,” the woman continued. “We teach our kids how to be leaders. How to survive. And how it feels to be a part of a community.”
The woman pressed her hands together like a kindergarten teacher. “If all that sounds exciting, we’d love to give you a chance. Don’t worry if you’re not the strongest or smartest. What we’re looking for is the people among you with the most heart.”
The crowd was buzzing with energy, waiting for the chance to be called on. The older man hadn’t moved. His one open eye continued to drift across the audience, scanning the crowd.
“We’ll be looking for some volunteers to answer a few questions for us. Yay! How exciting!” the woman clapped the mic against her palm with overt enthusiasm. “Now… let’s see some hands!”
The entire room erupted into “Pick me’s!” and “Oh-Oh!” Everyone wanted a chance to get chosen by Redline, to change their life completely. Jared was shaking, hand twitching in anticipation to raise it. But he made a conscious attempt not to jump up in his seat like last year. They didn’t want the most excited, nor did they want people who didn’t want to be there. They wanted someone who didn’t know what they wanted.
“There we are. How about you be our first volunteer,” the lady said excitedly. The room fell into disappointed mutters as the kids sat back down in their seats. I looked around, wondering which idiot had gotten themselves picked. My eyes scanned the crowd, no one was walking down.
I looked toward Jared, whose face was pale and staring at me.
“Why did you…? I thought…” Jared trailed off.
I guess I was that idiot.
My left arm was raised in the air.
Why’d you do that? I thought loudly at her.
You know? I’m not actually sure. she let out a mirthless laugh.
It was hard to believe that this was the same woman who’d invaded my mind just a few months ago. She was almost quiet initially, barely a whisper that felt more like an echo of my own thoughts than its own being. But each death made her voice and personality grow louder. She didn’t just want me dead, which had once been her only goal. She’d grown unpredictable, and as a result, more dangerous.
I stood to my feet, ignoring the gaze of the room as I made my way to the stage. Murmurs filled the air, half of them jealous, the other half insulting for stealing their chance. But the overall sentiment was the same.
“Why.”
I sighed, stepping out of the way of a foot someone shoved in front of me.
You’re not even trembling. How… boring.
I tuned her out. She’d used up most of her energy to raise my hand, so at the least I wouldn’t have to be on guard for the rest of the day.
As I stepped onto the stage, the woman extended her hand squeezing mine for a little too long. The young man didn’t even bother to look up from his brochure. But the older man tilted his head, just slightly, and his one eye locked onto me.
His hand began to tremble on the cane, shaking.
And then his other eye opened.