ROSES FOR RACHEL: EPISODES 11-20
EPISODE 12
I decided to skip the pity party in my room and instead went on the lookout again for a TV or computer. I wanted to see what they were saying about me on the stupid program. The first couple of places I checked were no good, but then I remembered there was a lounge area on level 3. Most places like that have TVs, so I headed for that, keeping my composure as I walked passed people in the busy corridors. Finally the crowds died down, and for the first time since I’ve been here, something finally went right for me.
The lounge was dark and empty. Closed, I assume, for the competition. I scurried through the doors and around to the backside of the bar. Sure enough, there was a nice flat screen TV mounted onto the wall there just begging to be watched. I turned it on and sank down to sit in the floor behind the bar and tuned in.
They were showing more footage from Calvin and Lexton’s date. Apparently it was a movie date, which I’d already guessed, but this was a more in depth look into it. There was no sound other than the commentators talking about Calvin’s body language, so I had to try to guess what they were chatting about. Whatever it was, the conversation was pleasant. They both smiled the whole time, even laughing multiple times. I felt a sick wave of nausea wash over me as Calvin stood from the table, extending his hand to her. With a blush, she took it and he pulled her close, leading her in a romantic dance around the table in the candlelight.
Next they cut to new footage from his date with disgusting Tessa. Although I can’t stand her, he didn’t seem all that uncomfortable with her. They were at some kind of arcade looking place and he coached her how to hold a pool stick and then they played air hockey, chumming it up easily. Tessa made my skin crawl the way she kept making sure her chest was noticeable, as if anyone could not notice he fact she was practically spilling out of the top of her dress.
Finally, it came to tonight’s events. There we all were on stage, things going great, until they added the sound of tires squealing right before I answered my question about why I wanted to be princess.
“People!” The newscaster laughed. “Are we serious with this girl? Could she be any more unappealing?” That was like a kick in the gut. “Don’t get me wrong, the first night I had my hopes up for her, she is clearly beautiful, and the prince seemed taken with her right away, which as we all know is quite a surprise as he has always been such a loner. Anyway, I’m getting off topic.” She giggled. “I liked her then, but the more we’ve seen of her, the more she makes me want to barf.”
The man sitting beside her nodded his head. “I couldn’t agree more.” He said. “I’d honestly be pretty surprised if after tonight she is even kept in the competition at all. Seemed pretty clear she has better places to be, and I’m sure the prince will send her on her merry way before tomorrow night.”
With all the different emotions I had bouncing around in me, all I could do was laugh. “Me too.” I agreed with the man. I tossed my head back dramatically and it knocked into the bottles all stacked neatly on the shelf behind me. I caught one of the bigger ones before it rolled to the ground and I examined its dark purple contents. “Well,” I said to myself. “I’m about to be sent out to be auctioned, might as well have a little fun first.”
I yanked the cap off of the bottle, tossing it aside, then I leaned on back and started to drink.
The dark purple liquid burned on its way down my throat, feeling a little like needle pricks as it hit my stomach, but after a few big swigs the taste and pain didn’t really bother me anymore.
I kicked off my boots and sat cross legged on the floor watching the competition coverage in the dark lounge. Every time I’d hear voices come from out in the corridor, I’d switch off the TV and squeeze my eyes shut as if that would keep me hidden. Once I was sure I was in the clear, the TV would be back on.
My head felt fuzzy, and my body was becoming more and more relaxed. After an hour, it didn’t even bother me when the news anchors went around asking random people who they were hoping to see win, and not a one said my name. What do I care about the opinions of a bunch of vampires? They’re the reason I didn’t get to have a normal life. I should have never left my mother’s side that day. From what they’ve told us though, if I hadn’t been “lucky” enough to have been brought to Drighten, I would have been slaughtered with the majority of the human race when the vampires came out of their underground world and took control.
Weighing my options, I honestly wish I could have spent the remainder of my life with my sweet momma, however short a life it might have been. I don’t know if it’s the drinking or if I just have so much pent up anger and grief that it finally blows, but I burst into hot tears. Before I know it I’m full out bawling. My body shakes with sobs and they only get stronger as the TV changes from the annoying people debating whether or not I’m even worth any money at this point, to a small ‘exclusive’ clip from tonight’s date.
Calvin leads Regina, full of giggles, through two beautifully ornate golden doors and the camera moves around them to show a gorgeous green house. Everywhere the camera turns there are beautiful flowers and plants. The ground looks like grass, and the lights they have hanging all across the ceiling are shaped like little suns.
I wanted to turn off the stupid TV, unable to stand watching Regina on my special date, but I couldn’t find the freaking remote. I started fumbling around on the ground in the dark looking for it but the dang thing seemed to have just gotten up and walked away. My tear filled swollen eyes weren’t helping in the search at all and I only cried louder at the annoyance.
I was so flustered I didn’t hear anyone coming.
The lights overhead flashed on, illuminating the room and the barefoot girl on the floor on her hands and knees crying beside an empty bottle.
“What the h’ll?” The large man dressed in the typical all black guards’ uniform yelled. “What are you doing in here?” He asked, taking a step closer to me. “Guards!” He yelled over his shoulder and three more men appeared before me, or maybe there was four, it was hard to tell through my eyes.
The first one covered his mouth with his hands, containing a laugh, while the others stared at me in disbelief. I knew I must look like a complete train wreck so I tried to stand up to explain myself, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate and I ended up right back on the cold ground. “What should we do?” The guard who found me first asked his friends.
“I can think of one thing.” The man in the back with beady eyes answered, licking his lips while he watched me.
The others all gave him a look and the one who wanted to laugh pulled out a phone and dialed a couple of numbers. “I’m supposed to be watching this one.” He finally let a snicker pass his lips. “Prince Calvin asked me to call him if she got herself into any trouble.” My tears became angry ones while they continued discussing me as if I wasn’t even here.
“What are you doing in her girl?” One of them asked me, but it was too foggy to be sure which one.
“Just…just looking…” I searched my brain for words, but they were hiding and running away and my head was just an empty pool of nonsense. “I was…thirsty?” It came out as a question rather than an answer and I laughed despite my anger.
“Prince wants to know what she drank.” The one on the phone told his buddies.
“Not his bu-business.” I snapped.
Beady eyes took that as an opportunity to come over to kneel beside me and pick up the empty bottle at my side. He gave me a creepy wink, then looked at the bottle in his hands, his face turning white as snow. “Oh sht!” He yelled, his eyes wide. “Did you drink all of this or did you spill some?” He asked urgently then he shook me by my shoulders. “Answer!”
I heard his question, but I couldn’t give him my answer. I was too busy with reminding my body over and over that it needed to breathe. Something was wrong. I inched away from the guy so I could find a nice spot on the floor to lie down.
I heard them bustling around me and their whispering, but I didn’t care. The cold floor felt nice against my flaming cheek and my eyes closed on their own accord.
“Get out of my way!” I heard a voice boom through the room, radiating in my ears. I opened my eyes just enough to see Calvin shoving past the guards. He looked crazed. His eyes were changing back and forth from black to his usual smoky blue color. “What have you done, Rachel?” He yelled. “You stupid, stupid girl.” He grabbed my head and pulled it into his lap, forcing me to open my eyes and look at him. “Can you hear me?”
I was barely able to nod a response. My vision was starting to go black, even with him holding my eyes open. “Guards, leave us!”
He shouted and then moved out from under me for only a second. He came back to me with a knife in his hand and my heart beat faster as I watched him slash the inside of his hand with it. “You have to drink.” He said bringing his hand down to cover my mouth. I tried to scream and to move away from it. “Rachel, drink or die!” With those words I opened my mouth obediently and let the cold iron tasting bI.ood seep into my mouth.
I gagged multiple times, but he just kept holding his hand over my mouth.
Finally, everything went black.
ROSES FOR RACHEL: EPISODES 11-20
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