.
.
.
We froze, hearts expanding, contracting… sharp rhythms, sounding loudly in our ears. It was as if fear became an entire being, waiting to swallow me whole, confirming my worst fears.
Was getting expelled going to be good? What if I returned home, and the Fiérré followed, so it could attack me? How long would my parents have the ability to protect me, given how mom was wounded the last time?
The lights were as bright as hell, clearing away the darkness as it passed.
My mouth hung open, eyes going wide, as it gradually approached me.
"Closer," Athie's whisper came, as she took my cloth from behind, pulling me in. Man, I was grateful for that because just as my legs stepped backwards, the light swept sharply across us, earning my gasp, which was concealed by someone pressing their soft hand against my mouth.
It smelled like chocolate, so it was obviously Natalie.
