Numbers that follows

Chapter 7

It was a circle field with bleachers all around. About Halfway on one of the longer sides was a box. Armin was sitting inside waving for us to come sit with him.

“Did you girls have fun?” Armin asked

We nodded our heads, I had an amazing time. Slowly I started feeling guilty and a pit formed in my stomach. I shouldn't be having fun. I left all the others behind. I got away and they were left fighting for their lives. I stood up for them for so long and then just up and left them. I abandoned my friends. I abandoned my pack.

“Are you okay?” Armin placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Of course I'm just a little tired, that's all.” I lied.

Armin seemed to have bought my lie because he dropped the subject. I pushed the guilt away and turned my attention to the arena. It was a round field with a group of guys getting warmed up in the center. I could see Flint was setting up something away from the group. James and Beric were warming up with the rest of the guys. Flint moved from what he was doing and had a mike in his hand.

“Thank you all for coming to this year's guard cup. We Had about 60 candidates this year, during the games and events we had the qualifier rounds. Everyone left is now officially in the guard. All that's left is to find the top five. We will start with a bracket system once you lose your out. Last 5 standing will be the five you can however challenge one of the five for their spot.” Flint paused “first up James and Neven.”

James and some other guy came into the center field. Once the bell rang it took about 20 seconds for James to beat the one guy. When the last match ended the crowd yelled and cheered for the five finalists. Flint shook the hands of all the five.

“As of right now the five finalists are James, Beric, Thraxal, Zion, and Ramos. At this time are there any challengers that think that they deserve the position more than these five?” Flint's questioning voice rang through the arena.

Everyone looked around trying to see if any one wanted to challenge them. The whole stadium was silent. To be honest I did want to see a challenge. I thought it would be cool to see what it was like. But By the looks of it no one thought they could beat the men standing in the arena.

“Looks like there are no challenges at this time. So with that, the festival and activities will continue till the party tonight.” Flint dismissed everyone.

Slowly everyone started to get up from their seats and disperse. Armin and Arrah started getting ready to go as well. I in turn followed suit. We started toward the middle of the arena. When we got close I could see the boys all talking.

“Hey!” Arrah yelled toward them. “You guys didn’t do half as bad as I thought.”

“So glad you have so much faith in us.” James walked over and nudged her.

They all laughed, it was a nice moment. I stood off to the side behind Armin. They let me in but I still felt out of place.

“You must be One?” I was pulled from my thoughts.

I looked up but couldn’t tell who spoke.

“What?” I asked.

“You must be One, right?” Zion asked, “I’m Zion.”

“Yeah that’s me.” I answered.

“I have heard you’re talented .” He responded.

“Not sure that's the word I would use, Legendary that’s the word I would use” Thraxal commented.

I started to get more uncomfortable. I looked at the ground, not quite sure what to say. Then as if on cue Arrah decided to butt in.

“Well, good job guys, you did great. Me and One are going to get ready for tonight. So we are going to bounce and see you tonight.” Arrah grabbed my hand and started walking away.

I waved and followed Arrah thankful for the save. We weaved our way back through the booths to the car. Vincent was there waiting for us. We climbed into the back of the car as Vincent drove off.

“Are you okay? You looked stuck.” Arrah grabbed my hand.

“It’s just everyone knows that I am different and I don’t know what to say, It was so easy to talk to…” I stopped, 2,3 and 4 I missed them so much it hurt.

Arrah looked at me with a confused look. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, I could still see the last time I saw them.

“2,3 and 4, we were the oldest. Arken brought them about a year after taking me. The twins 2 and 3 were 1 1/2 and 4 was 1, I was three.” I looked at Arrah.

“Did… Are they?” Arrah was trying to find the right words.

‘“Yes.” I knew she was trying to ask if they were a part of the ones who were killed.

“I am so sorry, I know my dad said he killed some of the kids he kidnaped but I can’t imagine what that was like.” Arrah held my hand tighter.

“It was the worst moment of my life. I sat and did nothing as the men stood behind them and as soon as the speech was done, I watched as they hit the floor falling out of their chairs. If that wasn’t hard enough I remember the look 22 gave me as she saw what happened. We were put out in the training yard free to do what we wanted. We all sat in the corner unable to talk or move.” I shook my head..

Arrah moved closer and hugged me and it was like a weight that was pushing on my chest was gone. It felt good to say it outloud. I whipped the tears off my face when I saw the house pulling into view. The car slowed to a stop and a few seconds later Vincent opened the door.

“We are going to my room” Arrah said, then turning to Vincent “go to the party we are going to show up later.”

We made our way up the stairs. Arrah brought me inside the room and I sat on her bed. We had 2 hours before we had to be at the party. Arrah walked to her closet and took a moment before coming out with two bags on hangers.

“Let’s make everyone talk about something besides how kick ass you are.” She smiled as unzipped the bags.

She pulled out a beautiful floor length ball gown that was off the shoulders, the dress laced up the back.it was fitted at the top and flowing at the bottom it was a dark green. She walked over and handed it to me. She then pulled hers out and it was the same dress in red with lace sleeves.She helped lace the back of mine up and I did the same for her.

“Do you smell that?” Iasked suddenly smelled something.

“What?” Arrah smelled the air.

“It smells like smoke and something sweet, it smells good.” I described.

“I don’t smell anything.” Arrah stated

“Well I do have better senses than you.” I laughed.

“It could be the party then?” she suggested.

I nodded in agreement. She then took my arm and pulled me away to the bathroom. She sat me down in a chair.

“Close your eyes,” she instructed, “Don’t open them till I tell you.”

I felt her cool hands touch my face. When she was finished with my face she moved to playing with my hair. I felt her brush through my hair. She stopped for a moment.

“Look.” she said.

I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror. She had done my make-up and my hair looked amazing. She pulled my hair half up in a curly bun and the rest of my hair fell on my shoulders and back. Aarah then grabbed some items and started doing her own face and hair. Her make-up was more bold then mine but still not over the top. Her hair was up in a bun with a few strands falling on the sides of her face.

We left her room heading down the stairs, we walked down the hall a bit and turned into a door on the right. This room had a few cars and other things inside. Arrah grabbed the set keys of the wall. And walked to a little silver car. She got in the driver seat and I got in on the other side.

“This is my favorite part of the whole thing. Food, music, and dancing.” Arrah said backing out of the garage door.

“Dancing?” I asked

“I will show you how.” Arrah laughed

We pulled up in front of this large building. It was getting dark. We got out of the car and Arrah pulled up her dress and clipped the keys to the inside of the waistline.

“Best place to hide them.” She shrugged

We walked into the building and the soft instrumental music became louder once the door opened. Looking around you could see the other girls wearing floor length gowns and the men in suits. I spotted Flint standing talking to the other guys. I nudged Arrah and pointed them out. She grabbed my hand and pulled me away to the other side of the room.

“First things first dancing.” She held out her hands, “take my hands.”

She slowly showed me how to do some simple steps. After about ten minutes I started to get it down with a few others. We decided to take a break and get a drink. We reached the drink table and grabbed drinks. I went to put the cup to my lips and stopped the smell from earlier.

“That smell again.” I questioned and looked around the room.

Aarah did the same thing. It was so potent smelling now.

“I still don’t smell it.” Aarah said, confused.

I ignored her. I set the cup down and followed the smell. I was going to find it. Aarah followed behind. We passed the flint group and he saw us and grabbed my arm pulling my attention. I stopped.

“Hey you look on a mission everything okay?” Flint asked.

“She is trying to find some mysterious smell.” Aarah brushed off.

“Aarah… I need to talk to you, I’m sure She can find it… alone.” Flint said nervously.

“We can talk later.” Aarah said and we continued on our way.

The building had a back door and the smell was behind it. My heart started beating like it was going to beat out of my chest. The overwhelming need to open the door was killing me. I could hear Flint telling Aarah something I wasn’t paying attention to. I reached for the handle. I pulled the door open and the cool breeze from outside hit my face.