BOUND TO KILL MY MATE

GEM INSTITUTE

SOFIA

Mum was still talking to the principal when I lifted my head. It was obvious she had been called urgently, yet she stood there calm and composed, her posture straight, her expression unreadable.

If anyone didn’t know better, they’d think this was just another routine school visit. I watched her nod slowly as the principal spoke, her face giving nothing away, and I wondered how everything had happened so fast. Just this morning, I’d woken up with a headache and annoyance. Now my entire life felt like it had shattered in front of an audience.

My face was tear-streaked, my vision still blurry from crying too much. Betty lay on a stretcher a few feet away, surrounded by teachers and a nurse. She was seriously injured, and the sight of her pale face made my stomach twist.

Don’t tell me I’m a gem, I thought bitterly. Whatever this thing was that everyone kept whispering about, it had ruined everything. I couldn’t just brush this off and pretend nothing happened.

Students lined the hallway, their curious eyes burning into me. Some stared openly, others whispered behind their hands. A few shook their heads as if I were some kind of monster.

Their words blended into noise, but the thoughts in my head were louder, sharper, impossible to ignore.

Is she a witch?

Is she a gem… I wish I had her...

She looks scary…

Each thought crashed into the next, piling up until my chest felt tight. Why did everything have to become so overwhelming all at once? I couldn’t even understand what I’d done properly.

One moment I’d been angry, tired, and the next, the world had reacted to me in a way I didn’t understand. Hearing all those conflicting thoughts, seeing the fear in their eyes, almost made me lose control again. My hands trembled slightly at my sides. I felt like I could hurt someone if I didn’t leave soon.

I didn’t want explanations. I didn’t want stares. I just wanted to go home.

“You can go now, ma’am,” the principal finally said, her voice stiff as she dismissed Mum.

“Okay, thanks,” Mum replied calmly. She turned toward me immediately, her eyes softening the moment they landed on my face. She didn’t say anything, just gestured slightly. I followed her, my legs heavy as we rushed out of the building and toward the car.

The drive was silent and immediately we got home,I ran as my leg could carry me..

“Sofia, wait!” Mum called suddenly.

I stopped in my tracks, my body reacting before my mind could catch up.

“Mum,” I said as I turned to her, my voice breaking. Tears tickled my eyes again, and before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. I needed this. I needed her arms around me, needed something solid to hold onto.

“Daughter,” Mum said quietly. She hugged me back for a brief moment before gently disentangling herself and holding me at arm’s length. She looked at my face properly now, really looked, and something unreadable flickered in her eyes.

“Baby, you have to get ready. We’re going to Gem Institute,” she said, her voice firm despite the weight of her words.

“Huh?” I gasped, completely taken aback. My mind refused to process what she’d just said.

“Mum, I’m not going anywhere,” I said stubbornly, shaking my head. “I just want to go home.”

“Daughter, you have to,” she replied calmly. “Or do you want to fall into the hands of vultures?”

Her words froze me.

“Who are the vultures?” I asked quietly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.

“They are evil people who misuse their power,” she said simply.

My hands fell helplessly by my side. I didn’t know what to say to that. I didn’t even know what kind of power she was talking about.

“Now go and get ready,” she announced, her voice suddenly sounding tired as she turned and climbed the stairs weakly.

I stood there for a long moment, staring after her. I never thought my life would take such a turn.

Leaving my family like this, so suddenly, felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. I wouldn’t go to school anymore because of some foolish power I didn’t ask for. I would feel trapped, like a prisoner being escorted somewhere against her will. And the worst part of it all sat heavy in my chest.

I wouldn’t get to see my family again.

Am I cursed? I thought as I dragged my bag closer. My headache worsened, throbbing painfully as I folded clothes and shoved them inside without care. Each item felt like another piece of my old life being packed away. I wiped my tears angrily and zipped the bag shut.

“Time to leave,” I muttered to myself, forcing my legs to move. I walked toward the door, then stopped. I turned back and gave my room one last glance. The posters on the wall, my bed, my desk, everything looked the same, yet it all felt distant now. I sighed deeply before stepping out.

MARY

I watched my daughter from the corner of my eye as I drove, her silence louder than any argument. I knew she was angry, confused, and hurt. I’d been there once, standing at the edge of a life I didn’t understand yet.

“I know my daughter is angry right now,” I said gently, breaking the silence, “and trust me, I felt worse during my time.” I let out a small chuckle, remembering memories I rarely revisited. Then I scoffed lightly, shaking my head at the thought.

Sofia suddenly turned to me, her eyes wide.

“Wait, Mum… are you a gem?” she asked, her shock evident.

I nodded once, keeping my eyes on the road.

Her face lit up instantly, surprise replacing fear for a brief moment. “Wow,” she breathed.

“Yes,” I said calmly. “And your dad is too. We met at the institute.”

She stared at me for a while, clearly trying to process that information. I simply nodded and looked through the windshield, letting her thoughts settle. Some truths couldn’t be rushed.

The drive continued in silence after that.

A few minutes later, I slowed down.

“Here we are,” I mumbled as I pulled up in front of a massive structure.

Sofia’s breath caught. The building towered over us, tall and imposing, its walls dark and solid like they were built to withstand anything. The door was enormous, carved with unfamiliar symbols, and the guards standing at the entrance looked more like soldiers than security.

I saw the unease creep into her posture as she stepped out of the car. CCTV cameras were placed everywhere, their lenses following every movement. Nothing went unnoticed here.

She hopped down and stayed close to me, her earlier defiance replaced with cautious silence. Together, we walked past the guards and into the building.

I led her straight toward the bursar’s office, knowing this was only the beginning of a path she could no longer turn away from.