Chapter 2
1323 Words
ELIMINATE ASH'S VIEW!
The last bell rang sharply, like a blade slicing through the space.
With her cheek still against her exam paper, Elowen Ash slowly raised her head.
Her gaze scanned the room before settling on the invigilator by the front desk.
A tiny smile appeared on Elowen's face.
Thus, time was of the essence.
Suddenly, she leaned back over her paper, her pen moving quickly across the page.
As she wrote, her brows furrowed in concentration and her tongue protruded slightly.
The classroom started to fill up.
The floor was scraped by chairs.
As students lined up to turn in their papers, footsteps could be heard.
They departed one by one.
Elowen remained seated.
She seemed to be racing against something that only she could see as her hand moved more quickly.
Already amused, the invigilator observed her from a distance.
This was a routine she was familiar with.
Every time, Elowen waited until the last second.
Her mind seemed to awaken only when the clock began to yell at her.
She was suddenly unstoppable with ten minutes remaining.
Elowen was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she failed to notice the shadow that stopped next to her desk.
The gentle laughter and the soft sigh were not audible to her.
It wasn't until her paper was taken away that she became aware.
She let out a sharp gasp.
She stood halfway up, her chair screeching.
"Hey," she exclaimed, instinctively reaching for it.
She opened her eyes.
She froze.
With a raised eyebrow and pursed lips, the professor pretended to be furious.
Elowen gave a blink.
Then she grinned.
Her wide eyes gleamed with innocence as her lips formed a gentle pout.
She whispered, "Just five more minutes, Professor."
She spoke in a lovely, almost begging tone.
She c****d her head to the side.
She used that face for every exam.
And it was nearly always successful.
The lecturer took a moment to examine her.
Then her mouth quirked.
With hope blossoming in Elowen's chest, she gently patted his cheek.
The professor firmly replied, "No."
Elowen instantly lost his smile.
A deep pout formed on her lips.
The lecturer chuckled to herself.
Before Elowen could use her last weapon, she turned away.
Weeping.
Tears from crocodiles were dangerous.
Everyone was aware of that.
With a dramatic sigh, Elowen sagged back into her chair.
She scoffed softly and ran a hand through her hair.
"There's only one song left," she whispered.
Proud and smug, her lips curved once more.
She slowly got to her feet and extended her arms.
Now the classroom was deserted.
She was enveloped in silence.
A smile appeared on her face.
She spun around a little.
Then one more.
She stopped and took a quick look around.
Nobody was observing.
Her smile got bigger.
She leaped and held up both hands.
"Yes," she said in a loud whisper as she spun around once more.
The walls reverberated with her laughter.
She paused after a short while, gasping for air.
She laughed quietly to herself, her chest rising and falling.
Reaching for her bag, she slung it over her shoulder.
Caroline and Jordan.
Before she could complete the thought, her feet moved.
She desired to see them.
She had to see them.
When freedom was shared, it tasted better.
Her steps felt light as she made her way down the hall.
She seemed to be floating.
Excitement made her heart race.
Then it reappeared.
That sensation.
Her arms' hair stood up.
Elowen decelerated.
She cast a quick glance behind her.
Nothing.
She gave a headshake.
It had been going on for days.
That peculiar feeling of being observed.
Every time, she had dismissed it.
Stress, most likely.
Most likely nothing.
She picked up her speed.
The doors to the canteen appeared.
She pushed them open, causing noise to pour out.
Laughing.
Plates are clinking.
Overlapping voices.
And once more.
That sensation came back.
This time, stronger.
For a brief moment, her steps faltered.
Her gaze swept across the space.
Students ate and conversed while seated in groups.
Nobody was observing her.
She exhaled slowly.
Elowen, get a grip.
Then she noticed them.
Caroline and Jordan.
Their table was littered with food like a battlefield.
A warm smile twisted her lips.
Behind them, she moved silently.
then raised both hands and placed them atop their heads.
Caroline immediately choked.
Caroline coughed and yelled, "Elowen."
Jordan slapped his chest and laughed.
For a moment, heads turned.
Then everyone averted their gaze.
It was typical.
They were typical.
The brilliant oddballs.
Elowen smiled as he fell into the vacant chair.
She reached for a corn snack and ripped it open.
"Missed me," she said with a smile.
Jordan grinned and shook his head.
He declared, "You are impossible."
Caroline scowled and wiped her mouth.
"You attempted to murder me," she declared.
Laughing, Elowen threw a snack in her mouth.
"Well worth it," she said.
Her eyes were bright as she leaned back.
She abruptly declared, "I am free."
Her voice was full of happiness.
Jordan's grin grew softer.
With a mouthful of food, Caroline hummed.
Caroline questioned, "Free from exams or free from everything."
Elowen hesitated.
She took a slow swallow.
"Everything," she muttered.
Jordan bent over.
"After graduation, where do we go?" he inquired.
Caroline licked her finger at the ketchup.
"Far away," she continued.
Caroline's chin was gently pushed up by Elowen.
"First, finish chewing," she said softly.
Caroline scowled once more.
Badly.
Jordan chuckled.
Something in Elowen's chest relaxed at the sound.
Then the emotion came back.
sharp.
chilly.
Her grin vanished.
She took another look around.
Nothing yet.
Caroline saw.
She began to chew more slowly.
Jordan followed Elowen's eyes.
Caroline muttered, "She's doing it again."
Elowen scowled.
"What are you doing?" she inquired.
Jordan's throat was cleared.
"How are you feeling?" he asked softly.
Elowen's eyes lit up once more.
With her hands in her hair, she reclined.
"After all these years," she said.
Her voice faltered.
She remarked, "I feel like the door is finally open."
"I am able to breathe."
Caroline grasped her hand from across the table.
Caroline whispered, "You always could."
Elowen gave a headshake.
"Not in this manner," she answered.
"I'm free to go."
"I can begin anew."
"I don't have to return."
Her voice broke.
Jordan gave a slow nod.
He declared, "We are with you."
"Always."
Despite the pain, Elowen grinned.
"I am aware," she muttered.
Caroline's hand was squeezed by her.
"But I have to leave soon."
Caroline scowled.
Elowen continued, "They will come."
"You are aware of that."
Jordan clenched his jaw.
He said, "Let them try."
Elowen chuckled quietly.
She then got to her feet.
She said, "I need some air."
They comprehended.
Before the emotion could return, she departed.
As she strolled home, the street was silent.
Orange and pink flamed in the sky.
The road was covered in purple shadows.
She paused and raised her gaze.
A loose line of birds flew overhead.
Her chest constricted.
Good fortune.
With a slight smile, she continued to move.
Her building showed up earlier than anticipated.
She took her time going up the stairs.
Plans were racing through her head.
packing.
Going.
sprinting.
She opened the door, and the lock clicked.
She felt an odd chill.
She hesitated.
She gripped the handle more tightly.
Then she entered.
After she left, the door shut.
The air was heavy.
Her breath caught.
Someone was seated on her couch.
Behind him were two men.
Her heart fell.
She was acquainted with him.
She wished she hadn't.
She whispered, "What are you doing here?"
The man got to his feet.
Silas Blackwell looked up at her.
He had icy eyes.
The shadow of her father.
Silas remarked, "He sent me."
"To take you home."
Elowen staggered back.
The space whirled.
Was this actually taking place right now?
Had freedom already vanished?
- Writer
