Silence
341 Words
Stepping on her fingers as I moved with precision. A storm was raging and I was the one stirring it.
The girl’s blood was still on my elbow. Warm. I didn’t wipe it off.
The class didn’t breathe. Twenty-nine pairs of eyes watched me sit down. Watched me fold my hands on the desk. Watched me turn my face to the window like nothing happened.
"Children of Darkness need silence."
Ma Yonga’s voice slid through my head, soft as a blade. I didn’t answer her. She wasn’t here yet. Just the voice. Always the voice. Keeping me in check. Keeping my powers in Check.
Outside, the Akeledon High gates were rusted iron. My thorn-vines crawled up the bars. This was going to be my hell to run.
Ten years ago she buried me in darkness. Now I brought it back to her door step.
“Miss—” The teacher’s voice cracked. She stood frozen at the board, chalk dust on her hands. “Miss Ivy, are you... are you alright?” She panicked. She should.
I didn’t look at her. I looked at the sky. Grey. Like my eyes now. It was close. The storm
“I’m fine,” she said. Out of shame of being flung by an outcast she self proclaimed.
Someone finally moved to help her. Footsteps. Whispers. “Get the nurse. Get the headmaster.”
Let them.
I pressed my palm against the cold glass. My reflection stared back. Thorn-scar cutting across my cheek. Grey eyes that forgot how to cry.
Mother said I was born her rose.
She carved me into her thorn.
The classroom door burst open. Heavy footsteps. Authority.
The Dean was here.
I didn’t turn. I just smiled at my reflection.
Let him see. Let them all see.
The Thorn has returned.
- Writer
