TENSION
1303 Words
ARTHUR
“You’ll be fine,” the doctor said calmly, handing a small pack of medication to Stiles. “Just take these for the cold.”
He didn’t wait for a response before leaving the room.I turned slowly, my head pounding.
“What happened?” I asked. “Why did you bring me here?”
Stiles scoffed. “You’re welcome, idiot.”
The drive home was quiet.My thoughts were tangled, broken pieces refusing to come together,no matter how hard I tried, everything after the bathroom visit was… blank.
“I can’t remember anything after the bathroom,” I blurted out.
Stiles exhaled “Yeah I figured you were drunk. Jumped into the pool even though you can’t swim. You disappeared for a while,had everyone worried.”He paused, then smirked.
“Especially Zinaaaa.”
“Zina?” I repeated, my chest tightening.
“Yeah. I called her after you went missing.”
“Hm.”
“But hey, you’ve got cameras,” he added. “You can check how you got home. Problem solved.”
He glanced at me sideways. “Though, I’ll admit,when I was dragging you out, I swear your eyes were glowing.”
I shot him a glare.
He laughed, lighting a cigarette. “Relax. Unlike you, I’m still sensible when I’m drunk.”
JAMES
The air was still burning when I found my voice.
“Why was he here?” I asked.
My mother didn’t turn around.Her back was straight, proud,like she hadn’t just torn reality open and sent Arthur crashing back to where he belonged.Silence stretched, she laughed.
“First you kill Savire,” I said coldly, she was finally facing me, “and now you start avoiding questions?”
My father’s head snapped toward me.
“What?” His voice was sharp. “What did you just say?”
She clapped her hands.
The sound cracked through the space like thunder.Fire erupted instantly,torches along the walls roaring to life, flames spiraling upward, licking the ceiling. Heat slammed into my skin. The ground vibrated beneath my feet.
“Everything I do is for your good, you fool,” she shouted, eyes blazing. “Everything!”
She turned dramatically, arms spread wide as if presenting a sacrifice.
“And this,” she continued, voice shaking with fury, “is how you repay me?”
I clenched my fists. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t ask for any of it.”
“That’s enough!” my father barked, stepping between us. “We’re leaving now. This place isn’t safe.”
No one spoke.The fire crackled loudly, feeding on the tension.My mother’s gaze locked onto mine,pure hatred, sharp and unflinching.
The air split open.A portal bloomed behind her, dark and swirling.She stepped back into it and made to jump in.
“Wow,” a voice drawled from the shadows. “Wow. Look who’s alive.”
The portal flickered.
“THE great witch herself,” the man continued, clapping slowly. “Did earth finally get tired of you?”
My mother’s face twisted in disgust.
“And is that who I think it is?” he added, eyes sliding toward me. “Little James?”
“Damien,” she spat, the name like poison.
My father grabbed her arm. “Run.”
She didn’t hesitate.She jumped into the portal. My father followed instantly.
The opening began to close.I stepped forward, heart pounding, flames reflecting in my eyes.
Damien stood there smiling,amused.I took a closer look at him.Then I jumped.
We finally returned home, the house was deserted.
“Where are all the maids and uhmm”
“They had to go,times are changing,we can't afford to be careless with important information and you know you're still wanted”Mr Owen cut in
Mrs. Carrington froze when she saw the note placed neatly at the center table.
Dora and Noah have gone to school. They’ll be away until summer.Nothing new.
She held Mr. Owen’s gaze for a long moment,then turned toward the kitchen without a word.
I scoffed and headed straight for Stella’s room.
Empty.My shoulders dropped. She’d already left for work.
I stepped inside anyway. Her scent lingered,soft, familiar. I inhaled deeply, then another breath, until my chest felt tight. I collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling..
The bathroom door opened revealing Stella.
Wet hair clung to her shoulders, a towel wrapped tightly around her body, outlining every dangerous curve. Pink lips,bare smooth skin. An angel I wasn’t supposed to touch.
“What are you doing in my room?” she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I moved closer.She stepped back, biting the corner of her lip.
“I love it when you’re nervous,” I said quietly.
“I’m not,” she shot back.
“Then why are you biting your lips?” I smirked.
I was in front of her now. Her breath hitched, warm against my mouth. I placed my hands on the dressing table, caging her in.
“You know,” I murmured, “I still remember…”
She shoved my chest and tried to walk away.
I caught her arm, pulled her back, my hand gripping her waist.
“Don’t ever walk out on me,” I said, tilting my head. “Understood?”
“Let go of me, James,” she snapped. “I’m already late for work.”
My lips moved to the corner of her neck, giving her a soft bite.
She gasped.Her breath was shaky now.
My eyes darted to her lips…and then her almond shaped eyes.I placed my right hands around her neck,my other hands holding her waist firmly.
“James please I don't…”
I didn't let her finish,I slammed my lips into hers.
It wasn’t gentle.It was everything I’d been holding back. She kissed me back for half a second,then she pushed me away.Her eyes filled instantly.
Without a word, she turned, grabbed her clothes, and rushed into the dressing room, slamming the door shut.
My jaw tightened.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered under my breath.
Took three steps back,hands in my pocket and strolled out.
ZINA
I paced the office, my heels clicking sharply against the floor. My heart wouldn’t slow. My phone felt heavy in my hand as I dialed.
“Baby.”
“Hey, babe,” Will said. “Why do you sound worried?”
“Nothing,” I whispered “I just needed someone to talk to.”
“Arthur?”
“He’s not here yet. I’m worried.”
A pause,then a laugh.
“Oh, you care about him now?”
“I don’t care about him, Will,” I said sharply. “I care about our plan.”
“Heartbreaking.”
The voice came from behind me.My spine went cold instantly,I turned slowly, shocked.
Arthur leaned casually by the door.
ARTHUR
Zina spun around, shock flashing across her face. Her phone was still in her hand.
“How much did you hear?” she asked.
“Enough.”
She ended the call quickly, her fingers trembling just slightly.
“You weren’t supposed to be here.”
“I own here,” I replied calmly. “You just forgot.”
She crossed her arms, defensive. “You shouldn’t have listened and it's not even what you think.”
I stepped closer,my arms around my neck. “You said you were worried about me and you said you cared about a plan.”
I stopped inches away.
“So tell me,” I said casually, “which part was the lie?”
She didn’t answer.
Her eyes darted,thinking, calculating,lips shaky
I smiled.“That’s what I thought.”
I placed my hand on the wall beside her, blocking her in,not touching her, but close enough.
“Whatever game you think you’re playing,” I continued, “you’re already losing.”
- Writer
