Waking up with a headache is never my favorite. I rub the back of my head as I recall what happened yesterday. As it all came back to me I quickly jumped up only to be faced with nothing. There was no boy, no blood, no hooks, nothing. It was like the crime scene never existed.
I looked around scared and confused as the feeling of being watched came back. I try to ignore it while I searched the room for any clues as to what happened yesterday but to no avail. I couldn't find anything.
With my headache pounding against my skull, I sluggishly head to my bathroom to take a shower and change my clothes.
Once my morning routine is done I take an Advil and head out of the door without eating. The scene from yesterday ruined my appetite.
As I walk to school the feeling of someone following me didn't go away. I tried to ignore it until I heard a trashcan drop to the floor. I turn around quickly but see no one. There isn't even a trashcan in sight. Am I going crazy?
As I think it over Diara pops her head from the alleyway and looked at me timidly.
"Wha- Diara! What are you doing here? You scared the living daylights out of me! What are you even doing hiding in an alleyway?"
I question Diara as I clutch my heart. She shyly comes over to me before stuttering out an answer.
"S-sorry! I j-j-just saw you w-walking and I j-just wanted to-"
Diara stumbles over the words in her mouth as she mumbles inaudible nonsense. With a sigh, I place my hands on her shoulders to calm her down as she looks up at me.
"It's ok. I'm guessing you just wanted to walk with me."
She nods her head as she nervously twirls a loose strand of hair near her face. I smile at her.
"There is nothing wrong with wanting to walk to school with me. Just please say something next time rather than giving me a heart attack."
Diara's eyes light up as she nods her head vigorously and cheers as if she hit the jackpot. I laugh shaking my head at her childlike behavior before continuing our walk to school.
The walk was quiet while my mind was anything but. Diara seemed at peace with the silence as long as she was in my presence but I couldn't help the nagging disgust as I thought back to last night.
I swear that a dead boy was dangling from my ceiling. How could he not be there anymore? Am I going crazy or did Aimiah have something to do with it? I settle on the ladder and decide to talk to Aimiah when I get to school.
I and Diara finally show up to school. Unfortunately, we are pretty early which is normal for Diara but far from what I'm used to. If anything, I tend to be late. I and Diara go our separate ways as she heads to the library and I go Aimiah hunting.
As I search for the princess of perfection I hear a perfectly cut gasp.
"Y/n! Your early today, I'm guessing you've come to see me. You always did make me feel like a special one."
Turning the corner was Aimiah. Girls follow her like lovesick puppies who can't get enough of their owner's affection. Aimiah comes towards me before pulling me into her sweet embrace.
"How was your sleep?"
She whispered softly into my ear. If her lips weren't practically on my ear I almost wouldn't have heard her. With a gulp, I speak.
"About that, I actually need to talk to you...in private."
I pull away, looking at her entourage swooning over her. Aimiah pouts from the lack of contact before regaining her composure.
"Anything for you my little yeti."
Aimiah smiles before turning towards the group of girls.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Disperse! You can gawk at my excellence some other time."
The girls squeak and squeal as they all scatter on Aimiah's command. Once they have all left Aimiah turns back toward me.
"So what is it you want to talk about? Here to ask me on a date?"
I choked at Aimiah's words. Before vigorously shaking my head.
"No, no, I wanted to talk to you about something that happened last night."
Aimiah's smile went down gradually and she seemed rather upset. Did she actually want me to ask her out?...no, Aimiah was probably just joking. Besides, I don't like her like that. I don't even like her as a friend...not after-
"What happened last night? Come on, humor me, I don't have all day."
Breaking me out of my thoughts was Aimiah. She leaned against the locker as she watched me. With the way she was looking at me, I could almost feel the intense power dynamic between us. She obviously viewed herself as superior even if she is just flesh and blood like the rest of us.
"Right. Last night I got home and I had seen a...um...boy in my house."
Aimiah's demeanor stiffened. She stops leaning on the locker as she straightens up and looks at me disgusted.
"What the hell are you talking about? What boy? Why was there a boy in your house? Have you not learned your damn lesson? I swear if you are saving one more low life, small dicked prick I will-"
"NO...no, i-its nothing like that I swear."
Aimiah starts to calm down. She slackens her jaw from its clenched position as she relaxes once more. I would be lying if I said that her reaction didn't scare me a little.
"Sorry y/n, i-it just- I don't want to see your rank lowered again because you want to play the hero. That boy was not worth it."
Aimiah coos as she rubs her thumb gently on my cheek in a circular motion.
"...but his father-"
"His father is gone because of you y/n and so is that boy. Now, what is it you want to tell me about this scum's appearance in your house."
I open and closed my mouth a few times while Aimiah wiped away a few tears that I didn't know I was shedding. She continued to whisper sweet nothings into my ear as I pull myself together.
"T-the boy w-was dead Aimiah. Someone s-strung him on my c-ceiling as if t-to play a sick joke o-on m-m-me."
"Was the body still there when you woke up?"
I shake my head as I wipe some tears streaming down my face as I recall last night's gruesome scene. Aimiah clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth before pulling back and responding to me.
"When was the last time you worshipped?"
Confused, I looked up at her.
"Wh-wha-"
"When was the last time you worshipped y/n? When did you last pray to my mother?"
I thought for a moment.
"Not since the incident that had my rank lowered."
Aimiah looks at me disappointed. She shakes her head at me as if she was scolding a child.
"Y/n, you're losing your mind. There was nobody at your house last night. This was only a mere punishment for not praying to the elites."
I blink a few times. No, that body was there and it was real. I can't be going crazy, c-can I?
"Don't worry my little yeti. Lucky for you we have history so I will gladly take you to my mother and the others so you can beg for forgiveness."
"Wait- no I don't want to do that. Then there would need to be a ritual ceremony and a-"
I couldn't even finish my sentence without feeling sick to my stomach. Aimiah noticed my complexion dull and the nauseated expression taking over my face. She awed as she caressed me. Before she could do anything else a chime went off indicating that the principal was about to give an announcement.
'Students of Midtown's future. Due to some...issues...school will not be continuing for a few days. We have already sent an announcement to the student body that has yet to get here. As for all of you early students you can go home, relax and have a wonderful day. All hail the elites.'
I could hear the few students that are here repeat hail the elites before vacating the school premises. Aimiah looked at me before quickly grabbing my hand and walking me out of the school.
"Hey wait- what are you doing? Where are we going?"
Aimiah lets out a graceful giggle.
"We're going to my house silly. Since school is out you have time to beg for forgiveness."
"What about Diara?"
Aimiah scoffs and continues to drag me towards a Cinderella-like carriage pulling up in front of the school. She ignores my question about Diara as she shoves me into the carriage and sits next to me. I don't want to do this but when it comes to Aimiah freedom of choice is none existent.
The coachman wordlessly escorts us to Aimiah's mansion on the hillside. The ride was quiet while I take in the large extravagant cul-de-sac. The coachman stops in front of the largest mansion in the middle of the cul-de-sac. Once we get out of the carriage he yells yah as the large white horses pull the carriage away.
Aimiah grabs my hand and pulls me to the front door. A butler already opens the two large wooden doors with a mumbled greeting as we enter.
Upon entrance, I notice that nothing really changed. This house looks the same as when I first saw it. Luxurious and over the top to flaunt status and wealth.
"Benson!"
A butler comes running with an almost terrified look adorning his young face. While an older butler comes in more composed showing that he is used to this and has way more experience.
"Y-yes my lady. Is t-there so-something I can d-do for you?"
The younger butler, Benson struggled to speak. The poor boy was shaking down to his knees as Aimiah settled her intense glare onto him.
"Where is mother?"
He trembled with every word she spoke. He opened his mouth only for the older butler to answer.
"She is outside with the other elites and their children madame. She wanted to enjoy some sangre wine and a little time in the pool."
Aimiah nods
"Thank you, Charles. At least someone around her is capable of doing their job."
Aimiah rolls her eyes as she drags me to the backyard. The backyard was even grander than the cul-de-sac. Large bushes cut to mirror both Aimiah and her mother's likeness. Arrogant laughter could be heard as we make our way past the large greenery and near the giant lake-like pool with a functional waterfall. The elites were under umbrellas in bathing suits as they spoke and drank. Chantel was in the pool sunbathing in a floaty and the other two nobles were passing a volleyball between each other.
Aimiah took me to the elites as I struggled to remove her grip from my arm with no luck.
"Mother!"
"Aimiah, my darling Iris. I heard school was canceled. Maybe you can go put on a bathing suit and-...y/n."
I shook as Aimiah's mother finally took notice of me. Her pupilless blue eyes stared straight into my soul. Her flawless white skin made her even more intimidating as she stood from her lounge chair. She walked closer to me as her long silver hair trailed behind her. She stood at an intimidating seven feet and eight inches. She isn't even the tallest elite.
"He-hey Mrs. Silvercrest. I-it's been a-awhile."
I gulped while her mother creeped closer until I was looking up as she towered over me. The other elites said nothing as they continue to drink there...., whatever Charles called it, wine. She looked down at me before smiling and bending down to my level slightly.
"Why y/n, I haven't seen you since you were a child and your rank was still mid. Stop with all this Mrs. Silvercrest nonsense. You know you can call me Evelyn."
I nod slowly as Mrs. Silvercrest...I mean Evelyn continued to grace me with her smile. Aimiah looks at her mother with admiration before going to speak. Knowing what she is already going to say I can't help but fear the upcoming conversation we are about to have.