Paytah

It was torture watching Hanson smile at me.

He won, and I'm pissed. Would I of cussed out that man that was tapping on my glass cube? Hell yes. I would've broke the glass and put fire up his ass, and I would ask, "Is that enough fire for you, huh?"

I didn't, though.

And it sucked.

But it was the look on Aira's face, that's what stopped me. The shake of her head told me not to. She told me to be on Hanson's side.

I don't think I am on his side...but I am on Aira's side. And she's scared, I can tell. I'm doing this for her, to help her calm down.

But if Hanson really thinks I'm on his side-he can go fuck himself.

After about ten groups come in, we are finally done. I stayed calm, and it pleased Hanson. But at the end of it all, I shoot him a glare. I don't think he saw it, but even if he did, he wouldn't care. I don't think he really cares that I stayed calm at all.

I don't think he cares if he loses, and we die.

But as Aira smiles at me, I give her a small smile back.

We are guided back to the vehicles, all the way back to the dome. People surround me as I walk in, but it's nothing new. I decide to go back to my room. Even though they've locked us up for days, I'm tired.

As I walk up the stairs and through the hall, I hear faint footsteps coming up the stairs behind me.

And I'm pushed right into the wall.

My head slams back on the concrete wall, and I shout out in pain. Hands forcefully grab my arms and push them into the wall as well. I'm about to burn their hands until my vision comes back into view, and I see who it is.

Lana.

"What the fuck was that?!" Lana says, hands pressed so hard on my arms they go numb. My head feels as if it's about to explode.

"W-what-"

"You know what." She says, quiet but harshly.

"Calm down-"

"I will never calm down. But you sure as hell did. You're in the palm of Hanson's hand now, huh?"

"No." I breath. I slightly burn her hands so she lets go of me. She stammers back a little but keeps her glare.

"Then what was that? You were being vulnerable. You hate that, I know you do. So?" She asks, angrily.

"I'm not on Hanson's side." I say, and she rolls her eyes.

"You're on Aira's side."

I pause and look at Lana. Her anger turns into sorrow. She must assume because I'm acting innocent I'm on her side? I don't know where she got that from, but I don't ask.

"She was scared-"

"We all are!" She suddenly yells, and I freeze. "She convinced you to join Hanson, right?"

"You don't think I'm actually on his side."

"I believe it." She says cooly, looking straight into my eyes. I shoot her a glare.

"How? You don't know me then, Lana."

"Cause Aira convinced you," she sighs, "she's innocent, pretty, and--a good kisser, right?" Lana sneers, and I hold in my breath.

"Right?!" She yells. I stand there, confused but also very aware.

"Why were you eavesdropping?"

"Why were you guys keeping plans from Juris and I?" She snaps back. I grab the back of my head, the aching pain almost unbearable. "I didn't know she was going to do that-"

"So you give up?" She asks. "You're not going to fight? Because of a kiss?"

"It's not because of that!" I yell, maybe a little too loud. I see the reflection of my now red eyes through Lana's blue ones. "She made a good point, alright? I could at least pretend to be on his side. I could try my best to make people like me. Doesn't mean I actually am on his side."

"So you left my side for Aira's." Lana says flatly.

"I don't want people being killed because of me." I say.

"Fine. Don't fight. Continue to be Hanson's little test subject, I don't care." She says. I'm angry at her saying that, but I ignore her.

"I didn't think I had much to live for," I say, and she pauses and looks at me. "but my father is alive, and I'm pretty sure he hates my mother just as much as I do. I still have a chance to make things right. Hell, I still have a chance to have a real family again. And you still have your family. You would do whatever it takes to keep them alive, right?"

"Your father is alive?"

"Yes, answer the question."

"I mean, of course-"

"Then you understand that we need people to like us. Cause if not, they're dead. And so are we." I say.

"I understand that. I just don't get why you're trusting Hanson."

"You know I will never be on his side." I say, and I finally see her smile a little. "But I do want to get out of here alive."

"Understandable," she says, "so, you'll be calm for Aira, I get that, done. But can you fight for me?"

I look at her and nod.

"Of course."

***

I sit up immediately when I hear someone opening my door. I look up and see Roma, the girl who is in charge of my floor.

"It's been a while." Roma says, smiling. I give her a small smile back. "Hey."

"It's afternoon now. Have you been out at all?"

"No."

"Good. I was going to remind you that you still need a lot of rest. You're still not totally healed from-" she's about to say from the government, from my mother, but stops herself. "the last few weeks."

"I'm aware." I say, and she laughs a little. "I didn't think the fearless Paytah felt pain."

"Well, you and the world are mistaken." I say, and her smile goes away in an instant. She coughs a little and looks down.

"They aren't persuaded, are they." I say, and she looks back up at me.

"You still have fans. A lot of young crazy girls, mostly-"

"Tell me." I blurt out, and she sighs.

"Well, some people are still for the elements. But, I would say the majority want you gone. It's hard to say, Hanson could still persuade more people, but."

"When do you think they'll make the decision?"

She looks at me sadly.

"Soon. Very soon. And I don't think the favor is on your side."

••••••

WOW!! Another chapter and it didn't take me TOO long to post!!

Thanks for sticking with this book and reading it!!

Please vote and comment :) your comments make my day!

What do you think will happen? Any predictions?!

Thank you!