Queen of the Underworld

71

"I hope you boys behaved well while I was gone."

All around the circle of men surrounding me, the only sounds to be heard were the beautiful pitches of my voice (of course) and the crunching of pebbles on the gravel I was standing.

"I see you've all made quite the mess. Some of you even though it a good idea to flip the coin and change sides. I hope you know, treason is never tolerated."

Twenty pairs of eyes stared at me.

Twenty triggers were ready to be pulled.

Eleven guns were pointed at my head.

And one smirk was on my lips.

"So, who wants to be the first to die?"

**

SEVEN HOURS EARLIER

"Where are you going?"

"None of your business. Get lost."

I stuffed a pair of tights in my duffel bag and took a pair of combat boots out of my closet, stuffing them in there too.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Does asking a question put me at possible risk of another gun pointed at my head?"

"If I had one, possibly."

I grabbed the first aid kit from under my bed, stuffing it inside. Then took a gum packet from inside my drawers and put it in my pocket.

"Well, since you don't, I ask again. Where are you going?"

"Narnia. I heard it's great this time of year."

I tied my hair in a ponytail and put on my black denim jacket.

"You're funny."

"And you're...still here. Why?"

Ash got up from the bed as I headed for the door. I could tell he wanted to say something, but didn't know if he should.

"Out you go."

"I found the pills. You're taking drugs."

Ah, shit. Here we go again.

"Why were you in my room?"

"Why are you taking that shit?"

I shut the door and walked over to the nightstand, opening the bottom drawer. I took out my copy of The Selection and the charger for my computer, removing the false bottom and taking out the glock and extra magazines I stashed.

"Great. A gun to my head."

"Why were you in my room?"

I put the gun inside the duffle too and locked the door.

"Say my name."

"What?"

He stepped forward and stopped close enough to block my line of vision.

"My name, say it."

"I don't think I'm the only one taking pills."