Phantom Universe

Chapter 28: Chocolate

16 years old

The food isn't that much different than what Summer had been eating while in the hospital. They choose to eat outside, much to her delight. Ever since Doctor Rose turned the window in her room into a wall (she's still confused how that works), she hasn't been outside at all. At the picnic table, Summer sits between Jaden and Landon, with Lucy, Rob, and Avery across from them. Jaden takes a bite of a green apple while staring at Rob who is explaining the difference in guitars, strings, and picks.

"You know what I miss?" Lucy interrupts.

"Riding?" everyone says at once.

"We know," says Avery with a sigh.

"No!" Lucy rolls her eyes. "I was going to say I miss pizza. Oh! And chocolate!"

Everyone groans at the sound of something as sweet as chocolate. From what Summer was told, the food has become more and more tasteless, and the portions have been shrinking. Fights have been breaking out in the camps from people stealing food from others. Especially the once-wealthy who can't just go buy whatever they want anymore.

"Speaking of chocolate," says Landon with a grin spreading across his face. "Happy birthday, Summer!" He pulls something from his pocket and places it on the table in front of her. When he removes his hand she can see the distinct brown wrapper of a candy bar. Her eyes widen.

"It's your birthday?" Lucy asks with a squeal edging her voice.

"Almost three weeks ago now," says Landon.

"Party in our room tonight!" Lucy squeals, claps her hands together, and bounces in her seat.

Summer picks up the chocolate bar like it's precious and examines the worn exterior. Flipping it over and over in her hands, she can't believe he managed to hold onto this for so long and just for her.

"It might be a little squashed," he says. "I've kept it on me the whole time—didn't want any of these people around here to steal it. There's been a lot of that going on."

She hugs him quickly and pushes her tray of half-eaten food away. All she can think about is chocolate and how wonderful it'll taste. But then she looks up and sees them all staring at her...or the candy bar. They might even be drooling. She frowns, then puts it in her pocket to eat later—when no one's around.

A hand reaches down and snatches it before she can put it away, and she automatically recoils into Landon. Her heart jumps in surprise, expecting any second for something, or someone, to hit her. Nothing happens. She spins in her seat to find out who it is.

"Oh! What's this?" a male says with glee. "Chocolate? You freaks really have been holding out on us."

Landon stands quickly, his face hardening. "Give it back to her, Preston."

Jaden's arm wraps around Summer's shaking shoulders while Rob joins Landon, circling around the table and folding his arms.

"No, I don't think I will," jeers Preston with a smug smile.

"Stupid git! You think you're cute? Pickin' on this innocent girl?" Rob's voice flares. "Why don't you take your genital identification disorder somewhere else? And make sure to leave the chocolate bar here. Got it? Now hand it over and piss off!"

A group of seven or eight gathers around, and they all laugh. Preston, his eyes narrowing, turns to glare at his "buddies." They all shut up at once, and many bite their lips in an attempt to stop from laughing.

"You got any more chocolate?" Preston's attention snaps back to Landon. "Because if you do, I think I'll be taking that off you, too."

"That's funny," says Rob, fake laughing. "I'm thinking you're going to give that back to this girl here"—he points at Summer who wishes he would not direct their notice to her—"or I will personally kick your wanker-licking, nancy ass!"

Preston nods his head at a huge guy with brown hair and eyes. The guy has muscles in places Summer didn't even know had muscles, and his pointed chin gives his face a malicious look. He has a dragon tattoo covering the whole of his left calf, bright in the sunlight on his leg. He grins and narrows his eyes like things are about to get really interesting, then plops down next to Summer and throws an arm around her, over Jaden's. Jaden yanks free and spits out, "Jerk! Get off her!"

The guy's breath is hot and smells like old meat. Summer's heart is in her throat, and her stomach feels like it's going to squeeze until she's sick all over him. She tries to move away, but he only grips her harder. Rob's eyes meet Summer's, and she can read the absolute rage there.

"If that's how it's going to be, ass tosser..." Rob's fist connects with the bridge of Preston's nose with a very distinct crunch. "And you"—he points at the guy next to Summer—"sod off, you cheeky bastard!"

The guy's arm tightens. "I don't think so. We're just getting to know each other, aren't we, precious?" His rough fingers touch her face, and she flinches. Her skin wants to get up and run away at his touch.

Jaden tries to pry his fingers from her shoulder but has no luck. Landon's shouting indistinctly while being held back by a boy shorter than him.

Preston grunts and holds his nose, bending over with his eyes closed. "You stupid Brit!" Preston stands to his full height. He's not quite as tall as Rob, but he's thicker around.

Rob's attention turns back to Preston. "Bloody hell."

The guy next to Summer doesn't move, only clutches harsher and whispers in her ear, "Hey baby. My name's Blake. Once these two are done playing around, how about you and me go back to my room, and I'll show you what's underneath all these clothes?" He licks her cheek with his disgusting, rotting meat smelling saliva.

Summer almost loses her lunch all over him. She fights back this time and pushes against his chest with all of her strength, but she's still exhausted from her hospital stay and her catatonia. He only laughs at the pathetic attempt.

"Now why would you want to get away from all this?" he asks while his hand moves up and down his body like he's showing her treasure.

Before them, Preston and Rob are in a full-blown fight, the crowd cheering them on. Landon breaks free and tries to pull them apart, shouting the whole time. All of them end up on the ground, fists flying, the crowd cheering, and all the while Blake's arm is wrapped securely around Summer's shoulders. She's shaking so badly her muscles strain under the tension.

Lucy and Avery are nowhere to be seen, and Jaden's focus on Blake fades as her eyes trail to Rob, who she obviously has a crush on.

"He's hurt! I'm sorry," says Jaden as she stands and gets lost in the fray of flying limbs. Soon the cheering crowd is so thick around the fight Summer can't see anything, frozen in her seat with Blake's breath in her ear.