Culling

Part I • Chapter XI

It was more important to make sure that North wouldn't die because of Greg being a giant pervert. "I didn't like it and, yes, I think Greg should get into some kind of trouble."

North's head snapped to the side and he glared at Greg, who was still on the floor by the wall. No one in his group had bothered to help him up. "That's Greg? The asshole Greg from district six? Train Greg? Wait right here Sang Baby, I'm going to go murder him right this instant." 

He started to move from our little circle, but Kota stopped him. Although, now I wondered how they knew about Greg, and the train. But that was a different story for a different time.

"No one will be killing anyone today, Mr Taylor." Even though Mr Blackbourne's grey eyes indicated that he was angry, his voice was as calm as always. "Regardless of whether we like it or not, what we decide to do in this situation is entirely up to Miss Sorenson. She's the victim here. Regardless of what he says, I know that Chet cannot afford to lose anyone before the games start, so he will go with whatever we decide."

Four sets of eyes watched me now as the owners waited for my response. 

How do I phrase this? 

"I... I really don't want to deal with the fallout of this right now. We have a lot of stuff going on, and it won't be long until we are all put into the arena anyway. I think..." 

North was looking especially unhappy, but Kota, Dr Green and Mr Blackbourne were frowning as well. 

"I think that maybe this is something better to be dealt with privately, rather than make it a spectacle, right?"

"Like when the games start?" North suddenly had a wistful glint in his eyes.

"Privately?" Dr Green questioned pensively.

Mr Blackbourne hummed under his breath, while Kota appeared to be deep in thought.

"Wait, I don't think you understood my meaning. That's not what I was implying, but-" I trailed off, it was obvious that they weren't listening to me anymore. Why were the four of them behaving differently suddenly? 

Oh dear. Maybe this wasn't a good decision. I had a feeling that it might have been kinder to let the officials handle the aftermath.

☜♡☞

After Mr Blackbourne informed Chet that we decided to deal with the situation in the games, but that Greg was to stay clear away under the threat of much pain if he broke his word, we all headed back to regroup before breakfast. 

After telling us to go inside, Mr Blackbourne and Dr Green went off to talk between themselves.

I refused to let him go, and Victor led me to one of the larger couches and helped me sit. Kota and Luke each sat by one of my sides, and Kota wrapped his arm over my shoulder comfortingly. 

Victor claimed a spot in one of the single chairs nearby, Nathan took up a spot in another single chair across from me and Gabriel was sitting on the floor in front of Nathan's chair. I saw Silas and North move behind me to back of the couch. 

Everyone seemed to be subdued and were waiting for something. 

A few moments later, Dr Green and Mr Blackbourne finally entered the room just after Silas had draped a blanket over me, as I was still in a towel. 

I probably should have gotten dressed, but at the moment I wanted the contact from the boys around me. I noticed that no one had questioned Mr Blackbourne or Dr Green about where they had been or what they were doing, and I was too distracted to ask them about it.