Page 44 of The Fae Girl 1

I didn’t want to look at them. At any of them. I felt guilty at treating them badly because ultimately, they were in the same position as me, stuck following the Prince’s orders.

Iwas walking the corridor. It was late, class had finished hours ago but I hadn’t wanted to go back to my dorm. I knew who was there. Who was always there. So like usual I’d hid out in the main building of the school, waiting until the last possible moment before curfew came in, before I would sneak back to my room.

As I turned the corner all I could hear were my own footsteps. Though I kept them as quiet as I could. I knew some of the teachers would be patrolling, ensuring everyone was back to their houses. If they found me, they’d march me back themselves. And they wouldn’t do it quietly either.

Sometimes I wondered if some of the teachers were in cahoots with the students. If this was all some George Orwellian nightmare I was living in. Like some awful adaption of Animal Farm.

As a bell chimed I paused. The five minute warning. Five minutes to be out, to be up the stairs and gone. I picked up my pace. This was the moment I always dreaded. The moment where everything was on a knife edge.

I rushed down the stairs. One foot. Then the other. Silently racing to the final door. That was where the real risk was.

If anyone was waiting for me, if I was going to meet anyone of them, it would be here.

As I held my breath I pushed open the door.

It was silent beyond.

I let out an exhale.

Ten steps. That was all I had now. Ten steps between me and my bedroom and a lock that would keep everyone out until morning. Or at least until the early hours when I’d need to sneak out in case they decided to give me a not so friendly wake up call.

Nine steps.

My heart started pounding. It was ridiculous.

Eight steps. No one was here. That’s what I told myself.

Seven steps.

If anyone was lurking my heart would have given me away. My blood was pounding in my ears.

Six steps.

Five steps.

I could see my door now.

Four steps.

My fingers fumbled for the key in my pocket. I didn’t want to hesitate. I didn’t want to be caught now.

Three steps.

I was so close. So god damn close.

Two steps.

I almost let out a whimper, biting my tongue so hard to stifle the sound.

One step.

I shoved the key in the lock. Turned it. Opened the door as relief spread through me.

I’d done it. I’d made it. Another day of terror averted.

But as I stepped over the threshold a shadow behind me moved.

“And where have you been?”

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