Page 12 of The Scars Within
Oh. Not what I expected of this human.
The setting sun brightened his features. Unlike his brother, you could see the seriousness in his posture. He sat with his shoulders back, chin high, and tight jaw, as if he was ready for anything at any moment.
I turned my gaze back to the view once I realized I was staring at him. “Yeah, it’s beautiful up here. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Is that right?” he looked at me.
“Yep,” I huffed a laugh. “There aren’t buildings this high where I’m from.”
“That’s unfortunate. A nice view like this is something I look for everywhere I go.” His expression shifted, and he turned back to the view.
His voice was deep but clear, with an underlying weariness.
“Are we allowed to be up here?” I asked.
“I don’t think any other cadets even care about this place. I’ve been coming up here since my initiation day, and you’re the only one I’ve run into.”
“Oh...” Good. Nice to know I have a safe place to escape when the overwhelming life of the war college starts to brew a storm within me.
“Do you always drink coffee this late?” Rhodes asked without looking at me.
“No!” I fought to hide my grin. “I was just checking out the espresso station where I’ll be working my assignment and wanted to get some early practice with the machines.”
Rhodes turned his head and locked eyes with me. Even in this light, his eyes were the most interesting color I’d ever seen. He didn’t say anything but opened his mouth like he was about to, then closed it again. Rhodes and I stared at each other in silence as if we were trying to figure the other out.
He lifted himself off the edge and stood. “I better get going. You’re probably gonna want to get to bed early tonight. The first day of classes can always be a drag,” he said, walking towards the exit.
I snapped my head back as soon as I realized I was watching him walk away. I looked down to see that my mug was empty, a good sign to go inside.
But I decided to give myself a few more minutes. To breathe in some fresh air. The view began to darken as the sun fell behind the mountain, but I didn’t let the darkness intimidate me.
This year, I’m going to make something of myself. I’m going to prove everyone who underestimates me wrong. I was not given another chance to waste it.
I did not – and I will not – surrender.
You are meant for more.
By the time I made it back to our dorm, everybody was asleep. Moving with silent steps, I searched for my shower caddy, a gift for our initiation filled with balms and essential oils that had always seemed like unattainable luxuries. My bathing routine had been simple all my life—just one soap and a trusty bucket—until the shed.
I stepped into the largest bathing chamber I’ve ever seen. I found stalls lining one side, separated by half-walls, while taller stalls on the other side hinted at toilets. Ahead, porcelain sinks stretched beneath a long, shared mirror, all set against the backdrop of off-white tiles and gleaming copper fixtures. Despite the modest dorm rooms for first-years, the college had spared no expense on this communal bathing area.
My reflection in the mirror made me jump as I walked towards the stalls. I prowled a little closer, and my lips curled down. I looked like I had just come out of the ringer. My poor excuse of a braid had loose strands falling every which way. My face appeared sunken and hollow. And my body… I was thin—too thin. Even before the shed, I was petite due to years of only eating enough to keep me going.
I shook the thoughts from my head.
Choosing a shower stall, I placed my caddy down. The knobs were a mystery; turning the right one brought an icy blast that shocked me into swearing aloud.
“Holy SHIT! Fucking cold, fucking cold, fucking cold!”
I frantically shut it off, silently laughing at my own folly. Collecting myself, I cautiously turned the other knob, hoping for warmth. Instead, scalding water greeted me, prompting another outburst.
“FUCKING HELL!” I yelped.
Turning the water off once again, I couldn’t help but wonder how something meant to be a luxury could offer only extremes of freezingcold or scalding hot. Standing there, naked and damp, I was interrupted by a light knock on the chamber door.
“Hello? Is anyone in there? I thought I heard a scream,” a voice called from outside.
I froze, holding my breath to remain undetected.
