SERAPHINA'S POV
"Olive!" I cry out with relief, never being so happy to see her in my life.
She drops the lamp in her hands quickly, rushing to pull this sack of bones and meat off me. In a few seconds, she's successful in rolling him off and I can sit up again.
I waste no time hugging her, and she does the same thing too, engulfing me in a tight embrace.
I don't know what to feel right now.
I've been assaulted countless times, but I can't seem to shake off the fact that if she wasn't outside, something terrible could have happened to me.
The thought pushes me to hold her tighter, and I finally notice how badly her body trembles in mine as well.
The hands clutching me tightly with warmth and comfort shake and tremble, and it's not from the cold. I hear her breaths coming in shaky while she breathes deeply.
I pull away to look at her, noticing the tears gathering in her eyes now.
"Are you okay? Why were you outside?" I whisper to her.
There's no response on her end, only silence and sobbing, and it's all the answer I need.
I can see just how badly all this affects her, and I decide its better we just head inside together than stay out here longer than needed.
"Let's go." I mutter under my breath, and she nods only.
We link our arms together, standing close enough to comfort each other and while making our way into the girls' dorm, and from the corner of my eyes, I look back to the unconscious body left on the pathway.
***
I walk to school more tired than when I went to bed, rubbing my eyes to stay open as I make my way to my locker.
Along the line after yesterday's events, I had to stay up night with Olive because she was scared, which led to me into catching her fear like some contagious illness and not being able to get some shut eye.
Apparently, she had been worried about my late return, so she had come out to look for me and help with the lamp, seeing as humans have a dimmer eyesight at night.
Even now, I can't seem to shake off the events of last night, following the assault and the document. Everything about this has Morgan written all over it, and I know for a fact that he's trying to scare me out of the race.
He's even worse than I'd thought.
I sigh, tracing my hands on the black bruise that still throbs around my neck from being strangled. It's now covered with a small scarf wrapped around it.
I pull open my locker, picking out a text book and a few notes before slamming it shut again. This time, two girls stand on the other side, startling me instantly because I was not expecting to see anyone popping up out of nowhere.
"Holy shit!" I clutch my erratically beating heart, trying to calm it down with deep breaths.
"Sorry to alarm you, Seraphina." The first girl speaks with a worried look on her face and a hint of guilt as well, but I force a smile, trying to wave it off as nothing.
Most of the jitters are due to the scare I received last night. It's like I'm constantly on the edge now.
"I-It's fine." I say once my heart is calm.
I look up at the two girls standing in front of me again. The first girl with massively wild, curly black hair that matches her beautiful ebony skin, and dark brown eyes.
The second girl seems more familiar, that fiery red hair that's more blood-like than copper, and a wide grin plastered on their lips.
Somehow, I get the feeling that they're both excited about something, or maybe it's because of how shitty my morning is that they look extra preppy to me.
"Uhm, do I know you?" I ask, recalling how easily they called my name like I should remember them.
"Well, you do know me. We met before when the council summoned you." The red head steps forward.
It takes a moment but I recall the memory eventually. The bubbly junior that led me to the council office after giving me a brief explanation on what I was walking into.
She had been so nice that day.
"Yeah, I remember you. Thanks again..."
"Juliet." She offers me her name.
"Yeah, Juliet."
"We haven't met. I'm Alice." The other girl speaks, taking my hand in a firm handshake excitedly, the wide smile on her lips never dropping for a single second.
"Nice to meet you, Alice." I put on a smile for her, feeling more awkward as this goes on.
"You must be confused by why we're here, right?"
"Yeah, kind of."
"Don't worry, it's simply for business - unless, maybe, you want to become friends and braid each other's hair." Juliet speaks suddenly, going off track.
"Uh..."
"Juliet, you're creeping her out." Alice chides her with a glare and a shove to the side before turning back to me with an apologetic look.
"We won't waste much of your time. We're both members of your fan club."
A whole second of silence passes between the three of us while the words settle in.
"My fan...club?"
I stare at the two like they've lost their shit, and raise an eye brow.
"Yes! And might I add, it's an honor to meet the human who stood strong against the King of bullies himself, Artemis, and survived through the Full Moon Tournament. You were sensational." Juliet jumps in again with excitement while recalling events I lived through.
"Right." I say plainly, still finding it hard to take any of this seriously, especially with my head pounding so hard. "Sorry, all this is hard to believe. I didn't know I had a ...fan club."
"Of course, we wanted it that way - to silently support you from the sides. But due to the recent happenings, we decided it was time to reveal ourselves to you."
"Recent happenings?"
"You know... the elections?"
My eyes slowly widen when I finally realize what she means, the anonymous nomination must have been from them no less, because if what they're saying is true, it explains what happened.
"It was you guys?"
"Yes, we decided that no one else could perfectly represent a beacon of hope other than you, Seraphina."
Despite her words, a bit of skepticism takes over me.
I feel extremely flattered and grateful for the support. Still, all this was sprung on me from nowhere.
"Look, I feel grateful that you have so much faith in me, I really do, but don't you think an omega would be better suited?"
They turn silent, looking to themselves, quietly communicating with their eyes before looking back at me, more determined.
"It has to be you. You are our hope in this school. We really don't care if you're human. In fact, it's because you are a helpless human that we admire you so much."
I don't know if I should be offended but it strangely still sounds like flattery. Still, regardless, taking up such a big responsibility like this... I don't know if I'm ready to do something like that. I already have my plate full with Artemis...and then the issue with Morgan.
But then, the thought of letting down these two girls and probably a bunch of other omegas stings my heart.
"Okay... well, I'm not fully sold into it but I guess I could try while I'm at it."
"Yes!" They squeal together, jumping in celebration.
"But-" I cut them off mid dancing. "I have no idea how to run the elections."
"Don't worry, that's why we're here. We and a third member that isn't here will be on your campaign team and help you secure your rightful position as our representative."
"Wow, you really thought all this out."
"Of course, we believe in you." I don't know if I should be excited by it or not.
"Okay, fine. We'll meet later." I make a move to walk away from all this overwhelming positivity.
"Where are you going?" They ask in unison, looking completely confused.
"Uh...I'm going to class?"
"Before you do that, you need to address your masses!"
What?
I try to protest but the both of them are already on either sides, dragging me to only god-knows-where.
I struggle against their hold, pleading to be let go, but they only giggle like two innocent girls until I don't bother fighting.
Suddenly, we stop in front of a small class and I'm pushed into the room filled with countless angry Omegas, arguing amongst themselves in the heat of the moment, clearly disagreeing about something.
Juliet steps ahead of me stick, two pressed fingers into her lips and whistling loud enough to gain their attention.
In a split second, the arguing stops and all eyes turn to the three of us.
"I present to you; our new leader." Alice adds very dramatically, calling me forward.
A long stretch of silence follows with me not knowing what to say to these people that seem to be expecting something from me. There's was no time to prepare a speech or anything with me being dragged here against me will.
The intensity of their stares isn't helping any bit and makes me more nervous until someone in the crowd finally speaks.
"You brought the human girl, but that doesn't change anything. We're up against Morgan, remember?" He yells to Juliet and Alice that immediately frown.
"What do you mean it doesn't mean anything? She's here, isn't she?" Alice tries to defend herself.
"Yeah, but that doesn't guarantee a win. For all we know, siding with her could mean our eventual doom when Morgan takes the mantle of power again and oppresses us like always." He argues further.
"Yeah!" Another girl stands up to speak.
"She doesn't even want it in the first place, she doesn't look like she wants to be here. Do you really think she'll be able to help us? A human new to our school?"
Just like that, another round of arguing breaks out.
Small groups and factions with different opinions about my nomination forming and challenging the others.
All this insecurity is because they've doubts about me. I can't blame them though - even if I inspire something in them, it doesn't change the fact that I'm still not trust worthy enough to lead them.
I wasn't sure about contesting before...
But now, a lot of things have changed. I've realized just how much it means to this people I've inspired, and that it'd be stupid not to step up and defend them.
Plus, that bastard dared to attack me and scare the shit out of Olivia.
Even if I choose not to run, the horns of war have already been blown.
"Hey!" I yell out loud enough to get their attention again, and they shut up, looking at me.
"I get that you're all scared of putting your fate in me. Honestly, I can't blame you guys. You'd be fools to put your faith in a human girl that has no idea how any of this works in the first place."
Juliet clears her throat behind me, suddenly.
"Uhm... You're supposed to be encouraging them to-"
I pass her a quick glare that shuts her up.
I turn back to them, pouring my entire heart into this, hoping it reaches them
"I wish I was stronger too, I wish I wasn't so weak and helpless most times, but if I'd ever let those fears stop me, I won't be standing in front of you today. I am a sign that anything is possible, and by anything, I mean anything. All you have to do is believe that strength doesn't only stem from the physical - it's something that rages in our blood and in our heart. Support me, and I will return back that voice that was taken from us by those who sit on higher thrones and abuse the power they were given!"