The day after our visit to the territory of Afriz, to enjoy our rest in that wonderful amusement park, the memories of the place and the feeling of the shared moments quickly returned to my memory, the challenges of the boys, our journey through the different attractions and including the kiss scene in the late afternoon. I felt my face turn red again, Esteban who was next to me gives me a pinch causing me to let out a scream for which the physics teacher gets angry with me and says to pay attention.
—Why did you do that? You'll get me in trouble— I whisper but he knows I'm upset.
—If you get into trouble, it will be for yourself. You'll get bad grades in physics and then your brother will blame me. The cycle of this life is clear.
—What the hell are you talking about? That's not gonna happen.
—Of course it's going to happen. You are thinking about the vet, better orient yourself to think about equations and Newton's laws.
— I'm not thinking about him!— I get up from my seat, I conceive that everyone is looking at me, I see Esteban and he gives me a mocking laugh while pointing in the direction of the blackboard. Focusing my vision in that direction, the teacher without saying anything just points towards the door.
—You're going to pay me— I say to Esteban before leaving the room.
Once outside and standing I stare down the long corridors, I let out a sigh as if my life were getting lost in it, the sound of the clock hands echoing in my ears I feel like a good time has passed, although looking at it shows that it's only been a few minutes.
I drop to the ground making sure that no teacher sees me, I close my eyes and take a breath trying to change what bothers me in my mind for fresh air. An effort in vain no doubt, the memory of that display of affection on the part of Kevin in my forehead, the problems with Norilex, the threatening conversations with my brother, the revelation of my identity by the leader of Amira Norte and the threat of the ruler of my territory, they just make my head a mess.
—What should I do? Dad, what would you have done?— Someone's footsteps are approaching so I quickly stand up smoothing my skirt with my hands, seeing in the direction the sound comes from is Menrip walking towards me.
—Marinep, what are you doing outside of the classroom?
—Uh… something happened and well… the teacher… got mad at me.
—Let me guess. Was it because of Esteban?
—No, it was my fault I got distracted and did things that annoyed the teacher— << Although it was partly his fault >> I thought to myself, Menrip gives a little giggle patting me on the shoulder and enters my classroom, the heart begins to beat very fast for sure they will tell you what I did, what a shame.
Through the window I see my brother and the teacher talking about something but I do not understand it, when I look at Esteban, his face shows me an expression that I will not be able to free myself forever because I am lucky. Is he crazy? What kind of luck does it bring me out here? Did you forget who the hell my brother is in this institution? Being aware of Esteban, I did not realize that Menrip had already left the room, so when I felt his hand on my shoulder I was paralyzed with imminent terror.
—Marinep, dear little sister, it's time for you to serve your punishment, you can't interrupt the teacher's class and just stand here in this place without doing anything, you'll have to help me in the student council room.
This is why it would have been better not to meet him. Menrip is the vice president of the student council and while the president is not there he assumes the responsibility, he is not as severe as Erick but no one who has gotten in trouble with him as a supervisor has ever been seen again causing a disaster.
I thought I would never have to face punishments while he and Erick were on the council, his punishments are subhuman. After a long time of writing a hundred apologies by hand of more than a thousand words of which no essay should be the same as the previous one, accommodating shelves full of books and ordering boxes, I was able to take a break, despite all those tasks I was grateful for spending time with my brother.
—Menrip— she drew his attention subtly.
—What happen? Have you finished your work?— he answers without looking up from some papers that he is reviewing after having returned from class.
—I missed spending charity time with you. It's not the way I want to spend it but at least I can see you, lately you're too absent.
—We must adapt to the circumstances, in Amira Sur the ruler is too agitated by the news that has been presented.
—I am sorry that my duties as leader were not performed properly. I promise I'll catch the Antirda boy.
—You do the best you can, however, you shouldn't worry about it, I know that very soon everything will end.
—What do you mean by that?
—It's a territorial secret, just trust your older brother, okay?
—Brother. Do you know since you were in the hospital that you have acted sneakily? I feel that you evade many things, that you hide something from me and when you speak to me when you are serious I feel that your words are daggers piercing my chest, somehow I feel that you are not the same as before.
—Are you afraid of me Marinep?— His eyes are on me, I look away and when he sees that I don't want to answer he continues what he was doing. —Don't evade me, I'm asking you. The ruler called me saying that he needed to talk to me, regarding "something important."
—Uncle is losing with every day that reason passes, if you knew the things he told me ... I close my mouth to avoid giving more details.
—Quiet, since you say that I will speak to him about it.
—Don't say anything to him please, he'll say I'm a gossip. Better say hello to mom for me and that I miss her a lot. No, you better just say hi to her— the bell rings and I go back to get my things in the classroom.
Erick sees Marinep leave the student council room, without paying much attention to her visit, he enters it and observes Menrip, he hears him greeting him but without much attention he just nods his head, sits down to glance at some papers in passing of student complaints frowning like this. There are still scratches and bruises on his face, he looks tired so Menrip brings him a glass of fruit tea.
—You don't look good. When your mother came she warned that you would be in bed for some time. Shouldn't you still be resting?
—I'm not sick, just a little tired, so that's no reason to stay home and do nothing. I must return to classes and report my long absence— Erick expects some reaction from his listener but nothing happens, rather a monotonous smile is evident on his face. —You are quite an inexplicable person.
—Oh thank you? We have studied together from the beginning and I know that when you say things that do not go with your personality it is because you want to say something that can affect the other, just go to the point. What do you want to tell me?
—… nothing important that could affect me. Although for you a warning, you should be careful with your girlfriend.
—What do you mean with that?
—I'm just saying that she may be with someone who is hiding or doing things, let's say something outside the law, that alter the peace in our territories, of course unless you already know what I'm trying to say.
—I can't understand what you're saying, you're talking about a lot of information with me that can be classified as confidential. Do you suspect that I'm an accomplice in whatever she is doing?
—Forget it, I have too many things to do— He gets up from his seat and picks up a pile of papers. —I am certain that before our year is over I will find out what most students are hiding, and that includes you. See you, thanks for keeping your post.
—That? Explain to me what you just said Erick!
—Make an appointment with the secretary to reserve a day for you or tell you when is my day off, because I am your person I will not refuse to be your lawyer— he leaves the room to meet the other members of the committee who help with the papers and head to the principal's office.
—I'm not asking you to be my advocate. Hey!— Look at people when they talk to you!
Erick passes by Joselin who goes in the direction of Menrip, she tries to greet him but even before saying anything or raising her hand, he just ignores him, she cannot understand his behavior more harsh than usual and without paying importance she follows his path.
—What's wrong with him? She wanted to greet him and ask about his health. I hope he didn't blacklist me from him, it would be my end.
—He told me some interesting things about you, like that you were hiding things that disturb the territorial peace.
—Sorry? With what evidence does he affirm that?
—I don't know, but it's Erick the president with hellish dealings of the student council, the one who when he says something says it with certain knowledge of discovery. He bluntly assures me that he has discovered something about you— he takes her face and focuses his grayish-blue pupils on her emeralds. —Be very careful Joselin with the leaders who are already exposed, they have been more sensitive since their secret was known. You know very well that peace, comfort and tranquility will be only dry leaves that fall before the icy wind, bringing with it uncertainties. You still cannot be defeated, she helps Marinep, her power is necessary to safeguard the fragile thread of this territory in connection with the others— Menrip kisses her on the lips and then releases her.
—So will Menrip, although in part. Isn't that what the enemies are after?— Break the tranquility Joselin looks downcast.
—Let's go to the cafeteria I'll buy you something, for now we'll talk about something else— Menrip extends his hand towards Joselin. —Then we'll go elsewhere.
—I'd love to— He takes his hand and they walk together toward their destination.
***
Marinep and Esteban are on their way to the library. She takes Esteban by the arm and gives him a strong pinch, he complains and when she sees his skin, she can notice that it is reddish with purple tones.
—Hey! Look what you did!— She says showing her injury.
—Why better not say what you did? You sold me to the teacher and the vice president of the student council, I almost died, I can't feel my arms. What kind of friend do I have?
—You are an exaggerated Marinep I did not sell you, that happened to you because you were distracted by a man.
—That detail is not relevant. Do you think I have time to think about that?— Her cell phone rings instantly, Esteban's also rings, only it was vibrating, so she doesn't realize it. Marinep seeing who she was she becomes hysterical. —Now what was missing, what does the ruler want? Give me a minute Hello?
>> Marinep the negotiations failed so change of plans <<
—What is he referring to?
>> she leaves the institution and returns to the territory <<
— I can not do this! What about my classes?
>> Forget about that you don't need it. The most important thing at this time is to protect myself <<
—Went mad! I will not come back! You left me a very clear order and since the leader of Antirda must be one of the students of this institute, I will find him.
>> Obey what I say I am more important! If he comes to attack me, you will already be here to defend me <<
—You're wrong, we'll be finished.
>> Spoiled girl, you are worse than your father and even your sickly brother dared to threaten me <<
—You said I'm weak, I can't protect you like this. I'll create a plan, survive until then.
>> What part of "no time" do you not pretend to understand? There are only two of us left ... << Marinep hangs up before she finishes speaking.
—Now if he comes crying, I still don't know that he threatened me. Well let's continue with our conversation— I turn to see Esteban. —It's time to solve everything ... pending— I see that Esteban was holding his chest tightly with his hand, his breathing becomes rapid and irregular and he is sweating cold. —You're good? What's wrong?
—Marinep, stay away, it could hurt you— he says between constant flushes.
—I can't leave you like this— I look to the sides and notice Erick walking with other people, I don't have much dealings with him but I decide to trust as Kevin does and I try to make him notice my presence, one of the students who is with him he looks and when he sees that I'm calling, he informs him but he just keeps going. —Hey I need help here and you call yourself the student council president? How ridiculous!
Erick stops on his footsteps and talks to one of the guys who starts coming towards us.
—No! I want you to come in person or do you think you are so important that you cannot serve some poor third year students?— I say mockingly.
Hearing this, he lets the other people follow his path and turning his feet they address us with steps as slow as a turtle with an anger perceptible from afar. Esteban grunts as if he was in a lot of pain, when I focus on his cheeks they are red, his body becomes feverish and his hair sticks to his forehead because of sweat. Erick's footsteps are heard closer and hurried as if he had noticed what was happening, when trying to see where he was coming from, he was already on his knees in front of Esteban. Analyzing it he asks.
—How long have you been in that state?— He questions him without ceasing to attend to Esteban's condition.
—A few minutes ago, we were talking but I had to answer a phone call and when I finished I saw him clutching his chest tightly.
—This is not good at all, at this rate you will lose your sanity.
—I'm sorry Marinep— Esteban says with a barely audible hoarse voice. "I'm sorry." It wasn't the way you should find out.
—Why do you apologize? What are you talking about?— I try to see his condition better but Erick stops me.
—I'll take him to the greenhouse as quickly as possible, you hurry up to find Kevin at this time he must be in the library— while he gives me the instructions, he climbs Esteban on his back.
—I'm trying to understand. What's going on with Esteban? Why are you taking him to the greenhouse and not to the infirmary? I want an explanation now!
—You ask more questions than my clients or the prosecutor in court. I'll be direct as we don't have time, what happens to your friend is that he is losing his sanity.
—Did they lose their sanity? If that's what he's been crazy about for a long time.
—Are you being funny now? You being a leader you should know, what happens when a seal is abruptly broken. The bearer of powers goes into a state of madness.
—Impossible, that only happens if you are ...
—If you are a leader. Your friend is the representative of Amira Norte, I don't know the cause of your surprise. Didn't Kevin tell you that all the leaders were in high school?
—Look ... North ... so he ... he was responsible for ...— I start to ramble, my words are not concrete, my head turns into complete chaos.
—Girl— Erick calls her.
—This all started because of him.
—Hey girl, listen to me when I speak.
Marinep had been shocked, the person who made her feel humiliated, the one who guided her anonymity to reveal her identity and prevailed on her being as a weakness, she was always by her side. Inside her she felt everything fall apart as the missing pieces of her inner torment were almost complete.
Erick does not lose sight of her reactions, filling her mind with methods to cope with the situation, he cannot call anyone because her cell phone was forgotten in the room.
—How annoying this is. Hey boy do you have a phone? Your friend does not want to move and we really have to place you in a safe place.
This time Esteban does not say anything, he just bites his lower lip hard until he breaks it a little, from which blood begins to slide through the wound to Erick's shirt, this alarms him, implying that the situation may get out of his hands .
—That's why I hate this, boy. How was your name? ... Esteban, right? Can you hear me?— This one agrees to the question. —Since you still have conscience, help me to make it move, you must seek help immediately, you will not be able to control yourself for long and I do not have enough strength to stop you.
Esteban when hearing what he says tenses, a new wave of pain runs through his body while he feels that his head will split in half.
—Is there no other way to avoid it?— Esteban asks leaning his forehead on Erick's shoulder.
—Yes, there is; That is if I manage to get you to the greenhouse to fix your situation, since there is no time to take you to your territory, you could die or kill us all in the process even before you even leave the forest.
— ... That doesn't sound good at all.
—So you understand the gravity of this scenario? I cannot let you get out of control now and you must resist so as not to hurt the people here, although there are infiltrators from all the territories there are also normal young people with common aspirations. We are the rare ones, there is no law that protects us more than the words of the ruler.
—... I'll try— pushing the words Esteban whispers when he speaks. Instantly his head begins to throb with a sharp pain again, he squeezes Erick's shoulder in an attempt to contain the pain, unsuccessfully his power is activated by releasing chains that go in the direction of a girl leaving the main room. Erick seeing this quickly reacts creating a vortex of fire melting it instantly.
—That was close— He sees the girl trembling on the spot and clicks his tongue. —Hell, that girl is a common one, I hope she hasn't been left in a state of immobility, girl!
—Yes ... I know ... Mr. President— the girl lost the color of her face with each syllable and it was seen that from one moment to another she would fall to the ground.
—Don't pass out. Can you move?— try to calm her down.
—Yes sir.
—I can't recklessly move from here, you saw what happened. This girl can help me but she was left innocent with a guilty verdict, so I need you to do something for me.
—Sure ... you ... tell me what she needs.
—Get out your cell phone and call someone right away.