Page 23 of Snake

Nim

Ithought I’d feel victorious. Like I’d finally won. But I feel hollow and unclean.Sure, I fought back, but I fought dirty. Somehow, that nullifies everything.

Romi is fast asleep, but it’s almost midnight and I’m still staring through our window at the trees outside. It’s cold enough that I keep waiting to wake up to a snowy Cinderhart.

Normally, the thought of seeing the town blanketed in snow would excite me. Tonight, it just makes me feel cold and miserable.

I’m not even looking forward to finding out more about my sponsors or Vicky’s connection to my family. Romi insisted on taking me into town on Friday, and I’m going to see Vicky anyway...but I’m taking my stuff with me. I doubt Vicky will shed more light on my situation, and I’ve had enough of Cinderhart Academy.

My retribution cost more than I’d expected. I didn’t dare go near the cafeteria, but Romi had been videotaping everything from her table. There was no mistaking the humiliation I caused the Serpents...especially Silas. I honestly hadn’t expected such a powerful reaction from him. I thought he’d brush it off like Mason and Knox had done. A good prank, nothing more, nothing less.

Now I hate myself more than I ever thought possible.

If I’d been able to coexist with the Serpents, I’d have considered staying at the Academy, getting a degree, building a career. But now? If they haven’t openly declared war on me yet, they will. And if there’s something I know I won’t survive, it’s going another round with those three broken men.

On Friday, after I’ve spoken with Vicky, I’m going home. Well...I’ll take a cab to Peggy’s house and hope she still has some space on her couch for me. At least until I can find a full-time job. Maybe at Purgatory, maybe somewhere else. I don’t really care.

I need to get away from this toxic air, the spiteful people, the web of deceit I’ve gotten myself caught in.

It’ll be a shame to miss the dance, of course. I was honestly looking forward to it. If the town of Cinderhart can redeem itself, I’m sure the Feast of Ashes is its chance.

Guess I’ll never know.

I tell myself this was always going to be the outcome. But it still rings false when I finally lose myself in the peaceful oblivion of sleep hours later.

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