Page 55 of Ashes
The setup is a little different this time.
We’re supposed to do our task in a special room with mirrors and cameras so that every single person in the audience can see what we’re doing. In detail.
I have no idea how I feel about that.
My pulse speeds up when the man with the box approaches me.
I pull out an envelope.
At least this time, we’ll have enough time to prepare.
I open the envelope, swallowing hard.
My eyes go wide.
No.
I blink, but the words don’t change.
Nausea rises at the back of my throat.
I can’t.
I can’t do it.
I don’t want to.
Panic grips my insides and I jump to my feet. I feel Victor’s gaze on me, but I can’t talk to him right now.
I’m completely overwhelmed as I race to the bathroom.
We’re going to fail, and all because of me.
Once again, it’s all going to be my fault.
I rush to the sinks, tears filling the corners of my eyes, and then I bury my teeth into my arm.
Why do I always fail?
Why does this always have to happen?
Why does it always have to be my fault?
It’s like I can’t do anything right.
The door opens.
I lift my gaze to the mirror.
Victor.
I turn to face him.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, and his eyes land on my arm. “What happened?”
“Nothing. It was an accident,” I say automatically.
“What?” His brow furrows. “How do you accidentally sink your teeth into your arm?”
