Page 32 of Marks of Rebellion
"Way to go," Julieta says.
"What's your problem?" Hunter crouches down, but his voice is harsh, and I stay in my cocooned position as sweat breaks out on my skin. "Sorry, Flower." He puts his hand on my back, and I flip out.
"Don't touch me," I cry out.
"Flower—"
"No! Get away!" I yell. Tears fall, and my insides shake so hard, I think I might vomit.
"Move away from her," Julieta seethes.
"Julieta," I faintly hear Ryker's voice.
"No," she sternly tells him. "You don't know what any of us have been through."
"Because you won't tell us," Hunter shoots back.
Everything starts to blur. Their argument over our lack of disclosure and then Julieta and Hunter getting into it over who is capable of helping me all add to my stress.
The chest pain gets more intense, and everything turns black.
6
Hunter
Vanessa is rocking backand forth on the dirt, gasping for air, crying and repeatedly whispering, "I'm sorry."
"See what you've done now," Julieta accuses me.
"What is your problem?" I crouch next to Vanessa again and put my hand on her back, but she retreats further into her shell and cries harder.
"Get away from her," Julieta practically yells.
"Stay out of this."
"You're hurting her."
Anger grows. "I am not hurting her. I would never hurt her."
"Look at her!" Julieta points to Vanessa, and my heart splits into more pieces.
"Hunter," Ryker barks.
I helplessly glance up at him.
"Back away from her. Let Julieta help. She's scared of you right now."
"Scared of—"
A wail comes out of her, and Ryker yanks me up and drags me backward. He holds me back and orders, "Take a breather."
It's a real-life nightmare I'm stuck in. Vanessa is rocking in the dirt. Julieta calmly talks to her so low I can't hear. I don't know how long it lasts, but it feels like forever.
Julieta finally helps her up, and as if she's in a trance, they walk to the tent and go inside.
I turn to Ryker. "I don't know what I did."
"She crouched when you threw your hands in the air."
