Poison Rose of Avalon

The sharp clang of the school bell rang through the hallways, and a wave of laughter and chatter surged from the classrooms. The quiet corridors erupted into a mosaic of voices, and each student made their way to the cafeteria while their shadows danced along the walls.

In the midst of it all, Silvia sat on the left side of Liora's row, watching as Liora absentmindedly tapped her fingers on the table, lost in thought. The classroom gradually fell into an eerie silence, leaving Silvia and Liora isolated in their world.

Unaware of the situation, Liora sat by the window, gazing at the lively scene outside. Her shoulders drooped like defeated people, revealing her loneliness, while Silvia's radiant smile lit up her face like sunshine, making her feel like a winner.

Silvia rose and walked deliberately towards Liora. Upon sensing her approach, Liora's body stiffened in alert.

"Let's talk on the terrace," Silvia ordered, taking advantage of being alone in the class. Her tone was sharp, leaving no room for discussion.

Liora turned her head from the captivating view outside and strained her neck to meet Silvia's gaze. "Why?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her voice, making her wonder what lay behind this conversation on the terrace.

"Let's end this once and for all," Silvia said, bringing her nails to her face and admiring them as she spoke to Liora. "Or do you prefer enduring the daily humiliation?"

She attempted to read Silvia's expression, but all she could see was that familiar smugness and the teasing smile that always seemed to provoke a desire to punch her in the face. It would make her knuckles feel great. Liora thought to herself.

Liora bit the inside of her mouth, narrowing her eyes. Giving another thought, if she denied her order, Liora knew all too well that Silvia would make her life even more unbearable than it already was.

She glanced past Silvia and noticed she was alone today, away from the other bitches and dogs like Silvia herself.

This was her opportunity to confront Silvia and end this ridiculous bullying. Stifling a groan of frustration, Liora sighed deeply and pushed herself up to her feet.

"Let's do that."

Without another word, Liora trailed behind Silvia, although she only wanted to run away from this hag in the opposite direction.

The courtyard was filled with chatter and laughter, but it all blurred into a dull hum. As Liora walked, keeping a 10-meter distance from her, Siliva would occasionally side-glance to see if Liroa was following her.

Questions swirled in Liora's mind, refusing to settle. Why the terrace? Why alone? Silvia never missed an opportunity to humiliate her in front of others. Something about this felt... very wrong.

Still, Liora made her resolve. 'Whatever Silvia planned, this ends today.'

Silvia confidently led the way, keeping her head high as if she were a queen walking in the corridors of her palace. Liora followed hesitantly behind, her nerves on edge. And each step up the stairs brought a noticeable change in the atmosphere; the air grew colder, wrapping around them like a heavy shroud.

Silvia swung open the heavy terrace doors, which creaked in protest. The wind howled fiercely here, wild and unforgiving, tossing Liora's light brown hair across her face. She brushed the strands behind her ears and paused at the entrance, taking a moment to gather her courage before moving forward.

The vast open space stretched before them, a chilling backdrop of blue skies and a distant city skyline. Silvia stepped forward, her sharp heels clicking against the concrete as she moved toward the edge.

"Let's get this over with," Liora muttered, crossing her arms over herself as though shielding from the chill—both from the wind and the darkness emanating from Silvia.

Silvia turned, cocking her head, her lips curling into a cold, calculating smile. "Oh, we will!"

Keeping her eyes locked on Liora, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. After retrieving one, she flicked her lighter with practised ease, igniting a tiny flame that flickered briefly before vanishing. She took a deep drag, letting out a cloud of smoke that curled gracefully into the air.

For a moment, Silvia studied Liora, her eyes narrowing. 'What could a girl like her have possibly done to upset Caspian?' She chuckled to herself. It didn't matter. What mattered was finishing this once and for all and making Caspian proud of her.

"Do you know how much I hate you, Liora?" Silvia began, her voice dripping with venom. "Every time I see your face, something inside me snaps, and the only wish that comes to my mind is for you to vanish into thin air."

Liora stiffened, her hands dropped to her side, fists clenching at her sides. But there was something different today, something in her eyes. "Likewise, Silvia."

There was no trace of fear. Unlike other times, Silvia stood alone, without her usual male friends around to intimidate Liora.

Silvia deliberately crushed the cigarette beneath her heel before taking her last slow and long drag. Her irritation with Liora's responses did not align with her. "Since you're already here, I'll bestow some mercy upon you and release you from this wretched life you're living," she said, lifting her shoulders and smiling as if she were granting Liora a favour, then let them drop back down nonchalantly.

Silvia continued, "Just like your father died, you will die too!" Leaning over the terrace to peer down into the depths below, she added with a sinister smile, "And make sure to convey a message from me to him: tell him to try to be rich in his next life." It was as if she believed Liora's father was waiting for her in hell.

Her words and actions were like a dagger, slicing through Liora's fragile composure. Tears welled in her eyes, stinging against the cold wind. "My father?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Liora didn't understand what wrong she had done to deserve that kind of treatment. 'H...how could she speak so disrespectfully towards a deceased person? Does she hold no value for human life? Do they really see us and our parents as insects only to be crushed?' Liora looked at Silvia in bewilderment.

Silvia smirked, showing no hint of remorse. "Focus, Liora!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands sharply to jolt Liora out of her thoughts. "Did you hear me, pest?"

Liora was caught off guard when Silvia grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward the edge of the terrace.

It took Liora a few seconds to comprehend the situation, and when the realisation hit her, she panicked, struggling to get away from Silvia. "Silvia! What are you doing?..... Silvia, stop!" Liora struggled, her voice trembling. "Let go of me!"

Silvia's smile turned predatory. Her tone dropped to a chilling whisper. "You're not worth living."

Liora's eyes widened in shock. "You'll go to prison if you kill me!" she shouted, struggling to maintain her balance as her heart raced.

"No Pest. You are going to.commit.suicide." Her laughter rang out, cold and unfeeling, carried away by the relentless wind. "Happy journey to hell."

Desperation clawed at Liora's throat as Silvia shoved her closer to the ledge. The ground below seemed impossibly far, the height dizzying. The wind was relentless around them, and Liora's heart raced, pounding so hard she thought it might burst.

"No," Liora said, her voice steadying. But then something shifted. A spark of defiance ignited within her, pushing back against the fear.

She met Silvia's gaze, her own eyes hardening. "You are wrong. I'm not dying, not today, not tomorrow, not until I find my father's killer." Liora pushed her away.

Silvia's grin faltered, but only for a moment. "You think you can stop me?" She sneered, lunging at Liora.

Instinct took over. Liora twisted, using her self-defence training to deflect Silvia's attack. The two grappled dangerously close to the edge, each struggling for control.

"Silvia, stop this! Before we both get hurt!" Liora pleaded, her voice mixed with anger and desperation, revealing her frustration even as she fought to keep them both safe.

But Silvia wouldn't relent. With one final shove, Liora broke free, the force sending Silvia stumbling backwards. Her heel caught on the edge, and for a heart-stopping moment, she teetered on the brink of falling.

"Silvia!" Liora reached out instinctively, her fingers almost grazing Silvia's hand.

But it was too late. Silvia's hand slipped from her grasp, and the wind swallowed her scream before she fell to the hard ground.

Liora froze, her body trembling as she stared at the empty space where Silvia had just stood. The world around her blurred, and her mind struggled to process what had transpired.

She hated Silvia, but not to the extent of killing her. 'Did she really kill Silvia?' The thought was unfathomable. 'W...will she go to prison?' Her body shook relentlessly as if at any moment she might also lose her balance and join Silvia, spiralling into the unknown.

The distant sounds of commotion reached Liora's ears, snapping her out of her trance. Her legs felt like lead as she stumbled to a corner of the terrace, collapsing against the wall, crouching.

Her phone buzzed, jolting her. With shaky hands, she pulled it out, the screen flashing Caspian's name. Her fingers could barely swipe the screen, but she finally succeeded after three attempts.

"C...Caspian..." she whispered, her voice barely audible as she answered the call.

"Hey, baby doll," Caspian's voice was smooth, unnervingly calm. "What's up?"

"Cas... Caspian," she stammered, tears choking her words. "I tried to save her, but....but she fell. She… she's dead...I think."

There was a pause, a silence that stretched unbearably long. Caspian smirked, his voice betraying none of his true intentions.

"What are you talking about, Ora?" His tone shifted slightly, a feigned confusion laced with something else - playing manipulative bastard, maybe?

"Silvia fell from the terrace," Liora choked out. "I...I didn't mean for it to happen. I tried to stop her, but ...."

"Shhh," Caspian's smooth and enticing voice cut through her panic like a gentle breeze. "Just breathe, Ora." The way he spoke sent a warm shiver racing down her spine—as if his words carried a tempting promise whispering to her, pulling her closer, encouraging her to let go and embrace the moment with him.