If I Had A Choice by Abigail Livinghouse (book recommendations based on other books txt) 📖

was addressing Eliot. My stomach gave a nervous lurch. Oh no, what was she doing? Chapter 9

I clenched my napkin in my fist under the table, gritting my teeth and waiting for what would happen next, as was everyone else. Eliot’s cool gaze rested on Circa, his face unreadable.

 

“Yes?” He asked calmly.

 

“So, what happens here anyway? Is this place like a boarding school or what?” She asked, swallowing her food and wiping off her face with her sleeve. I could see a muscle in Eliot’s jaw clench, and my hand around the napkin constricted tighter.

 

“Well, yes in a way. You seem very curious, Circa. Curiosity can be a strength and a weakness. It all depends on how you harbor it, and when you choose to release it.” Eliot said smoothly. The girl just stared at him, her face showing no signs of comprehending what he had just said.

 

“So what? How long are we supposed to stay here?” She asked. A tight grin spread across Eliot’s face, a grin of contentment.

 

“Why, that all depends on you. At the moment, you are not doing very well in your chances of leaving.” He said in such a low, airy voice that sounded so much like a snake hissing I instantly recoiled. This was not good.

 

“In fact”, Eliot stood from the table, placing his napkin delicately over his plate. “You just got here, and your lessons are only just beginning.” He said, and suddenly, his cold blue eyes blazed, and a shriek so piercingly loud that it didn’t sound human filled the air, as Circa collapsed in a twitching heap onto the floor. 

Chapter 10

William was the first one who stood up.

 

“What the hell was that? What did you do to her?” He yelled, moving around the table and on the ground to where Circa was convulsing.

 

Eliot simply stared down at them with an observatory glance and then he smiled at William. William looked up, meeting Eliot’s penetrating gaze.

 

“You bastard.” He whispered. He seemed to want to continue, but before he could suddenly he yelled in outrage, clutching his midsection as he fell sideways, lying next to Circa as his breath began to become labored. Eliot watched them with a sort of fascination, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked in a circle around the two writhing teenagers.

 

“You see”, Eliot said, and with his voice, came more pain to the two, they both twitched and let out screams of pain, pain so unimaginable that it was barley comprehendible. Take it from someone who knew.

 

“You are not the only ones who are gifted.” Eliot continued, enjoying the wide-eyed horror and gaping mouths of Circa and William. “For, I too have an ability beyond your feeble capacity.” He said with a sick grin.

 

“The pain you are feeling now, remember it. For next time, it will be ten times worse.” He promised, his threat so real and damning that even I shrank back against my chair.

 

With one last awe-filled glance at his work, he turned and began to leave the room. He stopped at the head of the table where Lilly, Jasmine, and Tanya sat, their faces ashen but expressionless.

 

“You are not to help them.” He told the three workers. Kelly watched Eliot speak with utter enjoyment, a bright grin planted on her small face as he continued. “Let them experience the consequences of speaking out.” Eliot then turned to face all of us.

 

“Good night everyone. Oh, and if anyone helps your little counterparts over there, I will find out. Good night, and welcome to Carom House.” He said, then left without another word.

Chapter 11

Jasmine was the next to get up, her brown eyes solemn. She said nothing, just began ushering kids away and up the stairs. Nearly everyone left, when Sam stood up, he was eyeing me with concern, probably because I was ghostly pale and I could feel my lips pressed together in a tight line. He walked past me and gently touched my shoulder. I shivered at his touch of reassurance, but it didn’t make me feel any better. I kept my gaze locked on a spot to the left of Alexander’s head, and I realized then that the only ones left were William and Circa, still twitching on the ground, Chelsea, and Alexander. Leonard had left along with the others.

 

A shiver of surprise and worry slithered up my spine. Leonard had seemed to have severed his ties with these four already and they had just arrived. Which meant that he would be on his own, and so would they. I got up from my chair and debated what to do as I saw Chelsea move without hesitation to Circa’s side. Alexander was standing also, looking down at the three with reverence. I bit my lip in hesitation. If I helped them, I ran the risk of Eliot setting his powers on me just like he had done to them moments ago, if I didn’t help them, then they would be left on the floor, because I was positive Chelsea and Alexander didn’t know how to take care of them, or if Alexander would even try. Dammit, I guess I had my answer.

 

I moved forward, making my decision in a split second as I crouched down on the ground at their heads. They were both unconscious, and their breathing was slow. William’s arms were still entwined around his stomach, while Circa’s eyes had rolled back into her head and only the whites were showing. Swallowing my shock and fear at their conditions, I began giving orders, because if we didn’t help them soon, they would go into comas with very slim chances of ever coming out of them.

 

“Chelsea, grab that glass of water up there, we have to wake them up. Alexander, once they’re awake I need you to help me get them moving. They’ll go into shock if they don’t move soon.” I said, more to myself than anyone else.

 

After retrieving the glass, Chelsea knelt down and handed me the water, staring worriedly at Circa’s and William’s faces.

 

“What if he comes back? Or one of his helpers?” Chelsea asked in a small, whispery voice, referring to Eliot and his workers. I shook my head.

 

“He won’t come back. He wants to see what we’ll do so that he’ll have something to entertain himself with later. No, everyone will keep away so we’re safe, for now.” I said.

 

“What are you going to do with the water?” Alexander asked this time. I shot him an impatient glance.

 

“What do you think?” I snapped.

 

Before he had a chance to answer, I poured the ice water over Circa’s face, then thrust the empty glass at Chelsea. “Get me another.” I demanded, and she did as she was told, placing another glass into my hand. I dumped that onto William’s face as well, then gave that one back to Chelsea.

 

No movement whatsoever, neither of them so much as twitched. I ran a hand through my hair, my thoughts scattering as I tried to think of what to do next. I wasn’t a damn doctor, I had no idea what I was doing. And obviously I wasn’t helping anyone.

 

“What’s going on?” Chelsea asked. “Why aren’t they waking up? Why aren’t they doing anything?” She asked frantically.

 

“I don’t know!” I nearly shouted, just to cut off her babbling. Alexander suddenly got down on his knees next to me, checking both their wrists for a pulse.

 

“It’s slow, but steady.” He muttered, dropping Circa’s arm. “What did that psycho do to them?” He asked, eyeing me in anger and confusion. I shook my head.

 

“No time to explain. We have to get them up. They could lapse into permanent unconsciousness if we don’t wake them now.” I said, still searching for a way to awaken the two wounded teens.

 

Then suddenly it hit me. I could make them wake up using my power. I had bent peoples’ wills before when they were awake, why not when they’re asleep? I leaned over them both, and slowly opened William’s eyelids to reveal his bloodshot brown eyes. I closed Circa’s eyes then opened them again, showing her golden eyes, glazed over and caught in some state of sleep.

 

“What are you doing?” Alexander asked me.

 

I ignored him, and taking a deep breath, stared directly into Circa’s eyes. Immediately, I was hit with thoughts, wild thoughts. Thoughts spinning out of control, and going in every direction, this way and that.

 

I don’t understand what’s happening.

 

Why am I here?

 

I shouldn’t be here!

 

I’m so tired . . .

 

Suddenly I was in a field, a field of grass yellowed and dead, of clouds black as pitch, and rain, pounding rain, booming thunder, and bright lightening. I took a step and felt pain, yes, so much pain. Pain going up the length of my spine, in my arms, my legs, my head pounding and throbbing relentlessly. There was so much pain . . . Why won’t it end!?

 

No, it wasn’t me who was in pain, I realized. And as I looked ahead I saw there was someone else, someone standing there in the field with me. I began to run, I ran up to her and stopped when I was a few inches away. The girl had bright red hair, a short thin body, and such familiar dark golden eyes . . . Circa!

 

I moved forward and touched her shoulder, and that’s when I felt the pain again. I cringed at the brutal hurt, and stared at Circa with wide eyes. Her mouth was open, and words began tumbling out without warning.

 

“Why did he do this to me? I did nothing to him! Why Siena? Why?!” She asked me questions that I had no answers for. I gripped her shoulders with both my hands, ignoring her tirade.

 

“Circa, you