Zero: A Short Story

Chapter Two

Beatrix was staring at herself in the mirror, trying to talk herself into walking outside into the hallway, and then track down her class. She had fallen asleep for no more than three hours, she couldn’t sleep no matter how exhausted her body was, her mind would just not settle. She couldn’t understand why. Nerves maybe? Excitement? Whilst she was awake she had unpacked, had a shower, and done her hair and make-up. Yet it was still only seven in the morning.

Her stomach growled and she grimaced down at it. She had been hoping to avoid this, breakfast… well eating in general really. She had no idea where she would get anything to eat let alone where she could sit to eat. She contemplated taking it into the bathroom like in the

Ever since her mum was murdered, Beatrix tried to harden herself. To make her both physically and emotionally strong in fact she hadn’t cried since the day of her mum’s death. She didn’t even shed a single tear during the funeral. She couldn’t, she was all cried out.

She looked down at her phone, no new messages, and no missed calls. She shouldn’t have been shocked her father rarely called, and she had stopped talking to her friends, sure they called for a while but after a while not answering they stopped. When they passed her in the halls at school they looked away and avoided her like she has fleas.

And know that she thought about it, she wished she had handled things better she grew up with all her old friends they had known each other since they were in the womb, figurative speaking any way. They didn’t deserve the way she treated them, but it was the only way to keep them safe. If no when she found the killer, everyone she knows and loves is in danger. That is until she illuminates the danger. Beatrix smiled, not a nice smile a savage smile, she couldn’t wait to meet him. She couldn’t wait to beat the shit out of him. She couldn’t wait to drive a knife straight through

The noise got louder and Beatrix got slower, when she did read the door she stood there not even touching the handle.

“I can see your shadow under your door, and your tiny black shoes” said a very deep and familiar voice. She opened the door and said

“Sorry” she shrugged unapologetically

“No, you’re not” She smiled up at Xavier and once again shrugged. Not the least bit ashamed at being called out.

“Anyway you are going to be late to class.” He checked his watch “And thanks to you, so am I.”

She stared at him completely dumbfound. I had expected him to just let me fend for myself after all he hadn’t mentioned helping me or even seeming interested in wanting to help me.

“Well don’t just stand there! Grab your bag, and let’s move. You don’t want to get in trouble”

“That’s gonna’ be hard, I’m always getting in trouble” okay it wasn’t completely true, I just didn’t want to seem like a goody two shoes. I don’t know why but I don’t want him to think I’m a fragile and prudish. There was just something about him, something that could either be really really good or really really bad. but has of now it’s too soon to tell which one it is. Only time will