Violet Path by Olivia Lodise Read Free Book Online

dripped from his lips, filling me with hatred and discouragement. I thought someone, anyone, would notice, and they did, but nobody seemed to care. Instructors would simply compliment his good form and remind me of my weak defense. I wanted to pound on Zachary, at least once, just to show him that I could do something, that I wasn’t helpless, that I wasn’t his victim, but I refused to lose control. His standards were too low, and I couldn’t succumb to them. It would ruin me.
    As I walked to my next class, I started to listen to what the other students were saying.
    “She’s the one who’s going to take his place?”
    “Just look at her . . . she’s clueless!”
    “Her?! Her scream will ring around the world when she goes to battle.”
    I cringed. What was I doing here? As I listened, I came to one conclusion: I was to kill without mercy as I led Matthew’s army to destroy other communities.“The chosen one.” That was my newest nickname. Matthew had picked me out of all the students at my old school, and I wasn’t even skilled like the students at H.S.H.S. I was just “chosen” to be his newest marionette soldier. I didn’t know what had appealed to him; maybe it was my aggressive personality. I didn’t like being isolated simply because of my new nickname, but what drove me crazy was that I didn’t even know what it really meant. I didn’t want to have anything to do with the War, and I most definitely did not want to be the “chosen one,” whatever that meant.
    As soon as lunch rolled around, I went around the campus many times. I passed some prisoners, who sat in dark cells alone, hungry, and in pain. Tears burned my eyes as I tried to imagine what they were going through. After I had seen the prisoners of war, it all seemed pointless. I ran to the principal’s office as soldiers raced after me. I kicked the door open and demanded explanations. I wanted answers and wasn’t going to leave until I was satisfied.
    Two soldiers came up from behind and started to drag me out, but the principal called them off. He got up and paced, avoiding eye contact. “Only one community can live in this world, so we have to fight for that spot, and you will be leading us.”
    “You expect me to order our army to kill innocent people? Never!” I yelled.
    “Yes, you will. We’ll be there supporting you.”
    I refused to stay calm when others were dying because of the war I was being forced into.“No! Never! Someone else can be your joker!” I slammed my hand on his desk, and the tingling, stinging sensation burst up my arm.
    “No one can take your place. You have been chosen to lead us and so you will. You are stronger than others and much more intelligent—”
    “And I have a mind and heart. My heart will not let me kill, and my mind tells me to end this war by not starting it!”
    “It already started.”
    “Then I refuse to continue it! I’m leaving.”
    “You can’t.”
    I turned around, ready to exit, but ran into Matthew in the doorway. He grabbed my arm tightly. “You’re staying.” His voice was calm but resonated with power and authority.
    “No!” I twisted and turned, but couldn’t release his grip.
    “I didn’t ask for your opinion. I told you that you’re staying, and that’s final.”
    “Why? Get someone else to do your dirty work. I don’t want blood on my hands.”
    “No one can replace you.”
    “Why not?”
    “You do not question authority.”
    “You said it yourself; I’m giving orders,” I mocked him.
    “Not to me!” He twisted my arm, and I fell to my knees. “Let’s see what you’ve learned. Fight back!” he ordered.
    I quickly turned onto my back, forcing him to release my arm. He tried to punch me, but I kicked him. He attempted another kick, but I moved away. He was furious, and I took advantage of it.
    “You ‘ordered’ me to fight back,” I snapped.
    He pushed me to the floor and held a gun against my temple. I could hardly breathe, and my heart was