Chap-12*The Horrors Of O-Block*
Cynthia Dion:
Atticus rose from his seat, casting me a glare before shifting his attention to Ms. Kylie.
"I--," I interrupted him before he could fabricate another lie.
"I just handed my assignment to him," I proclaimed. My raised voice and clenched jaw cast a hush over the entire class. They had never witnessed me speaking up; ordinarily, I would be stricken with worry or an anxiety attack, but today, for once, I found my voice.
"Cynthia! Then where is it?" Ms. Kylie exchanged a disappointed glance with me, displaying the collected assignments and indicating that mine was conspicuously absent.
I couldn't fathom why Ms. Kylie wasn't directing any questions towards Atticus.
"Ask Atticus. He collected the assignments. These students here saw me handing him my assignment." I refused to remain silent any longer. After everything I'd been through, I'd rather voice my concerns and accept any potential consequences. At least I would know I tried to stand up for myself.
I noticed Rosalie's annoyance at my defiance toward her cherished Alpha friend, someone she appeared to have a more intimate connection with.
"So, you're accusing me of stealing your assignment?" Atticus finally interjected. Yet, I had expected a more mature response from him.
"Then where did it go? Can't you recall that I handed my assignment to you?" It was challenging to argue with him, especially when his captivating gaze was fixed on my face and his lips formed a pout. Something about his demeanor gave me the sense that he wasn't involved in this prank, but I couldn't be certain.
"I'd like to step down as class monitor," he declared, his tone offended--an unexpected response from someone I had anticipated to be forthcoming.
"Nobody is accusing you. She merely wants a clarification. Did she indeed give you her assignment or not? Let's not discuss resigning. You're essential for maintaining order in this class." Ms. Kylie's disappointment appeared to deepen now that Atticus was also causing disruption.
"And Cynthia! If nobody is stepping forward in your defense, it suggests they didn't witness you handing in your assignment." Her tone had grown harsh this time.
Perfect! They were all cowards. None of them would rally for my cause, likely because I had never advocated for anyone else.
"I gave him my--," I was about to continue my argument, but a student named Peter suddenly rose from his seat, leaning over me from behind and stating, "Her assignment is in her bag; she's only causing this commotion to tarnish Alpha Atticus's image."
I was rendered speechless when I saw him holding my assignment. He hadn't returned it solely to appease the alphas, as I had suspected.
"I didn’t anticipate this from you, Cynthia," Ms. Kylie expressed her disappointment, as my claim of having given him the assignment when it was, in fact, in my bag, painted me in a negative light.
I had no plausible excuse. Accusing them of conspiring wouldn't hold much credibility, especially without concrete evidence.
"I've heard that you turned 18 and haven't found your mate, which can lead to moments of frustration. However, that doesn't justify harming others," Ms. Kylie reproached, shaking her head. "I'm left with no option but to assign you this punishment," she continued.
"You'll be responsible for mopping the entire o-block, with a break only after you finish," she concluded with a sigh. I could sense her reluctance to punish me, but she seemed to have few alternatives.
Alpha Atticus was evidently upset, and inaction could potentially spark unrest.
I didn’t raise any objections; I simply lowered my head, my hands clasped beneath my abdomen, feeling guilty for something I hadn't even done. My remorse stemmed from having inadvertently upset Ms. Kylie.
However, the punishment seemed excessive. I'd heard that the o-block was deserted--a place where the lockers, classrooms, and even the library remained locked and inaccessible.
All of this punishment due to the Alpha's offense?
As I nodded in response and retrieved my bag to leave, I noticed Peter looking at me with a sorrowful expression.
He silently mouthed, "I'm sorry."
I wasn't eager to accept his insincere apology. He had made me look foolish in front of the entire class.
The guards stationed outside the off-limits block were informed of my arrival, allowing them to step aside and permit me entry.
A substantial wooden door had been installed over time to bar access to this area. As soon as I passed through the door and the guards sealed it behind me, I was met with silence and darkness.
"Oh, my goodness!" I inhaled deeply, opting to begin mopping the floor rather than investigating further.
It was all quite overwhelming for me.
Sensations of unease crawled up and down my spine. The history of this block was rather somber.
Someone had lost their life here, and even prior to that tragic incident, this block had been tainted by misfortune. The O-block used to be the most popular area back in the day, where all the students would congregate and enjoy themselves--or so the story went.
It spanned a vast section of the school, with lockers and four floors, including a basement.
'Do you think Atticus had a hand in this scheme?' I attempted to engage Thia in conversation, seeking a distraction from the unsettling ambiance.
The further I ventured from the entrance, the more unnerved I became.
'I'm not certain,' she responded softly.
‘I'm not feeling well,’ she responded, steering away from the prior topic and focusing on her inner strength.
‘I understand. This place holds a heavy history. Many werewolf students lost their lives here. Your unease might be linked to that,’ I commented, fixating on the mop and the floor.
‘Cynthia! Get out of here now!’ Thia's abrupt change in tone left me paralyzed. I halted my movements and lifted my head, concerned about her sudden shift. It was then that I heard anguished cries emanating from the basement library.
"LET ME GO!"
The girl's screams sent shivers coursing through me. Panic welled up, and tears formed in my eyes.
"Don’t hurt me!" Her cries continued to reverberate, and suddenly, I sensed something wet against my feet. Gazing downward, I found myself submerged in a pool of blood that seemed to seep from the floor of the o-block. Panic gripped me.