A/N: oh, don't worry caronee, what happens in this chapter is pretty unpredictable...(but of course duchess strawberry won't be surprised...hehehe)
Chapter 24
"Does anybody know what time it is?" Augusta whispered cruelly.
I looked over at Jem and froze. His eyes were glazed over and all emotion was gone from his face.
Midnight of the 17th.
Jem's birthday had come.
Augusta smiled and threw a small, silvery thing through the air for Jem to catch. He reached for it, but I leapt in front of him and grasped it before he had the chance. Jem dived at my clenched fist and tried to pry it open, but I just squeezed tighter. I broke his hold on me and managed to pry open the door, Augusta flaming with anger and Jem hot in pursuit.
I slid down all the banisters on the way (which saved a lot of time) and burst through the hall doors. The music was playing, and everyone was dancing again. They all stared up at me with quizzical looks, but I kept running until I was outside. Jem was still behind me.
Outside it was freezing. I shivered in my ball gown as I ran straight into the forest.
There was a stitch in my side from running. I kept going, clenching my fists tight. The needle was still there.
We ran and ran until I collapsed. Jem caught up and pinned me to the ground, grasping for the needle. He was drawn to it by magic.
I squeezed it so hard my knuckles were white. A creek was flowing to my left! I rolled over and threw the silver needle into the water.
I expected him to leap into the creek, swim and dive under the water to find it. Augusta's magic was that strong.
But instead, his eyes lost their glaze, and his face filled with emotion again. He looked around, confused. Then he saw me sprawled on the ground next to the creek. Jem ran over.
"El! Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry! Why am I not dead? Where's the needle? What happened?"
I stood up shakily and showed him my palm.
Blood trickled down my wrist. The needle had pricked me when I tried to keep it away from him.
I fell to the ground in a heap.
I know, very short. Trust me, the next one's way longer. REVIEW!!