During lunch break, I made my way to the restroom, only to feel the unsettling sensation of someone following me. At first, I thought it was my sister, Maeve, but when I turned around, I found myself face-to-face with none other than Lilith. A cold shiver ran down my spine.
"It's been a while, Avaritia," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
"I'm just checking up on you," she replied with a casual shrug. "Is that a problem?"
"I'd prefer it if you didn't," I muttered, trying to dismiss the unease creeping over me.
I continued walking toward the restroom, but Lilith followed closely. Once inside, I locked the door and took a seat, but her voice continued, sending chills through me as she spoke.
"I see you're living the high life, Avaritia. You truly embody your codename," she said, her voice smooth and taunting. "But what would you be if you weren't wealthy? Would Avaritia still be Avaritia without her riches? I'm curious about that. Then again, I decided to scrap that notion. You don't have to be rich to be greedy, after all. A poor person can be far more covetous than a wealthy one. So, I've decided to approach you differently."
Before I could respond, the blaring sound of the fire alarm cut through the air, followed by the principal's voice over the intercom.
"This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. A fire has broken out at the school. Please follow the teachers' instructions and evacuate the premises immediately."
Panic surged through me, and I scrambled to open the restroom door. My hands were shaking, and I struggled to calm myself long enough to get it open.
Once I managed to force it, I hurried out into the hallway, but it was eerily empty. The acrid smell of smoke hit me, intensifying my panic. I was sure the fire was nearby, that the building was engulfed, that I was trapped.
But it wasn't the fire I smelled. It was the cigarette Lilith had lit just around the corner. I hadn't known that, though, and fear clouded my thoughts.
I collapsed to my knees, the weight of the situation crushing me. Tears welled in my eyes as I believed with every fiber of my being that Lilith's plan was to burn me alive.
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind me, breaking through my panic.
"Hey! Are you okay?" The voice was familiar. I looked up to see a dark-complexioned young man in uniform, his face etched with concern. It was Sansula—Benesha's brother. I recognized him from Maeve's 18th birthday party.
"I'm scared..." I whispered, the words barely escaping my trembling lips.
"Rest assured, I've got you," Sansula said, his voice reassuring as he swept me into his arms, carrying me bridal-style and making his way outside the school.
"Eliza! Where were you hiding during all of this?!" Mrs. Mazzi's voice cracked with concern as she rushed over to us.
"She was in the bathroom," Sansula answered calmly, his tone steady as he looked down at me.
"Is there even a fire?" The principal's voice boomed from the side.
"I think it was just a false alarm," Sansula replied. "Who told you there was a fire?"
"Some girl who looked a lot like the one you're carrying," the principal said, her eyes narrowing in thought.
"Was it the Princess?" Mrs. Mazzi asked, her voice filled with skepticism.
"No, no," the principal replied quickly. "She looked more... exotic. Maybe Moroccan, or Indian? Possibly a mix of Dutch, Spanish, and black African... could even have a bit of Chinese in her, I'm not sure."
I noticed the shift in Zipporah's expression as she processed the description. I couldn't shake the feeling that she, too, had made the connection. That sounded far too much like Lilith. She was the only one I knew who embodied so many different ethnicities at once, a blend of at least seven distinct groups.
"Thank you for rescuing her," Mrs. Mazzi said, her voice softer now, as she turned to Sansula with gratitude.
"Can you stand on your own now?" Sansula asked, his hands still steady on my arms.
"Yes," I replied, finally feeling steady enough to stand.
"Thank you, Sansula," I said sincerely. He gave me a small, warm smile in return, though it quickly faded as I pouted.
"What is it?" he asked, noticing the change in my expression.
"I'd have loved to buy your love," I said with a teasing tone, "but you're a Badilite, so you're already wealthy."
"Eliza!" Mrs. Mazzi scolded, clearly not approving of my comment.
"You can't buy love with money," Sansula said with a laugh, shaking his head.
"Then how would a girl win your heart, Sansula?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"If she can make me laugh," he replied, grinning.
With that, he gave me one last smile before walking away. Benesha's brother sure was an interesting, fascinating man.