🦋 LEO 🦋
I blamed myself for what happened to the person I love. I kept thinking about what I could have done differently. The guilt and regret weighed heavily on me. I wish I could turn back time and make things right, I wish the word of her joining the defenders never slipped from my lips.
My phone vibrated as Mira's name was displayed boldly on the screen.
I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, holding on as if it were the only thing keeping me grounded. Fear had crept in, making me feel vulnerable and alone. "I have to stay away from her," I told myself, trying so hard to ensure I didn't pick up the call.
The vibrating continued, and I held myself even tighter, knowing that the person I love could lose her life because of me.
My parents wouldn't glitch before hurting her, and they have proven it twice now; that's enough.
I curled up, trying to create a sense of safety. My own embrace became a shield, a desperate attempt to comfort myself in a moment of overwhelming anxiety.
But even with this, I brutally felt the misery of being forced apart from someone you are deeply in love with, but there's not much choice left for us in this cruel and selfish world.
*** 🦋 ***
🦋 MIRA 🦋
The day of the contest was finally here, but never did I try to train; I simply felt exhausted and alone, and deep down, I was too tired for anything.
If crying was prime, I'll be having that time of my life, because tell me why my tears wouldn't stop falling like I planned on crying myself to death.
I got up and prepared for the contest. I felt nothing, no eagerness, no anxiousness, no happiness, just one game I'm forced to play.
It was no longer fun, with Leo gone – it was a business, and I barely liked the idea of that.
Soon, I was ready for the contest, in a dress that made me appear like I was out for a war, with a frown on my face that obviously made things worse.
I don't believe in pretending to be happy; if I'm not happy, then I'm not.
I walked downstairs and realised my mother had served my meals that morning.
"Come, eat… You need strength to win," my mother called.
I glanced at my father who simply focused on his meals, my sisters didn't give a fuck either, as long as there's everything they need, they wouldn't worry about anything else.
I sat down and chewed on the little I could, as my appetite had vanished into thin air.
"I'll be on my way," I announced and stood up to leave.
"Mira…" my father called, and I glanced at him, "Good luck." He cheered, and I nodded.
"Don't come back if…" my mother growled. "Don't worry, I don't want to scare you, so it won't affect your game."
Without a response from me, I walked out of the house.
*** 🦋 ***
There was only one thing left on my mind as I gawked at my opponents, "Jump, defend, but don't fall."
The contest started, and it was the coldest game I had ever experienced. Each player took the other party as their enemy and they were so brutal about it.
"Isn't this just a game? Why does it look like a fight?" I whispered.
"It is a fight," Stella responded from behind me, "You need to see your opponent as your enemy; it would be easier to beat them that way."
"Mira Bellwood," my name echoed out. It was my turn to play my first round.
I stood up, walked towards the fencing piste and put on my mask, standing in position.
En garde!
Prets?
Allez!
That was the beginning of my battle to be back on a team. I defended every attack and avoided the ones I couldn't.
The main unit beeped to determine a valid hit, and I paused.
Mira: 15 points.
Opponent: 6 points.
I walked towards my seat happily, and the game continued, as people got eliminated one after the other.
Soon, it was the last fight, and my name was mentioned again. I walked towards the fencing piste and put on my mask, finally anxious.
En garde!
Prets?
Allez!
Almost immediately, the main unit beeped.
Opponent: 1 point.
Mira: 0 points.
En garde!
Prets?
Allez!
The main unit beeped again.
Opponent: 6 points.
Mira: 0 points.
My Opponent grinned in mockery as I slammed my eyes shut to focus better.
The game was hectic, I knew I had to win, I knew I must win, for this is my only hope of ever being in a team.
I began to defend more strictly, observing how she takes her step and throws her arm.
The main unit beeped, and I immediately glanced at it.
Mira: 7 points.
Competitor: 6 points.
My Opponent frowned, just the expression I wanted, and began her attack again.
After minutes of jumping and defending, the main unit made a sound, a sound that this time announced who won.
Opponent: 15 points.
Mira: 15 points.
The crowd roared in disappointment, and we entered a 1-minute sudden-death period, where the first to score wins.
My heart pounded in my chest like a drum, each beat echoing the urgency of the moment. I was in a game where winning wasn't just a goal – it was a necessity. Every fibre of my being was focused on the task at hand. With each passing moment, the stakes felt higher, and my heart responded by beating faster, harder. I could feel the sweat trickling down my face, but my eyes remained fixed on the prize, if indeed I got picked. The crowd's cheers and chants faded into the background as I tuned in to my own rhythm – the rhythm of determination and drive.
I knew I had to stay focused, to push through the pressure and emerge victorious. My heart beat with a singular purpose: to win.
En garde!
Prets?
Allez!
The referee called.
It was the most terrifying moment of my life, if I lost, apart from the fact that my fencing life would be over, I had a family to deal with.
Halt! The referee declared, pausing the match, and my heart immediately skipped a beat.
Pointing at my opponent and to her, he said, "Point!"
This caused me to widen my eyes in horror.
Opponent: 1 point.
Mira: 0 points.