Grace

I walk into the college. Everyone was taking glances at me. I was walking into the corridor when I heard snickers. A group of guys was standing there, when they looked at me they all laughed. What the hell is going on? I entered my class to find everyone else is doing the same thing. Whatever. I sighed.

I have to face this. I sat down and took out a book to read. I also had to revise my notes. Out of nowhere, a group of guys appeared at my side. I looked up to find them staring at me. I looked at them with a questionable expression, but they didn't say anything.

“Okay fine. What the hell do you want?” I stood so I didn't feel crowded. They were practically invading my personal space.

“We have to take you.” What the hell? Take me?

“Excuse me?”

“Excused.” One of them said mocking me.

“Take me where and to whom?”

“You'll know.” One of them said.

“I'm not coming with you, to whoever or wherever.”

“Well, you really don't have a choice in this matter. We're taking you with or without your consent.” My heart was thumping now. I looked back to the door, thinking about running. A guy, who was standing just beside me gave me a warning glare and said “Don't even think about it. Even if you managed to escape, which you don't, you still have to come back to college. And trust me we'll fetch you before you even realize who did that. Consequences will be much harsher than it will be now.” It's a full on threat now.

“I'll… I'll complain about you.” All of them laughed at my face and some class students joined in. They had formed a circle, caging me in. It suffocated me.

“You can certainly try.” I swallowed. I have no other option. I have to go with them. I have no other option. With shaking hands I picked up my bag but one of them snatched it right away saying “I'll take care of it for you, baby.” And then they all laughed. I walked into the back of college into the forest. All this time people were pointing at me and laughing. It was humiliating and shameful. I don't know what I had done to deserve this. Who is this guy? Why does he want to meet me?

We walked out in the opening of a forest area. It was in the back of the college, hidden in woods. I did not see this place before.

“We brought her. Do whatever you want to do with her. No one's going to come here.” One of them spoke.

Three tall guys emerged from behind a tree. They slowly walked out taking my appearance then back to the guys who brought me here. On one side stood a broad shoulder, an athlete type of guy who was wearing a hat backwards. He had a mocking face on. On the other side stood a bulky structured guy. He was looking at me like I was a curious animal in a zoo. And between the two stood that prick who insulted me yesterday. He had his hands in pockets and he walked like he ruled this college, which he does. That guy's name is Jake.

With a nod of his head he gestured to other guys, who kindly escorted me here, to leave. He dismissed them but kept staring at me. I knew I had to speak my words carefully if I wanted to keep my scholarship.

“You're getting along with other kids well?” Jake asked and brought me back from my cursing world.

“What do you want? We both know you didn't ask me to come here for a little chit-chat about my life.” I snapped shut my mouth when I realized I just talked back to him. I know he was mocking me for being the centre joke of the college. I was kicking myself in my mind for speaking without thinking when I suddenly looked at him. He was smirking.

“By the looks of your face, I know that you know who I am.” He said and moved his hands behind my head gesturing to the building.

“This college is my kingdom.” I wanted to roll my eyes at his word 'kingdom' but I held it in.

“I rule this place. Nothing happens here without me knowing. Everyone who works here or studies in this place is under my supervision. I can make your life hell within seconds, just by saying a few words. So if you want to stay in this place with peace then don't come in my way again.” 'He's the one who came into my life, not me' but I let him speak. He was pacing around but when he realized that I wasn't giving any type of reaction he turned to look at me.

“Do you understand?” He asked.

“Yes I do. I won't come in your way, I won't even try it.” I nodded my head with grave expressions. I had to feed his ego for now, so that he would just leave me alone.

“Good. Since this was your first time and you did not know who I was, this time I'm letting you go with a simple warning but mark my words if you as much as even tried to…”

“I won't. I promise.” I said. He studied me for a little while and nodded his head.

“Good. If you know where your place is and most importantly, where my place is then we won't have any problems. I'm being generous to let you go without making you pay.”

“Okay. So can I leave now?” He looked at his friends then turned to me.

“Yes. You may.” His enforcing the word 'may' didn't go off notice. He was trying to show that he was allowing me to leave. It really didn't matter to me. I was more than happy to leave that place. When I turned to leave I heard one of them saying “She's cute.” I suppressed my cringe and walked out of there as fast as I could.

During a break I went to the cafeteria to eat something. I took a seat at a window side chair. I was about to take a bite of my sandwich when two hands appeared on my shoulders.

“Boo!” Angela started giggling at her stupid move. Meanwhile, I was staring at my messed sandwich. She sat on the other side of the table. I looked at her.

“You can, at least, pretend that you were scared.” I gave her a bored look.

“Forget it. What happened to you? I mean, you know about yesterday. I heard they called you to their 'red zone'.”

“What zone?” I asked, confused.

“Red zone. It's their main place where they take anyone who tries to defy them.” I gave her a baffling look.

“Red zone? What is wrong with them? Are they running some kind of mafia here, in this place? Well, actually It won't surprise me if they did.”

“Would you just tell me what happened to you back there?” I sighed.

“Nothing. They let me off with a warning. I am not to come in their way if I want to spend my time in peace here. And all that crap.”

“You're lucky, you know.” I looked at her, and she was looking outside with a serious face. I turned my head to see what she was looking at. Only to find Jake and his friends hanging outside, laughing and talking.

“Last time, a guy tried to show off that he was not scared of anyone here. When the news got out he didn't show the next day. There were rumors that he was thrown out of this college. The red zone was covered in blood and his t-shirt, the one he was wearing the day earlier was found on a tree, teared up.” I was looking at her, and she was staring into the space.

“They like this, you know...” She turned to me.

“... they pick one thing from their victims to show off what has happened to them. To show everyone their power over the others. And these things were usually found covered in blood. They couldn't care less about gender. Anyone who messed with them, has to suffer.” Okay now, she is making it seem like I dodged a bullet there.

“... but let's forget about it. They are the stars of this college, and they are adored by everyone, plus their music rocks. Tonight they're having a concert. You are coming with me. We both are going to enjoy it a lot.” This woman is crazy.

“You just told me that they are some sort of sadist and you want me to go with you in their concert.” People turned our way when my voice got a little louder. I slid down and whispered “If they saw me in their concert they might have me for dinner. I'm not going to any of their bloody concert.” Angela rolled her eyes like I was the one who was behaving childish.

“They are not going to have you for dinner, at least not the way you think. Anyone, literally anyone can join their concert. This is what we call safe space. They avoid any sort of trouble there. They find music sacred or some shit. They won't do anything.”

“I just dodged a bullet with them. I'm not risking it, okay.” I picked my food packet and threw them in a nearby dustbin. I returned to my chair and Angela grabbed the side of my chair.

“You are coming with me and that's it. Besides, they really don't care who comes into their music concert. Even one of those people who crossed them in the past can join their concert, and they won't care. Trust me. You're going to miss out so much fun. Come on, please.” I shook my head.

“Even if I want to, I can't. I don't have a car. I have to use public transportation and it's not safe to travel in them at night.”

“Don't worry about the ride home. There will be so many people. I'll ask one of them, they will certainly give you a ride home. You don't have to worry about it. Come on, please? Please…” Damn she's persuasive. Reluctantly, I agreed. She squealed with happiness, and I was dying with worry. It felt wrong. Like I made a wrong decision but I can't back down now.

What should I do?