The next morning, I end up having breakfast with Beth, Kathleen, and Susan. “So, he never showed up?” Beth looks worried. “Do you think he’s okay?”“He’d better hope so,” I mutter, darkly. “For his sake. When I get my hands on him, I’m going to sucker punch him so hard-““Maybe you shout wait before beating anyone up,” Susan points out, “since you look like you took a good beating yourself. You really should have reported this.”“And tell everyone I was out in the dark at midnight after curfew?” I stare at her.“And what was the grand plan if it really had been Rachel?” Susan stares at me. “The Director would have still found out.”She has a point. Before I can say anything, however, I see Counselor Gisela walking towards the door. My memory stirs and I jump to my feet. “Be right back.”“Wha-“I’m already hurrying towards the counselor. I know for a fact that she was talking to Jesse last night, after dinner. When I stop her and ask her, she blinks.“Jesse?” Counselor Gisel
“This is a bad idea,” I mutter to myself, walking through the tunnels, my entire body tense. “This is how all the people in horror movies die, Taylor.”But even I can’t stop myself at this rate, not when I’m so close to the truth. It’s hard to navigate the tunnels but as I run my hands along the walls, I’m able to feel the carvings more distinctly and I don’t have to stop to pause and remember which is which. Maybe the time I was stuck here did have some use. Because I know exactly where I am.I hear a clattering sound in the distance, and I make my way towards it, mask clenched in one hand. I feel a trickle of sweat make its way down my spine and it takes every bit of courage to keep going. I don’t know what the plan is. I don’t even know if there is a plan. Should I just observe and tell someone what I saw so that we can ambush Derek later?Because there is no way he didn’t throw this mask here.But what if he catches me?Should I turn around?However, as these thoughts consu
It’s always Dr. Brown who manages to ground me.I don’t know why but being around her makes me feel secure. Right now, her hand is on my shoulder.“S-So, Derek is dead?” My hands are cold as the hard truth hits me.“I want to know what possessed you to go after him in the first place?” Director Yearwood demands. “I saw the mask and I thought that maybe I could find you the proof-““You were attacked by an assassin who nearly managed to kill you and you chose to go after them in the dark?” The Director holds my gaze but I can see the anger stirring in her eyes. “Do you have a death wish, Miss Night?”So, I guess we’re no longer on first name basis anymore, I think to myself vaguely.“I just thought-“Director Yearwood holds her head in her hands, the most frustrated I’ve ever seen her. “I’m trying to understand why you felt the need to take matters into your own hands. Did you not once consider confiding in either me or Dr. Brown, or any other counselor?”I flinch. “I mean
I lock the door and lean a chair under the handle as a precaution before crashing in my own bed. This time, despite the new revelations, sleep drags me into this dark abyss.I don’t know how long I sleep for but when I wake up, it’s to see dark clouds rolling outside, a harsh wind picking up and rattling our windows. Beth is sleeping next to me under the covers. I blink at her, blearily. She must have crawled into my bed when I went to sleep. I don’t mind the warmth and I stare at the ceiling. I must have dozed off because I hear a sharp rap on my window and my eyes fly open, only to see Quill’s face plastered against the window as he stares at us.I let out a startled shout and Beth is on her feet, her eyes still half asleep, a knife in her hand as she points it in the air at no one, “W-What?!”“Wha-“I stare between her and Quill, who’s grinning now like a madman. I don’t know whether to take the knife from her first or open the window for Quill.Finally, I rip the knife out o
By the time we reach the Director’s office, the clouds have burst, drenching us completely. That doesn’t stop me, however.As I run through the carpeted hallway, the silence is eerie, not a soul in sight.On reaching the Director’s door, Jesse lifts his hand to knock, but I push away his hand, throwing the door open.“Taylor-“However, I’m not listening as I barge in and come to a screeching halt.I was right.And I’m too late.The Director is sprawled on the ground, a broken cup of tea next to her desk. It’s obvious she was trying to get to the phone.“Get help!” I shout at Quill. “The nurs-““No!” There is someone who knows about poison, who I’m sure would know whatever the Director was given. It’s a risk but I’m willing to take it. “Quill, get Dr. Brown! Jesse, you get the closest nurse and sound the alarm. The Director has been poisoned.”Jesse is out the door but I stop Quill, “Before you get her, there’s a purplish flower, growing right outside the office, near the st
The entrance to the tunnels is already open, the trapdoor up in the air.I jump down without hesitation. For some odd reason, my eyes are able to see through the darkness. It’s not as clear as I would like but I can make out the walls and the entrances to the side tunnels. Using the carvings on the side, I keep walking, my ears open. I don’t know if she’s going to be here under the Level One island. But since all the attacks were in these tunnels, I’m taking a guess that I’m going to find Rachel lurking about here.I make my way towards the vault, slowly and steadily, careful not to let out a sound.However, when I reach the vault, there’s no one there. Blinking, my heart sinks.Was I wrong?The vault doors are untouched and there is no sign of anyone having been here. For a moment, I hesitate, but I was clearly wrong. I turn around only to see a fist flying in my direction. I hear the sound of flesh striking flesh before the pain registers, as I go flying back.My vision
My injuries are severe enough that I have to stay in the infirmary for a couple of days. My healing is a little slowed down so I find myself in and out of sleep, the pain medication doing its magic. My leg is in a cast which Quill has decorated with all sorts of disturbing pictures.“Keep him away from me!” I scowl when he enters the infirmary on the fifth day with Jesse and Beth in tow. Beth immediately takes his pen and tucks it in her bag.Scowling, Quill slumps on the visitor’s chair. “I was making the dreary, ‘un-dreary.’”“I’ve never seen an uglier cast, Quill.”Jesse studies the pictures drawn on it and raises a brow, “That is ugly. A five-year old could do a better job.”Quill sneers at him and Jesse ignores him in favor of taking my hand, “How’re you doing?”“They’ve slowed down my pain meds,” I shrug. “My healing is getting back on course. The nurse says another two days and I should be free of the cast and able to move about. I need a crutch for a couple of days mo
Coming back home is a strange sensation. I feel different as I stare at the trailers, at the dry, cracked grounds, feeling the sweat roll off of me in the sweltering heat. It’s all so familiar and yet I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb.I head towards the familiar looking trailer and when I try the door, it’s unlocked. Letting out a sigh, I open it and head inside. The place looks almost cleaner. Dolores has been busy, it seems. My dad’s things are nowhere in sight, though, and my heart clenches in my chest. What did she do with them?I already didn’t expect any of my reminders lingering around and I’m not surprised when I see that she’s tossed them away.I would feel sad to have my entire childhood home turned upside down but then, without my father, this isn’t really a home. I check the time and realize that Dolores is probably at Happy Hour in some nearby bar. She won’t be back for a couple of hours. I head over to where my bed used to be and remove the laundry buc
“So, what did you find out?” Quill leans forward, curiously.“Nothing,” I shake my head. “My dad wasn’t killed. It was a suicide.”I feel numb saying it because a part of me still can’t believe it, refuses to believe it.“Oh, Taylor,” Beth gives me a sympathetic look and when she hugs me, I don’t reject it. “I know it’s hard.”She’s right but there’s nothing I can do about it.“That’s tough,” Quill sinks back into his seat. “Sorry.”“It’s okay.”“So, now what?”“I don’t know,” I shrug. “Classes begin tomorrow. It’s going to be a new normal for us.”“We have our level up tests as well,” Beth points out. “Those who clear will become Level Twos.”“It’s not a hard test,” Quill points out. “Just physical tests. And the tests are in three months. So, we have time. Hard to believe we don’t have summer vacations though.”I watch them talk between themselves and when they get up to head out, I decide to go on a walk by myself. I watch them leave before heading towards the waterfall.
I have no intention of spending the night in the trailer. I head over to the bus stop, my heart twisting in my chest. Suicide?Dad left me behind deliberately?But why?Didn’t he care what would happen to me after he left?I trudge towards the bus stop, feeling mentally drained. I know Dolores is lying about Jane but what’s the point of trying to get her to talk when I’m already struggling with what she told me about Dad? Would I even be able to handle what she would have told me about my sister?As I approach the bus stop, I look down at the empty stretch of road. I know a night bus is going to pass by, take me into the city where I’ll have to wait for the morning bus. I sit down on the bench. Leaning my head against the glass wall, looking up at the night sky.I don’t have to go back.I could walk away from here and never come back, away from all the dangers and people dying, and attacking me. I would be safe. I could survive by myself. I’m strong enough.But even as the
Coming back home is a strange sensation. I feel different as I stare at the trailers, at the dry, cracked grounds, feeling the sweat roll off of me in the sweltering heat. It’s all so familiar and yet I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb.I head towards the familiar looking trailer and when I try the door, it’s unlocked. Letting out a sigh, I open it and head inside. The place looks almost cleaner. Dolores has been busy, it seems. My dad’s things are nowhere in sight, though, and my heart clenches in my chest. What did she do with them?I already didn’t expect any of my reminders lingering around and I’m not surprised when I see that she’s tossed them away.I would feel sad to have my entire childhood home turned upside down but then, without my father, this isn’t really a home. I check the time and realize that Dolores is probably at Happy Hour in some nearby bar. She won’t be back for a couple of hours. I head over to where my bed used to be and remove the laundry buc
My injuries are severe enough that I have to stay in the infirmary for a couple of days. My healing is a little slowed down so I find myself in and out of sleep, the pain medication doing its magic. My leg is in a cast which Quill has decorated with all sorts of disturbing pictures.“Keep him away from me!” I scowl when he enters the infirmary on the fifth day with Jesse and Beth in tow. Beth immediately takes his pen and tucks it in her bag.Scowling, Quill slumps on the visitor’s chair. “I was making the dreary, ‘un-dreary.’”“I’ve never seen an uglier cast, Quill.”Jesse studies the pictures drawn on it and raises a brow, “That is ugly. A five-year old could do a better job.”Quill sneers at him and Jesse ignores him in favor of taking my hand, “How’re you doing?”“They’ve slowed down my pain meds,” I shrug. “My healing is getting back on course. The nurse says another two days and I should be free of the cast and able to move about. I need a crutch for a couple of days mo
The entrance to the tunnels is already open, the trapdoor up in the air.I jump down without hesitation. For some odd reason, my eyes are able to see through the darkness. It’s not as clear as I would like but I can make out the walls and the entrances to the side tunnels. Using the carvings on the side, I keep walking, my ears open. I don’t know if she’s going to be here under the Level One island. But since all the attacks were in these tunnels, I’m taking a guess that I’m going to find Rachel lurking about here.I make my way towards the vault, slowly and steadily, careful not to let out a sound.However, when I reach the vault, there’s no one there. Blinking, my heart sinks.Was I wrong?The vault doors are untouched and there is no sign of anyone having been here. For a moment, I hesitate, but I was clearly wrong. I turn around only to see a fist flying in my direction. I hear the sound of flesh striking flesh before the pain registers, as I go flying back.My vision
By the time we reach the Director’s office, the clouds have burst, drenching us completely. That doesn’t stop me, however.As I run through the carpeted hallway, the silence is eerie, not a soul in sight.On reaching the Director’s door, Jesse lifts his hand to knock, but I push away his hand, throwing the door open.“Taylor-“However, I’m not listening as I barge in and come to a screeching halt.I was right.And I’m too late.The Director is sprawled on the ground, a broken cup of tea next to her desk. It’s obvious she was trying to get to the phone.“Get help!” I shout at Quill. “The nurs-““No!” There is someone who knows about poison, who I’m sure would know whatever the Director was given. It’s a risk but I’m willing to take it. “Quill, get Dr. Brown! Jesse, you get the closest nurse and sound the alarm. The Director has been poisoned.”Jesse is out the door but I stop Quill, “Before you get her, there’s a purplish flower, growing right outside the office, near the st
I lock the door and lean a chair under the handle as a precaution before crashing in my own bed. This time, despite the new revelations, sleep drags me into this dark abyss.I don’t know how long I sleep for but when I wake up, it’s to see dark clouds rolling outside, a harsh wind picking up and rattling our windows. Beth is sleeping next to me under the covers. I blink at her, blearily. She must have crawled into my bed when I went to sleep. I don’t mind the warmth and I stare at the ceiling. I must have dozed off because I hear a sharp rap on my window and my eyes fly open, only to see Quill’s face plastered against the window as he stares at us.I let out a startled shout and Beth is on her feet, her eyes still half asleep, a knife in her hand as she points it in the air at no one, “W-What?!”“Wha-“I stare between her and Quill, who’s grinning now like a madman. I don’t know whether to take the knife from her first or open the window for Quill.Finally, I rip the knife out o
It’s always Dr. Brown who manages to ground me.I don’t know why but being around her makes me feel secure. Right now, her hand is on my shoulder.“S-So, Derek is dead?” My hands are cold as the hard truth hits me.“I want to know what possessed you to go after him in the first place?” Director Yearwood demands. “I saw the mask and I thought that maybe I could find you the proof-““You were attacked by an assassin who nearly managed to kill you and you chose to go after them in the dark?” The Director holds my gaze but I can see the anger stirring in her eyes. “Do you have a death wish, Miss Night?”So, I guess we’re no longer on first name basis anymore, I think to myself vaguely.“I just thought-“Director Yearwood holds her head in her hands, the most frustrated I’ve ever seen her. “I’m trying to understand why you felt the need to take matters into your own hands. Did you not once consider confiding in either me or Dr. Brown, or any other counselor?”I flinch. “I mean
“This is a bad idea,” I mutter to myself, walking through the tunnels, my entire body tense. “This is how all the people in horror movies die, Taylor.”But even I can’t stop myself at this rate, not when I’m so close to the truth. It’s hard to navigate the tunnels but as I run my hands along the walls, I’m able to feel the carvings more distinctly and I don’t have to stop to pause and remember which is which. Maybe the time I was stuck here did have some use. Because I know exactly where I am.I hear a clattering sound in the distance, and I make my way towards it, mask clenched in one hand. I feel a trickle of sweat make its way down my spine and it takes every bit of courage to keep going. I don’t know what the plan is. I don’t even know if there is a plan. Should I just observe and tell someone what I saw so that we can ambush Derek later?Because there is no way he didn’t throw this mask here.But what if he catches me?Should I turn around?However, as these thoughts consu