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CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
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Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER ONE
Sneaking out isn’t supposed to be this hard.I hide behind the empty barrel, waiting for the night guard to move away from the barracks. Or it never used to be this hard.Ever since the incident from two weeks ago, when two counsellors tried to murder me and my friends, the security around this camp has increased significantly. I hold my breath as the night guard stops and lifts his hand to scratch his underarm. The odor reaches me all the way to where I’m hiding, and it takes everything inside of me not to throw up. I clasp my nose closed, gagging silently. I know if I make a sound, his sharp ears will pick it up.One of the perks of being supernaturally inclined, as I have recently discovered.Patience isn’t my strong suit, and I would rather be tucked in my bed, in the new barracks, but this is the only chance I have to meet Jesse. I check my watch and worry fills me. I’m already fifteen minutes late.Finally, the guard moves away, sniffing, his hand scratching his butt.I
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWO
I go still at Jesse’s revelation.Ex-girlfriend?Rachel ignores me as she takes a step forward, her pretty face all smiles. “So, how have you been?”I drop his hand which has been curled around mine since the moment she interrupted us. I don’t miss the flicker of annoyance in his face at that. Before I can say anything, however, he grabs my hand again, this time holding tight. “Good,” Jesse’s voice is terse. “What are you doing back here? I thought you left the school.”Rachel shrugs, flipping her long hair over her shoulder in a move that should not be as attractive as she makes it. “I’m back. As an assistant counselor.”Assistant counselor?That’s when I notice the t-shirt she’s wearing. It’s similar to the ones all the counselors at this camp wear.Jesse gives her a wary look. “Why, though? You hated this place.”Rachel’s smile is slow and meaningful. “Well, not all of it. You look good, Jesse.”I’m not an idiot. The way her eyes run over Jesse makes me bristle. “What
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER THREE
“So, she’s Jesse’s ex-girlfriend?” Beth sounds a little troubled as she glances at me. “How did he react when he saw her?”My backpack is hauled over my shoulder as I try to make my way across the rocky terrain. This is one of the things I hate about the Level One island. It’s so rocky. It feels like the entire island was built upon rock and stone. The only clear area is where some of the physical classes are held and where the main buildings are.“Well, not too pleased,” I reply. “Not too upset either. He seemed shocked.”“Shocked?” Beth echoes, a frown on her face. “Well, that’s not good.” She shoots me a quick glance. “Or is it? I’ve never really dated before so I don’t know.”“Neither have I,” I respond, grimly. “But it’s not a good thing, in my book. She wanted to catch up with him and he didn’t exactly seem disinclined.”Beth makes a face. “Now that does sound bad.”“What does?”Quill’s voice is out of breath as he suddenly appears out of nowhere from behind us.I give
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER FOUR
“My name is Rachel Adkins,” Rachel begins, her long red hair tied up in a high ponytail. She’s wearing the counselor t-shirt which, along with her jeans, is clinging to her frame, enough so that most of the boys are practically drooling.It makes sense because she’s around our age while the other counselors are much older.“I’m an Assistant Counselor and like some of you, I’ve just recently rejoined Mistfall Wilderness Camp! Since we’re all so close in age, you can call me Rachel.” Her voice is cheerful and sweet, and I can see some of the students begin to relax as she continues, “I’ll be taking the endurance classes. I would like to know a little bit about-“Immediately, Abigail’s hand shoots up and Rachel’s gaze rests on her. “Yes?”Abigail puffs up her chest, inflated with some strange self-confidence. “My name is Abigail Warner.”Rachel blinks, “Ah, okay.”When Abigail doesn’t get the response she so clearly desired – whatever it may have been – she continues, “I thought we
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER FIVE
“She’s rather mean,” Beth declares as I stand outside her shower stall with her change of clothes. Unfortunately, she was one of the few students who got completely covered in the mud. Abigail, Anderson, and a couple of others had the same experience. I opted to come with Beth to help her shower and get changed quickly.“Why was she getting so personal with you, Taylor?” comes another voice from the stall over.I recognize Kathleen Turner’s voice. I don’t know what exactly she is but I’ve not really interacted with her. She’s an oddball, preferring to hang out by herself. So, it comes as a little bit of a shock to have her try and initiate a conversation with me.“Ah,” I mutter, “maybe because she’s crazy? I don’t even know her.”From under the sound of the rushing water, I hear her laugh. “She has it out for you. You know she seemed to know I was part of your team because when she came up to me, she was like ‘you’re a traitor now.’ Do you think she had the paper marked or someth
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER SIX
Classes aren’t getting easier on any of us but with the increased security, the students from the other islands don’t really hang around much after their meals. Back when I was a Level One, I would see different students hanging out in between classes and it was hard not to run into random people on the Level One island. But now, after the mess closes for cleaning, the students are sent back to their respective islands. That is one of the reasons why I had to sneak out just to meet Jesse in the first place.But ever since my run in with him two days ago, I haven’t seen him and I have deliberately been going late to the mess so that I don’t run into him. Jesse is the first guy I’ve been interested in, or at least allowed myself to be interested in. He makes me smile and he seems to understand me. Or at least I thought he did. But the fact is that he not only didn’t deny spending the whole night out with Rachel, but the first thing in his head when I told him what Rachel said to me
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER SEVEN
Before I can say anything, Rachel quickly switches to a beaming smile, “Nothing. I was just advising Taylor to focus on her physical activities rather than the extracurricular.”“And what extracurriculars would those be?” Dr. Brown smiles but for some reason her eyes are cold.Rachel doesn’t seem to notice that, and she laughs, lightly, “You know how teenage girls are.”“Yes, I do,” Dr. Brown murmurs, her eyes lasered in on Rachel. “Considering you were one till last year.”Rachel’s smile hardens.“Aren’t you getting late for class, Taylor?” Dr. Brown looks my way. “You should get going.”I nod and, grabbing my bag, I run past her, whispering, “Thank you.”I catch the discreet nod.I hurry along to the classes, my niggling thought that Rachel is out to get me now a full-blown theory. We’ve had two interactions so far and both times she has gone out of her way to target me.Fortunately, I just have that one class with her today, so I put all thoughts of Rachel away for now and
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER EIGHT
The underground tunnels connect the islands and are the only way to access them without detection, from the outside. Till a few weeks ago, I was under the impression that the connection to the mainland was broken off or something. However, when two ex-counselors, Annabelle and Regan, managed to sneak some people into the tunnels, I realized that it might not have been the case then. Now, I know for sure that the entrance from the mainland has been blocked off. Not that it matters. Any desire that I had to explore the tunnels is long gone.Unfortunately, other students don’t share the same sentiment which is why every student is assigned guard duty twice a month to check the tunnels under their respective island. Since the Level Zero and Level One islands are quite close, I’ve explored both their tunnels to an extent. I follow Veronica down the chute into the tunnels.I bump into her just as I’m about to jump down and both our flashlights slip from our hands, rolling onto the gr
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Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
“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.
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
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
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
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
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
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
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
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
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
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
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
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
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER TWENTY
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
Desire (Wish, Book Two) CHAPTER NINETEEN
“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
