Chapter Ten
Kim's POV
I walked through the hallways looking around. There were posters everywhere about the masquerade ball happening this Friday. It sounded fun, but with all that's going on right now I really don't want to go. With my luck, I'll probably end up dying there. "Hey." I turned and saw Noah. "Hey, oh by the way thanks for all the help you gave me on my power point, I got an A." "No problem, glad to help. Hey, I just wanted to know if you wanted to go to the mas-" "Kim, hey, I need to talk to you." Jack said cutting off Noah. "Well we're kind of having a conversation right now." Noah said. "Well I kind of don't care right now. This is important." "Jack, I'll talk to you later, hold on." I said glaring at him. He rolled his eyes and walked off. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to the masquerade ball with me." I smiled, "I'd love too, Noah." "Pick you up at seven?" I nodded and he walked off. "What do you see in that guy?" Jack asked walking up to me. "What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked, changing the subject. "This, it was shoved into my locker." He held out a map of Seaford. "Why would someone shove that in your locker?" I asked. "He turned the map around. 'Time is running out. Find your friends by 12 midnight tomorrow or they die' it said. "But…tomorrows the masquerade ball…"I said sighing. "Kim, all we have to do is try and find Rudy and Eddie today. Jerry's in the hospital and Milton's in jail and we still have to try and clear his name." "Well the person who framed Milton has to be an expert at computers and has to know the school's system inside and out, which means they would work in the office a lot with the secretary." "That's true, I'll try and think of places they might put Eddie and Rudy. With any of our lucky, they might've put them in the same place." "Doubt it, they try and make us lose all the time Jack so they have the fair advantage." "That's true." The bell rang and I closed my locker. "See you later. I said and walked off to class.
After school of course I had to go to Dr. Cobra. I went into the waiting room and sat in the chair. My phone started vibrating and I checked it, it was a text from my mom. 'You better cooperate Kim. Or remember no more karate. Be safe, love you.' It read. Yeah, she definitely loved me. The door opened and I saw Ricky walking into the waiting room. He looked at me and winked. I rolled my eyes and watched as he went to the front desk. "Appointment for Dr. Cobra. Ricky Weaver." He said. "I'm sorry you're an hour earlier." "Alright, I'll wait." He said. Please don't sit in the chair beside me… and lucky enough for me he sat in the chair right beside me. "Hello Kim." He said smiling. I didn't answer; I looked away trying to ignore him. I wanted to ask him so many answers right now. "Kim, Dr. Cobra is ready for you." The lady at the front desk said. I got up and walked into her room and sat down on the couch. "Kim, nice to see you again." She said smiling. "Ditto." I muttered. "Anything new happening?" "There's a masquerade ball happening at school." "Really? Are you excited?" "Yes, I am." "Anyone asked you?" "Look Dr. Cobra, I didn't come here for the chit chat. I came here because my mom made me. Stop it with the easy questions." I said crossing my arms. She smiled, "Kim you are such a joy." She said sarcastically. "I'm perfectly fine, no mental, and I don't have any symptom you diagnose me with." "Are you sure? You seem pretty unstable." "Unstable? You see me for an hour and you think I'm unstable?" "Kim, look at how you're speaking right now. I can tell you have a lot on your mind." I sighed, Kim, don't tell her anything, keep your mouth shut and you'll be fine. "I do have a lot on my mind. So what?" "So it doesn't seem like positive things that are on your mind." "So?" "Kim, I'm your therapist, whether you like it or not you're going to have to vent to me sooner or later." "I chose later." She sighed and took out a notepad. "Since you won't tell me, tell the paper." She said and handed me a notepad and a pen. "This is ridiculous." "Kim, I want to help you." I looked on her desk and saw a small video camera, pointed right at me. "Is that thing on?" I asked pointed at the video camera. "Of course not it's broken." She said. I narrowed my eyes at her. "So you wouldn't mind if I did this?" I asked and got up then dropped it on the ground and stepped on it. She looked at me, like she was going to scream at me. I smiled at her then sat back down. I looked out the window and saw my voodoo doll at the window. My eyes widened and I turned away from the window. "Kim, what just happened?" Dr. Cobra asked. "What do you mean?" "You looked at the window, and looked scared. What did you see?" "Nothing, just my mind playing tricks on me." "Sometimes, your mind isn't the one playing tricks…" she mumbled. I looked up at her carefully, what did she mean by that? "Kim, I'm afraid you're not making any progress and it's going to make me address your mom telling her you might need to do therapy three times a week." I looked at her shocked. "Three times a week? I have to spend more time with you?" I asked annoyed. She smirked, "It's for your own good." I sighed, and looked at the clock. "Session over." I got out of the couch and walked out of the room. Ricky was standing outside the door once again. "Kim you look angry." "Shut up." I said and walked passed him. Now, I definitely know that Dr. Cobra's up to something…I just have to find out what.
Jack's POV
I rode my skateboard towards an abandoned warehouse I found on the map. I studied the map during English class and realized a few of the locations stood out more than others. I picked up my skateboard and walked inside. Everything was so dark, I couldn't see anything. Suddenly the lights turned on and I looked around. Rudy was hanging from a rope attached to the ceiling. He was about to fall into a hole. I looked around confused. "You guys want me to save Rudy from a hole?" I asked. No one answered. I looked around confused, why didn't anyone answer? "Jack, the hole is deep like a well. I fall down there, there's no way I'm getting out!" Rudy yelled. I sighed and climbed up the stairs towards the balcony at the top of the ceiling. How was I supposed to get Rudy? I couldn't stretch across; I'd fall into the hole too. The rope kept getting lose, which meant it'd fall soon. "Jack, don't let me die! I'm too young to die!" Rudy yelled. "Hold on Rudy." I said and grabbed a piece of sharp wood sticking out from the floor then jumped from the balcony onto the rope. "Why would you do that? Now we're both going to die!" Rudy exclaimed. "Calm down." I said and started moving back and forth causing the rope to swing back and forth, then started cutting the rope with the wood. "Jack, I don't want to die like this!" Rudy yelled. The rope dropped and we both got thrown into a wall across the other side of the warehouse. "Yes I'm alive! But ow, I think I broke some teeth." Rudy said getting up. I slowly got up, brushing myself off. "Thanks Jack, I appreciate." "No problem Rudy, I wouldn't let you die." We walked out of the warehouse and I looked around, that was weird.
Kim's POV
It was Friday, which meant time to dance with Noah. I smiled thinking of how much fun we'd have. This was the first good thing that had happened to me, since this whole black ski masked thing started. I opened my locker and put my books in there. "Hey, Kim can you help me with something?" Noah asked. "Sure, anything." "I need your help, someone stole my essay from my locker and I think I know who it is. The problem is it's all over the school's website. I need your help to get it back." "Noah, I'm not really a Tec person..." "It's alright you have the keys to the school right?" "Cause I was an ambassador for pep..." "Then you can help me." "Fine, but as long as it's for a good cause."
Jack's POV
As soon as school was over I rushed home and looked at the map. I needed to find Eddie tonight, or Kim and I did, but I doubt she'd help me considering she's going to the masquerade ball with Noah. It would be nearly impossible to find Eddie, considering he could be anywhere and it'd take me forever if I had to look everywhere. Wait a minute...I should've guessed this all along. Eddie would be somewhere at the masquerade ball, since everyone has to wear masks, I'm guessing the ski masked people would be there and the other people who are targeting us. That means I had to dress my best. Maybe even, impress Kim. I got on my tux and put on my Zorro mask I had from Halloween. Time to save Eddie.
Kim's POV
It was already eight thirty and Noah and I were still in the secretary's office. We snuck in after school and I used my key to get into the office but Noah's been on the laptop from five. "Hey Noah, you think you'll be done yet? We kind of have a dance to go too..." I said. "Yeah, I'll be finished soon." he said. That's what he said two hours ago. I sighed and looked around. I thought this night was going to turn out differently than I imagined. What was Noah doing so long on the laptop anyways? I stood up and slowly went behind me on the computer. There was a firewall and a loading sign that said 'Hacking into Schools database 78% complete' why would Noah hack the schools database. I remembered what Jack said, anyone who framed Milton would have to be a computer whiz and know the office. He already knew the office, he just needed a way to get in and Noah used me. I pushed the chair over Noah was sitting in and he looked up at me confused. "Why'd you do that?" "You framed Milton! You used me to do your dirty work. Wow, how could you? Anything else you want to confess too?" he smirked, "Kim what are you talking about?" he got up and put his arms around me. "Look, I'll stop all of this now and we'll go to the masquerade ball." he said. "Don't touch me." I said and flipped him over. "You framed my best friend. Let me guess you probably set my house on fire too?" he got up and sighed, "I was hoping it wouldn't have to be like this Kim. I really liked you." he said and tripped me; I fell forwards and got up. "Aren't you forgetting I'm a black belt in karate?" Noah smirked, "Me too." I raised my eyebrows. He started kicking at me and I ducked then grabbed his leg and flipped him over. He got up and threw punches; I blocked all of them then kicked him into the wall. If I was going to clear Milton's name I needed proof. I quickly took out my cell phone and called the police station then put the cell phone on the desk. "Don't ever mess with my friends again. I can't believe you framed Milton, when you were the one who crashed the schools database." I said loud enough for the phone to hear. He got up, looking like he was injured. "Well I did, you underestimated me Kim. You just thought I was Noah the basketball player, but I'm capable of other things." He grabbed my leg and flipped me backwards into the table. I felt like I just got shot. My leg was killing me. "Kim you put up a pretty good fight for a girl." "For a girl?" I yelled and got up then dropped kicked him. He smirked and threw me at the wall. "Give up Kim, I won. Jack's not going to be here to save you now." he said smirking.
When Noah untied my blindfold I was in a dark room. "Kim?" I turned and saw Eddie. "Eddie! You alright!" I smiled. "Yeah, but looks like they got you too huh?" "Yeah, can someone please tell me what's going on?" "What's going on Kim is you're under our control now." a voice echoed into the room. I felt ropes tied around my arms. Perfect. I reached for the nail filer in my back pocket then took it out and started cutting the ropes. "Now all we have to do is take out Jack..." the voice echoed. I tried cutting them faster, and faster. I needed to get out of here quickly and get Jack. The ropes finally broke and fell apart. I thought about it, I would have to get Eddie out of here too. I slowly listened and heard breathing, not coming from Eddie but coming from certain parts of the room. So there were people in here with us. Perfect, if I make a run for it and head out of here. They'll chase me right into the masquerade ball. I got up and dragged Eddie with his ropes out of the room. "Ouch, Kim!" Eddie yelled. "Sorry, trying to make a run for it." I said. "Here, use this." I said and handed him my nail filer. He started breaking himself out and I kept dragging him. "Uhm Kim, creeps are gaining on us!" Eddie yelled. The ropes snapped and he got up then started running. "Where are you going?" he asked. "The gymnasium. Do you have any idea what they're going to do to Jack?" "I overheard them planning to aim right at him, it's just I don't know with what. Kim this group is way more complicated than we thought. They were trying to split the wasabi warriors up and they still are so they can take us down one by one." Eddie said. I raised my eyebrow, which explains why they hit Jerry with a car, kidnapped Eddie and put Milton in jail. They were trying to figure out a way to split Jack and me up now. Eddie and I entered the gymnasium then ran into the crowd of people. "Let's split up and look for Jack, we need to warn him." I said to Eddie and he nodded. I walked towards the back of the gym looking for him. "Kim, there you are." I turned and saw Noah grabbing my wrist. "Don't touch me." I said. "Unless you want to cause a scene here, I think you'll stay quiet." he said. I smirked "You're forgetting, how crazy I am. I'd love to cause a scene." I said trying to get out of his grip. "Now for our king and queen of this masquerade ball." Mrs. Landon the English teacher said. "Our king for this annual masquerade ball is Noah Anderson!" the man announced on the microphone. The spotlight was on Noah and he looked around then walked onto the stage. Great, that was an easy way to get rid of him. I kept looking through the crowd for Jack. "And your queen for this annual masquerade ball is Kim Crawford." Mrs. Landon said. I looked around surprised. I slowly walked on stage, they put a small crown on my head and everyone cheered. I looked into the crowd and saw someone with a black ski mask on; they have a gun in their hand. I found Jack standing, talking to Donna Tobin. The ski masked person loaded the gun, looking like he was ready to aim. I quickly ran off stage and went towards Jack. "Hey-" Before he could talk I tackled him to the ground and looked up. The bullet went right into the wall. Jack looked up at me, "What just happened?" "Well the short story is, Noah framed Milton, I found Eddie and this new group that's targeting us is thing to split us up one by one so they can take us down. That's why Jerry's in the hospital, Milton's in jail and they kidnapped Eddie." I said. Jack's eyes widened, "Whoa." I nodded and got up, then looked around. The ski masked person was gone. Jack got up and brushed himself off. "Then why did you tackle me to the ground?" he asked. I pointed towards the gym wall. "That's why...that bullet would've killed you." he smiled, "Thanks Kim." he said and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back and smiled. "Can I have everyone's attention please?" We looked at the gym entrance and saw two policemen at the door. "What are wrong officers?" Mrs. Landon said walking towards them. "We are going to need Noah Anderson, he's under arrest for crashing the school's system, hacking into the schools system and framing Milton Crumpnick for his crime." the police officer said. "How'd you find out?" Noah asked. "We received a call; it had you admitting you framed Milton." Noah turned towards me angrily. I smiled and waved. The policemen locked him up in hand cuffs and took him away. "Alright, let's get this party back on track!" the DJ yelled and music started blasting. "I knew there was something up with Noah." Jack said. "Yeah, and now he's in jail. Nothing could possibly go wrong." I smiled. "Kimberly Crawford?" I turned around and saw two ladies dresses in nurse uniforms. "I'm sorry can I help you?" I asked. "Your mental state is critical, we are going to need you to come with us." the nurses said. "Mental state? What are you talking about?" Jack asked. "I don't know. Who put you up to this?" I asked looking at the two nurses. "Dr. Cobra is worried for your mental health and you need to come with us now." one nurse said. "Of course, Dr. Cobra. Jack this is just another set up to separate the wasabi warriors." I said. The nurses grabbed my arms and started pulling me out of the dance. I tried to get out of their grip but it was strong. "You can't take her away." Jack said. "We have the authority too, and you try to stop that and you'll be in jail young boy." one nurse said. Jack backed away slowly. "Jack, don't worry I'll get myself out of this." "Are you sure?" "I'll be fine." I said. The nurses dragged me out of the gymnasium and the school then into the parking lot. They put me into a black van. "Where am I going?" "To a mental illness treatment centre." "Just for overnight right?" "I'm afraid it's going to be for a while." the nurse said. When I said nothing could possibly go wrong, I didn't expect it to be challenged.