Chapter 14

Less than twenty-four hours ago, Headmaster Weathers put his entire school on lockdown. Extra precautions and security was up and running, parents were notified, and as of right now, no one was stepping outside the protective shield that was enclosing Elite High.

When the rest of the teams finally met up with Richard and them, Rachel successfully transported all sixteen of them back to the school. She'd even went as far as to transport them right outside the control room, where Cheshire, as promised, used the special antidote to break the spell on all entrances/exits.

Currently, Rachel was in the infirmary due to exhaustion. Gar was with her, waiting for her to wake up. He'd been worried about her even before she used a massive amount of energy and power to get them out of the cryptic woods.

Headmaster weathers immediately had security take Cheshire and lock her into a holding room. She had a bathroom, bed, and they'd even given her food. But she was still a threat and they still needed answers from her.

The rest of Richard and his friends were in a conference room, where Headmaster Weathers and some staff members were as well. There were immediate discussions as well as decisions that needed to be thought out. Since it was clearly spoken that the fifteen of them were in danger, they were now at the top of the safety list.

The group had showered, eaten, and was now sitting in the conference room in pajamas. They were exhausted, beaten, and really just wanted to sleep. Headmaster Weathers made it pretty clear to them that they had to sit it on this meeting when they'd arrived back at the school.

"We've decided to excuse Garfield Logan from this meeting. He made it pretty clear he wasn't leaving Miss Roth's side," Weathers explained at he sat down in his big leather chair at the end of the table.

"Can I be excused as well?" Wally asked. "I gotta take a crap."

"This is not a time for jokes, Mr. West," Weathers said. "We need to find out who the culprit is behind this sudden madness as well as who it is he is targeting. So far, we have nothing to go off of."

"Cheshire is still refusing to speak out about it, sir." Karen gave him a worried look. "She hasn't said a word since y'all locked her up."

Across from Karen, Roy sat biting his tongue. He was angry and wanted nothing more than to release Cheshire. She helped them; she didn't deserve to be locked up. However, a part of him could understand still seeing her as a threat.

"We need to get her to give us the answers we need," Weathers said. "She is the only thing we have right now that can lead us to our next step. We can't keep this school on lockdown forever. Parents are worried sick, our school is in danger, and the fact that she even managed to get inside our shield more than once just proves how much more stuff her mentor is capable of."

The group was silent. They knew their headmaster was right. He was one-hundred percent right and that whole fact scared them, needless to say. The only information they had right now was that there was a very powerful man out there targeting all of them and after specifically one of them.

"If the brat doesn't want to speak, we'll make her speak!" Coach Santos boasted as he smacked the inside of his palm with his fist.

Roy stood up immediately. "Like hell! She's still a human, she's just a teen!"

"Roy, calm down," Richard put a hand on his roommate's shoulder.

"She's a criminal, that's what she is! She's put all of you in danger!" Coach Santos retorted.

Jason piped up. "I agree with Coach. She's just as threatening as her mentor if she can't speak up. I say we rise to take more serious initiatives."

"I say you don't really have a say in this, Todd," Richard said. He looked over at Headmaster Weathers. "While we do need answers, we can't torture her to death. It's going above and beyond breaking everything Elite High stands for."

"Yeah but at this point, there's a possibility Elite High won't be here anymore if we can't get the information we need fast enough. We wait too long and who knows what could happen," Alain said from across Richard.

"I say we make her a student here, show her the ropes all while keeping a close eye on her. Maybe she'll grow to be more comfortable and then tell us what we need," Vic added.

Weathers sighed. "Unfortunately Mr. Stone, we don't have that kind of time. And to the ones who suggested extreme measures, I'm overruling that too." He narrowed his eyes at Coach Santos and Jason.

"So what's next as we wait for the info we need?" Toni asked.

Silence engulfed the room for a few seconds. Then Headmaster Weathers looked up and said, "The school will stay on lockdown for everyone's safety until further notice. As for you," he looked at Roy, "I'm sending you in to speak with Cheshire. Someone told me you guys have some kind of bond…"

Roy's eyes widened for a split second and her shut them. He scowled and said, "She's not going to tell me anything."

"Well as of right now, you're our only hope. Coach Hype will escort you to her room."

"And if I decline?" Roy asked.

Headmaster Weathers closed his eyes and sighed. "Mr. Harper, this isn't a time for ignorance and procrastination."

Roy mumbled something and crossed his arms. He stood up and begrudgingly followed Coach Hype out the doors.

"With all due respect Headmaster Weathers, I don't want to just sit here and wait for some girl to determine our next move," Richard said.

Weathers looked up and folded his hands neatly in front of him. "Unfortunately Richard, that is exactly what we're going to do until further notice. This meeting is adjourned. We will be keeping a close eye on all of you." He looked at the thirteen teens that were currently in the room.

A few moments of silence passed before everyone got up to leave. One by one they all left the conference room, feeling even more useless than when they'd arrived.

Richard was stumped. He came to this school to become faster, stronger, and smarter. He wanted to become the best of the bests. Now, with a huge target on their backs, and an even bigger problem centered around one maniacal man, he was just supposed to play the waiting game.

"Richard, would you like to-" Kori was cut off when he shrugged away from her.

"Not now, Kori." He stormed away, leaving Kori behind with a solemn expression.

She hung her head low and turned to walk the opposite way.

TT

Roy walked down the long hallway towards Cheshire's holding room. Coach Hype along with two security guards were behind him. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, clearly annoyed. He could think of a million other things he'd want to be doing right now.

But he had to admit the thought of seeing Cheshire made him the tiniest bit happy. Even though she was pretty much an enemy to everyone right now, he could feel in his heart that there was more to her than just darkness and hatred.

He really didn't want to talk to her just to get information out of her. It wasn't right. At least to him, it wasn't right. He was basically being asked to play nice and use his playboy ways on her to receive the answers they've been seeking.

When they finally reached the end of the hall, Cheshire's door was shut. A small screen was placed next to the knobless door. Coach Hype faced Roy before letting him in.

"Just so you know, you can't get in or out without my consent. I know this seems harsh, Roy, but the future of Elite High depends on this girl's truth. There is a camera in her room, but everything being said to one another can't be heard. We aren't allowed to eavesdrop, contrary to what you might think."

Roy stared at her, slightly surprised at her words. He would've thought they'd be in on the entire conversation. All he did was nod.

Coach Hype continued, "Be careful with your words and around her. She's still a threat, but for some reason Weathers thinks you have a connection with her." She placed her hand on the small screen next to the door and it slid open.

Roy slowly walked inside. It looked like a normal dorm room. It was a little chilly, but pretty bright. There was a desk, rug, bathroom, and a bed. The only thing different was the camera up in the corner and the fact that there wasn't a window.

Roy's eyes trailed to the bed. Cheshire was sitting criss-crossed on it, her back facing him. He saw her usual green kimono on the chair by the desk-and her mask. She didn't have it on. Instead, she was wearing a pair of black sweats and a plain white T-shirt.

His heart was pounding and he heard the door slide back shut. He didn't say anything for a minute. He was trying to process the fact that in a matter of seconds he was going to see Cheshire without her mask for the first time ever.

Please be hot. Roy's thoughts erupted into his mind. Not the priority right now, Roy!

As soon as he took his first step towards her, she spoke. "I know why they sent you in here."

Roy swallowed. He took another step and said, "Yeah, apparently we have a bond or something." He awkwardly laughed.

She didn't move from her spot. "I'm not going to tell you anything."

Roy inwardly groaned. He knew she would say that but he also knew if he couldn't get even the slightest bit of information out of her, Headmaster Weathers would continue to pester him about it.

"Cheshire-"

At that very moment, she turned around and it was as if Roy's world turned to slow motion. She made eye contact with him-actual eye contact-and he went weak in the knees. His mouth went slightly agape, for he had suddenly laid eyes on the most exotic and beautiful girl he'd ever seen in his life.

He almond-shaped eyes were a stunning serpentine green that held a certain glimmer to them. Her lips were plump and she had a nose that wasn't too big but wasn't too small. Her cheekbones were high, holding a natural blush to them. Her long black hair brought out the fairness in her porcelain skin. She was fascinating, alluring-angelic.

"I...I…" Roy was at a loss for words at he stared at her captivating beauty.

C'mon you idiot, say something! Is she Japanese? Vietnamese? Chinese? Dammit, Harper, focus!

"Don't act like I'm not the first Vietnamese girl you've seen in your lifetime." Cheshire rolled her eyes and stood up. "I'm not telling you anything so you can run back to your little master and tell him I said to kiss my-"

"Are you always this stubborn?" He asked, interrupting her sudden rant. "I'm not leaving until you start talking." He walked over and grabbed the desk chair. He was going to sit down in it but saw her green kimono. He picked it up and glanced on the inside tag.

Jade Nguyen was printed on the small tag. He furrowed his eyebrows and looked up at her. "Is your name Jade Nguyen?"

Her eyes went wide at the sound of her real name. She quickly yanked her dress from him and crossed her arms angrily. "What's it to you? It's just a name. Yours is Roy, mine is Jade, are we done here?"

Roy smirked and sat backwards on the chair right in front of her. "Not even close."

TT

About an hour passed since Roy set foot in Jade's room. At first, she'd been nothing but cold towards him and swore up and down she wasn't telling him anything. Now, he knew more about her personally than he even knew himself.

Jade Nguyen was a seventeen-year-old Vietnamese girl who'd grown up on her own most of her life. She had a rough childhood, and refused foster care. She liked being independent but the feeling of loneliness often ate at her. Jade hardly knew her parents and it was safe to say she hated them.

When she was about fifteen, Jade was founded by her mentor, who's identity she'd yet to tell Roy. He trained her to be the skilled assassin she was now. She claimed to be evil and to have nothing but hatred in her heart. Hatred and vengeance.

But Roy knew that was not all there was to Jade. Had she really been pure evil, she wouldn't be sitting in this very room with him telling him all about who she really was. That, and she may've spared his life a couple of times.

"I know you couldn't care less about who I am so I don't even know why I'm telling you," Jade said as she fiddled with her comforter on her bed.

Roy shook his head. "You have no idea how much I care. You think you know me, but you don't." He stared at her intensely, though she refused to make eye contact with him. "You're right, Jade, I do want you to tell me who your psychotic mentor was and who the person he's after is, but I want to know that so I know how to keep not only my friends safe, but also you."

Jade snapped her head up and looked at him. Her eyes were clearly full of surprise at his sudden words and when she spoke, it was barely above a whisper. "Why are you so fixated on me?"

"You're not like the other girls." He laughed lightly. "I know that sounds cliche but it's the truth. I've never had a girl literally try and kill me so many times," he joked.

Jade laughed out loud and hit him playfully. "Shut up. I could still kill you you know."

"I trust you." He held her gaze for a moment and reached up to brush back a strand of her hair. When his fingers grazed her soft skin, it was as if electricity surged through him.

Jade's face flushed red and she looked away. She was suddenly filled with guilt. She said, "I'm not...good, Roy. If you or anyone are affiliated with me in any good way then my mentor will stop at nothing to hurt any of you."

Roy laid a hand on her knee. "Jade, I know you're scared but you have to let us in on everything you know. You have to or else we'll be in even more danger than we are now."

"I'm not weak, and I will not be held captive for being strong. I need to get out of here and run before-before-" Jade stood up and felt panic rising in her. The sudden image of her mentor smacking her across the face appeared in her mind. She bit down on her lip.

Roy stood up with her and clenched his fists. "Help us and we can help you."

Jade shook her head. "No. The answer is no. He'll kill me." She sat back down on her bed and hung her head low. "He will kill me."

"No," Roy said as he sat next to her. He grasped her hand in his and looked into her tear-filled eyes. "I will protect you no matter what. I swear it, Jade Nguyen."

A tear fell from her eye and she shook her head vigorously. "You don't even know me, Roy. How can you make such a promise? Why are you so nice to me?"

"Why do I need a reason to be nice to someone?" Roy could barely recognize his own words. This girl was changing everything about him and he'd only known her for a few weeks. "I will continue to tell you this until you yourself realize it; there is good in you."

"Roy, I...I'm scared." She let more tears fall from her eyes. "You don't know what he's capable of, you don't know the kind of person you guys will be dealing with."

Roy grasped both of her hands in his and squeezed them slightly. "Then tell me, Jade. Tell me and I promise you we will end this man and his wicked ways. You need to tell me what you know."

Jade looked up at him with fearful eyes. She didn't say anything for a few moments. Her eyes scanned his for any hint of deceit. As much as she told herself she didn't trust Roy, she felt the safest when around him. He was the only person who made her feel at home.

And she'd never had a place to call home.

Jade took a deep breath and when she spoke, her words quivered. "His n-name." She was so quiet, Roy had to lean in closer to hear her. "His name is Slade Wilson."

TT

Rachel laid peacefully on the infirmary bed. Her breathing was steady, pulse was normal, and blood pressure was perfect. She was getting the rest she desperately needed after the amount of energy and power she'd used for the greater good.

As she was sleeping, a certain blonde-haired boy was at her side in a chair drooling a massive amount of saliva on his shirt. He was snoring and looked incredibly uncomfortable in the small chair. The nurse came in many times to ask if he needed anything or if he wanted her to let him know when Rachel woke up, but he'd declined each time.

Rachel didn't even know Gar was at her side. Her mind was full of darkness. The only thing she saw was herself meditating, repeating her mantra over and over again. She was slowly healing herself in many ways.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos."

Rachel floated cross-legged in her blank mind meditating peacefully. She took deep breaths and could feel the energy flowing back into her body.

All was good in her empty yet peaceful mind. She didn't need to think happy thoughts whenever she was alone like this; being alone was her forte. The only thing in her mind was herself and a white glow that, to her, symbolized tranquility.

Suddenly, her calm peace of mind began fading away. The white glow was replaced with fiery red flames and steamy black stones that seemed to laugh with smoke. Bubbling lava was beneath her, mocking her as if daring her to stop floating long enough for it to eat her up.

Rachel stopped meditating, but she kept her sense of flight. She avoided the ground below. She looked around in panic, wondering why all of a sudden she was in such a nightmare. A jet black crow flew around her and chirped loudly. She dodged it and began breathing heavily.

She was utterly confused, and wanted nothing more than to wake up. She squeezed her eyes shut hoping it would eventually jolt her awake, but nothing happened. She began to fly to nowhere specific, thinking maybe it'll lead her out of this nightmare world.

The lava beneath her bubbled and piped up. The rocks slowly moved, some disappearing under that toxic liquid. Flashed of red and black obscured her vision. Rachel trembled, knowing she was all in one afraid.

She stopped flying and desperately looked around for a way out. She shut her eyes one last time and begged herself to wake up. When she opened them, she was relieved to see the graphic lava scene gone.

Instead, everything was just black. Everything was silent. The only thing she could hear was herself breathing.

All of a sudden, a masculine face of pure red appeared in her mind, its four red eyes in slits. It's white hair flowed all around itself and its teeth were as sharp as glass. The demonic creature screamed in Rachel's mind and her real-life self shook terrible but did not wake.

The demonic creature smiled maniacally in her mind. "I'm back," it said. "And I'm here to claim what's mine."

Rachel jolted awake and sat up in the bed. She was drenched in sweat and could hardly catch her breath. She wasn't even curious as to why Gar, who was now awake and tending to her sudden alertness, was by her side. She shook her head and a wave of emotions passed through her.

Rachel never cried, but the only thing she could feel were tears stinging in her eyes. Next to her, Gar was repeatedly asking what was wrong, trying to offer her any form of comfort. Rachel shook her head vigorously and only said one thing-

"Trigon."

TT

Secrets have been revealed! Stay tuned, things are just starting to heat up! Please REVIEW! xoxo