Author note: Well then, I finally found some time to update, so hurray for me! Anyways, I went to the funeral home Wed. and didn't expect to see Clyde Pickler, Kellie Pickler's grandfather. Apparently he worked with my uncle, so you know, that's pretty cool. Anyhow, enough of my babbling, here's this chapter.
The room suddenly became dark as the shadows consumed everything. Whispers echoed off the walls, a mess of confusion easily sensed. Chairs screeched against the floor as people flew to their feet; mainly the ones with a pathological fear of darkness.
I slid out of my chair and could see the dark figures of my friends rise as well, following whatever they could see of me. I tiptoed as silently as possible towards the front of the room, towards Ned. I held my hand behind my back as someone slipped a sharp knife into it, the blade shimmering brightly.
I clutched it tightly as Ned rose to his feet, obviously confused as well. I licked at my lips as I brought the knife forward towards his skull, and suddenly the lights turned back on.
Everyone's eyes landed on me, standing in the front of the room getting ready to thrust a knife in Ned's head.
"What in God's name?" a man yelled, rising to his feet.
Ned just stared at me with daring eyes as he reached out and clutched my wrist tightly.
"Please do not be alarmed, ladies and gentlemen," Ned began, "Miss. Parker here is simply one of our mentally challenged students. She doesn't have a clue as to what she is doing."
With his free hand Ned grabbed the knife and it slid out of my fingers. I watched as he set it down on the table and motioned for his men – or in everyone else's case, the 'teachers'- to come forth.
"Could you please take Miss. Parker and her friends to their rooms?" Ned asked.
The men obeyed and one grabbed my arm as the others began to escort Stephen, Erica and Cadince out of the room. I looked in Trey's direction. Without being noticed by a single soul he quickly sent me a short wink, and then we were out the door.
The men became rougher as we entered the hall, and they began to drag us in another direction. We weren't headed to our rooms, but to the dungeons.
A man opened one of the doors and all four of us were thrown in. And, not to my surprise, Ned showed up afterwards. He entered our small cell and reached into his pocket.
"Don't worry," he said, bringing out two needles, "you won't feel a thing."
He injected them both into my body, and he was right, I didn't feel a thing. I smirked as he moved away, my little deed already done, and blacked out, but not before watching my friends being injected as well.
"Hush little darlin', don't you cry, mommy will be here by and by…"
I lay silently in my bed as I watched my mother sing peacefully to my baby brother, rocking back and forth in her chair. Her eyes were closed as she held on tightly to Kaiden, daring someone to try and take him away.
"Baby darling don't you worry, nobody is here to hurt you…"
I pulled my blanket close and stared at the candle flickering on the nightstand, casting shadows upon mother. Her nightdress fell to her feet, and the blanket tightly wrapped around Kaiden fell over her arms.
Her face held a worried look, worried for her children. She didn't know what was in stored for them in the future…
"Mommy loves you, yes she does, so don't you ever worry…"
I didn't want Kaiden to have all the attention. I wanted to be wrapped tightly in mother's arms as she sung me the lullaby…but I was too old.
Mother opened her eyes and planted a tender kiss upon my baby brother's forehead, a tear traveling down her cheek. I didn't ask her why she was crying, because I was too caught up in the moment.
She rose out of her chair and made her way to Kaiden's crib, gently lying him down.
"Goodnight, my sweet angel," she whispered.
She turned towards me and walked towards my bed. "And goodnight, my little princess," she said, kissing my forehead.
"Night, mommy," I said back.
She smiled briefly before turning away and walking towards the door, picking up the candle on her way. She gave me one last glance before leaving the room.
My eyes fell shut and I allowed myself to float into a sweet slumber. That was, until, the slam of a door woke me with a jolt…
I rose suddenly with a short gasp. I took in my surroundings and noticed that I was back in my bed, in mine and Erica's room.
I ran my fingers through my hair and pushed the sheets away from my body. I didn't feel weak or unstable, I actually felt normal.
Erica slept soundlessly in her bed, breathing lightly. I got to my feet and shuffled around the room, pulling on my regular clothing. Before I reached for the door, a little note on the floor caught my attention.
I skeptically picked it up, and opened it.
"A test for Miss. Cassidy and Mr. Cromwell will take place this morning at 9:00," I read to myself.
I rolled my eyes and laid the note down on the nightstand, figuring Erica would see it. I left the room, remembering my meeting with Spot and Blade.
My walk to Joy's Diner seemed to take ages. Spot and Blade were standing outside, talking to each other, not even noticing my arrival.
"Boys," I said, grabbing their attention.
"Anomie," said Spot, turning towards me. "So, what exactly are we doing heah?"
"I'll explain everything inside," I said, motioning towards the door.
"Okay, but Jacky-boy is heah," Spot said, walking into the diner.
Jack sat at one of the tables, drumming his fingers on the wood. He looked up and grinned, greeting us with a nod.
"Well I guess I'll have to tell you too," I said, sitting down in one of the chairs.
"Tell me what?" Jack asked, looking over to Spot.
Spot shrugged and all three boys settled their eyes on me.
"God, I don't know how to explain this," I said, rubbing my chin.
Spot smirked and leaned his elbows on the table. "Is dis gonna be a story?" he asked.
"You can say that," I said.
"Is it long?" asked Blade.
"Depends," I said. "Now be quiet so I can tell you."
I took in a deep breath… Well, here goes everything…
"You see, everything Brooklyn thought we were is a lie. Students to a boarding school for boys and girls, but that's not what it really is…"
"What is it?" Jack interrupted me.
The three boys took in the doubtful look on my face. "A school of survival…"
I stopped talking and furrowed my eyebrows as Stephen and Erica ran out in front of the diner. The two of them bent over to breathe, but passed out…
I jumped to my feet and ran towards the door, not knowing what was going on.
Author note: Well, I tried to think up something the past few days for this chapter, because I didn't know how to start it. Hopefully it's good.
