Chapter 6
Cassandra looked over at Akira. He was staring at the ground, wide eyed, as if in shock from what happened. He can't brake... Wait! Cassandra looked at the huge dark abyss in front of her. She looked across from her and stared with such force at the wall on the other side. That's when she saw it. A small little ledge with a small little handle above the ledge. Cassandra smirked. I figured out their trick. Cassandra ran over to Akira and jerked him off the floor. He looked at her surprised. His hair flew up for only seconds, but just long enough so Cassandra could see the tears that were starting to form in the corner of his eyes. Cassandra gave Akira a smiled while her eyebrows pointed inward. She pulled Akira to the abyss and pointed at the small handle and ledge. Akira looked at where Cassandra was pointing.
"AH!" Akira stared at the ledge and handle with his mouth opened in a gasp. Cassandra nodded her head.
"Yea Akira." Akira stood still as he stared at the ledge and handle. Atsuo walked up and stood next to Cassandra. He looked at her with one eyebrow raised.
"Care to explain to us?" Cassandra whipped around and faced everyone. She got a cocky smile on her face. She raised her pointer finger up to her face.
"Trickery." She said as if it was a well-known fact.
"What?" Atsuo looked at her confused, like everyone else did.
"Security used as trickery. Security is the flaw in Akira's instincts. Give him security and the instincts fail. They gave him the false sense of security; while telling him the truth though." Cassandra crossed her arms over her chest. She closed her eyes as the higher-up's plan washed over her. "In truth we have reached the end." She nodded her head at the ledge and hatch. "Over there it a small ledge and above that ledge is a hatch that opens up a door to the end." Cassandra held up her pointer finger again, eyes still closed. "Akira's instincts tell him if something bad is going to happen. Akira is most likely always on his toes even when he seems calm. When he saw the 'end' he let his guard down some. Well he was fooled by the ending, but his-"Cassandra opened her eyes "- his instincts weren't" Akio took a step closer to Cassandra.
"Cassandra… He still didn't know that the floor was going to give out." Cassandra nodded her head as if agreeing with Akio. She pointed at Akio.
"Exactly! His instincts were right on, but when he let down his guard it clouded his instincts! In a way because he had his guard down he couldn't feel what his instincts were telling him! But he was still right! The ending is still there! What the Higher ups did was cloud his judgment and tell the truth." Fusao looked at Akira, who was still staring at the ledge and hatch.
"Is it true Akira?" Akira looked at him with a frown.
"Yes, yes it is. When I thought we had reached the end I felt at ease. All through this course I was on end, then when I thought we had reached the end…well." Chioukichi landed a hand on Akira's shoulder. Akira looked at him.
"Hey it's ok. We know why it happened and now how to fix it." He smiled as he looked at everyone else. "Now, why not we finish this course!" Chioukichi threw his fist in the air. "YEA!"
"One problem. How are we going to reach the ledge?" Chioukichi fell over slightly at Akira's comment. He looked at him.
"Trying to help you here." Akira nodded his head.
"I understand that, but the ledge is too small to jump on and too far to jump over to. Even if you're trying to help me we can't reach the end no matter what."
"Akira you may be smart, but sometimes you have your moments." Everyone looked at Souta. Souta smiled at them. "We can make stuff remember?" Cassandra could feel a huge smile spread across her face when she remembered what they had told her earlier. You could make anything, even from dirt, as long as you know the properties of it. Cassandra looked around and saw that everyone else was remembering also.
"That's right." Fusao smiled. He looked at Chioukichi. "Think you could make that rope again?" Chioukichi smiled at him.
"Yep." He looked at Kei. "Come help me gather some of the rocks from the wall." Kei stiffed slightly then relaxed.
"Sure!" The two ran off. Fusao looked at everyone after watching them disappear.
"So while those two get our supplies, and make a rope lets figure out how we're going to do this." Fusao looked around. Akio raised his hand. Fusao smiled as he nodded his head at him.
"Well, if we get a grappling hook it could grab onto the ledge and we could crawl on it- upside down."
"But that ledge is so small will it grab onto it." Kuya stared at the ledge intensely. "Even if it does hold onto something they how do we know if it'll stay?"
"Why wouldn't?" Cassandra had to keep herself for hitting her forehead at Atsuo's question. Well he wants to be an airhead. Cassandra saw all the guys sigh.
"Because the ledge is so small, even if it hangs on, there no guarantee that it will hold one of our weights." Atsuo smiled an apologetic smile at them all then looked at the ledge. He frowned at it as if he saw something that the others didn't. When the guys started to talk again -tossing ideas back and forth- Atsuo mumbled under his breath.
"It could hold our weight." Cassandra looked at Atsuo with one eyebrow raised.
"It could?" Cassandra turned around and also stared at the ledge. Atsuo got a knowing smile on his face.
"Yes it could." Cassandra raised both her eyebrows and squished them together as she peered at the ledge. She looked at him with the same look she had as when she looked at the ledge.
"How? It's too little." Atsuo nodded his head, still looking at the ledge. She turned and looked at her and saw the look on her face. He squished his lips together to keep form laughing. He quickly turned back and looked at the ledge. Cassandra reached up with her right hand to help her face relax. When it was she asked him again. "How, Atsuo?"
"On the wall there's a little hole. Just big enough for the grappling hook to hold onto."
"Even if it does get in that little hole it might be too shallow of a hole to hold the hook. " Cassandra spoke as if she wasn't sure if what Atsuo was saying wasn't true. Atsuo smiled and shook his head slightly.
"Nope it'll hold it."
"How do you know?"
"I'm guessing you can't see the hole, am I right?" Cassandra glanced at him. When he started to talk about the hole she started to stare furiously at the ledge. She slowly nodded her head, still staring at the ledge. At the corner of her eye Cassandra saw Atsuo look at her and smile. "Being how you can't see the hole then you can see how deep the hole is." Cassandra looked at him.
"Ok let's say that this hole could hold our weight and wouldn't let the hook go, how do you know we can make it? I mean, I've been staring at that ledge for a while and still can't see that hole you're talking about so how can anyone get the hook into the hole?" Atsuo smiled at her again as he looked at her. He held up his right hand pointer finer and pointed it at the ceiling.
"That's why Chioukichi should throw it."
"WHAT!" Cassandra and Atsuo looked at Souta. Everyone was looking at them- more at Atsuo- with surprised and angered expression. Souta took a step toward them. "We're trying to figure out who should throw the grappling hook and you suggest Chioukichi- how has the worst aim out of all of us!"
"But he has the strongest amount of luck. That's why he should it." Everyone stared at Atsuo. Cassandra guessed that the reason why was because Atsuo usually didn't say anything smart.
"No, Chioukichi has the worst amount of luck."
"Uh Souta, aren't you the one that said that his good luck comes out when it truly matters?" Souta glared so hard at Akio's smug face that Cassandra swore she saw fire shoot out of them.
"Akio." Souta said his name in a warning tone.
"So being how this MATTERS he should be able to get a spot on the ledge that will hold the grapping hook and our weight." Souta glared at Akio until Kuya placed a hand on his arm. Souta looked at him, sighed and leaned up against the wall with his arms crossed. Cassandra had to fight to keep from smiling. At that moment a memory popped in her head. It was the first night she had spent there. Kuya had woke her up because he thought she had died and didn't come back to life. When she wondered if Kuya would get in trouble getting caught in her bed Kuya smiled and said that Fusao knew that he wouldn't do anything to her. Does that mean Fusao knows that Kuya's gay? Does everyone else know… Does Souta know?... Then why- Cassandra's thoughts were cut off by the sound of Kei and Chioukichi.
"Hey guys look at all these rocks!" Everyone looked at Chioukichi and Kei, who were running back with arm full of rocks. They stopped when they saw all the looks on everyone faces. They all were staring at Chioukichi with looks of dread and despair. He took a step back getting an uneasy look to his face. "What's going on?"
"You're going to throw the grappling hook, which we're going to create, onto the ledge." Chioukichi stared at Akio wide eyed. Cassandra could tell that he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Uh, Akio you do realize that I have the worst aim out of all of us?" Akio nodded his head. At that moment he got a dark shadow across his face and lighting shot out of his eyes.
"But your luck is the best out of all of us." Chioukichi flinched slightly at the sudden change on Akio's face. Fusao sighed.
"There's no stopping Akio once he's made up his mind. And his mind says that you're throwing the grappling hook." Fusao walked up to Chioukichi and got a hand full of rocks. He closed his eyes as he held the rocks in his hands. Cassandra watched the rocks hoping to see them change. She blinked. After she blinked a grappling hook was in Fusao's hand. Cassandra blinked several times, amazed. She reached up her hands and started to rub her eyes as Chioukichi tried once again to talk his way out of doing anything.
"Y-yea, but my luck only comes out when it matters." Fusao walked up to Chioukichi and took his rope from him. He smiled at Chioukichi as he started to connect the grappling hook and rope together.
"This really matters Chioukichi." Fusao walked up to Chioukichi and handed him the rope. "So your luck will work… Or so we hope."
"Thanks Fusao." Cassandra could feel the sarcasm in Chioukichi's voice like heat waves. Chioukichi dropped his rocks and walked over to the ledge next to Cassandra. He gave an uneasy smile to her and Atsuo. "You guys might want to step back. Atsuo, make sure I do hit her." Atsuo nodded his head and pulled Cassandra back by grabbing her by the shoulders. Just before he let go of them he leaned down and whispered in Cassandra's ear.
"Be ready to witness what science and logic can never prove." Cassandra turned her head slightly to where she could see Atsuo out of the corner of her eye. Atsuo was smirking a knowing smile. Chioukichi started to spin the grappling hook around in a circle on his right side. Cassandra could see the sweat start to form on his forehead.
"Are you guys sure you should be making me do this?" Chioukichi glanced back at everyone wanting them to speak up and stop him. "I could miss by a long shot and lose the grabbling hook and the rope." Still, no one spoke. Chioukichi took a deep breath.
"Come on luck. Kick in." Atsuo said under his breath talking to Chioukichi's luck. Cassandra saw Chioukichi take a deep breath then toss the hook with his eyes closed.
"CHOUKICHI! Why did you have your eyes closed!" Souta took a step toward Chioukichi, who didn't open his eyes to look at Souta. The hook flew in the air with the rope trailing behind it. Chioukichi held on to the end of the rope with all his might. The hook hit the wall and Chioukichi yanked on the rope and the hook got caught in the hole that Atsuo saw. Everyone stared at the hook and where it was caught with disbelief on their faces. Fusao slowly walked up to Chioukichi and took the rope from him, not losing eye contact with the spot where the hook was. He yanked on the rope, trying to see if the hook was really secure. The rope pulled tight but the hook did not budge. Everyone stared flabbergasted at Chioukichi. Cassandra could tell his mind was trying to processes how he succeeds something that great.
"H-how?" Chioukichi couldn't get that single word without his voice shaking. Fusao shook his head slightly.
"I-I don't know, but it looks like Atsuo was right." Everyone looked at Atsuo and Cassandra saw him flinch a little, realizing that he basically told them that he was smart.
"Just a good guess?" No looked away from him after he spoke. "To be honest it was a joke suggesting Chioukichi. I still can't believe you guys believed me."
"Your right… But it looks like listening to you worked this time." Atsuo let out a tiny breath of relief when Akio spoke.
"Wait so you guys listened to Atsuo?" Chioukichi looked around at everyone. Kazuya waved him off.
"Chioukichi it is wrong to question a man's guess. It destroys his honor."
"Even if his guess is wrong to began with?" Kazuya shot a glare at Kei for a split second then walked over and took the rope from Fusao.
"I'll hold onto the rope and find a good place to tie it for when someone goes across."
"That's right!" Akio made his right hand into a fist and slammed it into the palm of his left hand. "We still need to pick someone to go across." They all looked at each other as if waiting for one of them to volunteer. Kuya took a step toward the group. Before he spoke Cassandra saw the shock and panic in Souta's eyes. Cassandra didn't know why the two feelings showed in his eyes, but she could tell that Souta didn't want Kuya to go across. She didn't want him to either. She didn't want any of them to go across, but herself.
"I'll g-"
"I volunteer to go across!" Cassandra said raising her voice to where it cut off Kuya. All the guys looked at her but she didn't back down. "I'll do it. I'm the smallest out of all of us, which means I weigh the less." They all stared at her, surprised that she had volunteered.
"You sure, Cassandra?" Akira looked at her as she pushed up his glasses with his middle finger. Cassandra nodded her head with determination on her face.
"I'm sure." Chioukichi sighed loudly, causing everyone to look at him, and scratched the back of his head.
"Something tells me we won't be able to stop you." He smiled at her. "Just give a us second to find a place to tie the rope onto." Chioukichi walked over to Kazuya and he nodded his head, understanding what Chioukichi meant. The two started to look for a place to wrap the rope around and tie it tight. Fusao walked up to Cassandra. He looked her up and down then turned around and called to Akio. Akio walked up to them and stood next to Fusao.
"Akio have you checked Cassandra's muscles yet?" Akio got a look on his face that showed he had just realized something.
"NO I HAVEN'T!" Akio quickly started to check Cassandra over. He dropped to his knees and started to check the cut on her leg. "Damn." He looked up at Cassandra. Cassandra could see a look at a doctor would have on his face. "Your cut-" He looks at her leg again "It's slightly coming open. Fusao get me some roc-"
"Beat you there" Cassandra looked up form Akio and saw Kei sanding in front of her. He was grinning from ear to ear, his arms still full of rocks. "Thought you might need these before anyone else, Akio." Akio smiled a grateful smile at Kei and took a few small rocks.
"I'm going to use some of these to make a bandage. I don't know the full properties to the strong bandages so you're going to get some cheep bandages wrapped around my legs." Akio paused a moment and closed his eyes. Cassandra stared at the tinny rocks hoping to see them changed. She blinked again and missed the change. My word! Why do I keep blinking! Akio took the bandages and started to wrap them around her leg.
"Think they'll stay, Akio?" Cassandra looked to her left and saw Atsuo. She had forgotten that he was even there.
"I hope so. Try not to tense your body up to much or it'll make the bandage lose." Cassandra nodded her head; fully understanding what Akio was saying, but not sure if she wouldn't be able to do it. Akio stood up and dusted off his legs. "that should do it." He turned around and called to Chioukichi. "Are you guys ready to go?" Cassandra looked at Chioukichi and Kazuya.
The two had found a hole on the cave wall and worked the rope through the hole. They had the rope going in and out of the hole about three times then Kazuya was also holding on to the rope. The two looked at Akio. Akio gave them a thumbs up. Chioukichi smiled and walked over to them.
"Ready to go Cassandra?" She nodded her head and Chioukichi let her to the rope that was pulled tightly over the floor. "So hold onto this. Try to crawl across it underneath. I wouldn't suggest just going across by holding onto the rope with your hands." Cassandra nodded her head.
"Got it." She grabbed onto the rope near the edge and laid on the floor. She swung her legs crisscross on the rope and started to shimmy down the rope.
"Alright boys, lets hold this rope steady!" Cassandra looked back at where everyone was standing and saw them all holding onto the rope. She smiled to herself and started to pull herself along.
She realized quickly that the distance between the ledges were longer than she thought. She could feel blood quickly run to her head every time she put her head upside down to look at the ledge. It was hard for her to keep her head up, though. She felt like she was wasting energy trying to keep her head up, but she had to do it that way she wouldn't start to feel light headed and lose her grip on the rope. As she inched along her body started to ach from where Hinata had to punish her. Suck it up! You have to do this! Cassandra continued to pull herself along, tensing up her muscles to keep from losing her grip.
"Cassandra! The bandage!" Cassandra paused a moment and looked at her leg. The bandage was slowly ripping. Blood started to come out of her wound.
"Sorry, Akio." Cassandra said quickly, trying not to waste her energy. She continued forward without stopping. She was almost to the other ledge. She smile to herself. Almost there. She went along just a little farther before she reached the ledge.
When she reached the ledge she realized that it was too small to stand on. She looked at the wall and saw the hatch. I could pull on the hatch and open the door, but that still wouldn't work... Maybe there's a- Ah ha! Cassandra spotted a rock that jutted out of the wall weirdly. It looked fake compared to the wall. Cassandra knew this had to be a button. She didn't know what it did, but she prayed that it was good. She pushed it.
One again she heard the sound of air releasing from a small hole. The wall started to shake slightly as she started to hear the sound of machines moving. When the wall stopped shaking something metal started to come out from under her. She could tell that it was a bridge. She watched the bridge extended to the other side. When it connected to the other ledge Cassandra slowly let go of the rope. She let go of the rope with her legs first and tested the bridge. When she was sure that it would hold her up she slowly let go of the rope and stood. Behind her the guys started to come across the bridge.
"Yea!" Kei held up his hand for a high-five. when Cassandra hit it he spoke again. "Way to go Cassandra!"
"Now open that door!" Chioukichi yelled from behind everyone. Cassandra grinned from ear to ear as she placed her hand on the hatch. The wall started to move in front of her. She pulled on the hatch until it wouldn't open any more. In font of them laid a white room like the one that they saw only minutes earlier. Cassandra, with caution, walked into the room, taking each step slowly and softly. After she was sure it was clear and safe she waved for everyone else to follow. They all quickly filed into the room. The door swiftly closed behind them. Another opened in front of them and a higher up walked through. His face was blocked by a shadow casted by his hat.
"To slow! You must complete it faster!" He pointed his thumb behind him at the door he entered through. "Now, leave for lunch!" Before any of them could move a voice filled the room that caused icicles to grow on the walls. Terror shot through Cassandra like a fire through a forest.
"Well done, Classroom ten. I saw most of you did not fall prey to my trap." The memory to the trick ending flash through all of their minds. "But, truth be told, I don't really care at all that your all still alive. " There was a pause so that the words could sink in. "47. I would like to see you here in my office." Cassandra was trying to figure out who she was talking about until she saw everyone staring at her wide eyed.
"Oh! Is he talking to me?" Cassandra looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath. "SCREW YOU! I'M NOT COMEING!" Cassandra smirked until she saw laser beams shoot all across the room.
"Don't touch them," she heard Akira yell, with panic, from behind her. "They're not fake! Touch them and it'll burn like the sun."
"That your right 27. These are real. I'm controlling them right now. If 47 does not come right now then I'll cut you all in half."
"Ha! I don't believe you!"
"Chioukichi! Shut-up!" Cassandra saw Fusao hiss behind him out of the corner of her eye.
"Why should I Fusao? He needs us. We're the only ones like us here." A booming laugh quickly filled the room after Chioukichi spoke again. The laugh made a shiver run down all their backs.
"Oh, 14, you can't get even more ignorant. I don't need you. There are several more out there in the world of the living. Several like you. The only problem we would have is that it would take a while to gather everyone with all of your talents. Now. 47. You will come here to my office or I will kill you all." A thought occurred to Cassandra.
"I thought we couldn't die?
"We can't... But if he keeps the lasers on our hearts we will eventually die."
"Once again, your right 27. So I will only say it one more time 47. Either come or die." Cassandra thought for a moment then swallowed.
"Fine. I'll go."
"Good." The lasers clicked away. "The commander to your classroom will show you the way." Hinata stepped into the room with a cold stare.
"Come 47." The turned on his heel and started to walk off, without checking to see if Cassandra was following. That pissed her off but she followed him. Before she left the room she turned around and looked at everyone. Chioukichi, Kei and Akio gave her a thumbs up, Fusao and Kazuya gave her an encouraging nod, Atsuo and Akira gave her a nervous smile, Kuya gave her a sweet, yet nervous, smile, and Souta gave her a hard encouraging stare. For some reason, Cassandra felt like the stare from Souta was the most comforting. She smiled back at them all and gave a half heart wave. She turned her head to the front and heard the door close behind her with a 'swoosh'.
Cassandra followed several feet behind Hinata, not making a move to catch up. She planted her eyes firmly on his back glaring at him. She knew she had to keep up an act and that she owed a thanks to him for telling her what was going to happen, but she couldn't help but blame him for all that had happened in the course. She couldn't help but distrust him. She guess the reason why was because he had tricked her so many times before. No that's not it... It's something else... Maybe it's this place...
They reached an elevator and Hinata placed his hand flat against the wall. Cassandra guess it was for a hand print. She gave a little laugh. Just like the movies. Hinata took a step to the side as the door slid open. Cassandra walked into the elevator and coolly turned around. Hinata followed in after her and sharply turn on his heels. He pushed one of the buttons on the wall and the doors smoothly slid close. Hinata moved his arms behind his back and held his left wrist in his right hand. The back of his left hand was placed in the palm of his right hand. He suddenly curled all of his fingers but his pointer finger. He pointed his uncurled finger upward. Cassandra knew the sign.
Wait.
Cassandra's father had used that signal several times on her when she was young. She knew it by heart. She didn't know why or how Hinata knew it but she knew it also promised and explanation. The nodded her head ever so slightly, as if Hinata could really see it. She guessed that he did for he uncurled the rest of his fingers and let them fall limp. Both of them stood in silence, not moving an inch, until the elevator stopped moving and the doors slid open.
"I feel I must warn you 47. The General will not take kindly to your sharp attitude." Hinata turned his head slightly to where Cassandra could see his left eye. His purple eyes only showed coldness. "I suggest you learn some manners quick." Hinata face forward and started to walk straight. Cassandra stuck out her tongue at him that of an action like a child then followed him.
They walked down a single hallway for what seemed like forever to Cassandra before they finally reached a door. Cassandra could see the door a mile away, though, for it was painted a cherry red. It was like the elephant in the room, being surrounded by nothing but white walls. The red was almost blinding to Cassandra. Hinata easily reached for the golden knob on the door, not fazed by the sudden bright colors. He smoothly and easily opened the door and revealed an equally bright room that matched the door. Cassandra had to take a moment to rub her eyes before she walked into the room. When she did the door closed behind her making her flinch slightly. She took a deep breath then finally decided to take a look around the room.
The walls were painted a deep red with a lighter red curtain along the wall that was golden tassel. The curtains added an effect to the walls, an almost scary and menacing effect. In the middle of the room was a large, glass, an oval shape coffee table. On both the left and right sides of the table were golden love seats. In front of the table, its back facing Cassandra was an enormous couch. On the other side of the table, away from it by a few yards, was a slick, dark, solid wood desk. Cassandra could tell that it was made of pure oak. Behind the desk sat the made that called Cassandra there. The General.
He had his face facing his desk writing on papers with a pen, wearing glasses. His dark brown skin seemed out of place in the red room, yet fit so perfectly. His hair was short and black fuzz. Normally Cassandra would want to pet the fuzz, but knew that this would not be a good idea at the moment. His hand smoothly went across each paper without making a flaw. His Black suit looked like that of a typical evil villain. But he's not like the typical villain. He seems more dangerous. Hinata cleared his throat and the General finally spoke, without looking up at them.
"You may sit down." Cassandra took the offer and walked over to plop down on the couch in front of the table and desk. When she did sit down on the couch he spread her arms along the back of the couch and gazed upon the General. Hinata walked over and stood next to the couch. He kept arms behind his back.
"I have brought number 47, sir." The General clicked his pen, pulled of his glasses and looked up at Hinata. He waved him off then looked at Cassandra with a devilish look. Cassandra could see the evil wheels in his head turning. She knew she had to be on her toes.
"So, 47-"
"Sir, before we start I would like to be called Cassandra, for that is the name my mother and father gave me, and defines who I am." The general stared at Cassandra with a blank expression then smirked.
"I see you are stronger that the higher ups think. I can see in your eyes a fighting spirit. One that will never back down. I can also see that we will never get anywhere unless I lower my walls some." The General gave a dark chuckle that sent shivers down Cassandra's back. She hoped he did not notice. He leaned back in his chair, resting his left arm on the arm rest and his right elbow on the other arm rest, allowing him to put his hand to his face. "I will agree to your one demand." Cassadnra nodded her head, feeling her head getting bigger.
"Uh, sir are you sure you should do that?" The General raised an eyebrow at Hinata.
"Commander. You are nothing but a Commander. You know why you're a commander? It is because you do not know much. I suggest you stand back and stay quiet." The General looked back at Cassandra. "Now Cassandra, mind if I ask you a question?" Cassandra shook her head.
"So sir, I don't mind." The general smirked once again.
"Good. What do you think of it here?" The question threw Cassandra off on many levels. She knew he wanted this so she had to think of something craft to show that his little trick did not work.
"It is well thought out, and seems like it has no flaws. I have not been here long, though, so I cannot give an honest opinion." The general stared at her long and hard before he removed his right hand form his face and ringed the little school bell on his desk. A door opened up to Cassandra's left and a boy Cassandra's age walked trough carrying a platter that had a china tea set on it and food. The boy set the platter down and poured three cups full of hot tea. He handed one to Cassandra, then Hinata, and lastly the General. The boy then grabbed a plate of food, which had a steak salad and mashed potatoes on it, in front of Cassandra. The boy then set two similar plates in front of the General, then in front of the love seat to Cassandra's right in front of a love seat. The boy then stepped off to the side behind Cassandra. Hinata sat down on the love seat, then him and the General clasped their hands together at the same time. After a half of second of silence they started to cut into their steaks. The General saw that Cassandra was not eating and smirked.
"I did not poison it, for I need you alive." Cassandra got the hint that the General gave about earlier, when he said her didn't need anyone in classroom ten. Cassandra slowly moved to start cutting her steak. For some reason she couldn't shake the feeling that if she didn't start eating then something horrible would happen. The General smiled evilly when Cassandra started to eat.
"Good. Now let's get back to business. Now you had said seems like. What did you mean by that?"
"I meant that I have not been here long enough to give a full report on what I think about this facility." The General stopped eating momentarily to let what Cassandra souk in. He gave another dark chuckle.
"I feel I should inform you, Ms. Cassandra, that anyone who has planned to over throw this Facility as failed." Cassandra didn't dare glance in Hinata's direction; for fear that it would give them away. Her mind raced as she looked at Hinata out of the corner on her vision. He showed no sign of reaction. Cassandra knew she had to respond then, so not to raise suspicion.
"I don't know why you would need to tell me this, sir."
"It is a fair warning. " The General leaned back in his seat again. Cassandra realized that he had quickly finished off his food when she had only just started to dig in. The boy came up, took his plate, and left out the door he came in. "Cassandra, do you want to know how this Facility got created? I built it. This place was filled with nothing but hopeless people. They lived stupidly, but I knew I had a chance if I took hold to that stupidity. I quickly stroked and attacked before anyone knew what happen. It was quiet easy to take over, really. I slowly got allies that would stick with me. Of course some of them realized that I was doing more damage than they wanted to. They tried to fight against me." The General got a cold icy look in his deep dark brown eyes. "I killed them. They fully died in a world where it was impossible. It only showed that I am one not to be messed with." Cassandra swallowed that last spoon full of her potatoes and leaned back into the couch as the boy came to get her and Hinata's clean plates. She looked at the General with a calm expression.
"I see, but what I don't see is why you need to tell me this. As I stated earlier that I have only been her for a few day so I'm not even sure on what I think of my own classmates." The general nodded his head slowly.
"Yes, I can see that, but I wanted to put it out there for you to know." The General leaned forward, placed his elbows on the desk, clasped his hands together, and covered his mouth with his clasp hands. "I do not believe, however, the last part you have told me. From what my Intel can tell me your classmates have grown quiet attach to you. I believe that 43, 36, and 20 told you about their past already." Cassandra suddenly got confused. She squished her eyebrows together and leaned her head forward slightly.
"Sir." The General sighed at Cassandra's question, clearly irritated. He thought for a moment, shuffled through some papers on his desk, and then spoke.
"I believe 43 is known as Kuya, 36 as Atsuo, and 20 as Akio." Anger struck Cassandra's heart at the each name mention. Cassandra gritted her teeth together when she spoke.
"That they did tell me."
"Most classrooms take a week before even one tell their newest member their past. For one it only took two to three days for you to learn about 43's past."
"KUYA realized that he could trust me quickly. As did the others. Maybe that's something you need to learn." The General was slightly caught off by Cassandra statement. Slightly. He quickly recovered and replied back to Cassandra in a cold icy voice.
"Why do I need to learn about it? I already have it. The commander here is one of the few I trust." Cassandra had to keep hard from snorting. "I don't even need trust. Not when I have a thing, Ms. Cassandra, called fear on my side. You have a gotten a taste of this fear." Cassandra got a memory of the first time she saw the General.
Fear had struck her like lighting shooting up from the ground. Icicles had form on the air around them, and Cassandra had gotten a look a hell. She would never forget this feeling.
"I do remember but you cannot rule everyone with fear." The general nodded his head in agreement.
"That is true. That why I use trust on some. One of the some I want to trust is you, Ms. Cassandra." Cassandra was taken aback by what the General said. She knew he knew she was surprised for he smirked. "Yes, Ms. Cassandra, I would like for you to become a higher up. You have skills on gaining trust easily and being able to figure out things faster than anyone else." He's hinting at course. But wait. If he knew that I knew about the trick at the end of the course then how come he didn't know about Kei, Kazuya, and Akira telling me about their past?... Something's up and I have to find out.
"So, will you join me?" Cassandra looked the General dead in the eye. She allowed her cold stare to be revealed. She knew hers wasn't as powerful as his but knew it got her message across.
"I would never become one of your toys." The General unclasped his hands and laid them flat in front of him on the desk. A dark shadow fell on his face as an evil smiled creped onto his face slowly.
"Funny, if you had agreed you would have really become one of my toys." The General looked at Hinata, who was beginning to stand. "Take Ms. Cassandra back to her room. Her classmates should be done eating now and she has already been fed so she does not need to be taken to the lunchroom." Hinata nodded his head and started to walk toward the door. Cassandra quickly stood and swiftly followed him. Hinata pushed a button on the door making it slid open. Cassandra was about to exit the room when the General called her back.
"I am sad that you do not wish to join me, much like one of your classmates, but remember you had a chance."
"Wait, which classmate?" The general smirked evilly, knowing full well he had grabbed Cassandra attention.
"Oh, has he not told you yet? Well I won't give him away, but I will give you a hint. He is secretly really smart but doesn't like to show it." ATSUO! Cassandra knew how he was talking about instantly. She took a step out of the doorway and stood in shock. As she did the General called Hinata's name.
"Commander, please tell the others that tomorrow will be a free day."
"Yes sir." Hinata nodded his head as Cassandra was pulled back to reality.
"Free day?" Cassandra looked at Hinata, puzzle. Hinata opened his mouth to answer her but was cut off by the General.
"A free day is where it's like a regular after school day, with clubs and activities."
"So you give freedom to the classrooms?" The general nodded his head.
"Yes I do. That is how you train someone or something. You push, push, push, then every now and again you give a treat. The treat I give is a free day. There are limits on what they can do, but besides those small limits it's the same as in the world of the living." Cassandra thought for a moment before she responded.
"So, there are clubs, sports, and other activities?"
"Is that not what I said?" The General gave an irritated sigh. "If you have any more questions just ask your classmates." The General was quest for a second. "Oh, and Ms. Cassandra, please consider this your special treat. You may call this the calm before the storm." At that moment the door snapped shut cutting them off from the General.
"Come. We must leave now." Hinata started to trek back the way they had come. Cassandra followed him for a few feet then stopped and turned around to look at the bright deep red door. The calm before the storm? I'm not sure what that means, but I'm sure it's not good. Cassandra started to follow Hinata again feeling fear rise in her heart. Not for herself, but for all her classmates.
I'M SO SORRY FOR THE REALLY LATER UP DATE! I had writers block again anbd was just extreamly lazy when typing the beganinng and and and... I'm sorry I shouldn't be making up excuses. *sigh*
Anyways, if something isn't all that clear (like how they tricked Akira) then message me or leave a review.
Thank you guys for waiting for this chapter! It means a lot to me that you guys liek it so much! ='D This isn't my favorite story but you guys seem to liek it so I'll continue just you ya'll. The next chapter is going to be insanly funny so be prepared to lagh your toes off. Well thank you for reading and PLEASE leave a review! *bows* thanks again! Sorry for no updating soon enought thought D'=