Burned 3.1

It’s not a long walk to the room. It’s down the science hallway. Will is in another hallway, not too far from the library. I wish he could’ve come with me. I know that the best place for him to be is here in Control, but sometimes I just need him by my side. This is one of those times.

I place my hand on the doorknob, sending a shiver through my body. I can’t tell if it’s from the cold of my nerves.

Just as I’m about to open the door, I hear footsteps from down the hall. I freeze. No one else should be in the halls this early. But I quickly relax when I see it’s Kellar, Colton’s comms partner. As much as I don’t like Colton, I don’t hold it against Kellar. He’s the complete opposite of Colton if anything. Besides, how can I not like him? The boy is insanely good looking.

Even with the lack of light, I can still pick up his unbelievably tan skin and deep brown eyes. And that smile. I’ve never wanted anything with anyone before, but if he asked me I’d say yes in a heartbeat. Then again so would every girl in the school so I don’t think I stand a fair chance.

I immediately start to panic.

Please don’t ask me what I’m doing here.

“So what’s got you up so early?”

Damn.

How do I tell him that I’ve been offered a mission without actually telling him I’ve been offered a mission? I can’t very much lie to Kellar. Those eyes draw out of me things I would never say in the first place.

“I’m not going to class today,” I blurt out. He raises an eyebrow and stuffs his hands in his pockets. I inwardly groan. Where am I going with this? “Yeah, I have um... detention."

A smile spreads across Kellar’s lips. “Bryn Patterson, detention’s one and only life long member.” His eyes are laughing and it relaxes me.

“Well I best be going,” he says, gazing off down the hallway. “I was finishing up a lab and I feel asleep. Just woke up. Guess I should get back to the dorm, huh? Oh, do you happen to know what time it is?”

I glance down at my watch -- I think this might count as a personal item so I’ll have to scrap it soon -- the first time I’ve looked at it since Colton burst into my room. “It’s 05:34.” Not long before classes start. I hope no first levels make their way down this hallway trying to make sure they’re early.

“Thanks,” he replies, yawning. “Good luck with whatever it is you’ll be doing. See you around.” He smiles at me and I almost melt under his gaze. I watch until he turns the corner, then quickly turn the handle and push through the door.

Just as I shut it behind me, I realize that I didn’t check my surroundings before walking in here, only looked to make sure no one was watching. There could’ve been someone coming up behind me. They might try to sneak in and compromise the mission before it even begins!

Stop it. You’re just being paranoid. I remind myself.

The room I’ve walked into is pitch black, much darker than the hallway outside. Why does everything have to be so dark here? I stumble to the wall and run my hand along it, trying to locate a light switch. There is none. Thinking it’s motion activated, I take a few cautious steps forward. Nothing.

“Headmaster Caddarick?” I call out. Did I get here before him? No, Clemet said he would be waiting for me. And Caddarick leaves no one waiting.

Suddenly there’s a click and lights shine down from the ceiling. They don’t illuminate the entire room though, just the middle of it. Under the harsh lighting I see a single, cylinder stand. I hesitate before walking forward.

When I reach the center of the room I look up. The ceiling is much higher than should be possible, making it look like I’m standing in the middle of a sports arena rather than a classroom. There are tiny black tiles covering the area above me, shimmering even in the small spheres of light.

The stand in front of me is made of the same material. The way the light reflects off of it in all directions almost stops me. It’s hard to see anything on it because it’s so bright, but I can see a single piece of paper sitting there. Carefully, I pick up the paper. It’s thin and rather transparent. We’ve used this type of paper in our coding class before. It’s easy to write a message on both sides to confuse anyone not trained to read it.

It’s easy enough to figure out this code. There are only certain letters that match up on both sides. That’s the message.

Your mission. Retrieve the cup. Do not be seen. Return in less than two hours. Transportation provided. Immediately I set a countdown on my watch. I don’t care anymore that this is a personal item I was asked not to bring. I need it.

Suddenly I’m plunged into darkness again and the paper I’m holding slips from my grasp as a huge gust of wind passes by. There shouldn’t be any wind; I’m inside.

The floor starts to shake, all while the wind is howling in my ears. I’ve never experienced an earthquake before, but this must be what it feels like. My knees wobble as I try to stay upright. I finally give in and get on the ground. The wind has a definite chill to it and I’m left shivering, trying to keep myself steady as I fight the elements.

I lay there praying that this will stop and if I’m going to die that I die quick. But this is just an earthquake. People survive earthquakes all the time. Right?

It stops just as suddenly as it came on. Everything is once again still. There’s another click, this one quieter than the first, and a sliver of light snakes into the room against the opposite wall. A door has opened, one I’m sure I’m supposed to go through. I look down to check the timer on my watch, but find that it’s gone. How am I supposed to know how much time I have left?

I push myself up and dust off my clothes. Looking back, I see the door that I came through is gone. Or maybe the new door is really the old door and I got disoriented during the earthquake. I rub my eyes in frustration. None of this is making any sense.

Yet there’s no need for me to sit around and wonder. Caddarick chose me for this mission and I must complete it. Whatever else is going on here is just added distractions that I don’t need. Right now I have to get through that door and see what awaits me on the other side.