The Gate

42. Blizzard

Lena Matthews

"Are you okay?" I whispered. Jane-Anne shook her head silently. I took her hand and squeezed it gently. Taylor and Kiara were standing together, trying to stay as far away from us as possible.

The four of us watched the stage from the auditorium doors, unsure of what to do. The grand drape was closed, with a lone microphone in front of it.

"Kiara Barbosa?" Mr. Kawaguchi called from the auditorium's stage. He was answered with silence. "Okay then. We're going to continue with a special performance by Jacob Wilde."

"Wait! I see her!" Jacob pointed at us from the stage. Kiara waved awkwardly, her other hand clutched in Taylor's for support.

"Go." Taylor whispered.

Kiara walked down the red aisle of the Academy's auditorium, smiling effortlessly. Every eye was fixated on her, but she seemed unbothered.

As Kiara walked up the stairs and onto the stage, the drapes pulled open to reveal a large concert piano. Jacob slung his guitar on his back as he helped Kiara adjust the microphone. Mr. Kawaguchi looked a bit annoyed with Kiara's late appearance, but he couldn't do anything now.

The lights dimmed until the only source of brightness came from the spotlight that was pointing directly at Kiara. The cyclorama at the back of the stage finally lit up, broadcasting a summer sky. Mr. Kawaguchi and Jacob were gone, leaving room for Kiara and her music.

Kiara cleared her throat loudly, and I realized that her hands were shaking. She looked back at us, her eyes betraying her fear. Her gaze settled on Taylor, who just nodded back. Kiara's hands glided across the keys, filling the room with sound.

"Blue skies, smiling at me..." Kiara's piano version was strangely haunting, and I had trouble taking my eyes away.

"Lena?" Jane-Anne murmured from behind me. Her eyes looked bloodshot. "What's going to happen to me?"

"Calm down, we'll figure this out." Taylor answered apathetically. She spotted Carter in the audience and waved him over. Careful not to obstruct anyone's view, Carter made his way towards us with Aaliyah and Jerome close behind.

"Seriously, Taylor." I whispered. "What are we supposed to do now?"

"Get out of here." said Taylor. She waved at Carter to walk faster. "Kiara can catch up."

"What's going on? Why is Jane-Anne crying?" Carter asked.

"Carter, I'm so sorry," said Jane-Anne. "I don't even remember it."

"Come on," said Taylor. She practically dragged Jane-Anne into the hallway and shut the auditorium doors. Jane-Anne didn't have the energy to resist. When I was sure that no one else could hear, I filled Carter in.

"It was Jane-Anne. This whole time. Makaya was using her as a weapon." I explained. "I can't believe she would do this to us."

"At least you know what betrayal feels like," said Carter. Aaliyah slapped his shoulder. "Not that it's important. Let's just go."

Out of nowhere, I spotted Finn sprinting in our direction. "I wouldn't be so sure about that." He said, gasping for breath.

"Who are you?" Jerome asked.

"The school's surrounded by agents," said Finn. "I tried to call, but Dad made me go and I couldn't... Look, if I had known that this was happening earlier, I would have warned you."

"The Agency can't be here. We destroyed Dad's cameras." I argued. "This isn't happening."

"I wish it wasn't," said Finn.