Sixty Seconds

Chapter 4

Jessica

“Carter, wait in the car.” Miss Harper told him. “Jessica and I will go alone.”

“What if my mum refuses?” I asked, worried at the answer I knew I would get.

“Then you go to jail” Carter said. “And a proper soldier can do the job.”

“She won't say no” Miss Harper said confidently.

Carter rolled his eyes as Miss Harper turned away. He started tapping on the steering wheel. I got out and made sure I slammed the door as hard as I could. I was rewarded by a look of annoyance. I followed Miss Harper's six inch heel tracks down the driveway as she strode purposefully towards the front door. There was no doubt that Mum would still be up, even though it was just past midnight. She always worked late.

Miss Harper knocked the door. Sure enough a few seconds later my mum appeared at the door, still fully dressed in her pressed suit and tight bun. She blinked a few times at me before opening the door wide to let us in.

“Jessica, you go gather some things.” Miss harper told me. My mum looked at her in confusion. I wondered what she would tell my mum. I followed the staircase as it spiralled up. I paused on the landing, listening to the murmuring of voices as they talked below me. When I reached my room I pushed open the door. Grabbing necessities I stuffed them into my now empty school bag. I looked round the rest of my room. I ran my fingers along the rough calloused desk I'd had since I was six. The feel of it was so familiar and I wondered when I could next run my fingers along the grooves in the wood.

The reality of the situation hit me suddenly, like a punch in the gut. I keeled over. When would be the next time I'd see my parents? My friends? What would my life become when I get back into that car? I straightened up, lifting a few pictures I put them in my bag carefully. A few more precious possessions joined them. I took one last look around my room. The black paint splashed walls were the same as always, as was the light wooden floor. My beds[read was the same plain black one that had a silky feel. My bookshelves were stuffed full of books I had one read or planned to read. I shut the door to my bedroom. I closed my eyes, the feeling of sadness picking away at me. That room was no longer mine. I let my hand drop off the handle, composed myself and walked down the stairs.

“Jessica, is it true?” My mum's eyes were shining with happiness. Not waiting for a reply she said. “The Harper boarding school for extremely talented teenagers.”

I shot a look to Miss Harper, who looked composed. She returned my look of surprise with a look that told me to act happy.

“Yeah, I know, but I need to leave now” I told my mum. I felt like crying when my mum said, “Of course honey, see you soon.”

She had no idea what was really going to happen to me, she was letting me go so easily. I couldn't believe it. I walked out the door of my old home and towards Carter's annoyed complexion and my new life.

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“You can sleep in there” Carter said gruffly, pointing to a room. He lived in a nice apartment, spacious and very modern. I followed the hall to the room he had pointed to. Pushing open the door I was pleasantly surprised, a cream duvet cover the double bed and the mirrored wardrobe reflected the light of the only lamp in the room. There was even a T.V on top of the shelves. I threw my bag down. Content with the heavy thud it made on the ground. I could almost see Carter grinding his teeth.

“Go to bed” A shout came from the general direction I had come from. I obeyed him and got into bed, fully dressed and with full intentions to escape tonight. I waited until the movements from the other side of the apartment had ceased before closing my eyes slightly. I needed a little sleep.

It was still dark when I woke. The apartment was completely silent. I pushed my covers off and slid my legs over the side of the bed. Standing up I checked for creaking floorboards. None. My hand reached for the door handle and it slid down easily. I tiptoed down the corridor. I passed a few rooms on my way to the front door. I came to the living room. Breathing lightly I looked round, nothing moved or made a single sound. I pulled the lock back on the door handle and-

“Do you ever sleep?” Carters voice drifted to me from the sofa. He sat up, looking bleary eyed. I smirked at the sight of how tired he looked.

“Tired?” I asked innocently.

“Yes, actually and if you don't go to sleep now, I will put you to sleep” He told me menacingly.

“Really? How?” I asked, trying not to laugh.

“Tranquillisers.” He told me flatly, holding up a box by his side.

“You wouldn't” I said backing away from the door.

“Oh, I would” He said, standing up and advancing towards me.

I held up my hands in surrender. “Fine! You jerk, threatening me with tranquillisers! ”

He snorted.“You are the one keeping me from sleep, I get amazingly angry when I don't sleep and I don't want to do something I'd regret.”

“Like killing me?” I asked.

“Why would I regret that?” He asked, lying back down. I turned and stormed back towards my room. Immediately I checked the window locks. “The windows don't open! I have air conditioning!”

He was really getting on my nerves.