The Mysterious Door

Chapter 11

I fall onto my bed before the door manages to close completely, taking in everything that happened for the first time. I didn't have any time to think about it while I was focused on staying alive, but that was so amazing. I never felt a rush like that before. Sure I almost died more than a few times, but being able to use my powers like that almost made up for it.

I close my eyes and slip into a dreamless sleep and only jump out of bed at the sudden noise from the screen, showing Jason's face with a rotating 22. His highlights show him facing off against Gustav in the final room. Even though Gustav scares the shit out of me, I find myself feeling relieved that he didn't die from the explosion. I really don't want another death on my hands; I'm almost becoming as bad as the Instructor. Jason does a front flip over Gustav, grabbing the key and teleports before he lands, arriving next to the chest with more than enough time to open the last lock and slip through the picture.

That only leaves Daniel, but I don't think I'd be lucky enough that he'd die somewhere in the marathon. It might sound bitter, but I just want him to stay away from me and my friends forever. Especially after he took Anthony, who probably was the best friend I ever had, away from me.

I don't know what to do with myself while I wait for his results. My mind is fully awake, so I struggle to fall asleep. I sit up and take the magical note out of its resting place, but it's still completely empty. Bored out of my mind I even try to do some basic teleportation, but my energy hasn't recovered yet. It would seem that even my imaginary friend, the figure, won't keep me company, which makes the 20 minutes feel like 20 years before the screen comes to life again.

Daniel's smug smile was decorating my screen with an unbelievable 24 next to it. They didn't show any of his highlights, but I suppose that's because he was the last one to go. Now it's only a matter of time before they call us back to the training room to see our scores. I just hope it doesn't end in more bloodshed today, but I'm not very optimistic, knowing the Instructor. And what makes it much worse, is that this will be the first gathering we attend without Jasmine.

I put a new shirt on and step out of my room when the Instructor calls us. I barely have time to give Daniel a death stare before I'm nocked sideways by the impact of Cindy's hug. She throws her arm around me and I can feel the tears running down her cheek starting to soak my shoulder.

"I'm so glad you're still alive," she says, "I couldn't believe..."

"Yeah," I say before she can finish, not wanting to hear the words, "I know. But we made it and we'll make sure she'll be remembered." I see Anthony further down the hall walking next to Daniel. Our eyes meet and he instantly looks at everything else.

"You did great though," she says, whipping her eyes, "Your score is amazing and your highlights looked amazing."

"It wasn't all bad," I say with my arms still around her and she puts her head on my shoulder again, "But a lot happened in there. There are so many things that I still have to figure out."

She lifts her head, looking straight into my eyes. She has clearly been crying all day. Her eyes are surrounded by dark circles. It's hard to think that she's the same smiley, teasing girl I've come to know. It looks like she wants to ask what I meant, but she just shakes the thought away and puts her head back on my shoulder, "I really hope this is almost over."

She steps away, but I take her hand, "I like you too," I say, "I really hope it wasn't all a joke when you said it, but I almost died in there and I don't think I want to die knowing I never had the guts to tell you."

She smiles faintly and for a second the twinkle returns to her eyes. She leans closer and kiss me on my cheek, "We should go. I don't think the Instructor will be happy if we make her wait." The sadness has killed the flicker of happiness as she says it, but she doesn't let go of my hand as we walk towards the other end of the hallway.