Clear Lake Academy holds the worst of the worst delinquents from around the country. Each and every student there holds a notorious background that led them there and almost everyone avoids them.
After setting the tenth building on fire, which just...
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"I'll put these in the car for you."
I thanked Bentley for his generous help, watching as he lugged the two bags into the lift and disappeared without a trace.
Closing my door, I sank into the darkness of my room, the night sky reflecting faintly in the mirror. Everything in my mind went still—no thoughts, no noise, just a heavy, suffocating quiet. Light had slipped away, replaced only by the weight of the dark. I felt like screaming. My head was trapped in a bubble, and I had no idea how to burst it.
I had picked dare, after much consideration.
I let my body drop until my back hit the soft material of the white duvet. I grabbed the pillow, placing it over my face and screamed. A deep, gutteral scream came out, rocking the room into further silence and leaving an eerie silence in its wake.
When I pulled the pillow away, I just stared at the ceiling, unmoving, my feet dangling off the edge of the bed.
The fear of what I had done was bubbling in my chest. Only God knew what I had gotten myself into —and how much pain I'd brought upon myself. The voice in my mind was quiet for once. There were no images of the piano and the pale girl with dim eyes. No horrific echoes—everything gone, like someone had smashed a lamp and snuffed out the world.
I remained still as the door swung open.
"Can I come too?" I recognised the voice without having to look. "Please?" They begged.
"Why?" I exhaled deeply.
"Come on, Pan! Being stuck here sucks, and I want to go on an adventure... plus, we're going back to normal classes."
"I doubt there'll be any adventuring with my father breathing down my neck," I muttered. I'd mentally prepared for the visit already, but there was no way I was stepping foot back 'home.'
"Come on," They groaned, stepping into my room and allowing the light from the hallways to spill in. "We can entertain you."
He grabbed my hands and pulled me upright. I stared at the snowman in front of me—the wide, hopeful eyes—and caved. "Fine. Go pack your bags."
"All done." I sadly smiled at his eager facial expression.
"Go tell the others too. I might as well bring the rest of them." I suggested. He nodded and hurried off, shouting for Hendrix as he ran down the stairs from a distance.
I sat on the bed, watching my reflection.
Dark circles had already begun to bloom under my eyes after so many sleepless nights. Every time I closed my eyes, the piano haunted me. If I couldn't sleep by the end of the week, I'd probably need to buy sleeping pills..
"READY TO GO!" A shout came in from the opened window, signalling our departure. I got up, locking the door behind me.
I headed to Laken and Bentley's room—the messy dungeon. Without a word, I grabbed a duffel bag and stuffed in enough of Bentley's clothes for the week before zipping it shut. On my way out, I picked up Laken's bag, which he'd forgotten while running off to collect Adir and Hendrix.
