The Immaculate

Chapter 10

(Carls)

Nick and I are just talking in our house later after the speech. We are finishing Dinner, and suddenly we hear a loud banging on the door, and we both look at each other in confusion. Then, right as Nick stands up to get the door, it comes tumbling open, and guards all in black come rushing toward us.

Anger boils in my chest, and I prepare to defend myself, but I am unable to because we; are outnumbered. Soon, I have guards on either side of me holding me back. I look over at Nick, and he looks terrified. I shrug and then decide to follow his lead and allow them to take me wherever it is we are going.

They lead us out of our house with their guns pressed into our spines, and I want to yell at them like, hey, we get it, no need to break our backs! They take us to a small shadowed building behind the base. I have never been here before, and it is kind of cool.

They take us inside and then split, Nick and I apart, taking me into one room and him in another. I catch a glimpse of those kids from earlier right before I go inside, Greyson and Kateros, I think are their names. Nick seems to know them a lot more than I do.

The guards sit me down on the hard concrete floor and then flank me on either side. Talk about trust issues, am I right? The room is dark, and only a dim thread of light peeks its way in from the door. None of the guards speak, so I sit there awkwardly for a while. Then, I think to myself, screw it, I'm bored. I look up at the guards, smile, and start talking.

" Sooo...what's going on guys? New training or something? Ooh, is it a secret mission?! Coo-ool! What's with all the guns though? Do you not trust me?! That's cute."

The sarcasm in my voice is thick, and I know this because I made sure it was. One of the guards turns to me, and he looks annoyed. I nearly laugh but suppress it to a smile.

" Shut up." He says, and I roll my eyes, still smiling.

I then hear the door creak open, and a shadowed figure steps into the room swiftly. I can't make out whether the person is male or female until they speak.

" If you mention this meeting to anyone there will be extreme consequences." Comes, a deep masculine voice from the dark apparition.

" Cool, shoot," I say then, turn to the guards and smile. " It's a metaphor guy, don't look so excited."

" So, you are as hot-headed as they say. Nice to know, but you won't be so quick on your retaliations for much longer." He moves slowly, and so fluidly.

I think he may be a ghost or a figment of my imagination. I hear a soft, subtle click, and the whole room; is flooded in light all at once. Even with all the lights on, I can't make out the person's face because he has a scarf covering it and a hood on.

He then reaches up and pulls down the hood and then ever so carefully, removes the scarf and smiles. His smile sends a chill down my spine, and that is weird because I don't get scared easily.

I learned to swallow my fear at a young age and to tough out the weakness. There is something about his smile though that is just, well, it's just plain evil. His nose is purple and blue, and it looks broken. It's not bleeding, but it's at a weird angle.

He reminds me of someone, but I can't figure out who. He catches me staring at his nose, and involuntarily brings his hand up to it. His hand hovers above it but doesn't touch it. I wonder if he's in pain.

Then, he smiles again, and all of my earlier feelings of discomfort return. Then, the door opens again, and a middle-aged woman steps inside and flashes the same creepy smile.