The Funhouse (ON HOLD)

Part 10: Division

     His friends didn't know he was still awake. Gabriel lay there on his bed, listening to Rex's soft sobs when he finished telling his story. He kind of felt guilty for eavesdropping, but it wasn't his fault he couldn't fall asleep as quickly as the others did. His adrenaline was running, and it worsened as soon as Rex told them about his past. It reminded Gabriel so much about his 'family', it made his stomach churn. It was really sickening to think about.

He tried to push the thought away, but before he could, a voice already beat him to it: "Rise and Shine, guys." Said Dennis, stretching his arms and yawning. "Big day ahead of us. Come on, wake up. Best we act now. We're gonna clear another round today."

----

     Rasp lead Gabzy down a secret tunnel right after they entered the school. There were tons of rocks on the way, with the slippery-slope vibe that was getting to Gabzy when he noticed that he heard the sounds of a distant stream of water and the cobwebs and small plants he saw. The place made him shiver.

      Before, he was suspicious of Rasputin. Now, he was even more suspicious. He knew Rasp had an unlimited connection to information because of his family, but it never crossed his mind that they'd have secret passages like this, under the school, too. It was like an underground Russian facility for agents and spies.

     "Looks like you have your work cut out for you," Gabzy grumbled under his breath.

    Rasp chuckled in response, clearly amused, "Why, I have no idea what you're talking about, Gavrill~"

     "If you think putting up that little act of yours is going to convince me that you've changed," Gabzy said, "It's not. I still remember the threat you gave me when I got kicked out of the academy."

     I'll kill you.

      That was what Rasp had told Gabzy, and those very words have lingered in his mind ever since that faithful day. Gabzy's blood boiled in anger as he recalled the memory, but Rasp seemed like he didn't care.

    They went further down the tunnel, with the dimness closing in and the darkness shrouding them. Then Rasp took a sharp turn to a corrider on the left. Gabzy jogged after him as Rasp's pacing got faster, like he was in a hurry. When Rasp stopped in his tracks, he flipped a switch, then it was like the sun turned on as a dozen flourescent lights lit up their surroundings. Gabzy realized that he was inside some sort research facility.

     The space of the room was about the size of a football field, and the walls were so white they were almost blinding. So was the floor. Tables and machines were scattered here and there, and the furniture looked all dusty. In fact, if it weren't for the whiteness of the room, Gabzy would have considered it as an abandoned basement.

     "This was under the academy all along?" Gabzy said, marveling at the place's wonders. He was about to touch a foggy jar when Rasp swatted his hand away from it.

He hissed, his golden eyes glaring harshly at Gabzy. "Don't touch anything unless I tell you to, or else you'd end up getting hurt," he warned, "There's a reason why this place has been kept secret for so many years."

     "And how did you know about it? Surely it's not just because you're a loyal student, am I right?" Gabzy countered, startling Rasp. "I know you, Rasputin. You have already shown me your true colors. You did something else to gain knowledge about this.. Secret place."

     At first Rasp remained perfectly still, letting silence loom over the air, so silent that only their breathing could be heard. Finally, he chuckled, turning around and trudging forward, "Believe what you will, Gavrill. But if you want my help, you better know your boundaries. You don't want to cross the line, do you?" He flashed him a cruel smile. "You know that I can be unreasonable when upset."