THE GIFTED

C H A P T E R 11

They went back to gymnasium, and search around the places. Digging, but to no avail, they found nothing. "Which means, someone already took it." Yumi muse, when they meet again after searching and searching.

"I think there's also one in lab?" Loraine tell them not sure. Jerald snapped his fingers, as the memories of her passing the lab went flooding back.

"It's where test and results are found; to start a new study."

"But I think, Jonathan might have got it." Jerald told them, he's got a frown between his forehead. "He's always there."

"It's because he's trying to find a clue on what happened to Jim." Loraine spoke. The despair in her voice, sadness flash on her eyes as she heaved out a huge sigh.

"But isn't he the reason." Alganier mumble, quickly pressing his lips together as he realized what he have said. Glad no one's paying attention to him, as they were occupied with the thought of finding the puzzle.

The day went on, they continued what they were doing, slowly succeeding in getting the others on the rank. Jiro and Alganier remain on their rank. Loraine got the rank 4, Maddie going ahead of Raymark at rank 6, while he's in the rank 7. With new entry, Yumi on the rank 9 and Jeffrey in rank 10. However no matter how hard they tried the following days, it seems like even if they get more points, they aren't moving any far from their rank. It has been five days, the seven students in top 10, hasn't moving a bit. They all remain on the spot, and seems like those other three top students, had their score keep them on the rank.

It's the official one month of the searching, and now they plan on looking for it at night. Their class have been hard these days, requiring them to use their gifts as it makes them exhausted, resulting for them going to sleep early. But now, they have decided to push the exhaustion away, or else it would be late for them.

"Shh." Maddie silence them as they heard a fuss from the cafeteria. They tiptoed in the hallway, as a clash of metal was heard. They covered their ears, hissing at the sound. "No!" A familiar voice yell,  it made them stopped, and listen. "Betty, you know better."

"No! Joanna, give this chance to me."

"I won't let that happen Betty, if I'm staying here, so do you." There were aggressive footsteps as the door opened and a loud thud was heard. The eavesdropppers was too stunned to even move a muscle, as the scene unfold, ringing on their ears. There was screeching, hissing and loud thud. Yumi who was in front of everyone that, was almost stick on the wall, gasped as a hand land on the doorframe. The puzzle on it flew, making their eyes shine at the sight.

A feet walk past the hand that soon grab one foot, causing for the person to fall. It was dark, and the two siblings were too busy fighting to notice the people around. Jiro who was not bother crouch down, picking up the puzzle and grin. He toss it to Alganier who quickly react to catch the pieces handing it to Maddie, who's keeping the other one. Jiro who was about to speak and stop the two, halt on his track. Blood seems to leave his body as he watch the scene, horrified.

Betty on top of Joanna, holding a bloody knife. The blood ooze out of Joanna's neck as she cough with metallic taste of liquid, that spitting out of her mouth. Realizing what she have done, Betty drop the knife, putting her hands on Joanna's neck to stop the bleeding. But it wasn't enough pressure, she's running out of blood. She cried as she looked up to see the horrified look of her classmates. Eyes big as it stare back at her. She shakes her head. "I-It wasn't intentional. No." She cried. Clarice hold back a sob, stepping forward to hold Joanna but was stop, as Jiro grabbed her elbow, pulling her away from the horrifying scene.

"Let's get out of here. It's out of control." Raymark told them, and they scurried their way out. Outside the building, Clarice cried, sad about what happened to their classmate. Joanna and Clarice has been getting along lately, and to see how her life end, was even more devastating. Yumi and Heather beside her, trying their best to sympathy with her as they comfort her. Jeffery pat her head, and again it help her calm down.

Once she calmed down, they made their way on the lab. Meeting Jonathan on the way. He looked tired and exhausted. His eyes was filled with different emotion. He looked at them, his body looking like he'll collapse anytime. Loraine run beside him, holding his shoulders. "What's happening to you Jonathan? You're a mess." The worries lacing on her voice, made Jonathan want to shudder in front of them. His heart thud in guilt that was eating him up. He fished out something from his pocket, holding Loraine's hand.

He put the piece on her hand and smile. "I think there's more inside, and try looking at the last class." With that he left, leaving Loraine with heavy heart. Her eyes examine the piece of puzzle in her palm, as she bit her lip. Blinking the tears away, and she gave it to Maddie.

Micheal open his bag, handing them a small flashlights. Jiro took it with his left hand, Clarice observing his movement as it found their way to look at his eyes. The moonlight reflected on it, made her heart skipped a beat. She look away, shaking the thoughts off.

"Let's separate, by three." Alganier, Yumi and Jerald, together. Loraine, Maddie, and Raymark in one team, followed by Heather, Jeffrey, and Micheal. Lastly, Clarice, Jiro, and Kenley. They entered together, but went to different direction. They roamed around reading the other more riddles as what they call it.

"An exhibit of yourself, where you lose your dignity."

"It indicates you're alive."

"Gives you the opportunity to see the world."

"Makes your body function."

"Help you reach something, someone and more things."

As they entered the room, Alganier once again wince as his head hurts, this time flashes of vivid pictures display in his head. Making him back away in horror. "Are you okay?" Yumi scan his face, giving him a look of concern as she held his hand. "I won't let go." She shook her head, pulling him as they follow Jerald, who was rummaging the place. Not forgetting to fix the clutter he made, as he move to the next one. Yumi still holding Alganier's hand, sending smile on his way.

After hours of searching, they have decided to continue the search the next night. They're tired and are worried, that some might not make it. But at the same time, keeping their hopes up.

"I'm afraid I will see it right before me, in reality."