The House

Chapter 4 Decision

The map which indicates where I have to go was set in the pilot's window of my car.

He knows where I live.

I guess nothing could be done if I denied the offer. If he knows where I live, there was no point in ignoring him. He would follow me until God knows when.

"I-" I try to speak, but no one listens.

"It's dangerous," says my dad. "I won't let her go!"

"Honey, I know but..." says my mom. "Try to calm a little bit okay?"

"Could you listen to-?" I say.

"She's right," says Valerye. "You shouldn't be this shaken up; it's not healthy at all..."

"H-Hey..." I say.

"We won't let Isabelle go..."says Valerye.

"Valerye is right," says my mom. "She won't g-"

"SHUT UP!" I yell, finally. "JUST SHUT UP!"

Everybody stops talking. They all look at me in silence and shock.

"Why the hell are you deciding what I'm going to do?!" I'm mad. "I know how dangerous that Creep Guy is! I KNOW IT MORE THAN ANYBODY FOR GOD'S SAKE! He locked us up for five months in our school! US! So that gives you NO reason to take decisions for me!"

My breathing is heavy. I'm mad and I can't control it.

"Isabelle, what-?" says Valerye.

"I'm going." I say.

"YOU ARE WHAT?" say the three of them in unison.

"I'm going."

"Isabelle," says Valerye. "That's exactly what he wants..."

"I know," I say. "But you did you really expected me not to go and do nothing? It's because of me that some of us died! I did everything I could to save them but sometimes that wasn't enough!" My voice cracks as I feel the tears coming out of my eyes. "I can't feel happy for being out of The School because I know what it took so we could be free... I let people die, I killed people by not caring about them, I have no idea what happened to everybody else; what if they're injured? Or dead? Or what if they are all fine? I DON'T KNOW! And I don't care how many times you tell I can't go, I'm letting you know my decision, I'm not asking for your permission... I AM going."

"Isabelle!" say my parents.

"Isabelle, what's going on?" says Valerye. "You couldn't even talk back at the classroom when he was talking to you and now you suddenly became a hero?!"

"There's no need to remind me how I was back then. I know I was terrified and I still am, trust me," I say. "I'm human after all, and it is because I'm human that I have to try and save them..." I look at my parents. "Didn't you feel happy when I called you?"

"Of course we did!" says my mom.

"And didn't you feel worried while I was gone?" I ask.

"Why do you ask that?" says my dad. "Of course we were worried!"

"Because that's exactly what the other parents are feeling right now! Is it really fine that you were able to receive my call but the rest of the parents don't?" I say.

"Isabelle, what do you mean?" says Valerye.

"The parents of the ones that are at the place the Creep Guy wants me to go may have never received that call from their kids! They might still be looking out for them!"

"So..." says Valerye.

"So! If I have the chance to finally do something good that would help someone out, I'll do it!"

Nobody says a word. Valerye grabs her phone and walks outside.

My parents and I don't say a word. I know they expect me to say that I was joking or that I changed my mind, but I won't. I honestly want to save them, it is the only way to save myself after all.

"Alright," says Valerye once she enters the room again. "When are we leaving?"

"WE? Valerye, you're not going with me..." I say.

"You're wrong, I am going with you." she says. "With that speech you bought me, plus, you'll need somebody to talk to while you're wherever you'll go."

"Valerye no-"

"And I'm going with my parents so..."

"WHAT?! THE HELL NO!" I say. "Valerye you're not going and especially not with your parents!"

"Isabelle is right Valerye," says my mom. "You shouldn't go with your parents. If someone goes with Isabelle that should be us."

"WHAT?!" I say. "You were totally against the idea!"

"We still are," replies my mom. "But I know how stubborn you are and, based in what you just said, I know we won't be able to stop you so I think it's better if we go with you this time to take care of you..."

"I appreciate that you are concerned about me," says Valerye. "But see it this way; back at when we were in The School and got injured or something, we had to figure it out by ourselves. My daddy is a doctor so, if something happens to me, or Isabelle, or you, or any of the guys that are out there, my daddy's help would mean a lot, right? As for my mom, she could help in anything we'll need. Isn't that nice?"

My parents tried to talk some sense into Valerye, but I was analyzing what she said.

It was indeed a good thing to have a doctor with us, and his mother could truly help in anything. Plus, if there are more people, there would be more and better chances to get done with this as soon as possible and also; this could serve as a test for Valerye. Whether she passes or not, is completely up to her.

I sigh.

"If that's how it's going to be," I say while standing up and heading upstairs. "Then go home and get your things ready. We'll leave early tomorrow."

"How early?" asks Valerye.

"Around four." I say walking up the stairs.

"A.m?! are you nuts?!" says Valerye.

"I'm not," I replied. "The earlier we arrive, the earlier we leave. Just talk it out with my parents and they'll wake me up tomorrow to go there..."

I turn the corner of the stairs and I find myself walking up to the second floor when Valerye says "Good Night" and I ignore here. I just want to go to bed and get some rest before the nightmare starts tomorrow.