Truth Chasers

Chapter Ten

Tuesday 14th August, 2040.
Dalton Academy- Section 1, Quarter 1.
11:10am
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"How can you say you don't want me to tell anyone?" He asks in an outrage. He sounds like I've just made the most disgusting and unreasonable statement he's ever heard. Even in his anger his face is still set in his infamous scowl.

Rory and I are wedged in a janitor's closet downstairs. A few feet away from the exit door we just ran through to make it to safety. The aftermath of the gruesome event we both witnessed merely minutes ago has been followed by shock and silence. Neither of us said anything for many seconds as we stood staring at the scene with no evidence.

During that time I couldn't help but think. Every thought possible crossed my mind but it still came down to the same conclusion; someone dangerous at dad's organization might be out to get me. I remembered the fallen note from my locker earlier. Don't tell daddy. The note suddenly seems like less of a prank and more like an actual instruction from someone mysterious. Whoever is out to get me doesn't want me to get dad involved...
And I won't.
Maybe I am crazy for actually giving the killer what he/she wants by keeping this from dad but for some weird reason, I want to seek out a form of redemption for myself after what just happened.

I felt so weak in that moment. I felt so powerless and afraid and I hate it. I hate that I had to rely on Rory's strength to get me through. Wouldn't I be admitting fear to the enemy if I just ran to dad? If I pretend to have power, if I pretend with all my might, ignore my emotions and give in to the enemy... I will prove to myself that I am strong. I can prove that I can handle whatever comes my way.

"We have to keep it to ourselves." I say squaring my shoulders.

"Do you even realize how stupid that sounds?" He's leaning against the only part of the wall that isn't covered by a shelf. I fix him a glare but remind myself that he doesn't know the things I know. He doesn't know about the danger I got into on Saturday night. He doesn't know about the note in my locker which just keeps getting more and more cryptic the more I think about it. Don't tell daddy. "Principal Cowfer just got shot. Tell me why I shouldn't report this to the authorities. Give me one good reason and I'll keep this a secret." His intense brown eyes hold mine. There is no way I can let Rory in on my suspicions. Not only do I not trust him but he also annoys me beyond what words can express.

"I'm still trying to figure it out but I have a feeling we shouldn't get anyone else involved." I manage.

"We?" Disgust is laced in his tone. As though the very thought of me and him even being put in the same situation and making a 'we' is something he can barely tolerate.

"Yes. You and I were both there, Rory. You and I witnessed it. Together." I emphasize the last word because I want to get under his skin just as much as he gets under mine. This rude boy just manages to bring out the worst in me. Since when am I this petty?

"It's not 'we' when one person is making all the decisions and dishing out orders, Red. You think it's best to keep it a secret as though we just watched two men giving each other a handshake. You're being dense."

My fists clench at my sides. "Okay, jerk," His eyebrow quirks up, He wasn't expecting that. Good. "Why don't we just run on over to our dads right now? Why don't we tell them that you and I were casually strolling out of school through the back exit when we were not supposed to? We'll tell them that we witnessed a murder. When they ask us where the body is, we'll tell them it miraculously disappeared and what's more, there was no sign a murder even took place in the first place because there's no blood on the scene. How about that Rory?" I place my hands on my hips. "I think what would also be a great idea is telling them we actually met for the first time in Section 2. Seeing as you want to come clean why don't we just let them know everything?" His head cocks to the side and he regards me with clear amusement and disbelief. I stand my ground. My face stoic and my shoulders squared. "I'm willing to keep your secret only if you keep mine."