Truth Chasers

Chapter Eleven

Tuesday 21st August, 2040.
Dalton Academy- Section 1, Quarter 1.
10:35am
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History class is almost filled up by the time I get in. I take my seat in front of the class and ignore Winter and Taylor giving me weird looks that would normally irritate me. I'm surprised that their attempts to annoy me don't affect me at the moment. Maybe it's because of this new burst of energy and fear within me as the note I saw in my locker plays in my memory. Mr Miller asks about how our book selection process for the assignment is going. I completely forgot about that! He gave us till the end of this week to pick a book for the summary assignment.

"Joanne Atkins, what book did you get?" The dark skinned girl shrugs her shoulders and I'm slightly relieved I'm not the only one without a book.
Mr Miller calls out a couple more people. Asking them if they've gotten their books yet but majority of the class comes up short. "Come on guys. How come no one has picked out a book yet?" He perches on the corner of the desk now, his fingers interlaced at his front. "Is this something no one wants to do? The truth about a thing is hidden in its history. Would you like to know the truth or not?"

Everything around me seems to go silent as I gape at Mr Miller with eyes wide as saucers. On a regular day, I couldn't care less about this tall lanky man but right now, I stare at him as though he's the most important man in the room.

Would you like to know the truth or not?
Choose Wisely.

He goes on to talk to other students, imploring us all to take this serious because it is a major part of our grade. I want to concentrate on what he is saying but I can't. I am trying to make sense of how Mr Miller could potentially be linked with the shooter from last week. I am trying desperately to understand how this man that has been teaching me history is a threat to me. I feel sick to my stomach all of a sudden. Flashes of my recurring nightmares play in my memory. The guns, the blood, death. I am too deep in this mess to believe that this is a coincidence. I am too well-read in the world of espionage to believe that Mr Miller would just randomly say those words.

"Any problems Miss Cohen?" I blink up at him as he stares down at me in what I think is mock concern, yanking me out of my thoughts. My fingers find my gloves and I tug on them, words eluding me all of a sudden. He cautiously stands up from the table and marches toward me. Every step he takes reverberates deep within me. My pulse thrums in my ears.
"You look pale. Do you want to visit the clinic?"
As if he actually cares.
Does he know the truth about Principal Cowfer?
He probably does.

I wipe beads of sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand, feeling my fingers tremble. But I have to pretend. I have to pretend that I am strong. I have to pretend like right now, he is not the scariest person in the room. I take a shallow breath and lie. "I'm fine. Everything is fine." The corner of my mouth twitches upward slightly and I hope my attempt at a smile doesn't look like a grimace.

"Good." He says flashing me a sour smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "Let's move on with the class then."

₊✩‧₊

My next course of action is obvious, isn't it? I have to go to the National Library to get a book today. Now, if possible. If getting this book is linked to the killer and whatever form of truth he wants me to know, then fine. I will go to the National Library and search out this truth encompassing book.

The only problem is: it's just lunch time.
My lack of patience when it comes to this is making it virtually impossible for me to sit in one place for much longer. I don't think I can wait till school is over for Knockout to drive me there. Adrenaline courses through my veins like a wildfire, making my whole body tingle. My curiosity is piqued. Piqued to a level where I am willing to take risks I shouldn't. I cannot wait to see how this plays out because more than anything, I am the player in this. I am the one who is to choose. And I have chosen to get to the bottom of this. Whether I am choosing wisely or not, I have no clue, but I am yet to find out.