Behind Locked Doors

Chapter Six: Swapping Secrets

Looking for something I've never seen,

alone and I'm in between,

the place that I'm from and the place that I'm in,

a city I've never been,

I've found a friend or should I say a foe?

Dakota's POV:

 I watched the sun's dazzling rays as it began to set across the hillside from the bars of my window. It reminded me of all my power's beneficial uses. The thought of the Union using me for anything other than good was sickening. If they ever got their hands on me, good would be the last thing on their minds. 

“Your powers must be kept a secret, my dear. Don't trust any one.Take these pills as often as you can. They can help you control your powers, so that any change in the weather won't be as noticeable,” Dr. Milingo's words echoed through my mind.

I turned the pill bottle over in my hand. The pills must be helping, considering no one had been struck by lightning recently. Their only set-back was the splitting headaches. I opened the canister, and a pill tumbled out of the container's opening. I gripped it tightly in my palm. Medicine taking had never been a favorite task of mine. I glared at the tiny transparent capsule and wished it would disappear, but I knew it wouldn't. They were here to stay like my powers.

When I was younger, I used to think that my whole existence was a mistake. Only my mother's reassurance had eased my mind. I was a creature of God, and God didn't make mistakes. If only I could find a way to help people with it, then I would have reached my full potential. As of late, the only good my powers did was in befriending a Rebel the first week of school. 

 I slipped the pill into my mouth, dreading the headache that would eventually come. A monotoned bell signaled the students that it was time for dinner. Knocking traveled to my ears, and I quickly shoved my medicine back into its secret compartment and scurried to open the door.

"Justin, what are you doing here?" I questioned curiously. 

"What, not happy to see me?" he asked arching one of his eyebrows.

"No, I mean yes. It's great to see you, I just-"

"Was expecting James," Justin finished for me. His voice dropped from the cheerful vibe it once held.

"No, I just wasn't expecting you, I didn't even know you knew where my dorm was."

"Dakota," he could tell I was lying, "It's okay. I should've known. I'm sure James'll be around soon. I'll see you in the dining hall."

"Are you sure?" Great, now I feel guilty. Justin nodded avoiding my eyes and started down the hallway. I felt compelled to go after him, but before I could, I was jerked back into the room by Rolin.

"What?" I asked releasing my self from her grasp.

"Go to this room after curfew," she complied handing me a folded piece of paper.

"Why?"

"Because it's important," Rollin replied skulking off to some unbeknownst place. When she exited the room, I unfolded the paper.

Room 396. Use the stairs on the East side.

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The third floor had a slight creepiness to it; the younger kids even thought that it could be haunted. I was definitely more afraid of The Union than ghosts, but the idea of ghosts roaming the halls didn't seem so far-fetched anymore. As I searched for the room, I realized that my flashlight was getting dimmer by the second. Stupid, unreliable batteries.