Taken to Underbriar Academy

Glowing Red

Once I arrived in my next class I spotted Hunter immediately. I glanced at him but he refused to look my way. The instructor walked in and smiled at the class. "Today every person will go into their own block and practice situations I have chosen that will test your weak points. When you overcome the first one go to the next. These levels are designed to get more challenging as the numbers go up. You will need all of this time to work on it, you may get started" He said stepping out of the way so kids could go to their chosen glass box. As I walked down the stairs Laura came up beside me and smiled. We walked together in silence.

When I stepped onto the floor I saw names popping up above the glass doors. I walked until I came to the middle of the hallway and could walk down the isle to find my glass box. I turned down the second row to my left. Two other people fell in step with me walking to their box. There was a pink tint to the area we were in that threatened to drive me mad. After I found my name I turned around to see kids standing outside their doors and decided to follow what they did. We waited outside our boxes in silence with our hands behind our backs facing the glass doors.

"You may enter your rooms" The instructor's voice boomed as he walked down the aisle looking at everyone individually. He met my glance and an eyebrow rose as if saying "What are you doing?" I snapped out of my daze and walked into my box. On the far wall was a panel. 'Finger Here'

It said. I reached my index finger on the scanner and a sharp pain dug into my skin. I tried to pull my finger away but there was a force keeping it there. The panel grew hot then blinked red. From the panel red started to spread like blood pooling until it was completely covered. Trying not to panic I took a breath and my finger was released.

"Test one beginning" The automatic voice said. The lighting in the room went dim and the red walls glowed and the red liquid began to move. At first the movement was minimal. It quickly gained speed until red was rushing all around. I turned in a fast circled trying to watch where it would go. The glow started to fade until the room was nearly black. I stood back until my back hit the door. "Attract the prey" The automated voice said.

I closed my eyes not wanting to participate. Out of dire interest my eyes snapped back open and I was in a different location. The walls had disappeared and in its place was a forest. Judging by where the sun hung in the sky it was almost evening. I took a step forward then another reaching out for the glass but it was gone. The trees surrounding me were as tall as the sky. The atmosphere took a golden color from the sun. The air was thick almost musty making me have to breathe a little harder and deeper. Sweat clung to my shirt as I took another step.

Hearing a loud sound I dropped to the ground and ducked into a bush. Slowly a deer maneuvered around the corner and started walking through the woods. This deer was what the automated lady was telling me to attract, but how? I watched it walk further away and started to panic. I watched the animal and began to grow desperate. Summoning it with my eyes I tried to make it turn around but I knew that was impossible. I knew sound would scare it off and so would sight. I couldn't touch the deer either. I knew smell could scare it off but it was my last option. How could I use smell to attract the deer?

Thinking about attracting the deer I took a leap of faith and will myself to lure the animal by smell. Slowly the deer started to turn slowly around took cautious steps to where I sat. I urged it to come to me faster. Once it was ten feet away I panicked. I did not know how to get the deer to me without it noticing me. Still giving off the smell it came closer. I bent my head down and prepared to catch the animal. Once I could start to feel the vibrations from its walking I crouched down and sprung out snatching the animals' legs. The deer recoiled in fear but I had already gotten a hold of it. I threw it off balance and pinned it to the ground. It struggled but eventually stilled.