The Super Enrichment Programme

I awoke to screaming!

I led them back to where the book was left lying open on the floor.

I hauled it onto the nearest table and pointed at the page I was reading minutes before.

‘Well... We’d better take this back to the meeting,’ Mr Lee said as Nolan grabbed the book like it was weightless and followed us back to controls centre.

We walked through the door to find that no one had moved, all eyes eagerly awaiting what I’d found.

Mr Lee led us to his computer, making us wait as he typed up what he’d just read. The whole room was silent with anticipation, with the tension building as the seconds ticked by.

‘It seems,’ Mr Lee began as he spun his chair around to face us, ‘That great minds DO indeed think alike, or in this case, two minds that have grown up together enjoying the same things,’

I tapped my foot against the floor as I repeated his words over in my head, not understanding exactly what he meant.

‘It appears that one of the first things Miss Marland did when she became Queen Miner was research her powers. Unluckily for her, so did her best friend,’ Mr Lee gestured at me.

My mouth dropped open as I realised what he meant. Now that I think about it, Emma and I always subconsciously do the same thing within a few days of each other all the time.

‘Everyone here knows that Emma can read minds and change your opinion on them. But that’s only the parts of her powers she knew about at the sorting. She can also make us use our powers for her gain, but it’s never discreet; there is always a sign…’ Mr Lee trailed off.

‘Emma’s sign is bright neon green light and her initials in the shadows…’ I called out, my face flushing when everyone in the room turned their focus to me.

I shrugged and walked into the Dorm, Hale and Nolan following me.

‘I’m going to bed,’ I called as I went into the bath room to put my leggings and top on.

When I walked back to my bed I saw that everyone else was also there, sitting or lying on their beds.

I curled up under the covers as the lights were switched off, falling asleep quicker than you could say ‘controls centre’.

                                       *

I awoke to screaming.

I sat up in bed with a jolt, quickly trying to wake up and find out who was screaming.

I heard a muffled banging coming from the bathroom. I jumped from my bunk and dashed along the Dorm until the screaming was at its loudest.

‘WHAT’S THE MATTER?’ I yelled over the screaming.

‘The- the door l-locked and w-won’t reopen,’ Willow sobbed through the metal door.

‘I’ll get Mr Lee!’ I called back before skidding back down the room and into controls centre.

‘WILLOWS LOCKED IN THE BATHROOM!’ I shouted when I couldn’t see Mr Lee.

He emerged from the Cellar seconds later.

‘God dammit,’ He muttered before taking off in the direction of the Bathroom.

I wandered back along to my bed, pulling my skirt on over my leggings and my jumper over my head.

I sat on my bed to pull on my Nikes when Mr Lee ran back to Controls Centre.

With my shoe laces tied, I strolled back out to see Mr Lee tapping away at his computer and groaning every time his screen flashed red.

‘What’s wrong?’ I asked when he’d stood up and was pacing the room.

‘I can’t make the bathroom door release, something’s blocking it.

Whilst we were talking Candy and Continuum had gone into the library, obviously wanting to do some research on their powers.

I don’t think anyone was expecting another lock-down.

I noticed the red lights first, then the 5cm thick steel door closing into place over the library doors.

I heard Candy scream and Continuum yell about lights going out before I heard the click that meant the door was not going to reopen.

‘What just happened?’ I asked no one in particular, jumping as the lights started dimming until I could only just see my hand when it was held out in front of me.

‘I’m Locking down random rooms as punishment for you finding out my secret,’ Emma’s voice echoed around all the rooms, making me cover my ears.

‘About time you learn how it feels to be well and truly trapped,’ she hissed as the lights came back up.

‘Her personality just gets brighter and brighter…’ Mr Lee groaned.