PANDORA

Chapter 2

I cannot believe what I am seeing. Is this real!? What's happening to me? I yank the earplugs out of my ear and stand up out of my seat. I look around the whole room, and notice that it is not only Max who looks dead as a ghost, it's everyone. I walk up to Hailee who is seated on the other side of the room, and grab her wrist to trying to find her pulse. I freeze and realise, she doesn't have one. Could she be... no. She cannot be dead. What's going on? I run back over to Max, and shake his body to wake him up. Why is he not waking up? Do they find this funny? Is it amusing to them to watch their students go completely insane! I huff in frustration, kick over my seat which tumbles across the floor, and run towards the door. I look behind me to take a second look at the class, and turn the handle, and make a run for it, trying to get as far away from that room as possible.

I am around three rooms away, when I see a corner ahead. I run even faster then I originally was, aiming to turn the corner. I don't realise whats infront of me, until I've crashed into it, causing me to become super dizzy and on the verge of fainting. Stopping someone in the middle of running doesn't always end well..

"What do you think you're doing out here in the corridors. Aren't you meant to be in your activity?" In front of me is a tall, pale man, dressed in a navy blue outfit with gold patches on the shoulders, and black buttons.

I struggle to give an answer, as I am puffing uncontrollably and can barely keep myself standing. I crouch down and place my elbows on my knees, trying to catch my breath.

"I want an answer now!" He yells at me with frustration, causing the veins on his forehead to bulge.

"Uhhh.. umm.. our activity ended early. I had to go the bathroom."

"You watch yourself you little brat. The activity still goes for another 5 minutes. Who is your leader? What activity are you in?!" he yells even louder.

I freeze like a statue, and look up slowly to face this strongly built man, whom I have never seen before. I cannot go back to that room. Something is wrong.

"Brain in L2, our leader is Adhara, I can show you where it is.."

"You don't think I know my own way around this building? You children haven't been around for as long as I have. I'd watch your mouth next time." He grabs my wrist and pulls me up, walking straight back to the room I was hoping to escape from. What will he say when he sees them all! Will he think I did something?! Oh no. I cannot watch him do this.

He reaches the door, without letting his firm grip on my wrist, and turns the handle. I shut my eyes, afraid of what I will face and feel the gust of warmth from the door opening before me.

"There you are Pandora! Where did you go? How long have you been gone for!? You should've seen what we did, it was so much fun. Julia thinks we did that just for fun, to congratulate us for the sixteen years we have been working in this place. Here, have this. They gave a chocolate to each of us, and when I realised you were gone, I got another one to give to you." Max spoke with great enthusiasm, and placed the chocolate into my hand, closing my fingers over it. I am confused. Fun? How could they be having fun. In my eyes, they looked dead. I..I.. think something is wrong with me.

"I found her in the middle of the corridors. Keep in control next time Adhara, don't want to lose your job." he finally released my wrist, leaving my hands feel sweaty.

"Thank you, I won't let it happen again," Adhara smiled at the man, and returned to her desk, typing away at her computer. The man nods in aknowlegment, and turns around fading off into the corridor.

I turn back around to face Max ready to confront him about what happened in that activity. Instead, he cuts me off and grabs my wrist, causing it to become sweaty again. "C'mon, i'm starving!"