Briar Preparatory Academy

Subtle Messages

Celeste POV 

I've been watching the camera in the corner of the room move up and down, left and right for the past few hours. It's never done this before. I watch the pattern it creates over and over again every few minutes. My eyebrows furrow as once again, it dips and flashes at me. My fingers mimic its motions on the ground; a series of taps and holds that I repeat over and over again. I close my eyes, imagining the code in my head.

-.-. --- ..- .-. .- --. . .. ... -- .- -. -.. .- - --- .-. -.—

It's Morse Code.

I sit up and tap the message once again. Courage is mandatory. That's what the message is.

I feel my breath hitch in my throat. Someone is trying to communicate with me. At first I think I think it's Joe, but I believe that whatever he has to say to me he does in person.

A sudden hope hits me straight in the head, takes my breath away, and makes me want to smile for the first time in a week. I bring my hand in full view of the camera and tap out a tiny message. Kate?

The camera is still for a moment. Then it moves again, the pattern different from all the other previous times. The translation makes me breathe so much easier.

In the flesh.

I tap my fingers across my thigh rapidly. Are you alone, Kate?

I bounce on my heels as I translate the response. No. Preston and Seth are with me.

Preston Haynesworth? How did that happen? I tap quickly.

Long story.

"Can you guys hear me?" I say, taking a step forward. The camera starts moving, and I have to rush to keep up with its movements.

Fairly well. We are in Concord, New Hampshire, and so are you. We found you through a tracking device and left the school to come get you. But we don't know where you are.

"I don't know either," I mutter, and glance away, "But I think I'm underground. Definitely not in the city. I would know if I was."

Is there a way you can find out?

I pause and sigh. I don't want to tell them no, even though that would be the reasonable answer. An idea pops into my head, but I try to push it away. But it lingers.

The camera moves again. Celeste?

I sigh. I guess it's worth a try. "I could talk to Joe."

The camera doesn't move for ten, twenty, thirty seconds. Then, blonde guy, I'm guessing.

I nod my head. "Whether he will help me or not is a wild card. But..." my voice trails off as I think back to the last time I saw him. I glance up as the camera conveys another message.

But what?

A muscle works in my jaw. "It's not important. I'll do what I can to find out where I am."

You can't give up our location.

"I know. I'll be careful."

We need to know if you're okay.

My hands ball into fists. "I could be better." I mutter.

We're going to get you out of there. We promise.

Fear strikes through me. "Guys, it's not safe. I don't know how many people are on this compound. But I doubt that he's alone. I don't want you going into something blindly."