Through The Ascension Room***Book One COMPLETE***

CHAPTER FIFTEEN ~PART TWO~

CHAPTER

                             Fifteen

    I awake the next morning and return to Dr. Finley’s room to try to retrieve the locked box, but it is gone when I return. The stranger from last night must have taken it. Whatever secrets it contained are forever gone. I will never know what questions it may have answered.

My stomach gives a rumbling growl letting me know that I am starving and I turn the corner to head towards the dining hall. When I enter the room the sweet aroma of sugary pastries fills my lungs and my mouth begins to salivate. I quickly load up my plate with a wide assortment of jelly filled doughnuts, crescent rolls, and other tasty treats.

I turn to face the rest of the kids in the dining hall already chowing down on the unexpected sweet breakfast. I see Tristis at the far table where we usually are and notice that someone else is sitting with him. It’s Cynthia. She must have gotten better enough to leave the bed.

I start to make my way over towards the table when someone steps in my way. It’s Percy.

“Mr. Briggs, up late now were we.” He says in a taunting voice.

Maybe it was him in the room last night. . .

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” I say trying to convince him that I really didn’t.

“Listen, I’m not stupid ok, so let’s cut the crap. I know you and your buddy Tris were out wandering the building last night. For what, I don’t know, but just know that I am watching you and I know everything you do.” His words are malice and I can almost hear them grinding through his gritted teeth.

He leaves it at that and walks away.

My interest for the breakfast is quickly lost in the adrenaline rushing through my body from my run in with Percy and the excitement in seeing Cynthia up again. I plop my tray down next to them as they turn to see me. Cynthia’s face lights up with a smile undoubtedly mirroring the one I have on my face. She hops to her feet and wraps her arms around me.

“How are you feeling?” I ask her refusing to let go of her just yet.

“I’m feeling much better.” She says into my left shoulder. “The Doc says that I’ve been healing up quite nicely and I should be able to return to training in a few weeks for sure.” Our arms release and she sits back down and I take a place next to her.

“That’s great Cynth. Were glad you're back, we’ve missed you terribly.” I say gesturing towards me and Tristis both.

Tristis holds his hand out flat and begins to rock it back and forth in a so-so motion, “Meh-meh.” Cynthia slugs him right in the side and he hunches over gasping for air. We all bust out in laughing and it feels good to forget for a moment what has been going on. To drop the world and just live in the moment. This moment, where the only thing I have to do or think about is laughing. The moment lasts all but a few seconds but I’ll carry that moment as if it lasted for an eternity.

We return to our trays of food that taste of heaven. I systematically begin shoving bites into my mouth. Mixing flavors of the different pastries. Until I’ve nearly cleaned the tray completely. It reminds me of the night in the diner.  

I wonder how Aubri’s doing?   

“Did you guys hear about Valde?” Cynthia asks us between two jumbo sized bites that I’m even surprised she fit into her mouth.

Me and Tristis look at each other and his face fills with burning anger just at the mention of his name. We both nod our heads back and forth. “No.”