TAINTED ROSE

Chapter 17

“I have to find Nat.” Helen stared at Adolpha, eyes like slits. Rose, Sherry and Pearlyn joined Adolpha as they tried to convince Helen to stay in the classroom, where they were protected by Adolpha’s traps. Helen shook her head and stuffed the butter knife into her pocket. The rest had never seen her so stubborn before. Crystal slunk forward to add her voice, “You seriously think that you could protect yourself with that tiny thing? You wouldn’t last a day.”

“That’s why I’m going with her.” Rose said simply. Helen looked at her friend curiously. Rose shrugged and put her hand on Helen’s shoulder. “Nat’s my best friend too.” Helen smiled and walked out of class, Rose following behind her.

-

“Where would Nat go?” Helen asked herself. “Somewhere hidden. Safe. Quiet.” Helen snapped her fingers, getting Rose’s attention as they walked through the abandoned corridors of the science block. She had thought of the place, the place where so many girls faced stringent military exercises and torture. The place which everyone would avoid unconsciously.

“The Assassin Scouts Room.” Rose understood and both of them hurried to the Secondary 4 level, which housed the small room in the corner.

The fighting had returned to the canteen and courtyard, allowing Helen and Rose to reach the room with no trouble whatsoever.

-

A loud thudding sound at the door roused Natasha. She stood up from her work, flustered and annoyed. “Too soon! I haven’t finished my Taser and handgun yet!” She thought, looking at the wooden pieces and wires in front of her. Grabbing the sharpest wood chip she could find, she peeked through the blinds cautiously, then gave a sigh of relief and opened the door.

“Hey, how did you guys find me?” Nat high fived Helen and punched Rose’s arm lightly.

“I know my best friend.” Helen said simply with a wink as they silently entered the sound proof room.

Rose poked around at the wooden pieces on the floor, only to have her hand slapped away by Natasha. Helen smiled as they sat down. “Good job, Ms Lois would have been proud of your handmade Taser and handgun.” Natasha smiled, and then frowned. “Where did the teachers go?”

“Anyway guys, I’ve been thinking. This all happened so fast. I mean, one day we’re all in classes, with the normal number of executions and fighting competitions, then suddenly, this. I mean, this is really elaborate, would have taken weeks, months, even years to put together.” Natasha explained to her friends. Rose looked confused as Helen had an unreadable expression on her face.

“Well, what can we do?” Rose shrugged and went back to picking at her nails.

“Research.” Helen spoke suddenly, a glint in her eye.

“Sounds good, but we’ll need to get out of this room and I really need to finish this Taser. Helen, some help?” Helen and Natasha got to work, fixing pieces together while Rose looked through the blinds…