TAINTED ROSE

Chapter 19

“Helen… Helen!” Helen opened her eyes to see Sherry shaking her awake.

“Sher…. It’s the middle of the night!” Helen rolled over and tried to get back to sleep.

“I know, but Adolpha’s gone on a walk and Nat, Crystal or Rose would kill me if I woke them up…”

“I might too…” Helen thought.

“…But I found a clue.” Helen’s eyes flew open and she jumped up. Sherry passed her the yearbook, open to a page bearing the headline “The Academy’s First Time Capsule!”

“Sherry! You’re a genius!” Hugging Sherry, she moved to wake the others.

As expected, Rose, Crystal and Nat were unhappy and grouchy to be woken up.

“Why’d you interrupt my beauty sleep!” Rose and Crystal yelled at the same time, to Sherry and Helen’s amusement. They didn’t get along very well; but they sure were similar...

Having been shown the yearbook, Nat was soon contented.

“Okay, but I’ll need to make something to blow it up.” Nat got up, bag over her shoulder.

“Field trip to the Chemistry lab? I’m in.” Helen got up and dusted off her uniform.

“We shouldn’t all go. I’ll take Crystal and Helen. The rest of you, meet me later with information on where the fighting’s at. Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone and kill some people with the explosion…” Helen was surprised by the edge in Nat’s voice.

-

“Hey guys!” Helen turned to see Adolpha walking towards them with their classmates, Amelia, Trina, Katty, Calista and Lisa. 

Having been briefed by Natasha, impatient to get started on her explosive chemicals, the group snuck into the Chemistry Lab.

-

“Okay, I’m done!” Natasha held out the winning formula. “I’ve designed it so that when the bottle falls, the two liquids will mix and create an explosive reaction. That way, it won’t explode in our hands” she smiled proudly.

A rustle startled them. “Guys, did you hear that?” Helen asked, her voice edged with fear.

“No. Helen, are you…?” Calista’s voice drifted. She never got to finish her sentence. A poisonous arrow protruded out of her neck.

“Ninja 2/8 girls! Run!” Lisa screamed, running to the right with Katty, Trina and Amelia. “Helen, Adolpha, Crystal! This way!” Natasha pointed to the left.

“But...” Adolpha started. “No buts! Just go!” 

The 2/8 girls ran after them, shooting poisoned arrows.

“Oh, no.” Nat uttered as she took one of the girls down with her gun.

“See, Natasha, I told you so. Or tried to tell you. THAT WE WERE GOING TO RUN INTO A WALL!” Adolpha yelled, red spots appearing on her cheeks.

“Natasha…throw the bomb.” Helen said calmly. “Wha…What? We need that!” Natasha protested.

“I SAID THROW IT!”

Startled at Helen’s outburst, Natasha threw it. They crouched down and covered their eyes.

BOOM!

When they opened their eyes, the smoke was beginning to clear. Girls, who had been alive and chasing them a while ago, now lay on the floor, their hair matted with blood. Badly disfigured faces stared blankly at the ceiling.

“Wow, Natasha. That explosion really packed a punch.” Crystal laughed, trying to ease the tension.

 Sherry, Pearlyn and Rose met them. “Hey. We heard the explosion. Whoa….” Sherry’s voice trailed off.

“Uh… one question. How are we going to get the time capsule open now?” Crystal asked.

They started at each other. Natasha buried her face in her hands while Helen crumbled to the floor. They no longer had the resources to create another bomb. They had never considered that.

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