The Cost for Freedom

Chapter 20

My heart drops as I look dejected, at the ground, then Chase. He wastes no time in reacting, pulling me up and away from the door. We stagger backwards, fumbling to regain our full heights before finally turning around and running. Neither of us stop until we are far, far away.

"What. The heck. Do you think... happened?" I can't help asking Chase in between gasps of air.

He only shakes his head furiously, his lips quivering as his eyes search the ground. I look up and outside the window. It was getting close to a full moon and with the clouds so low it was almost erie. My mind began to imagine things much worse... What just happened?

"I don't know," Chase finally gives me verbal answer. "But I think we should keep moving, at least get to a part of the castle we know."

This is a part of the castle I know. At least I'd been here before. When I found Derek, and then saw Evelyn... This area had been passed by too many times lately.

Chase had begun running already but was stopped now as he turns and looks at me, motioning to follow him. "You coming?"

"Yeah, sorry," I step a few paces forward and we begin picking up speed together down the hall.

We make it back to the dorm rooms safely, and without being noticed. It took longer than it normally would have because we'd gotten lost. I knew where I was going but I couldn't let on that I had been there before, so I stayed quiet and took the wrong turns behind Chase. Now we were finally back to our rooms. Thing is, I haven't slept in this bed in a while now. The idea only made me worry more.

Chase seemed to notice my unease as he places a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, want me to stay with you tonight?"

Any other night, I would have scoffed at him and told him where to go. But tonight, I really needed the company. And Chase was good company. "Actually, yeah," I smile sadly. "Thanks."

No more words were exchanged as we simply passed out. I awoke the next morning a little guilty over how easily I'd slept after what may or may not have happened to Tyler. But then I remembered how much sleep I'd lost the night before over Evelyn.

I roll my eyes as I get out of bed. There has been way too much going on here lately. All of it was getting a bit too close to home too. Tyler's attack last night hurt more than I thought it would too, especially after our last fight.

It wasn't until after I was fully changed and dressed that I realized Chase was gone. He must have slipped out before I woke up... wait did I not hear an alarm? Or did one not go off today?

Stepping out into the hall, I realized I wasn't the only one. The hall clock read 7:13 AM. Frowning, I eye the other kids walking down the hall just as confused as I. Another girl and I shrug shoulders at each other as we both walk around the corner.

"So they forgot to set off the alarm this morning?"

"Guess so..." I look at her.

"But when do they ever forget. I mean they're vampires. Do they even sleep?" She was almost laughing, "Morons. Totally incapable."

"Maybe... Maybe something happened," I say, realizing I was defending them. But something did happen. I'd witnessed it. At least part of it.

The girl walking beside me laughs hysterically and stops, using her hand to stop me too. "You don't get it do you. Something had to have happened. Which means," a sick smile was growing on her face as I felt my stomach twist in preparation. "We get to go out there. We get to fight now too."

She waggled her brows at me excitedly before she started walking again. In disbelief, I stay put. What was with the people here? Was there not a single person here who didn't want to fight? Or was I just meeting the wrong people?