Masters of the Unknown

Part 1- Chapter 5

Charlie

Where are they? C'mon, c'mon. What was I thinking?
I mean I've always ran. Running a what I'm good at. I run after a ball, and run against people. And I run from people.
God, I still remember the first time I really ran. My parents were fighting. Dad yelling. Mum yelling. Forgetting I existed.

And I ran. Out the back door, down to the park art the end of the block. And I felt free. At five years old I felt so free.
Then dad left and mum never put a key under the mat. She never left the hall light on. She only boils the kettle for herself.
She's there for me, at least. After the fighting stopped she realised there was a little girl living upstairs who heard everything, every time.
And now that little boy is in a school with a gunman on the way to kill him. And he's alone again.

****

2 years ago

"And... why do you think these voices aren't just your imagination?"
I sighed. The always ask the same questions. Why do you think they're real? What do you think they are? Could you be crazy? Ok they never actually ask that one but, it's always the same. With another sigh I answer. "Because, there's a difference. I know how imagination and reality work and the voices are not imagination."
A sigh from him and "Charles I just don-"
"It's Charlie." I interrupt.
"Charlie, I don't understand how you think that you're really hearing things."
"I don't think I know. I know. And it's not just me. I'm the only one who can see them in that house but, there are millions of other people around the planet who can or see things that aren't meant to be there."
He stays silent for a while. That's how it goes. They pretend to understand. They try to get me to think differently, to think that I might be crazy. The they get annoyed cause I don't start thinking that I'm crazy and they give up. I wish they would give up. All of them.
"I think I need to speak to your mother."
"She's not my mother."
He doesn't reply except for a slight nod of his head and I walk out.
And I know that weeds grow quickly and in multitude but, roses are stronger.

****

After a while I find myself walking. Just trying to find silence in this place. I know it's quiet but, it's never really silent. Never really cal or peaceful. The walls are screaming because they're a drab grey, and the want to be in colour. And the floors squeak with the weight of rumours and

lies that people have told here on a daily basis.
And I hear shuffling. This I know is not just in my head. But, it could fool any sane person. Anyone who doesn't know what the voices sound like. I follow the notice. I don't have enough energy to try to hide. I just follow the very real sound.
It leads me to a classroom but then it's quiet. I know the rooms empty thanks to the window right next to the door. But empty isn't the right word to describe it. Especially not when I see a black boot sticking out. And shaking hands.
"Eve." I probably shouldn't have yelled that.
Her breaths hitching. It's loud enough to hear.
"What happened Eve?"
"I-I froze. I froze and they're gone. That other kid was leading them into a classroom and I heard the gunman but I froze and then ducked in here and I don't know what to do." She rambles on.
"We're a team, Eve, and we need to find them. We need a full team."
"I'm scared Charlie"

*****

This is progressing way too fast for my liking