The School For Gifted Kids

Chapter 17: Arson

So sorry!! I know this chapters CRAZY LATE!! But we have exam week at school, and I've been studying like crazy. To make it up to you, there will be three chapters this week. They may be slightly shorter, but hey. Haters back off.
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5 days. That's how long we'd been in the vents. Everyone stunk, and we were all hungry and thirsty. We'd been eating scraps for five days, and getting water from bathroom taps. Oh yeah, the bathroom. We had to use an old staff bathroom, with mold on the toilet seat. It was the one thing in the whole building that wasn't pristine. I wondered what was going on outside. Were they panicking? Were they searching outside? We occasionally saw people walk by, but it was extremely rare. I felt crumby. Well, not that word, but let's keep it PG. Although, I'm not really PG. My life story was like one of those dramas on TLC. But I doubt they had anything about an evil genius trying to harvest powers from a magical eighth grader. Wait, Honey Boo Boo. I could barely laugh at my own jokes. I had lost all hope in Caddy and was considering ratting on her to Anastasia. I can lie. Yeah, Caddy... kidnapped me. And... forced me to come along. Aw man. No ones gonna believe that. Okay, it's official. We're screwed. Screwed like crazy. I moved around until I was in a sort of sitting position. I felt something in pocket. That's odd. We didn't have any luxuries like pocket junk here. I reached back and pulled out my old journal. A sad smile crossed my face. I had always been the tough guy, the "Unbreakable Kid" was one of my many nicknames when kids weren't calling me Arson. I was unbreakable because none of the shrinks dad took me to could fix me. But now, I felt all melty and sweet. Like all my memories were coming back. The good ones. Ice cream with my family. Caddy pushing me on a swing. It was like the journal was a pocket itself, holding all my emotions. Once I opened it wide, they were released. I made my excuses the others and crawled away. Once I was sure I was alone, I cracked open the first page and began to read. 

Dear Diary,
Today was epic! Mommy took me and Drew to the carnival and I got to ride on the rollercoaster. Not the big one, the little one that has a face on the front. It's kinda creepy. Mommy says it's supposed to be a happy train, but it's the opoositte. I mean, it's got a really big mouth like that wolf from the story of the girl who had a red jacket.  And he ate her grandma! Oh no! Grandma! I've gotta make sure she's ok! See you later, I have a call to make!

-Ignus

"I thought you didn't have tear glands."

I jumped. One of the girls that Ben insisted upon bringing had followed me. I quickly wiped away the tear that had snuck down my cheek.

"So did I. I'm sorry, I seem to have forgotten your name. And I'd prefer not to know it, so how about you go away?"

She ignored me and made herself comfortable.

"I'm Willa. Why are you crying? "

"I'm not."

"Seriously."

"Fine, Mrs. Nosy. If I tell you, will you go AWAY?!"

"I might."

"I'm reading my old journal. Now, shoo!"

She took it from my hands. I protested and tried to get it back, but she was at least three years older than me, and easily held me off with one hand. Her eyes scanned the page, lapping up every word. Her eyes were wet by the time she was done.

"Aw, that's so sweet! When did you write that?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. Neither should you. Leave me alone!"

I made a grab for the book, but she held it just out of reach. I was feeling extremely cranky already, (being in enclosed spaces can do that to a claustrophobic person) and she was trying my patience. She smirked. Cheeeeeky.

"Sure. But I'm taking this with me." 

And like that, she took off with MY journal. I attempted to follow, but... three years. I stopped trying. I ran away and began to sob. I didn't want to be that guy, the one who was always tough. I wanted to be able to talk to people without sounding dumb and aggravated. But right now, I was able to let all of that go. Like it was coming out in my tears. I cried until late, or who knows. I had no watch. I could hear people calling for me. Ben... Caddy... Willa (ugh)... but I wasn't going back. Not tonight, anyway. Tonight I would sleep here. Safe. Alone. I curled up and cried myself to sleep. 

I woke up to a sight I never wanted to see.