The School For Gifted Kids

Chapter 21: Willa

I saw the whole thing go down. I watched from my hiding spot behind a tree. I saw Arson skitter under the bus - I feel like there's a metaphor in there. But I watched Elle and Ben being dragged away as I just stood there. Caddy was gone. I don't know how long I stood there, but by the time I snapped out of it, the bus had disappeared. The empty space looked like an old battlefield. Kinda like my soul right now. Because I'd probably just let my two best friends get killed. So, basic book logic. I'm going to go and MYSELF killed because that's obviously the smart thing to do. Man, I'm beginning to see how someone would actually do that. For friends, you know. But still. Book logic is FLAWED. Like, seriously? Why do you go towards the noise? Obviously, it's evil! But that's beside the point. I was going in there. For them. I had been a truly terrible friend. I had merely stepped to the sidelines while Ben and Elle totally kicked butt. I felt terrible. I planned out my journey, getting rest tonight before heading out early tomorrow. I walked a bit deeper into the woods, looking for the spot that would give me the most cover. I found a natural rock outcropping surrounded by bushes with a soft bed of old leaves.  I laid down, listening to the comforting sound of the leaves crunching. I fell asleep, gazing at the constellations with my heart full of regret. 

I awoke to a rancid stench of moldy leaves up my nostrils. I had an awful feeling about this. I groaned and pulled myself up, bonking my head on the low outcrop. That didn't help with my nausea. I trudged towards the treeline, shivering in the morning cold. I took a minute to look up at the sunrise, full of beautiful colours. Vivid reds, bright oranges, and soft pinks. My last moment of beauty. I'd never be able to see this kind of thing again. Or see again. You can't see when you're dead. Hah. I chuckled to myself at my own sick joke. If it even qualified as a joke.     (Which I'm pretty sure it doesn't, as jokes are supposed to be funny.) But I needed something. I had no one to talk to, and no one to convince not to go. Which probably would've helped with the whole getting killed thing. But if I didn't go, it would be Ben and Elle's heads on the chopping block. Probably Arson's, too. I'm glad Caddy got away. One less soul lost. I arrived at the front doors of the Institute. I took a deep breath and opened the doors. Then someone closed them.