The School For Gifted Kids

Chapter 24: Willa.

I ran across the hall, Caddy following after. Something seemed... off. 

"Caddy, wait a second."

"What?! We have to go now. To get to the security guards office."

"Somethings wrong."

"What do you mean? Did you hurt yourself?"

"No... it feels like someone... Nah. That's crazy."

"What? Please tell me."

"It feels like we skipped a chapter."

"Are you implying we're in a book?"

"No. It feels like something in the order of something else was disturbed. Like we went from chapter 2 to chapter 4 without chapter 3. Nevermind, that sounds ridiculous."

"Totally."

We had the office in our sights. Yeah. It had two guards out front. Two guards with big guns. I held my breath as looked around, making sure no one was watching us. I nodded at Caddy and we walked straight past them.

"Hey! It's them! The fugitives!"

They started running after us, but one moment they were safe on the ground, the next? They were suspended in mid-air, an invisible hand grasping their necks, all Darth-Vader-style. They clawed at their throats, trying to pull off the transparent force choking them. I grinned. 

"Drop the guns and I'll let you go."

"Sure! Just, just, please!" 

Their guns clattered to the floor. Caddy grabbed them and I (not so gently) lowered the men to the floor. A smile and a high five was shared between Caddy and I. It felt like I'd known her my whole life. A real friend. Not like anyone else. I'd always tried to make friends, but once they found out about my sister... no one wanted to hang out anymore. We walked into the security office. 6 monitors, just like she said. And out of Caddy's pocket came something that resembled a computer's motherboard. 

"I know I should be worried about other stuff, but how did that fit in your pocket?"

"I've got big pockets." 

"So... that's it? I thought it would be... grander."

"You want a bigger boom?"

"No! Of course not. Are you sure this thing is stable? I mean, it won't just go off, right?"

"I don't think so. You ready?" I nodded.

"Good. See that button there? Once I'm on the cameras, you press it. But not until I'm in hallway nine."

"Thanks... You're really nice."

"Please. Don't get all mushy on me."

"Sorry. The reason I get all mushy is because I'd never really had friends before."

"That I don't believe. You're so... Pleasent."

"Yeah. That's all you can think of. That's all anyone can think of. It's like when people say "Oh, you're so nice" or "Oh, you're so funny!" It's because they can't think of anything else."

"And that's why you don't have friends. Because you're pleasant, funny and nice?"

"No... I had an older sister."

"And I have a brother. Can we get to the point here? There's a crazy lady trying to kill you, remember?"

"One day, she disappeared. They found her in a coma caused by overdose. When she woke up, she freaked out and they deemed her medically insane. No one wanted to be friends with me after that. It's like they thought I was going to go insane too."

"What about Ben and Elle? I thought you guys were friends."

"I haven't told them yet. Once I do..."

"They won't care."

"How do you know?"

"I just do. Anyway, know that I'm your friend."

"Thanks."

"We need to find out where they're keeping Ben and Elle."

"You mean where they're passionately making out?"

"First of all, ew second of all, you're jealous."

"What?! No. They're just- really close."

"No, you like him! That's why you two have been so distant!"

"Whatever. I don't like him, and we need to find where they're keeping them. Will it show on the cameras?"

"It should. Let's check." 

We flipped through several screens. Nothing showed up. 

"Is there anywhere other than sewers with no cameras?"

"They wouldn't..."

"They wouldn't what? Is there another blind spot?"

"Yes... But I don't think..."

"Oh my god, just SAY IT!"

"The only place without cameras is the TC."

"TC? What does that stand for?"

"You'll..." She gulped.

"You'll see." She seemed nervous. We carefully peeked outside the door.