The Secret Within

Chapter 8: Zinger

My head began nodding as I battled to stay awake. Suddenly the door creaked open and Beanpole entered holding another large box. "Sorry, we would have already had these on here but the Master insists on making the Newbies feel uncomfortable when they first come. He thinks making them uncomfortable and disoriented gives him the edge." I was to tired to answer so I just watched as Beanpole began to take out the blankets and pillows. "Here, Trixi put together a care package for you. She didn't know you were a girl and she said that she should have been chosen as a provider for you since I was incapable of giving you everything a girl needs. She was so horrified that she instantly went to the girls dorm and packed you some things." Beanpole rolled his eyes while handing me the small bag. "Who is Trixi?" "You will meet her sometime tomorrow. Oh, I almost forgot. The bathroom is across the hall you can get ready for bed in there, you can't get in there again till I come back in the morning."

I stepped out of the room looking down the long hallways on either side of me, something deep inside me told me to run and try to escape. I stood there unsure what to do. Should I run, even if I do there is no promise I would find an exit. Then I felt it like a strange instinct telling me to bolt. I did, dropping my bag on the ground I ran faster than I had ever done in my life. My shoulder brushed the wall as skidded around a tight turn. Pain shot up my legs as my bare feet struck the tile floors. I barely breathed as I choose my path passed corridors that forked off of the main hallway. Suddenly I began to hear Beanpole's voice calling me to stop but this only spurred me to sprint faster. With each turn I pleaded that I would find the exit before Beanpole's long legs caught up with me. I choose a path off of the main hallway hoping it would be harder for Beanpole to follow me. Suddenly I collided with something. I shook my head trying to get everything into focus. Across from me sat a boy who rubbed his fingers threw his shockingly blonde hair. "Wow, you must be the Newbie. Pleasure to meet you" I panicked, picking myself off the floor I once again took off at full speed down the corridor. I heard the boy's voice behind me "hey Newbie, take it easy!" I ran faster but heard him gaining on me. I felt him wrap his arms around my waist sending us both rolling on the floor. I struggled to get up again but this time he pinned my shoulders to the wall, holding me still he looked me straight in the eyes. "Look, I know how scared you must be but I am not going to hurt you and you have to stop trying to get away. You'll only get in trouble and I will have to catch you again. Truce?" I looked into his eyes, they seemed to have no color yet at the same time I felt as though I could see the whole galaxy in them, with many colors swirling around. I nodded knowing that I could not outrun him. He broke eye contact with me and smiled. I noted that his eyes seemed to turn back to titanium gray. He let out a sheepish laugh as he leaned against the wall beside me, his laugh was quite as if intended for only him to hear. "I have to admit, you're pretty good competition. It has never taken me that long to catch someone before" now that I had calmed down I noticed that he seemed more quiet and shy. "Thanks, since you seem to know who I am may I ask who you are?" he smiled with a slight blush "They call me Zinger. What should I call you?" "You can call me Tiger for now, but Beanpole and I are trying to come up with something better" "speak of the devil" I turned my head to see Beanpole running up out of breath. I blushed, suddenly feeling bad that I had ditched him. "Thanks Zinger, I don't think I would have ever caught her."  "Sorry I ran" I didn't feel that sorry about running but I did feel bad for ditching Beanpole "That's okay I would have been disappointed if you didn't try to run at one time or another." I smiled "did you run when you got here." "yep, but Zinger was my Provider so I didn't get very far" Zinger smiled. Beanpole joined us on the floor. "What have you been doing this whole time?" I answered "just talking, after he caught me" Beanpole looked surprised "you got Zinger to talk?! He was my Provider and it took him half an hour before he even introduced himself" Zinger's face turned bright red as I looked at him. Beanpole broke the silence "what are you doing in the Slave side of the Base?" Zinger smiled "Didn't have enough room to get my energy out, it's all out now. She is crazy fast, took me at least a few minutes to catch her." I was confused "How does that make me crazy fast if I can't even beat you?" Beanpole broke in "You will find out on Friday. For now we all need to go to bed. Come on Tiger" Beanpole helped me up and I waved goodbye to Zinger.