Seeker (Completed)

The Quad

Chapter 3

I'm aware of how it's just him and me, alone, strolling through the corridors. I took him on once and I'm positive I could do it again. I reach to where I normally keep my dagger only to remember that it's not there any more. I silently curse under my breath, I should have kept the kitchen knife; it was blunt but it would've been better than nothing. I hear my mother's voice echoing through my head, lecturing me. Layla, you must ALWAYS keep a weapon with you at all times or how will you be able to take on people stronger than you, faster than you? How will you be able to defend yourself against multiple attackers? If you lose a weapon make good use of your surroundings, remember that anything can be used as a weapon, anything. I casually glance around but there isn't anything I could use short of ripping a white tile from the floor. There are other things to think about anyway such as: a) I probably wouldn't be able to kill this guy and b) they have my family so don't do anything stupid. If I'm going to break out of here I'll have to first find out where my family is being kept. Justin nudging me interrupts my planning. "Penny for your thoughts?" He asks, casting me a curious look. "Careful," I warn. "You know what they say: curiosity kills the cat." Justin just smiles, "Well, then it's a good thing that cats have nine lives." I can't help a small smile escape my lips. "So they say." I reply and continue through the endless maze.

"Seriously, how do you not get lost!" I exclaim as we turn to see another identical corridor. "I've lived here for seven years, I know this place back to front." He says with a shrug. I give a low whistle, that is a long time. "Ever since I was nine." Which makes him sixteen. Knew it! The corridors start to fade to light purple. "Almost there and just in case you were wondering why some corridors change colours the answer is to help show where the major sections are, you know to help you navigate." I give a little snort. "You need more than colours to help you navigate through this labyrinth, you need a bloody GPS." I mutter but Justin just laughs. "So blue is obviously sleeping quarters," I state. "So purple is for...?" I leave the question hanging.

"Choosing room." He says as though it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Yeah that really narrows it down." I sarcastically comment. A thought hits me and I admit that I'm starting to get a little excited. "Is it a weapon room?" I ask hopefully. "Do I get to choose a new dagger?" Justin frowns slightly at me and I can tell he is struggling to decide wither to be worried or amused at my questions. "No, at least not yet. You're a little blood thirsty, aren't you Princess?" At that I snap.

I kick him behind the knee and he buckles, one would have thought that he would have learnt the first time. I put my arms under his and lock my fingers behind his neck. "I told you not to call me that." I whisper threateningly into his ear. I release him and am irritated to find that I've only just amused him. "You fight well...for a girl." As he says the last bit he puts his foot around mine and pulls back so I topple o the ground. I roll sideways and sweep my leg across the floor and send him falling. We're both on our feet in split seconds, I aim a high kick at him but he catches my foot, twists it and sends me back onto the floor. I turn onto my back but he's already on me, pinning me down in an awkward position. "Damn, forgot how fast you were." I breathe. "Be careful not to play with fire, Layla or you might get burned." He whispers smugly into my ear. My pride is not going to let it end like this! I put more weight onto my left hip, sending shooting pain through it but at least it allows my right leg a little more movement. I squish my right knee between us and try to push him, I dig my foot uncomfortably into his stomach and his grip loosens enough to allow my hands to escape it. I use my right leg and both hands to push him off, I pin him before he knew what was happening. I lean forward so we're almost nose-to-nose. "You're right," I admit. "Be careful who you choose to play fire with, Justin, or you might get burned."

We stop in front of a piece of purple wall with a code system on it. "What I'm about to tell you is a little unbelievable but just bare with me until I open up and show you that it's all real."

"Try me." I say determinedly, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed.

"Behind this door..."

"Wall." I correct.

"It's actually a door, like the one from your cell," Justin mumbles, irritated from my interruption. "Behind this door are four types of species commonly known as the Quad, these species partner up with a guardian, example: people like you or me. At this institute we train children of former guardians to follow in their parent's footsteps. There are only two immortals alive at this current time: Tristan who leads the Guardians and Michael who leads the Titans. The Titans want to overthrow Tristan and take control of the world, plunging it into chaos and as I'm sure you've figured this would be very bad." He pauses to see if I'm taking any of this in. I wave my hand to signal that he can keep going; I'm quite intrigued at how vivid his imagination is. "As a guardian you not only have natural fighting and surviving skills but you also posses some magical abilities..." I snigger. Does he really think that I'm buying any of this crap?

I'm starting to think that I'm here for one of two options: option a) I'm on a 'You just got punked' reality show or option b) I hallucinated my house on fire, had a mental break-down and am now in a 'special' place for 'special' people. Justin cleared his throat and continued. "With your magical ability you will be able to manipulate one of the four elements: fire, water, earth or air. Your ability will be revealed sometime after you've chosen a partner. As I said there are four species and seeing as you know absolutely nothing I'll have to give you a summary on them."

"Spare me." I mumble to myself. Justin looks as though he wants to strangle me but I couldn't care less. "The species are kept in orbs in the room behind this door which acts as a transporter to bring them to you, a little fun fact is the colour of the orb is the same as their eye colour, anyway once you choose a partner and you touch the orb he or she will take on your age..."

"Creepy." I comment. He ignores me and continues to ramble on.

"Merpeople have blue eyes, they can grow fins and gills in water, they are considered fiercely loyal and are relatively friendly and trustworthy. Fey, or fairies if you prefer, have green eyes, they can't lie but are excellent at manipulating the truth so watch out. Werewolves usually have golden yellow eyes but sometimes they are brown, they can shape shift into a wolf - obviously - they are tough fighters so try to avoid pissing them off. Last but not least you have the Vampires, their eyes vary in colour but they are distinguished by their pale skin and they are super fast and strong. Once you enter the room you will be drawn to a species and then a specific person in that species, that person will be your partner. Any questions?"

I raise my hand and he immediately looks like he regrets asking me that question. "OK, am I in a mental institution or on a prank show?" I raise my eyebrows at him but he gives me a blank expression. "I mean fairies? Mermaids? Vampires? How thick do you think I am? I'm not four years old anymore."

"Layla I'm being serious."

"Of course you are! And let me guess...I'm going to have to defeat a dragon to graduate from this institution." I retort sarcastically.

"Of course not; they died out years ago." He said bluntly as he keyed in a code. A section of the wall moved outwards and then sideways. I peer in side and suck in a breath of shock.