Initiation

Chapter 23: Unhinged

     "What did you do to make Cassidy angry?" Sam asks me sternly.

I raise an eyebrow at him and tap my foot. "Why do you think I did something?" I ask innocently. His eyes narrow at me.

"Because you anger everyone you meet." He responds in a matter-of-fact sort of way.

I chuckle, "oh come on. I'm not that bad. I can be-"

"Yes- you are" he cuts me off, "but that is beside the point. You pissed her off, and I need to know why."

     Unfolding my arms, I stare him down for a solid minute before responding.

"You can scold me or whatever after you see her tonight. She'll probably get the details right anyway." I lift my hand up to my face to inspect my fingers. Purposefully avoiding his steady gaze. "I'm not sure I even remember what I said. Didn't really think too much before I said anything."

     Sam catches my bluff, but that was most likely because of my who-really-cares tone. His expression darkens for a split second. His mouth opens as if he is going to begin scolding me. At the last second, he shuts his mouth before turning around.

Saying over his shoulder he mutters a dull, "just follow me, stay silent, and we won't have any more problems."

     He begins to walk away and is nearly ten feet away when I speak up. Not having moved from my spot.

"But I have a lot on my mind."

Stopping mid-step, he doesn't turn around. He sighs heavily before walking forward. Not even caring that I had to catch up. I can't stop the smirk that forms on my face. He is so easy to annoy, it was hysterical.

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      Our little journey through the League over the past couple of days showed me just how massive headquarters was. Sam leads me down hallways I haven't seen yet. How that is possible, beat me.

     The building was a giant maze of confusion. We keep going further and further into the building, turning halls left and right. Finally, we enter in a hallway with a dead end- besides the large double doors that is.

     The hallway doesn't appear to be used very much. The other halls at least had people walking around. This one had nobody. In fact, this part of the building looked deserted.

"And agent Abrams said Xavier was going to put me into a comfortable room." I think out loud.

     Sam stops in front of a black door located in a small alcove not too far from the double doors. We had passed multiple black doors before this one, and I had a feeling each of them were empty. Nerves crawl over my skin as the situation begins to feel shadier by the second.

    An amused glint forms in Sam's eyes as he lifts an eyebrow at me. He then steps to the side, opening the door. "After you."

I take a hesitant step inward. The lights hum to life, as blink on and off before they stay on. This just proves my theory. This place has been unused for a long time. I am standing directly in the center of the room when Sam stops beside me, analyzing my reaction. I gradually take in my surroundings.  

     Besides the dust that has settled on the furniture, the room was well-kept. There is a large bed against the farthest wall facing the door. The material covering the bed was a deep purple; which contrasted the soothing light grey walls. My eyes scan over the room, passing blank picture frames hung in a neat design. A white board hangs above a side table next to the bed. I take a step closer to read a note written in fancy penmanship.