MisPrints

•Chapter 17•

-4.21pm-

-Zak's POV-

I turned and ran.

I didn't wait, I didn't try to save her, I didn't stay with her... I just ran. Ran into the dark away from the danger. Away from Edine..

Away from Ely..

She told me to go, I couldn't think to do anything else. I was panicked, yes I admit it... I was scared. I remember watching the door shutting and just standing there in shock not knowing what to do. I welcomed her command to run. Did I even hesitate? Or did I just run to save my own stupid skin.

Stupid Stupid Stupid I mutter angrily under breath, my hands clenched into fists as I stumble along

Why am I so selfish.. even if it meant I got caught as well, at least she wouldn't be alone now. I don't know where she is, I don't even know where I am..

Lost in the corridors under the Xplic fumbling in the dark through a labyrinth or metal floors and winding wired walls. I should've just kept going straight, I shouldn't have turned off cus now I don't even know my way back to the control room. I bite my tongue in frustration.

I have to get Ely back, we have to get out of here. I don't care about Kat, I don't even really know who she is.. but she means a lot to Ely so I guess I have to save and find her too.. I can't let Ely down again.

But where is she. Where... I rack my brain for even the slightest thing that might give me a clue but no.. the darkness has leaked into my brain and filled it with pointless unhelpful thoughts. At least there are no people here. I haven't heard a sound or voice since I ran away. I ran away as far from Ely's cries as I could.. to get away from and muffle the sound, I couldn't bear to hear her screaming..

Or did I just not want the same to happen to me.

Coward. I tell myself. You can't even protect the girl you love.

And I do love Ely. I love her more than anyone I've ever met before. She's not like other the girls I see walking around the corridors, she's different. There was nothing and no one before, just the other boys in my dorm, and the teasing about being a ginger. Then lessons, then food, then sleep. My life was pointless and empty. Totally isolated despite the crowds of other children all around me..

 But then I saw her, and suddenly I didn't feel so alone. She lit up that dark room as we sat and talked on that first night, even then I couldn't bear to hear her cry.. she was crying, and yeh I guess that was my fault too.

It was at that moment, in those few silent seconds that I decided that I would try to make her happy. That that would be my aim, I'd make it so that she wouldn't have to cry anymore. I knew she hated it there, I could see it in her blue eyes as she passed me in the corridor even before I talked to her.

I'll get her out of here. I told myself, I'll try my best to make her happy, even if she doesn't want me I'll be there for her, and I'll show her that she isn't alone anymore.

And now here I am, and there she is. Separated in the dark. I can't protect her here, I can't even save myself. But I have to see her again, to see her smile again.

I carry on walking in the silence, drowning in my own conscience. The silence isn't so bad, until I become aware of my empty hands and miss her holding on tightly and following behind me. I'll get her out of here. I will. I will.

Suddenly I come to a halt as the wall running under my fingers stops abruptly and converges with the opposite one. I've come to a door, finally after what's felt like hours. I shove my hand into my pocket where the key card sits silently and pull it out clasped between my fingers. If only Ely had had this. I feel around for the card slot and pull it through the slot quickly and this time I get it right first time. The door hisses and slides open to reveal another dark open space.