Runaway

The New Girl

Chapter 2

I woke up thinking I was dead so I tried to pinch my arm. I found that I couldn't move because I saw - or I think I saw - a rope tied to my hands.

I tried to get up instead but it's like my feet were glued to the ground. I also saw- or think I saw - a rope tied to my feet.

I tried to move forward but there was a rope tied to my waist and to a pole I think.

I gave up squirming and tried to focus my eyes to find out where I am. I could only see a dim light hanging from a ceiling and that was enough to make me realize I was imprisoned in a garage.

I panic and try to scream but duct tape was covering my mouth.

I finally gave up and decided to try to look for Cody and Kate to see if they wee in the garage, locked up like me.

I couldn't find them and I could feel my heart beating faster and faster by the second. I was panicking. I didn't know where I was and I didn't know what I was doing here.

I heard footsteps towards me and I looked up. He was probably the hooded figure that electrified me.

"Well hello. It seems you've awaken. Now you're wondering why you're like this at the moment. Let me tell you that we saw you kill the bear and you were chosen," the stranger said as he removed the duct tape from my mouth.

I didn't have time to be afraid and all I said when it was removed from my mouth was, " Why? Who? What? Cody and Kate?"

"I understand that you're bewildered right now but everything will be clear when you come with me later. Don't worry they're safe in another room

"Don't worry? Who are you to tell me that!?!"

"Zeke." was all he said.

He looked like a normal teenager. He had blonde hair, eyes that looked greyish- blue and staring into them for so long would make you think he was sad, lonely, angry , and other mix of emotions. I somehow felt pity for him that he had to put through this mess.

The room was dark enough for me to not be able to see his clothes.

Then, he left me there - alone and bewildered and tied up. I fell asleep.

Later on, he woke me up for a "preparation" of some sorts and untied me.

In the "preparation", I saw Cody and Kate but they were not paying attention to me. I guess I'm alone now, is what I thought.

The "preparation" was an interview.

They asked me all about myself, my background, and other personal questions.

I was much too afraid to go against them so I told them all the truth.

"Name," the interviewer said in a manner that says, I've done this a thousand times now let's get over it.

"Charlotte Edwards."

"Family."

"Died in a car accident. I was raised by my aunt and uncle."

"Age."

"16 next Monday."

"What happened before this?"

"Bear attack and I killed it by throwing a knife in its heart."

"Why did you run away?"

"My uncle blamed me for the death of my parents and he was kinda oppressive."

"Now, I need you to sign this paper. No questions!"

Cautious enough, I signed it without knowing what it's about.

"Okay. The reason you're here is because a group if people - I'm not allowed to say who - saw what you did and wanted you here to train for something - I'm also not allowed to tell you what. You'll be assigned to rooms and you'll have roommates. You have to overcome a test on the first day or else you die - yes, die. If you survive it, you'll be in for the real training. If you break any rule, you either die or persevere under an oppressed punishment that will be given to you depending on what rule you break. The major rules are:

No escaping

No noise or answering back

And

No laughter or fun, should you be called for something, you do it immediately no matter what.

The other rules are just minor but remember them in this book.

Now out!"

I immediately walked out and I heard instructors telling everyone to go to their dorms.

I scurried to mine and the thought of dying hit me hard in the chest but I had to be brave and prepare myself for the worst.

I saw my roommates. Two boys and one girl - including me, that makes two girls.

One boy was lying down on the floor looking at the fireplace. The other was sleeping on the bed. The girl was reading a book on the bed.

I sat on the couch near the window and the fireplace, scared.

"I'm not as harmful as you think. I'm Austin," he said reaching out his hand while smiling at me.

His eyes had a shade of blue with a small tint of green that make him look fierce yet calm. His brown chestnut hair was messily sticking out of his head but in a way that made him look good. He was wearing all black and white sneakers.

"I never said you were. The name's Charlotte," I say shaking his hand and returning his smile.

"Amy," the girl says rather shyly.

She had red hair pulled into curly pigtails. Her eyes were plain green and had a hint of sadness in it for some reason. She was wearing pastel colored shirt and leggings with dainty sandals. Her clothes look burnt though.

"Gabe," the other boy says.

He had jet black hair with chestnut brown eyes. He was wearing a jock's jacket - colored red - with denim jeans and black sneakers.

So far, they seem nice.

"Why are you guys here?" Gabe says.

"Bear attack and I killed it by throwing a knife in the heart." I reply.

"Waterfall and I went canoeing and hung on to a rock in the water fall for 2 hours until I let go and fell on hard land," Austin replies.

"Burning building and earthquake and I'm one of the two only survivors," Amy says.

"Okay," Gabe says.

"How about you?" I ask.

"Same as Amy. I'm her brother, the second survivor," he says.

What could "they", the people who got me here, want with me? They said I was chosen. But.....chosen, for what? I was sure that their experiences were much worse than mine and I didn't even kill the bear. I just stabbed it to weaken it. Kate was the one who killed the bear. What could they want with Cody? Those, I guess I'll have to find out for myself.

One thing is sure. you can't trust anyone yet until you're sure or you know they can be trusted. So for now, I'm all alone.