I realized that I couldn't spend forever just crying on the ground. I had a mission. I had to avenge my friends. I wiped my tears away, and stood up. I didn't really know what I would do once I went in, but I had to go. I still had my dagger, and there was lots of water for me to use. I tried to think up a plan, but I couldn't.
Suddenly, a loud 'BAM' came from the other end of the arena. I peeked through the door again, and saw Ms. Gerdalli stroll over to a door, open it, and find a wide-eyed Mr. Folman staring back at her, a large lock on the ground. I put my hand over my mouth, and watched, as Ms. Gerdalli plucked him up by his neck, and walked over to the podium. He struggled, but it was no use.
"This man," Ms. Gerdalli said, loud and clear, so the whole audience could hear her, "has betrayed us. He has attempted to lock us all in here, trapping us. What a fool he was."
The crowd booed and hissed at Mr. Folman, while he continued to try and free himself. Ms. Gerdalli leaned close to his face, and said something. I could barely catch the words,
"Where is she?"
Mr. Folman stopped struggling, looked right into her eyes, and said,
"I would never tell you."
Then he spat on her face.
Outraged, she squeezed. Mr. Folman gasped, then was silent, his limbs limp, his eyes blank.
"No..." I whispered.
Not again, not again...
She threw his body aside.
"Amorty," she said sharply.
A scrawny boy with fiery, red hair , not much older than myself, stepped out from the crowd.
"Dispose of the body, and make sure all the doors are unlocked." she commanded.
The boy nodded, and ran to pick up Mr. Folman, and carry him out of the room.
"Now then," Ms. Gerdalli continued, as if nothing had happened, "any ideas for next year?"
I had had enough. I wasn't just going to sit there like a coward anymore. Besides, if I did, that Amorty kid would find me. I couldn't let that happen. Ms. Gerdalli had murdered another one of my friends. I didn't need her to murder any more. I burst into the room.
"I have an idea!" I shouted, "How about next year, we throw you lot into the maze instead?"
Everyone looked at me, stunned, then confused. I saw why. On the left side of the podium, where I couldn't see before, was my own dead body. I was laying on my back, my eyes staring dully at the ceiling. I couldn't believe it.
How am I there, when I'm here?
Then it dawned on me.
It was a fake. A mannequin or something.
Did that mean that the other bodies...? I shook my head. No, even if those weren't their actual bodies, they were dead somewhere.
The crowd became less confused, and instead, angry.
"Trickery!" someone shouted.
"We've been lied to!" someone else joined in.
I looked at Ms. Gerdalli. Her posture was calm and collected, but her eyes were on fire.
If looks could kill...
I had a feeling that hers could.
"Well, well, well," she hissed at me, "look who showed up."
YOU ARE READING
EQAO
ActionThis is not a story about school. This is a story of Jessica and her friends, who find out something they're not supposed to know, and end up having to compete against each other to the death. Ever wonder what those tests were really for?
