Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 15

Part 15 Of The First Draft

“We can't die, Renee. All of us are way too young. I'll find a way to stop these foul creatures from destroying us all. There is just one thing I am confused about, though.”

Renee gazed at me, and asked,

“What is that, Mindi? What don't you get?”

I returned her steady gaze, and ventured,

“What does Becky have to do with all of this?”

Renee only provided me with something very cryptic in return,

“Just like you, she is a chosen one. Someone who can save the underworld. That is all I can say.”

Renee walked off, and I returned to the living room, where I laid down and drifted off to sleep. I will return to school tomorrow. It'll be Friday, so I don't have to worry about what might be an awkward adjustment back. Many kids miss four days of school in a row. The only thing I'm worried about is all of the homework I'll have to make up. Oh well, I'll do what it takes to catch up. I really do want to say I passed high school one day.

Perry, Becky, and I exited the house and got in Perry's car. Becky sat in the back, and she asked him something before we took off,

“I’m sorry if you feel that I got you into this mess. I'll find a way to get you out, I promise you.”

I had an idea.

“Becky, can you help me with something after school? I need you to help me figure out what exactly the corrupted watchers are, and for that I'll need photos.”

Perry started up his car, and then immediately opposed my plan,

“Mindi, that's too dangerous. You two aren't going to go hunt for pictures of these psychos.”

I objected,

“You can't stop me, Perry. If you are so worried then why don't you come with us?”

Perry sighed, and conceded, adding one condition to it all,

“Fine, just please don't tell my mother about all of this.”

I laughed, and agreed,

“You got a deal, my darling. Don't worry. The corrupted watchers won't even know we are there. You have to remember that Becky has the habit of being invisible when she wants to be. As for us? We can just watch from a distance and jump in if she does get in trouble.”

Becky asked, herself not sounding the least bit afraid,

“Can we do it today? Pics of the watchers would be of great help to the resistance.”

Perry answered this one,

“Yes. We'll go right after school. Be ready after the last bell rings.”

Becky resounded,

“Deal. Just get me close enough to where they gather and I'll do the rest. It'll be a snap....he he.”

We all got out of the car when we made it to school and walked to gym together. All three of us were quiet and communicated little with other students and each other. When lunch period came, Perry noticed how I was feeling. He didn't say a word but I knew he was worried. I had been depressed all day as once more I feel responsible for what has happened to us all. Becky was the one who surprised me, asking me as we ate,

“Are you feeling okay, Mindi? You're a lot like me...I feel bad all the time. Sometimes, I feel responsible for my mom and dad dying.”

I looked at her, a bit agitated. I asked her,

“What? Are you a mind reader, too?”

“No, Mindi, I just care about you. Whether you like me or not we need to work together to get out of this mess we are in. It might not matter to you, but, I......I love you, Mindi.”

I smiled at Becky, and told her,

“Right back at you, Becky. We have a long ways ahead of us...don’t let my depression bring you down. It’s as normal as Irish rain.”

Becky gave into me,

“I’ll try not to worry. Let's focus on getting those pics and going from there. If we can't take the corrupted watchers with brawn, then we have more than enough brains to outsmart them. Just please, promise me you won't give up on me. Everyone else has.”

Perry added his two cents,

“Don’t worry, Becky. We actually like you. You'll always be someone we do care for.”

The bell rung, and we separated, hurrying to our classes. My remaining periods left me with a ton of homework, and I knew that I would have to study all weekend long. If I fail this year, I know that my parents would be very disappointed. I cannot fail them. I've done enough of that lately. This time, I need to put my insecurities behind and shine. Besides, I can't just let us all die. My depression may be one thing, but I need to rise above it. I can't just sit here and feel sorry for myself. No, I just can't.

The bell rung, and I hurried out to Perry's car, where Becky was already waiting. She greeted me,

“Hey, Mindi. You ready to get those pictures?”

“Of course, babe, like you could not believe.”

When Perry caught up with us he didn't feel like wasting any time. We all got in the car, and he took the most direct route to where we could be positioned directly over the cemetery which the watchers liked to frequent. We got out of the car, and Perry motioned to the graveyard below the parking lot he had parked in, and told us,

“I’ll stay up here. It's all up to you two to get those pictures. I don't know a darn thing about cameras, not even the one on my phone.”

Becky laughed, and remarked,

“It’s easy. All I have to do is get close enough. Mindi, please watch my back. I'll need you.”

The clouds overhead darkened the graveyard and the stage was set. We had one good chance to take these shots and if we fail, we might just become overwhelmed. If they see us, they'll try to capture us or worse. However, I believe today is as good as any to make our move. We can't just sit here and let them try and find us. All of us combined would be no match for the filthy spawn that is the watchers. They just aren't human, not even remotely. Becky is right. We will have to outsmart them if we wish to defeat them. It'll be the death of us if we don't.