Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. I looked back up at Logan just as he threw himself off the railings and landed in front of my group. He put his arms up to stop the oncoming group and they stopped about five feet in front of him.
Then I realized it. This person was much too small to be Logan. Everyone in the arena was silent. My eyes went back to Samantha and Lola to see that Logan was standing next to them. Our eyes met and his were full of confusion.
I looked back at the mysterious stranger. They turned to face the mirrored area of the arena of which everyone knew the Headmaster was behind.
“Headmaster, this is ridiculous.” Their voice rang out, sending chills up my spine. The person was a female and their voice, her voice, was so familiar.
The mirrors moved inward like a pair of doors, and out stepped the Headmaster. He had chilling blue eyes and black hair. He was attractive for an older man.
“Reveal your identity, Stranger.” He spoke. His voice was smoother than it was over the intercom.
The hooded females head turned slightly in my direction then back around to face the Headmaster.
Slowly, she reached up to grab the edge of the hood. She pulled it back, revealing long black hair and a pale complexion. Her green eyes met my brown one then flicked back to the Headmaster.
I felt myself get dizzy at the sight of her. I must be dreaming. I must be.
The Headmaster laughed. “Sierra, I should have known.”
My knees buckled underneath me. Jake caught me and held me in his arms bridal style.
“Madeline, are you okay? Madeline, who is she? Madeline, is that your mom?” Everyone around me began to ask me questions. My head began to throb. Then, her voice broke through the cloud.
“Madeline, everything is okay.” She whispered. She was close to me, very close.
I opened my eyes to find her hovering above me and I’d somehow ended up on the blood covered grass. Everyone was surrounding me and my mother looked down on me, her hands on my cheeks.
“How are you here? You died.” I asked, trying to set up. A large hand came out and pushed me back to the ground. I turned to see who it was, expecting it to be Jake.
Logan sat beside me, tears streaming from his eyes and one hand on my mother’s shoulder.
I met her eyes again.
“I never died, Madeline, you all just thought I did. Even the men who shot me did. But there was a man there at the store. He waited until the men left then collected me, taking me to his house. He cared for me instead of taking me to the hospital. When I finally realized what had happened I wanted nothing but to find you and keep you away from this place. But he wouldn’t let me. He kept me in hiding, he told me that if they knew I was alive they would come and kill me. Then, they would kill you. And I didn’t want that to happen, Madeline. I couldn’t bear the thought of you being killed; of you dying. So I kept my distance, always watching from afar. I’ve talked to you before, but you never knew it was me. I always kept my identity a secret when I spoke with you.”
“So what you’re saying is me growing up without a mother, growing up thinking you were dead, was better than being in danger of being killed? Well, news flash, MOM, but I’m already being chased; some ones already trying to kill me.” I said, still lying on the ground. The blood on the ground was beginning to soak through my clothes.
Her expression was confused and full of genuine terror. “What do you mean? Who is?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m really set on the thought of it being Mr. Headmaster over here.” I sat up and thrust my thumb in his direction.
He stepped forward with a smile on his face. “Yes, well, what a touching reunion but we have something going on here, in case you haven’t noticed, Sierra.”
“Don’t change the subject, John! Did you place a hit on my daughter?” My mother said, almost in a screech.
“Of course not but if you don’t let these children kill each other there will be a hit on both of you.” He said with the smile still on his face. We both stood up to face him, Logan just behind me with his hands under my arms to support me.
“Do you not realize how crazy that sounded? You’re letting these kids slaughter each other! Look at all these innocent bodies, John!” She pointed at me. “Are you going to let your daughter die for your own enjoyment? That is your own flesh and blood standing here and you’re going to let her be killed? You’re a monster, John; a cold blooded monster!”
Everyone gasped loudly and I felt myself get dizzy. My stomach began to churn and my head started pounding. A cold sweat began to break out on my body and I gasped quietly for air. I felt bile rise up in the back of my throat and I swallowed it back.
“Did I just hear you correctly?” I asked. My voice sounded hoarse, even to my own ears.
“Yes, Madeline, this cruel bastard is your father.” My mother said without turning to face me.
“Oh, okay then.” Then everything turned black and my legs gave out causing me to crumple to the floor before I plummeted into oblivion.
