Abnormal {Book 1: Completed, Book 2: Ongoing}

Chapter 28

I freeze in my tracks, unsure of what I should do. Neither the girl nor the robots notice me, so I slip quietly towards the corner of the chamber, careful not to catch their attention. I watch closely as the girl whacks the head of one of the robots with her water bottle, and kicks the shin of the other. Suddenly, there's a loud bleep, and it's over. The light in the robots' eyes dim, and they slump to the ground.

The girl reaches for the safe box, unlocking it with her finger. I rush forward eagerly, hoping against hope that there will be two keys left. But as I approach, I see that there is only one small, shining silver key with an intricate design. The girl scoops up the key hastily, only glancing at me briefly before climbing onto the body of one of the robots, and unlocking the trap door above her. Then she climbs inside the tower, and disappears. 

I ground my teeth in frustration, angry tears threatening to spill out. I can't believe it. I was so close to getting that key, I was so close to winning...

If only I had ignored the little girl in the maze. If only I hadn't spent so much time trying to help a demon that wasn't even real. If only I had...

A loud beep startles me out of my thoughts. The robots are awake. The one on the left is painted a peculiar, metallic dark blue, with glowing red eyes that glitter evilly. The one on the right is coated in a dark grayish color, with two devilish looking blades that must act as its hands. 

I back away slowly as they advance towards me. "Hey...uhh...I'm not trying to steal any of the keys," I call out stupidly. They don't seem to react to my voice. Their movements are silent and steady, and I feel my heart beat rapidly as I start panicking. Swearing underneath my breath, I try to find something to use as a weapon. Then I remember the girl's water bottle. I dig inside my backpack until my fingers finally make contact against a cool metal surface. I pull out my water bottle triumphantly, brandishing it in the air in front of me.

The robots aren't impressed by my makeshift weapon. In fact, I think they look even angrier. I look around the room frantically, trying to find a place to hide. There! I see a small wooden table in the corner that I hadn't noticed when I first came in. I rush towards it gratefully, flipping it over to act as a shield as I crouch down shakily behind it. The robots immediately pivot in my direction as their sensors catch on to my movement. They keep walking towards me, and I have no choice but to lift the table up and prop it onto the chair. The table is surprisingly light, and since the chair is made of some sort of metal, it's able to hold the weight of it. 

Suddenly, both robots stop right in front of my table and stare at me, unmoving. I feel my throat dry out, and cold sweat trickle down the back of my neck. What are they going to do? What if they...

The blue robot swings its arm towards me, knocking the table easily out of my hands. I gasp as it falls to the ground, splintering into two pieces. I grab the chair, but it is too heavy for me to lift. I'm only left with one choice. I snatch my water bottle from off the ground, and with all my might, swing it at the mechanical arm. The robot stumbles back, its eyes blinking rapidly as it struggles to balance on its feet. Then I realize I had completely forgotten about the other robot. The gray robot wraps its arm around my torso, lifting me up into the air and causing me to drop my water bottle in the process. I scream in terror, when suddenly I'm released from its grasp.

Both robots fall to the ground as their systems shut down, and I crash onto the floor, my body slamming hard into the concrete. I groan, and try unsuccessfully to stand up. Then I hear an audible ding, and the wall in front of me slides to the side, revealing a hidden door. Two men dressed in military uniforms motion for me to pass through as they open the door. Still winded from the fall, I scramble to my feet, not even bothering to pick up my water bottle as I stumble through the doorway. They must have seen my shocked expression, because the one on the left says, "The first task is over. All five trophies are taken. You have no more sessions for the day. I'd suggest you rest in your dorm to prepare for the second task tomorrow." 

I nod mutely, activating the map on my watch to guide me back to my room. As I enter the hallway that leads to my dorm, I pass Adrius walking towards the opposite direction. I take a deep breath to keep myself calm as he stops in his tracks. 

"Lyanna," he greets me.

I stay silent, deliberately avoiding his intense gaze. 

"Is everything okay?" He asks. "I know that it's your first time, so I can understand if..."

"I'm fine," I reply in a clipped voice. I'm surprised that my voice comes out so cold, and I instantly regret it. I feel a deep pang of longing as I lift my gaze to stare up at his face, my heart throbbing with pain as I see the hurt in his eyes. But I can't just pretend that nothing happened.

"Are you sure?" He presses on. He knows me so well that he can immediately tell whether I'm lying. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes," I say quietly, my voice cracking a bit. "Stay away from me."

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The key!!!