I Saw the Lights Go Out

Pale White, Like the Skin Stretched Over Your Bones

So I just thought that since school started soon (tomorrow for me), and since I've been lowsy at updating recently, I'd give you all a nice early update! :)

Everyone was gathered in Dan's room, and Dan couldn't help but feeling slightly claustrophobic. Never before had anyone except Carrie or his mother entered his room, and now nine people were holed up in there; Joe sat in his original place by the computer, though, by now he'd finished transfering data and had swivelled Dan's desk chair around to face the room. Chris and Pj were sitting leaning against Dan's bed, which was occupied by Carrie, Zoe, Tanya and Louise, who were all chatting about something or other. Emma was stood up against the wall looking around the room with that same hard expression she always wore. 

They were waiting. 

Zoe and Pj had accepted their explanations with more enthusiasm than Carrie and Louise, Pj glad not to have lost his friend and Zoe practically glowing when she realised that Louise would be coming with them when they busted out. 

Dan however, had a growing sense of dread festering within him. It felt like a rat in his stomach, trying to gnaw it's way out. His spine felt stiff and his head told him to be on alert. 

Dan glanced around the room, making sure the door was locked, and his windows were closed. They were. As subtly as he could, he squinted into his dark bathroom, nothing there. 

Emma must've noticed Dan's guarded expression, because she moved over to him, raising an eyebrow questioningly. 

"Something isn't right." Dan muttered. "I can feel it."

Emma nodded, and she too glanced around the room. "There's nothing here." She said, making the same conclusion Dan had moments ago. 

"I know." Dan replied, his voice quiet enough so that the others wouldn't hear it. Dan wasn't sure what it was, but he couldn't shake the feeling. 

Just then, a small beep alerted them to an incoming call, and everyone rushed to crowd around the computer, each person anxious for different reasons. Upon clicking the 'accept call' button, the first face that could be seen was Caspar's, a massive shit eating grin etched onto his face. 

"Hello Suggeries!" He sang.

"Hey, Caspar!" Joe laughed.

"Caspar!" Zoe called, happily. Dan had never seen her happier. 

"Hello everybody else!" Caspar greeted, followed by a chorus of hello's from the people around Dan. Even Louise and Carrie gave him a small 'hi' each.

"Caspar could you get the other's please." Emma said, an authoritative tone to her voice.

Caspar gave a mock salute, and stood, returning only seconds later with a walkie-talkie in hand. 

"Hello, Mr Awesome calling, we need Kermit, Mooneyes, Tanya's boyfriend and the Hobo in here now please, over." He gave the camera a cheeky sort of grin, and a second later, a reply came through.

"Caspar, how many times do we have to tell you to stop with the nicknames." The voice was somewhat grainy over the shitty microphone and the walkie-talkie speakers, but Dan knew it was Alex's voice. Dan snorted. 

"Fine, whatever," Caspar sighed, "Just get your butts in here, we have a call from the Big Boss, over." 

"Caspar, you don't need to say 'over' every time." 

"Yes I do, over."

A door opened behind Caspar and in trailed Alex. "No, Cas, you don't." Alex sighed, then he plonked himself down on a chair in front of the camera and smiled, his eyes finding Dan's through the screen.