Holili. College For Kids. Fortress For Mysteries

Chapter 2

Lily POV

"I don't understand why you're helping me. I can survive on my own. It can't be that bad." I reason more to myself than her.

"Look lily, I'm just trying to keep you alive. You might be the only hope." Was all she said until we stopped. I grabbed my stuff and followed Sage. Instead of follow the rest to the front, we disappeared through the back window in the rat infested corridor. She kept hold on my hand and guided me through the building. The smell of prickly roses and dead carcasses brought me to reality. We stopped and the sight dumbfounded me. The school was more like a castle. Or a fortress as she said. It was painted with black marble and green vines growing in cracks. The air was with heavy mist and the sky was nothing but 50 shades of grey. She led us through a tunnel that's smaller than those tunnels for kids at McDonald's. It seemed alive. The walls breathed in our presence.

We stopped at a dead end.

"It's a dead end. Let's just go back" I whispered harshly.

"Well, Lily. Never judge a wall by its cover." She said while touching a vine. She pulled down and another opening came from our right. The tunnel was bigger so we could stand. Horrible stenches filled my nostrils as we digged deeper into the tunnel.

"Smells like skeletons that were burned and regenerated into puke" I gagged.

"That means we're closer" She hurried until we came onto dry land. We were inside the fortress. The view in here was magnificent and deadly. The buildings were old and antique looking. The grass was dark green and blue. A cold presence passed by and made my spine shiver. A delighted smile appeared on Sage's face. From afar, you could see 3 silhouettes coming towards us.

"Lucky bitch. She gets the new kid" The smallest one complains.

"Well maybe if you weren't so perked up on Jamie Ron, you would get your chance" Somebody numbed his head.

"Jeez, calm down sis. We ain't in a reality tv series. Besides Jamie Ron is totally better than some new flesh. But we needed an upgrade so can't complain." A girl voice came from beside the smallest one.

"Hey bitches come meet our new member" Sage called out to them. They came walking to us. Within 5 feet away, I could see their features better. And wow were they beautifully odd looking.

"Lily these are my gang, gang this is Lily." Sage said snappily.

"C'mon. Don't be mean. Make proper introductions like a sweetheart" One of the guys mocked her.

"Fine, that one is tequilac. He's shitty with cooking and secretly hates butternut squash and cats" Sage said in a mocking tone. They all laughed at her statement.

"Ha, no wonder you never ate Jackies pie. I always thought you were psychotic. Wait, you still are" The girl laughed hysterically.

"That's Sadie. She's your warrior. She says everyones crazy but we all know she's the craziest" She winked at her.

"Love ya too sis" Sadie winked back.

"That small one next to her is Darian. He is actually decently good at fashion. But he hates compliments." Sage said grinning.

"Yes, and I'm sure you told her the rules" Darian said ignoring her comment.

"Duh, anyways next is lassy. She isn't here right now but you'll meet her when we go to lunch soon. She'll do whatever she wants, whenever she wants. Don't be surprised by what she does" Sadie said twisting her hair.

"Oh and welcome to Holili. You'll hate It here." 4 smiles erupt from each of their faces.

***

We seated ourselves at lunch. The cafeteria is the cleanest thing I've seen today. The floors are polished and the seats and tables are cleaned with a rosey smell. I decided not to talk much and just let them lead me. A loud crackling noise came from the speakers.

"Today. . . . . For lunch is roasted duck on Rice. Please sit or starve" the speaker ended. Our food was handed to us by a creepy looking man who was in his 70s probably.

"That is lassy" Sage tilted her head to the side. A girl my size was leaning against a wall smoking. Her eyes glued to the ceiling. She looked similar to the rest but with a purple hairstyle and more visible tattoos.

"Lassy hoe! Come meet fresh meat!" Sadie hollered out to her. Lassy tilted her head towards us and spit out her cig smashing in with her shoe. She walked to us and sat down. She wasn't served any food.

"I have a name. It's Lily" I confronted.

" And she speaks. Not so useless after all" Lassy said bored. She studied me closely. Her eyes were crimson red like blood. She held no emotion like everyone else but something appeared soon after.

"Want some food?" I offered to her.

"And kind. Didn't you hear her directions. You never help anyone." Lassy said plainly.

"Chill sis. She did listen and she is allowed to help US. You've been up too much" Darian rolled his eyes. Lassy only went back up to her wall and smoke again. Suddenly a man appeared to my left.

"Any questions Ma'am?" His voice sounded fierce. I did have questions. But I kept quiet.

"Miss. Any questions" He urged on. This time it was more of a threat. I stuttered. "No, now leave us" Sage said standing up. The rest followed her up.

"You know principle isn't going to like this" The man said with a grin.

"How about this. I walk away. You go do your slave chores and wander hopelessly while your family isn't anything but dead. You really think your safe. Hardly" Sage said crossing her arms over her chest. She walked away and the group and I followed. So did lassy. On the way out, I spotted someone. He was tall and stiff. You couldn't deny he had muscles under his tight fitting shirt. He watched me carefully. I tore me gaze off from him and followed the gang.

***

We are sitting and standing by our lockers. All of ours are next to each others. Sage is digging through hers.

"Bringing a innocent into your mess. So unkind of you" A manly voice came from the other side of the hall. He was leaning against the lockers with his hands in his pocket. His little stubble made him look manlier.

"None of your shit, shithead." Sage said slamming her locker closed.

"I'm not kidding, you better get her out while you still can" he said ignoring her slamming. I do want to leave. But I probably can't and I'm still interested.

"She stays and that's final. Besides its not like you're looking for a cure" Lassy said not even looking at him. Shes playing with a butcher's knife in the air. She stops to smirk at him before repeating.

"Rush hour begins soon" Sadie says looking at her wrist.

"Let's go" Lassy said giving one more glance at the mystery man before leaving. I glance at him and he's studing me as well. Like lassy did at lunch. Sadie grabs my wrist and guides me away.

"I wouldn't. He's hot but he's also Lassy's sister. They have a complicated relationship. Best not to interfere"

"Curiosity killed the damn cat." I finish her sentence.

"Oh goodie. She's learning" Sadie says happily.

"Better now than later" Lassy says. And with that we enter into rush hour.