The Ringmaster's Keeper

Chapter 13: Guilt

I quickly sat up as if I was sitting like that way the whole time. We both went scarlet and Oscar got up to explain to Lili the reason why that just happened. She obviously didn't care and walked off mid explanation.

"I'm sorry about that. I guess I got carried away." He looked awkward as he said it. He awaited a response from me, then left when I didn't give one. I went into the kitchen to see about breakfast. Lili was sitting at the bench eating some toast while reading a book.

"What are you reading?" I said, trying to pretend that she didn't see what happened.

"Oh hi, I didn't see you there." She said, sarcastically.

"Nice to see you too." I responded.

"Do you know why I'm angry at you? Because both of you are cheating on people that love you, and to cheat on your boyfriend, with his brother?! That's an all time low." I felt like I just took a slap to the face, feeling the stinging pain left from the remark. When she did say it like that, I felt like such an awful person, cheating on my boyfriend with his brother.

"Sorry." I said, knowing that that wouldn't make up for it.

"Sorry? Why are you saying that to me? Say that to Austin, and watch the hurt on his face as he realises that after he was gone for one day, you've already found another man, who happened to be his brother. Man, you hit the jackpot." I looked at her face and felt shame. She was right.I was being so un loyal that I couldn't resist the chance at getting a new boyfriend. I walked out of the kitchen and into the rec-room. It was 6:15am now and most of the group was up. I went over to the couches and sat down next to Allegra. I let out a big sign and leaned back feeling tired.

"Are you all right?" Allegra asked.

"I just feel guilty, that's all."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really, but thanks anyway." I smiled at her and just sat there for a while. Then a question sprang to mind.

"I've got a question." I said sitting up and looking at Allegra.

"What is it?"

"Where's the door? To the surface I mean." She gave me an odd look.

"It's over there." She said pointing to a hatch that was built into the ceiling. I looked at it. It looked like a submarine hatch, but it was a bit more heavy duty. I felt excited know knowing the way out of this place.

I waited until it was late at night to go check it out. I quietly crept down the hallway and into the rec-room. It was quite dark and I was stumbling in the lack of light. I got to the point I thought the hatch was at and felt at the ceiling. I finally came across a metal ring and I twisted it. It made a small squeak and then twisted off fine. It swung down and a ladder slid down just in time for me to catch it. I got out the little pocket torch that I found around the place and shone it up the shaft. It looked like a relatively short climb. I began climbing. Rung after rung, trying to make no sound as I did. I finally reached the top when I hit my head on the top latch. I rubbed my head hoping the pain would go away and started twisting again. This hatch was very squeaky and awkward to open. I finally got it open, but I'm sure that I must've woken someone up in the process. This time it swings out and lands on the ground beside it with a soft thud. I peeped my head over the edge of the hatch and looked around. I couldn't see much in the darkness, but is what I could see, we were in a clearing in the middle of a dense pine forest. I got out the torch again and did a 360 degree turn, shining the small torch at the trees. It didn't do much, but was good enough for me to see a glimmer among the trees. I put the torch down on the grass next to the hatch and lifted myself with my arms onto the surface.

Then something grabbed my leg.