Run

Chapter 17. The Journal

I mostly ate the vegetables on my plate, barely touching the chicken. I really wasn't in the mood for chicken after this morning. So while all the other boys were eating, I just nibbled.

Once lunch was over I took care of my plates and started walking back to the Blood House, not prepared to see anymore of the horrors of that place.

I felt a hand grab my arm and turned to see Newt.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked.

"You know you don't have to go back, right?" He raised his eyebrow in question.

"What? But the day's not over."

"Yeah, but if someone is already not going to do that job based on their performance in the morning, you get the rest of the day off. And we wouldn't want you getting sick again." He explained.

"So what should I do?" I asked.

"You can go back to our room, go explore, do anything you want for the rest of the day basically." He shrugged.

I thought for a moment, "Guess I'm going to our room then, thanks Newt!" I called going back to the Homestead.

Running up to our room I passed Gally and some of his friends. I heard them cat call me but I ignored it and just went past them and ran into my room. I locked the door behind me so nobody could get in, then grabbed the backpack, journal, pencils and jumped on the bed.

Opening the book, the scent of the fresh paper wafted in the air, the pencils were sharp and the leather binding of the book smooth.

I began writing instantly. I wrote everything. About arriving in the box, the Slammer, my powers, the tour, my dreams, who was Blayke, remembering Newt, Gally's reaction, the Blood House, everything.

I let my emotion fill the pages in front of me, luckily, this was a thick journal so I had plenty of space.

One I was done, I had already filled five pages with writing. Before closing the book, I noticed three things. The first was that the front of the journal in the inside had a note written on it.

Subject A24
The Mistake
Elizabeth

Again, I was told I was a mistake. But why? Why am I a mistake? Is that WHY I'm here? Is that why I was put here? Because I was a mistake?

Something deep down told me that wasn't it, that the reason I was put here wasn't because I'm a mistake.

Maybe putting me here WAS the mistake?

But if I was our here by mistake, wouldn't I be taken away already? Wouldn't whoever put me here already have eliminated me by now?

None of these questions had answers and nothing made sense.

Subject A24? What the hell does THAT mean? Subject. Why the word subject?

I touched the necklace with its capsule of blue liquid. I didn't know what it was, but I knew it was important, somehow.

Knowing I couldn't come up with the answers, if I ever do, it wouldn't be now.

The second thing I found was a map in the back of the journal. But it wasnt just any map, it was a map of the Glade.

It had the Homestead, Deadheads, Animal Pens, Map Room, Slammer, Gardens, even the Box.

Everything is upsidedown here!

Now not only did I have a journal, but jumbled information and a map of the Glade.

I was just about to put the book away when a folded peice of paper fell out.

It was a letter.

I unfolded it and looked at it, it was dressed to me specifically.

Dear Elizabeth,

    I know this must be hard and you can't figure it out, but you will eventually. Just give it time, practice, and things will get better, trust me. You were put here for a reason, even though it wasn't exactly intentional.

We need you here.

Don't be scared of your talent, your the only one with it. Figure out who to trust and keep it between yourselves. Some will try to kill you, but defend yourself best you. Just trust your heart and instincts, they'll keel you alive.  It'll all end one day, don't worry.

I'm watching over you.

I'll see you soon. Stay strong, I love you.

-Blayke

I was shocked, now I know she's real!

I put the journal back into the backpack and put away the clothes that were on the box. After I finished I kicked off my shoes and got into bed.

I needed a nap after all that went down today.