Goran Trails *DISCONTINUED*

Chapter 3

     I was walking through my school only everyone had blackened eyes and all crying blood. They were all whispering something. I was just walking straight and I soon found Hailey. She, too, had blackened eyes and was crying blood, only she had an expression. She actually looked like she was crying, crying tears of blood that is. If I covered her mouth, you could see how sad she looked, but only if you covered her mouth. Hailey wore sad eyes but her lips formed a forced smile. Then, I heard her voice.

"Please get out while you still can..."

     I jumped awake. I looked out the window. The sun was gone, and when I finally found my phone, the time read "12:07". I sighed and got dressed in my pjs. I quickly left to find something to eat when I heard a door creak open. I turned around and saw a little boy and a little girl. They were chasing each other and looked like they were having fun. I rubbed my eyes, I don't have siblings so what in the name of God was I seeing? When I looked again, the kids were gone. I sighed and when to the cabinet to find a cup for some water. Ugh! The cabinet was empty. I'd have to drink from one of my parent's water bottles. That, by itself, wouldn't be bad, but my parents never liked it when I or others touched their stuff. Right now, I could care less about breaking that dumb rule. I opened the fridge, grabbed one of the water bottles, and took a drink. 'Now would be a good time to go back to sleep, even if I'm still a little hungry.' I walked back to my room. As I walked back there, I swear to whatever you believe in, I heard children laughing and giggling...

     I woke up thanks to my ma. She was smiling as ever. "Hi, Emily. Was your first day so tiring that you needed more sleep?" She laughed. I rolled my eyes. I just grabbed my clothes and shooed my mother out of my room. I quickly got changed and went to brush my teeth. I wasn't feeling hungry or thirsty. Once I was changed, I grabbed my phone and backpack. I sat down at the table with my mother. She was drinking her coffee.

"Don't worry, Emily. This time, I promise to pick you up. How was the bus ride?" Ma asked me.

"Not too good, it smelled in the bus." I lied. My parents could not know that I had gotten a ride from a stranger. Soon, my ma finished her coffee, grabbed her car keys, and told me we're leaving before I'm late for school. I ran to the car and got in. My ma also got in and started the car. I watched as the house grew tiny as we drove away. 

     Soon, we approached the school. There were already kids outside the school. Some seemed to be in small groups while others were alone. I jumped out of the car and said bye to my ma. I began walking to the cafeteria when I felt a finger tapping my shoulder. I turned around and expected to see Hailey, but I was met with green eyes from another girl.

"Hello there. Apologies for bothering you but I had to ask. Do you know Hailey?" The green eyed girl said. She wore pigtails in her black hair, a bandana that covered one of her eyes, and a friendly smile. I nodded at her question.

"Ah! Emily, right? I am Connie, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Connie bowed her head. "Hailey wanted me to find you. Please, follow me." She said, making a hand gesture that gestured for me to follow her.

"I was kinda hoping to eat-!" I was interrupted by Connie grabbing my arm and walking away. I decided not to fight it and just follow her.

After walking for a bit, I found ourselves in the library. I questioned Connie, asking her why we were here and she just said, "This is where we like to hang out." I didn't question it further. Soon, we were at a bookshelf. Connie felt around before finding a book titled "The Passage." Sure enough, when she took out the book, there was a peephole. I heard a mumble before Connie said, "Just open the door," in a cold tone, then she turned to me and smiled warmly. I heard a click, then saw Connie going to the corner of the bookshelf. I'll be honest, I didn't know what in the world was happening. I pulled out my phone to check the time, it was 7:33. School starts at 7:39. I didn't want to show up late, so I tried to back up, but Connie spotted me.

     "Where are you going?" She said to me. I showed her my phone with the time on it. She took one look, then grabbed a piece of the bookshelf and pulled it out? What? A hidden door? How was that even possible? I looked at Connie as she screamed in the hole, "Code Yellow! Code Yellow!" I watched as about four kids popped out of the hole. A fifth kid popped out and it was Hailey. When she saw me, I huge grin appeared on her face.

"Emily! I see you've met Connie." She turned towards Connie, still wearing that big smile. I just gave an awkward nod.

"Come on, we gotta get to class." Hailey grabbed my arm with one hand and waved goodbye to Connie with the other. I was pulled out of the library as Hailey dragged me to Building 1. 

     By the time we got there, the bell had rung. As usual, Hailey said she'd take me to second period. We went our separate ways, she waved goodbye to me while I just smiled at her. Ms. Bowa was standing outside the classroom. She had dull eyes until they landed on me...

"You there, Girl! Come here now." She seemed annoyed, not angry, but what could I have possibly done that would make the teacher mad at me? I wasn't sure, but when she grabbed my wrist and began walking away, I knew this couldn't be good. She was hurting me, so I tried to pry her fingers off me.

     "Please stop! You're hurting me!" I cried out. Her nails were digging into my skin. I bet she would have drawn blood if she wanted to.

It was strange. I was taught to always respect adults and that I should listen to them, unless I feel threatened. Well, I feel threatened. It was like my gut was telling me to get away. To find a way to free myself and just run. So I did. I bit Ms. Bowa's hand and ran away. She yelped in pain and the chase was on. For someone who was old, this women could run! I found myself running towards the library, I felt like I could be saved there. I ran inside and darted around, trying to get the psycho lady off my tail. Weirdly enough, her one pair of footsteps multiplied and I heard the old woman scream. I feel to my knees, exhausted from running. I heard about five or more pairs of footsteps. I covered my eyes, I was scared! I felt the tears slide down my cheeks. I looked up once the footsteps stopped. There was Hailey. She had sorrow in her eye. I grabbed her hand and she helped me up. I gave her a hug and started crying. It was only the second day of school, how and why was this happening?

     Hailey led a corner in one of the bookshelves. She pressed down on one of the books... But it wasn't a book. It was then I realized it was a wallpaper with very realistic bookshelves. When Hailey pressed down on the "book", a small piece of the wall was also pressed down.

"Come on, Emily. It's time we all told you the truth..." Hailey said as she reached out her hand for me to take. I grabbed her hand and she led me to the small passageway. We crawled through and the walls seemed to grow larger. Soon enough, Hailey had led me and the other kids there, Connie amongst them, into what seemed like a hideout. There were chips and a cooler, a table with paper and pencil. It was decorated with old and worn out streamers, and there was a section with a couch. This place was beautiful, and Hailey had made it hers. 

     "Welcome to Book Club. In this place, kids are allowed to talk." Hailey smiled warmly. I turned around and found Connie with another girl. That girl had her blonde hair in a bun. She had bangs, and the bangs covered one of her eyes. Connie turned and smiled at me, so did the girl.

"What do you mean 'kids are allowed to talk"? I questioned.

"In this school, teachers and staff members are superior. We students are not allowed to talk, question, or even make noises. If we do, the teacher takes us and..." Hailey turned away and I saw her hand touch her bandages. Then I heard a sound of a rip. Hailey turned around fast, and I saw her eye...