Closer to the End

Chapter 9

(this is an old photo, but Lola's on the right, and Valerie is on the left. Her cracks are left out on purpose)

I scowled. Anger was prominent and I wasn't afraid to show it. I was fed up with them already, that I could feel my body curling in on itself.

"What do you mean, a price..." The stupid albino (really? You're calling her that?) picked at her crusty nails. They were bloody and cracked. Just like her skin. She was going pale, her cracks were connected and bleeding slightly, her eyes were filling with blood. It was the most disgusting sight I've ever seen. (I never noticed how everyone had cracks in their skin-)

"You know... like... you team up with us and the next blood nights. They get rough, but I'm sure you know. But... with your skills. You'd make a good teammate. And the others, of course" She rolled her eyes and smiled back at me. What a bitch. Andrew scoffed.

"Whats it for us? You just want protection from us right? Sucks to suck, we don't help weaklings." Albino walked closer to Andrew, but I stepped in her path. She looked over my shoulder.

"Well, you can't get upstairs without another group showing you the stairs.... and we're class 72.... meaning... we're upstairs." ( This girl sure takes her time explaining) Mara pushed me aside and stood in front of albino.

"DEAL! I've always wanted to go upstairs!!" I glared back at Mara and took her by the ear. She winced, but I don't really care, I was furious. Mara thinks she can do whatever the HELL she wants, and SAY whatever the hell she wants. She voted me as leader of this fucking group, and now she bosses people around? Hell no.

"I make the final call!" I twisted her behind me. I Ignore her cries in pain.( Fake pain) I eyed albino,"Well, shouldn't we at least know your groups name? You start." I wanted to get going already.

Albino giggled. Ignoring what just happened between Mara and I. "Of course, well, my names Valerie. I'm the leader of my group. The other five are Gina, Yama, Luka, Finn, and Joseph. Now, introduce your group. Of course, we already know who you are Lola." I tense up at the mention of my name. I guess I was more famous before the brainwashing. (Great, just what we wanted.)

"Well... there's Mara, Andrew, Leo, and Jason. Now take us upstairs, I'm going to fucking lose it if we-" I felt my brain tense up. Like it was forcing me to stop speaking. My head was pounding, but my face didn't move an inch. I just stared into Valerie's eyes. I heard a voice echoing in my mind, it was painful and annoying to listen to. I gave up trying to listen. I finished my thought instead.

"we... don't move along..." I wasn't originally going to say that, but good enough. It's like... my other side told me to gain some control... no probably not.

I know denying the fact your insane isn't helping, but what else can I do.

Valerie smirked. I wanted to slap her. She turned and mouthed "follow me" but I just couldn't care enough to pay attention to her.

We followed Valerie around the school. Her group was... nonthreatening? I mean, if I even so as looked at someone, they would shiver before stiffening themselves out. What kind of invasion team shivers before another group leader. (Especially one that doesn't know what the hell she's doing.)

I tried not to look them in the eyes anymore, not to cause them anymore distraught. We kept walking until we came in a hallway we've already been to. I was ready to blow a fuse again. She better not be tricking us. I went to place my foot down on the ground, but instead... it felt like I was stepping on stairs?

I started paying actual attention and noticed that... I was standing on air. I craned my neck up to see Valerie walking on air.... Suddenly, the painful screech known as Mara's voice filled me ears and started to ringing throughout my brain.

"WOW. So, the stairs were invisible this ENTIRE TIME!" I rolled my eyes. She was so "happy" all the time. Yet, I can't get the thoughts out of my head that she eats other humans. To avoid another Mara screech I picked up my pace. I reached the top and stood by Leo. He looked nervous, I don't blame him.

"Hey" I nudged his shoulder. He happily, didn't shine away. He looked right at me. That's progress right? I really wanted at least someone sane to talk to here. Leo seems like the best person.

"Yeah?"

I looked around. "So, you don't really like killing right?" He nodded sadly.

"Mmh... I just can't stand the sight of blood. I don't want to go insane... but even if I don't kill, I still feel like I'm losing my mind." I raised a brow. "What do you mean by that, you can only lose sanity by killing others... right?"

"I- don't know. I'm actually a schizophrenic. I... would rather not go into the details yet." I put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, no worries man. I'll always respect ones decision. I suffer from mental illness too. Not... as bad as yours... but if I told you, you probably wouldn't believe me."

"I... bet I would understand." I smiled. Something I didn't know I was possible doing.

"Well, I actually have-   LEO" I pulled Leo down on the ground as an axe came swaying right for us. I propped up and left Leo on the ground.

The person in question was holding an axe way to big for their body. They looked half dead like Valerie, but only... They had cracks leaking blood. They're eyes were completely red, they were pale like snow... and... they were holding a chunk of human flesh in their mouth. The rotting smell hit my nose like a firetruck. It was intoxicating.

I heard yelling in the distance. I looked up and say a male swinging another axe at Mara and Jason. They were fighting this guy. I scanned the person. I realized they were a blond female with 89 written on their shirt. I chuckled. I felt my arm twitch with anger.

"Well, we found our targets."

"No shit!" Jason yelled back. Avoiding the slamming of the hammer. I glanced at the upcoming axe and bent downwards to avoid the swing. She wasn't fast enough to do real damage.

"Well no time to stall! Valerie, take your group, Leo, and Andrew to room 89 and get the supplies! We'll deal with them." They didn't need me to tell them twice, and took off.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance and clicked my tongue. The axe came swinging at me from above. I moved over and grabbed the bar of the axe. This was far to big for her to use effectively. Although, it was heavy.

My arms already ached from the weight of the axe. It didn't help she was pressing harder. She chewed on the flesh as I laughed. The fog was coming back, probably telling me to calm down... but this is too much fun. I removed the axe from her hands and threw it down the stairs. Causing the flesh to fall of her mouth. She suddenly hurled all the flesh she had eaten.

It was pinkish and bloody. Some fingers and an eye-sockets mixed in. Flesh, both dark and white. It all looked brand new. I gagged at the smell. It was horrendous. 

The bloody smell spilled from her mouth. I couldn't feel my body anymore, but I went with it. I slammed my foot on her head as she was leaning over and crushed her face into her vomit of flesh. I could hear the bang and almost felt it as her face met the cold, concrete floor.

The fog was unbearable in my mind, but the feeling of fighting... was to much. I was getting high of this feeling.

Suddenly she threw a chunked of pink body parts at me. It hit me right in the face. I stepped off her face and backed away. Grabbing flesh after flesh away from my face, gagging and hoping not to swallow any.

I soon felt the ground leave underneath my heel, and soon as I knew it... I was falling.