The Enhanced Ones (paused)

Ch. 4 Shiloe

The half time buzzer just barely cuts through the sound of clacking padding and heavy breathing. Turning on my heel I jog back to where Coach stands, a permanent scowl on his face. "What are you doing out there Shiloe?" He growls at me. I roll my eyes inside my helmet thankful its dark out.

"Sorry coach." I shout to be heard.

He harrumphs and throws his arm out towards the main gym. Once again I turn on my heel and jog away with my teammates keeping an arms distance away from me. If i didn't need to exercise I would have given up sports long ago. The way I am treated by not just my teammates but everyone in school with the exception of Willow and her family. They have always been so nice to me.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Willow watching me. I give a small wave. As she goes to respond an arm snakes around her neck and pulls her into the shadows. I stop dead in my tracks. Someone slams into my back the impact not even budging my footing. I turn at the sound of a whimper. Laying in a heap is one of the sophomore players. I check to make sure he is conscious and whole then I run towards the shadows where Willow had been taken.

My cleats clatter on the cement as I pass close to the school. The building should be locked, but as I near a door I can see that it's propped open. Stepping inside I take a moment to yank off my cleats and socks so that I can move quietly. Then I set my helmet aside so that I can see and hear my surroundings better. I close my eyes and listen. After a moment of silence passes a sound like a skidding chair erupts from a nearby room. I start running on the balls of my feet making little sound. I round a corner and bump into someone. I look down trying to see if they are okay, but no one lies crumpled at my feet.

"Shiloe." A female voice says from behind me. I spin to see the outline of a female in loose fitting black clothes.

"How..." I begin to ask, but the woman shakes her head.

"It's not important, we need to find Willow."

"So she is in danger." I say feeling the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

"You both are." The woman looks down the hall I just came from as if expecting someone. "We don't have time to talk." She looks back at me. "He would have taken her to the roof. Follow me." She turns toward the stairs.

"Who?" I ask close on her heels.

"Bert." She says the name like its poisonous.

"Who?" I ask feeling like I should know the name.

"Right now that is not important." We reach the top of the stairs. A long hallway stretches out before us.

I race through all four years worth of memories in this hallway trying to remember a door or hatch leading to the the roof. Nothing. I grab the woman's sleeve to tell her there is no way up. When she turns I get a clear view of her face. "Miss Fazer?" I gasp in shock.

"Yes?" She asks not surprised at all by my reaction.

"Who are you?" I whisper.

"Right now who I am is not important. Saving Willow is." She says. I look in her eyes trying to decipher the puzzle in there. A scream interrupts my thoughts bringing both of our eyes to the ceiling.

"Willow!" I shout. A hand falls to my shoulder. I look to Miss Fazer.

"How high can you jump?" She asks me.

The randomness or her question sends out a burst of hysterical laughter. Her face remains serious so I fight it down and remind myself that Willow needs my help and that I have to remain sane.

"There are no roof access hatches." I say.

She grins and holds out hand. "We don't need one."