Hidden Society of the Talented

Chapter 2

As the people started to get all the kids out of their van, I started to slip out of my bonds that I had been working for the entire ride. Throwing the bonds away from me, I remained on the floor as I kept trying to control my breathing. Soon I felt myself being lifted off the floor and shaken like I was trying to be woken up. I opened my eyes just a little bit before hitting the ground harshly.

I really opened my eyes then. I tried to catch my breath and grimaced, scrambling away from the adults' legs on my hands and knees. Someone must've been behind me because-once again- I felt myself being lifted off the floor slightly by my waist. I squirmed uncomfortably, trying to hit whoever was grabbing me.

They let out a grunt as I kicked their knee. "Hey- Relax-" It sounded like another teen. Just.. maybe a little older than me. That shocked me and I turned to see who the heck was picking me up.

His gaze was hard, a small bruise starting to form on his right cheek. But.. damn. That's all I gotta say. He had a dirty blond mane of hair, brushed to the side. It looked unkept and natural, which worked surprisingly well for him. He has a few freckles spreading across his cheeks and nose, green eyes piercing into mine. He had one of the uniforms on, like he was working here as well.

"U-Um.." I stopped squirming.

He set me back down and I almost fell over, barely managing to catch myself. He rolled his eyes and started to turn away. "I'll escort 11375 to her room. I'll be back later." His voice was slightly higher than I thought it would be. But it wasn't a bad thing.

He roughly grabbed my arm and started to basically drag me across the yard towards a building. The further we got from the others, the more he dropped his tough act. He started to loosen his hold on my arm.

"Why am I being taken over here? What about the others?" I wanted to ask so many more questions. I didn't want to forget them.

"Doesn't matter. What's your name?"

"Apparently it's 11375."

He scoffed at my comment. "Real name."

"Shouldn't you know it?"

At that, he didn't respond. So I fell silent as well and blindly followed this man- no, boy. We got into the building. It seemed oddly bright and comforting for a place so terrifying and dreadful. It looked like a lobby of a plush hotel: Black and white couches here and there, paintings lining the walls, soft carpeting under my bare feet. The hallways seemed to last forever. Some doors kept popping up, but they blended in with the walls so it was hard to see where they were. I'm pretty sure I missed a few.

This boy led me a few more feet down before stopping in front of one door. There was a little gold plaque by the peephole, stating, "11375, 18657, & 46778".

They don't even call us by names. This is insane. And why are there three numbers?

I didn't even notice the door opening in front of me since my thoughts consumed me at the moment. The boy managed to get me back to it by snapping loudly in my ear.

"You good?" He asked softly. I didn't know if I should trust him or not. He seemed nice, but I've been deceived one too many times by people like that. I decided not to trust him.

"Fine." I looked away, crossing my sore arms.

"Well.. when you're done with your own pity party.." He trailed off and led me into the room, his hand back on my upper arm.

I cursed softly under my breath and ripped my arm away from his hand as I looked around. Two others sat on a round couch, quietly talking. The boy cleared his throat, making them look up.

There was a girl and a boy. The boy looked about fourteen, like me, but the girl looked.. about fifteen or sixteen. I couldn't tell. I immediately recognized the boy though. "Brady? Wha- they got you too?" I asked meekly.

He was my friend from school. Since I had moved from the girl table because of someone terrible, I sat with the guys. One of those guys was Brady Stevenson. He was very athletic and just a cool guy in general. His hair was short and brown, with brown eyes to match.

When he realized it was me, I think he completely forgot what he was talking about before. "Mat? Really? You let them get you?"

I frowned at that. "I was asleep. Vulnerable. I couldn't do-"

The girl cut me off, looking wide-eyed. "Wait- Mat? As in.. Mat who role-plays? Grey Leader?"

(I'm sorry Spy I had to- :') I hope I don't go too off of your character- I dunno what you look like though- D:)

That stopped me. I turned to look at her. "Sky?!"

She nodded at me. Her face gave away the fact she had been crying, her eyes bright and her face slightly red and puffy. I frowned as she nervously played with a strand of long hair. I looked between the two.

"I.. I can't believe it. I'm sorry we had to meet like this, though."

Brady looked confused and Sky sniffled softly and nodded.

The boy rolled his eyes, stepping behind me. "Hate to break this up, but I'm going to take my leave. If you need me, I'm Kyle Walters. Call for me if you need me."

Without another word from any of us, he turned and walked out, shutting the door behind him. As the room fell silent, I could hear the lock clicking and the sound of Kyle's boots clicking in the hall before he reached the carpet again.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Well.. um.."

Brady spoke up first, with the thought we were all thinking.

"We've gotta find our way outta here. And fast."