Crossed Worlds

Chapter 32: You're Next

  "I can't believe you two did that. You could have gotten yourselves into a seriously dangerous situation," James was, more than anything, angry after Lily and Jade explained everything to everyone on the Thursday morning.

"We had to do it, James! If we hadn't of, we wouldn't have the information we do now," Jade argued, and he just folded his arms in frustration.

They all sat waiting to be assorted into groups for the day and, like always, tried to sound like they weren't discussing sensitive Mixed School information and plotting its downfall.

"I'm just happy you two are okay," Zoe smiled over at Jade and squeezed Lily's hand that was sitting proudly in her own. "And J's right. Now we know for certain that everyone here is in danger."

"So, our leaders want to kill us, and we're imprisoned here just wating for whoever's next. What the hell do we do now?" Martha asked.

That's when the silence came. It was hard to know what they could do next, but they were a force to be reckoned with, and so they knew they'd figure it out.

Gabe cleared his throat and began announcing the groups for the morning activities, and it felt strange for everyone but the gang to be in complete ignorant bliss.

"We can't let anyone else die," Jade whispered. "We won't."

They all subtly nodded in agreement.

  The end of the day came around again, and after dinner the group all met in their usual part of the common room area, piled onto some sofas in a tight secretive circle.

"So, is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking?" Hunter blurted out. Everyone just stared back at him blankly, tired and scared and constantly on edge. "Wow, tough crowd. I'm thinking that tomorrow there's another dance in the hall, which is a perfect opportunity for us to go and investigate."

A smile crept across Luke's face and he clapped Hunter on the back with encouragement. "You genius."

"Cool idea," Martha commented. "But how are we going to break in?"

"Well, all staff are required to attend these dances, so there won't be many people around. I think last night there were two guards on the door, that's it," Lily said. "We have my intelligence, and four Wild Ones. We will find a way."

"You guys might want to keep it down," a voice emerged from behind them and they all jumped out of their skin until they realised it was Salim. "Come to my classroom in ten minutes. I've managed to disable the cameras in there, so we can have some real privacy to talk."

Then, he walked away, almost as quickly and as smoothly as he'd arrived.

Everyone shared looks of intrigued excitement, and they waited for what felt like the longest ten minutes of their lives, before finally following him.

He checked the surroundings before quickly letting them all in, and sat them in the circle they'd usually sit in for his activities.

"So, you want to break into the medical building tomorrow, whilst the dance is going on, if I heard you correctly?" He asked.

"They...they've been killing people, Salim. We have to find out more, prove their guilt, and get everyone out of here," James replied to his long-time friend.

"I had begun to suspect as much. And I thought you'd all find out, too. So, I made you this," Salim opened his palm to reveal a silver, glossy card. "This will get you in near everywhere on this site."

Lily lent over to inspect it, entirely mesmerized by what was sitting before her eyes. She lowered her glasses down the bridge of her nose and smiled.