Breaking the Test

Chapter Seven

        Ping! 

        I pull my phone from my pocket while I lay on my bed. It's a notification from the group chat. I check the chat and see one new message from Henry.

        "Meet at the Tree at 4-5 pm," I check my phones clocks and it says 3:30. I get out of bed to tell my mom I'm going to the park with friends and she lets me go. 

        I get to the Tree at 3:50 ten minutes early. I sit and wait and two minutes later Henry shows up and we sit in silence until Jemma, Lucy and Pip show up.

        "Why are we here again Henry?" Pip asks.

        "I think I have a plan to find out where they keep the failing students," Every one stared at him begging with their eyes for him to continue, "We could ask that Landon."

        "Who's that Landon?" Lucy asked.

        "You really don't know who Landon is?" Pip asked.

        "When Landon was in seventh grade his score was read wrong and he was taken to what we assume is the holding cells we found earlier." Henry responds, "He was soon discovered to have a passing grade and was released from the holding cell back into the school. Although, his parents were enraged and pulled him out of school and the family went into hiding so the government couldn't force him back into school." 

        "How long ago was this, I've never heard of it," Lucy asks.

        "About six years so he's out of k-12 schooling," Henry answers.

        "This is a great plan I guess but why would we want to talk to Landon? Even if he was in the holding cell he never got taken out of it," I ask

        "Landon's last name is Yandell so he saw everyone taken out of the room in alphabetical order but he was never taken himself."

        "But he still never saw where someone went," Pip interjects.

        "And we have no clue where he could be," Lucy says.

        "Guy's it's worth a shot to try to save Belle," Henry says in a soft tone.

        "What if Belle is already dead?" Someone asks.

        "Has anyone ever saved someone before?" I ask.

        "Maybe, but it's not confirmed," Henry says.

        "How did they do that?"

        "No one knows it's not confirmed,"

        "What makes you think Landon would help us even if we found him?" Jemma says, surprising everyone with her voice. 

        "Well I have no clue if he would help us-"

        "Then this plan is horrifically flawed, we need literally any other plan. Even just exploring would be better. I bet each testing area has its own use for people that fail, maybe some people are sold?" Pip says.

        "Don't be irrational Pip, people haven't been sold for ages," Henry says.

        "You never know anymore Henry. I'm just saying it could be worth our time to poke around the school. Belle could be anywhere but she's most likely to be there."
        

        Silence fills the woods as we sit. Everyone has mini debates in their head deciding whether to side with Pip or Henry. I speak first.

        "I'm with Pip," Everyone speaks in agreement and Henry soon admits defeat and accepts Pip's plan as better.

        "Ok, when we get to school tomorrow use every chance you can to explore. During free period skip eating and go explore, and bring your phone so we can quickly communicate," I say. 

        "Alright, I'll see you guys tomorrow," Henry says and we disperse and return to our own homes.