Amy Flemming | After the Flames

4

"Look!" Ethan says, as he carries his laptop to the dinner table, where we are having breakfast. The fruit has been added into my yogurt when the songs that the band played last night is played on the laptop. "We have made it on to the schools YouTube page." Ethan exclaims as he shows us the video. "At least, this time the performance wasn't interrupted by our crazy teacher setting the school on fire." Heather comments as she looks at the video. "Teacher?" I ask as I look up at the others. "Did our teacher-" before I can finish my sentence, Kate walks in. "Congratulations Ethan and Chester. I just saw the video trending on the school's YouTube Page. That is amazing." She compliments them before telling us it is time to go to school.

I walk downstairs after brushing my teeth when a paper underneath the door catches my eye. I pick up the newspaper to read what it says:

Daily Meadowwick

Family still missing

Rob Zimmerman and his two children, Daniel and Luna, are still missing. Three months ago Mr. Zimmerman was held responsible for setting the Hemmingway Boarding School on fire, as he pretended to teach there under a fake surname Mr. Hallman, there still has been no sign of the family. Police are still looking out for them.

My eyes scan the article over repeatedly before my eyes land on the three pictures underneath the article. These must be the people that are being searched for. They do not look familiar to me.

"Oh I was looking for that." Kate says as she approaches me. Her eyes travel to the article, I was reading before shooting back up to look at me. "Come on, let's go before Mrs. Wilson gives us detention on our second day." Ethan, who just walked out of the corridor where his room is located, says to me. "Yes, let's go." I reply as I give Kate the newspaper that I was holding. "Have fun at school." Kate says before we walk through the door that leads to the school.

Since Valerie and Chester already left earlier, our seats are taken. Ethan and I sit down next to each other. We are talking about the subject.  Mrs. Wilson asks him as he gives us a strict look. "I am sorry." Ethan tells her polity before turning back to his page in the book. The homework we got given up to do, is finished before we head to the next class.

The next class is history. As we enter the class, Mr. Mayer gives me a supportive smile. "Hello Amy." He greets me as he walks towards me. "How are you feeling?" Mr. Mayer asks me. "I am fine." I tell him. He smiles. "Well, if there is anything. I am here for you." He tells me. "Thank you, sir." I thank him politely. "I am so happy to have you all back here." Mr. Mayer tells us when everyone have all arrived and taken their seats. Mr. Mayer tells us which subjects we will be discussing during our classes the upcoming months. "The very first of this semester: Medieval History." Mr. Mayer announces which makes Ethan very excited.

We talk about the First Crusade, which was the international event started by Pope Urban II's sermon at Clermont, in 1095. I take notes and notice that Ethan has no problems with this subject.
Mr. Mayer explains a lot about this subject and I try to listen to his explanation. Bright lights flash in front of my eyes as Mr. Mayer's voice fades out. A nauseous feeling washes over me.

"Please be careful, Amy." Mr. Mayer says and then dismisses me to leave to
the next class. "Thank you." I say not really knowing what to think of that
last thing he said. His words repeat in my head.

I see myself walking through the library, passing the bookcases and pulling back the red book in the last bookcase to open the hidden room.

"Amy. I thought you were a lot smarter." Mr. Hallman says as he appears from behind one of the bookcases.

The bright lights flash again. My fear returns.

"Now open up the room and grab the diary!" A man tells me with an evil smile. I turn around and slowly walk towards the back of the room. With shaking hands, I pull the book out of the bookcase behind me which make the other one move a side to reveal the hidden room. The man gasps and laughs. "Finally."