The Purity Project

Chapter 12

Jada wandered around the apartment, trying to find something to do. Tyler and Lorenzo had gone to the gym on the first floor, and Halona was up sketching in their bedroom. Jada would've gone with the boys, but she didn't feel like listening to them argue about who had stronger muscles or who could run faster on the treadmill.

About a week had passed since they had arrived at Mitch's apartment. He had been friendly at first, but had started acting hostile the past few days. The four of them had kept busy, going into town frequently. They tried to find out more about The Purity Project, but the closest they got was someone saying that the government always wanted to "purify" the people of Marolo. They didn't know what that meant, but it was a clue nonetheless.  

Jada noticed a paper sticking out of one of the kitchen cabinets. She knew it was wrong to snoop, but her curiosity got the better of her. She pulled out the paper and saw that it was a copy of a registration letter. In the top right corner was a picture of Mitch, though he was much younger. She scanned the document and realized that Mitch worked with law enforcement. It was odd that he had never mentioned it before. She decided that she shouldn't be worried about it, so she returned the document to it's original home. Suddenly, the door flew open, and Tyler and Lorenzo entered the apartment.

"Told you that I'd beat you," Tyler said with a smug look on his face.

"Only because you're taller! Longer arms makes pull-ups easier!" Lorenzo retorted. They waved at Jada.

"What have you been up to?" Tyler asked as he sat down on the couch, putting his feet up on the coffee table.

"Nothing really. This apartment isn't exactly entertaining." Jada walked over to the window and surveyed the parking lot.

"You should check out the gym. I'm sure you'd have fun there." Lorenzo wiped the sweat off his face with a towel.

"I'll go later. It probably smells like your guys' sweat," Jada said, scrunching her nose in disgust.

"You act like that's a bad thing," Tyler replied, making Lorenzo laugh.

The four of them had become closer during the past week. Jada had built a special bond with each of them, even Halona, who usually liked to keep to herself. She had learned more about their lives before they had met, and she even felt comfortable talking about her father. Suddenly, she caught a flash of movement in the parking lot. She peered down and, to her horror, saw multiple police officers entering the building.

"Guys!" Jada shouted. Tyler rushed to her side and looked out the window.

"We need to go. Now!" he ordered, slipping on his jacket.

"I'll get Halona." Lorenzo disappeared up the stairs. A few moments later, he reappeared, Halona following him. They were holding everyone's bags.

"What's going on?" she asked, the panic in her voice clear.

"Someone called the police. We have to go out through the back!" Tyler threw open the door and ran out, the others following him closely.

They ran down a set of stairs and to the back door. Jada tried to pull it open, but it wouldn't budge. She realized that the door required a pin code. She frantically looked around for somewhere else to go. At the end of the hallway was an emergency exit. "Follow me!" she shouted as she ran toward the door. She flung it open, which set off the fire alarm. They rushed outside into the blinding sunlight.

"They've blocked my car!" Tyler shouted angrily.

"We'll have to go on foot!" Halona grabbed Jada's arm and began to pull her in the opposite direction, Tyler and Lorenzo on their heels.

"Hey! Stop right there!" a voice boomed from behind them.

Jada didn't bother to turn around. The four of them dashed across the parking lot. Jada heard a loud bang, and something flew by her ear. She stumbled in shock, but Halona pulled her back to her feet. More gunshots fired, which only made Jada more determined to escape. They were in the city now, taking cover in the busy sidewalks.

"We need to split up," Jada said between breaths.

"What? That's a crazy idea!" Lorenzo exclaimed.

"Lorenzo, it's our only chance of escaping. I'll go with Jada, you go with Tyler. We'll meet up at Middleton. It's a small town that's not that far from here," Halona said. She handed everyone their bags.

"Fine. Stay safe, okay?" Lorenzo smiled sadly at Jada and Halona.

"You too," Jada replied, before turning to run away, Halona beside her.

The two of them kept running, ducking behind buildings when police cars came speeding by. They spotted a bus up ahead and sprinted to board it. The driver jumped in surprise when they entered the bus.

"That'll be ten dollars, ladies," he said, looking at them skeptically.

"Here!" Halona rustled up the money from her bag and shoved it into the driver's hand.

"Go ahead and take your s-" Jada and Halona rushed down the aisle before the driver could finish talking. 

Jada and Halona sat down in the far back of the bus, where there were no windows. Jada's heart was pounding and she wished that she had brought water with her. She glanced up and noticed an old woman glaring at the two of them from the front of the bus. She had a bitter look on her face and her beady eyes felt like they were tearing into Jada's soul.

"Jada," Halona whispered softly.

"I see her," Jada whispered back.

"Act normal, okay?" Halona pulled out her sketchbook and started to show Jada her artwork. They pretended to talk about it, laughing here and there.

A flash of movement caught Jada's eye. The old woman had moved to the seat right in front of them. She smiled wickedly at the two girls.

"Shouldn't you two ladies be in school?" The woman tried to take a look at the sketchbook, as if it would reveal the truth about them.

"As a matter of fact, no. We're on vacation here, you see. Visiting our grandmother. We received a call from out father saying that our mother has fallen terribly ill, and that we have to return home at once. We ran to the nearest bus, and well, here we are." Jada smiled, and pinched herself so that a tear would escape her eye. She could see Halona looking at her in surprise from the corner of her eye.

"I find it hard to believe that you two are related." The old woman looked at Jada, then Halona.

"Nice of you to notice ma'am. I'm adopted." Halona smiled, playing along with the lie.

"Fine. I'll be watching the two of you very closely. I don't buy your story one bit," the woman spat. She turned on her heels and stomped back to her original seat.

"Good job. Who knew you were so good at lying?" Halona elbowed Jada playfully.

"Yeah." Jada smiled, but she couldn't help feeling worried. She had no idea where Tyler and Lorenzo were, and the thought of that sent a cold shiver up her spine. I hope they're safe.