A Dangerous Secret Revealed

Chapter 23

I opened my eyes. Everything looks like it's moving and spinning in every direction. Finally my vision cleared.
The place here is so weird. I was lying on a hard surface. The black, marble floor! Actually everything here is either black or gray. The door was bars, like the ones in jail. There were no lights.
"Cath, finally you woke up!" Steffi said. I didn't notice she was in here. Her foot was bandaged.
"Are you oka-

I heard someone shaking the chains of the door.
Grazilda! I quickly stood up and prepared for defense.
"It's okay, I'm a friend, not a foe,"She said calmly.
I relaxed a little.
"Where are the others? Where are they? How about my parents?" I demanded.
"Your friends are right behind you. They're on the floor," She replied.
I turned to look. Sure enough, they were lying down, eyes closed.
"How about my parents? Where are they?"
"I've brought them back to earth,"
Wait....
"How long have we been here?!" I asked.
"Three days," Steffi told me.
"Hold on....where are Matilda and Amira??"
"I....killed them. I was the one who ran and poured water," She said with a sad and guilty face. Joan and Lois were moving; they were finally awake.
"Oh," was all I could say.
"What? What's happening? Where are we? Why is she here?" Joan mumbled.
"I can't explain to you anymore. Now that all of you are awake, I shall now take you back on earth."
"But you should tell us! Why was Amira and Matilda.....what? I don't get it! You have to tell us!" I pleaded.
"I'm sorry. Although my sisters have betrayed me, I still cannot tell you what happened. I promised them I won't. Let's go now."
But everything is so confusing! I must really know!
Grazilda saw my expression. Her face turned serious. "Catherine, I said I can't tell you. And I will never tell. I'm sorry, but I can't explain. No one knows this but me, so you won't be able to ask other people. Even your mom doesn't know."

"But what about training? And Spunky-land?" Lois asked.
"You shall now make your own decisions. Now that my sisters are...dead, I'm now the new president of the school. Go back to your parents, then decide whether you will continue on earth or stay here, it's your choice. But remember, you won't see them until 22....or whatever age you graduate, and you can't contact them, either, unless there's an emergency. That's a rule that cannot be changed. When you go back on earth, you will once again make another choice: to live there, on earth, or to live in Spunky, permanently."

What...? Well...that would be a really hard decision. I mean, Spunky method is really nice, but what about Mom?
The four of us exchanged looks.

Grazilda broke the silence. "You must go now. Follow me." She lead us to the door and out of that room.
The French-fry portal appeared. "Go," she commanded.
"But what about you? Wait...how will we tell you about our decision?" I asked while eating a piece of French fry.
"I know a way out of here and to the school. I will rebuild the school, with the help of the men in black. I will know once you've made you're decision. I will be on your doorstep once you have made your decision. Now go," she commanded.

The four of us stepped in the portal....
(TIME SKIP)

I appeared in the living room, where Mom sat on the sofa, looking worried. Her attention immediately turned to me.
"Cath! You're here! Wait, you have to explain EVERYTHING! I feel like something important has happe--
"Yes, I know you have a lot of questions. And I'll explain everything."
(TIME SKIP)

After telling Mom everything, she looked very confused.
"Wait....you tried contacting me?"
"Yes, how could you not know?" I asked, sitting down beside Mom.
"I-I don't know...."
Wait.
"Mom, where's Dad?"
"You dad....? I...the last thing I remember is that Grazilda took him when you were three. But now, I think Matilda is the one behind this."
She really doesn't remember?!
"Mom, you really don't know?"
"I don't know! I mean, I forgot, I don't know!"
"It's okay. I believe you....," I said then hesitated. "But I have to discuss something with you."
"What is it?"
"It's...about training. Could I continue until I graduate? I understand if you say no."
Mom's face was surprised. "It's not that I'll say no. It's your decision, but you have to think this through carefully. Once you go there, there's no backing out."
"Okay, I understand. Where's James? It's his birthday today, isn't it?"
***************

*two weeks later*
I have finally decided.
I will continue. I just hope the others will also continue. Joan said she'll come with me. What about the others?
Grazilda arrived on our doorstep, as she had said. I had packed my luggage in advance, though.
"Goodmorning, Mrs. Sweetdude. Hello, Cath. Nice to see you again. Are you ready to go now?"
"Yes--
Mom didn't look convinced."Grazilda, wait. Where is Peter?"
"He's in Spunky world. He's actually one of the teachers in the school. Cath will meet him later, maybe."
I would get to meet my dad!!
Mom smiled. "That's good. Please, when you see him, tell him to visit soon."
"Okay, Mom."

Ding dong.
Joan's here.
We waved Mom goodbye and went inside the machine--I still don't know what it is.
"Something in there will surprise both of you." Grazilda said.
LOIS AND STEFFI--THEY'RE GOING!!
The four of us yelled in joy.
(TIME SKIP AGAIN)

"Welcome to your school!" A man was floating in the air and shouted.
The school was so...different. It was floating, about four feet above the ground! There were no doors. Instead, there was a big slide that has spikes. They expect us to climb that, but I'll have no problem, I can FLY!

The whole school was filled with students. Some were lost and alone, some instantly made friends and were talking loudly. Suddenly a crowd gathered around two girls. I glanced at them; it was obvious, they were going to be the queen bees! I just hope they aren't mean!
"Alright, quiet! Everyone, please, go inside the school immediately!" Everyone became silent, I think they're still afraid of Grazilda. Maybe they don't believe that she's good. They climbed the slide, one by one.

Later on, Grazilda toured only the four us around the school.
It was even more grand inside. There were no lockers, no textbooks. Rafael was right, the school was filled with bedrooms!
The cafeteria had five, long, rectangular tables.

When the tour was over, a man showed us the way to our dorm rooms. It's so awesome, I'm roommates with Joan!
"Please rest. Tomorrow is your first day of school, and I will be teaching four students. Namely, Catherine, Joan, lois, and Steffi." That man really Seemed familiar.
As he was about to leave, I said,"wait, what's your name, teacher?"
He smiled. "Peter. Peter Sweetdude. Catherine, my daughter, it's so nice to see you!"
"D-dad? It's you?!" I hugged him. "Mom said you should visit soon!"
"Of course I will! Now go rest." And he left the room.
****************
*free time*
"Joan, what after-school activity do you want?" I asked the three of them
"I dunno. Check the paper."

1. Art designing for school banners
2. Extra study club (in my opinion, for the nerds)
3. Library book club
4. School newspaper
5. Journalism
6. Archery
7. Drawing clubs

"ARCHERY!!" All of us said in unison.

*the next day*
First day of school! This is going to be really fun!
It turns out that the two queen bees were really kind! I met them during lunch time; we were seated together. The blonde one is Tricia while the brunette is Michelle.
We had made three new friends: Sofia, Kyla, and Elyza! Their interest was actually drawing, but they decided to try a new one.

(Sorry for late update! Okay, one more chapter and this book is done!)