Dark Night (17 page)

I walked over to them, while the students
started talking to one another, and some Elders were walking
towards us. “What happened?” I asked. The rest of my opponents
surrounded Abi, Payton and me. Payton handed me the card slowly. It
was not what I expected to see.

I was holding a picture of two people
standing side by side. Both had their faces scribbled with what
looked like a red sharpie marker. I could tell one of them was a
women and the other a man. The woman was wearing a long navy blue
dress. One hand was on her side while the other was around the
man’s waist. Her skin was as white as snow. I could also see her
long dark brown hair that was straight down her right side. The man
had one hand around her shoulders holding her close to him. He wore
a tuxedo that was all black. His skin was also pale snow white. At
the bottom of the picture in the same red sharpie there was a word
written in capital letters: KILL.

I looked around the others, and decided not
to show the picture to anyone else but Illyanne. Everyone that was
standing around me was trying to get to me so they could see the
card I held close to me. I spotted Illyanne walking towards me and
I sprinted to her.

I warned her. “This is not pretty.” I slowly
gave her the card that had the picture. Her face was
expressionless, she was in shock just like Abi, and Payton had
been. After a few seconds she looked at me and then the
picture.

“Did anyone else see it?” She asked
upset.

“No. I didn’t want them to.”

“Good.” She whispered as we heard the
audience of students grow even more restless and conversations that
were loud enough for me to hear. All speculating what this was
about: “…it’s probably a nude picture of Gene or something…“. My
friends were only a few feet away when Illyanne signaled them to
stop where they were. Past her, in the back wall, I saw a person
dressed completely in black with a hoodie over and sunglasses on.
It was Blake.

“It’s the King and Queen, isn’t it?” I asked
knowing the answer.

“Yes…” Was all she said and she folded the
picture in half and held on to it, then dismissed me. I walked back
to my friends who were asking me questions that I ignored until
Illyanne spoke, “Students can I have your attention please.” She
waited until everyone quieted down, “the election will continue and
I will announce the winner in five minutes.” She said walking
towards Abi. Abi’s face color returned but she still looked like
she saw a ghost. I was shocked and surprised just like she was, but
what I wanted to know was who would do it and why? I glanced back
at the wall, seeing nothing. Blake wasn’t standing there
anymore.

Delilah interrupted my thoughts. “Mia, what
happened?”

“Uh... It was just a sick joke. Trust me it’s
better if you don’t know.” She didn’t bother me. Neither did the
rest of my friends. Genevieve was talking to Payton and she was in
tears. Apparently he had told her who was in the picture, her
parents. Mereily was calming her down as I was talking to Jack who
I was paying no attention to.

Then out of nowhere Genevieve was trying to
attack me. She came at me from behind, luckily Jack moved me before
she could touch me and he stood in between us.

“What the hell is the matter with you!?!” I
yelled at her. Her eyes filled with rage and tears still streaming
down her face. Mereily was trying to pull her away, while everyone
else stared in confusion at Genevieve’s reaction.

“You Bitch! You had no right to take that
picture! They’re my parents, not yours!” She yelled through
tears.

Okay. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend
you. I just didn’t want anyone to see that, it’s not something you
can show and tell you know!” I shouted back at her. She didn’t
reply instead she kept trying to get around Jack who was super
strong and she would never have a chance. “Jack let her. Move out
of the way, I can defend myself.” I told him calmly. Delilah,
Mereily, Payton and Jordan where trying to get her but she kicked
them and punched them that they gave up. Jack didn’t move, even he
got hit. “Please Jack this isn’t your fight.” I told him finally
getting his attention. He slowly moved out of the way. And
everything came to me, the lessons that I had been taking with Abi
and the martial arts I knew now (I was a black belt in Karate) that
I didn’t know a few months ago. But then again, she had been here
longer and probably she could whoop my butt. Certainly I was in a
better state of mind than she was so I didn’t play along. She tried
to come at me with her hands going straight for my hair so I
grabbed them and in one move I had her trapped where she couldn’t
move. She kicked her legs up in the air then tried to flip me, but
she couldn’t. I had her hands wrapped around her own neck with me
behind her pulling them tighter if she tried to move.

Illyanne came into
sight and she was not happy.

“What is going on?” She asked looking at
Genevieve still pissed trying to get out of the lock I had her
in.

“Genevieve tried to attack her, and she
stopped her.” Jack told her. She looked at me and nodded. Students
were sitting in silence, stunned watching us.

“Genevieve stop, this instant! I want you to
go to your dorm and stay there for the remainder of the day. Mia
you may release her.” She commanded. I released her pushing her
away from me. Once she was free, she ran inside the school. “ Mia
I’d like to see you in my office after the elections.” She said
walking past us.

“Time for the results,” She
announced after all the nonsense. Everyone brushed it off and tried
to go back to their regular conversations while we got in a line
again. Illyanne held the right card with the name of the winner.
“And the winner is...” She made it suspenseful. “It’s a triple tie,
Anna Denali, Mereily Jolie and Jack McKey. Congratulations.” She
announced, I was relieved that Genevieve was not one of them.
Especially me, I wouldn’t be able to add on to the to-do list I
already had.

After that, we went inside. The guards that
had been letting us live our lives were back to how they were a few
days ago. Walking through the school halls, guarding the entrance
doors to everything, We ate in the dining area, then we were
released to do what we wanted for the rest of the day. We weren’t
allowed to go off campus, because it was dangerous at the moment.
But I had better things to do either way. I wanted to know why
Blake was at the elections, and why he left.

“I’ll see you guys later on, I have something
I need to take care of.” I told them. Jack gave me a quick hug and
a kiss.

“Later” They all said, not suspecting
anything.

I walked, passed the dining area and to the
main lobby that were not empty because of the guards. Not giving
them much attention I opened the door to the auditorium
inconspicuously and stepped in. There at the same exact spot I had
seen him last time, he sat with his back to me. I lightly walked
over to him and sat beside him.

“Were you waiting for me?” I asked.

“Actually yes I was.” He honestly admitted. I
waited for him to say something, but seconds went by and I grew
anxious.

“Blake… what were you doing outside, at the
election?” I asked looking at him. He stared at me… at least that
was what it seemed. He didn’t take his glasses off.

He smiled. “I knew about it, I just wanted to
see who won. I have to say, I’m kind of disappointed in the
results.”

“Why” I asked.

“I was hoping you would win.” He said,
staring at me again. I looked away, I had to remind myself that
even though I was extremely attracted to him ( who I had only seen
once or twice ), I had a boyfriend who I also liked very much.

“Well, I’m glad I didn’t. Why didn’t you
stick around?”

“Because it was not my place to be, and it
was too bright for me, you know.” He leaned back. “But, I was
surprised by the way you handled the situation, it was…
professional.” He said.

I blushed embarrassed. “Not entirely.”
I admitted. Yes I was able to not freak out like Genevieve had, but
I could have done better. Though, I knew now that controlling my
emotions was something that I was getting better at, that was
something.

“Why did you ask me why I went to the
election?” I didn’t answer, he stared at me. “Do you think I had
something to do with the card?”

“How do you know about that?” I snapped at
him.

“I was there.”

I didn’t like that at all. “So? I mean, you
didn’t see it, how do you know?” I wasn’t trying to accuse him, but
it was very suspicious.

He flinched. “After you and Illyanne spoke,
she gave the card to one of the gods. I was standing close enough
to see exactly what was on the picture. I’m sorry if you think I
had something to do with it.” He stood up and started to walk away.
I was really embarrassed, because I had just made a fool of myself.
Ugh, way to go me!

“Blake, hold on a sec.” I said, catching up
with him. “I don’t think you had something to do with that, it’s
just that I don’t know… is there something you know that I don’t?”
I finally asked him. I didn’t believe that he was the one
threatening the school, but I knew something was fishy about
him.

He thought about it for a minute while I
waited. “I know about the same as you do. Only I do know that it’s
not going to stop.”

I waited for more but then asked. “How do you
know that?”

“I have skills.” He replied with a smile. He
was going to touch my arm when he changed his mind and stepped
back. He got serious and distant. “I’ll see you later.” He
said.

“Where are you going?” I asked, regretting I
did.

“I don’t know.”

“Will I see you later?”

“I’ll be here all night.” He said with a
smile that was too sweet to ignore.

“Come in.” Illyanne said when I knocked on
her door. I had been a little nervous about talking to her, I
didn’t know what she wanted to tell me, and I didn’t want to find
out either. But since I was already here, I figured I might as well
tell her what I think about the break in, and the picture that had
raised even more drama.

“Well, Mia I have to say I’m surprised at how
well you handled the situation out there today. All the staff was
quite impressed actually. You are truly… never mind that, the
reason why I needed to talk to you was that as our newest student
you should know that, we are not under attack. It may seem that way
to you, but we have dealt with similar situations like this.”

At last the topic I was here to talk to her
about. “Like Knightdale? I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but I
think there is more to it than just a prank. Yes I’m new, and yeah
maybe you have dealt with problems like this before. But I feel
that this Is more serious than that, and for some weird reason I
feel that is my duty to help in any way I can… and I‘m pretty sure
that they‘re-whoever is doing this-is after the King and Queen
and that’s why they… even canceled their flight…..” I was trying to
be as honest as possible. By the way that Illyanne looked at me she
didn’t take it as serious as I wanted her to. She turned her
attention to some papers that were sitting on top of her desk, then
back to me.

“I am sorry you feel that way, dear. It is
not our intention for our students to think they have to do
something. When you already have, just by showing the respect you
have for the institute is enough. Now let us handle the situation,
while you concentrate on your studies.” She smiled as if I had been
simply telling her something that didn’t make any sense. Which
ticked me off, “Now that we have this sorted out, you shall return
to your friends and pass along the message… oh, about the King and
Queen? Please do not worry anyone else with this news, they are
just trying to be cautious, you understand,” Without leaving me
with any other words to say I bowed respectfully, and mentally gave
her the finger.

When I walked out of her office I stormed off
back to the auditorium I needed some alone time to think why the
hell did I even try to talk to Illyanne, and why I felt the need to
help, when I’m just a girl who didn’t even want this and has to
focus on other personal problems.

….. After talking to Blake again and
apologizing about earlier I met with Mereily, Delilah, and Sophie
who were on their way to the pool. Mereily wore some tiny looking
dress/shirt thing on top of her bikini, and inch high sandals,
along with a tote which probably consisted of a towel, tanning
lotion, make up and her cell phone. Delilah wore a mini skirt that
flared out and a tank top on top of her bikini, and she held a bag
that looked like a huge purse. Sophie wore shorts and a t-shirt
that hugged her small body, and held a small purse.

I had changed into something
I never thought I’d wear, but this was a new me. The bikini I wore
under my mini dress that was barely covering any skin. This was all
the girls idea of “fun”, ha!. My bikini was meant to be a whole
piece, but it was more like two. It was white, pearl white, and
from my stomach to my hips there was nothing covering my skin. My
back was almost bare except for the part where it held it together.
The mini dress I wore was almost see through, it was black. I
paired my outfit with black gladiator sandals.

The girls grinned as I came to a stop in
front of them. “Well, it seems that Mia has decided to join us.”
Delilah announces. We all laughed.

“Come on, the guys are waiting.” I rolled my
eyes.

The pool was basically in between the school
and the dorms, it was indoors of course to protect us from the
heat. The good thing is that it was all glass, so we still got some
natural light. Some students were scattered around the hot tub, I
know hot tub. Others were lounging on chairs, looking at magazines,
gossiping, a few swimming, splashing water, playing around. It was
all good.