No sign of anyone except for us three. The halls. Every single hall looked so... haunting. Dark, lonely, empty... scary. Everything around us.. not what I had in mind. Why was there no guard? No watcher? Or cameras? Why were we walking so typically in this black misery? I had my hands out, like a blind person, while the other two walked as if they had done this a billions of times.
"Why are the lights off?" Even when this was to our advantage, I still couldn't help asking.
Jaden chuckled, "What, you afraid of the dark, little baby?"
His voice echoed, in the dark halls.
"I just-"
"Relax, dude," Jaden assured, "Nickie and I've done this a thousands of times. I doubt we'll get caught tonight." He gave a pause before saying, "Unless, of course, you're bad luck."
I rolled my eyes, even though they couldn't see me.
"Let's just get this over with."
"And we would if you two stop talking and start concentrating on where we're going." Nickie snapped, right ahead of us.
She seemed so determined to get that boo- no, not the book. It's a folder. With a map. I adjusted the empty duffel bag on my shoulders, the straps old and itchy. I coughed into my fists only to get 'shushed' by Nickie. Jaden bite back a laugh when Nickie glared at him.
"Can you guys seriously shut up!" Nickie hissed, "You two goofing around will be the only reason we'll get caught!" She tried her best to maintain her composure until Jaden started mimicking her and I grinned.
"You two are so gonna pay when we get this done." Nickie muttered under her breath, which only made my grin go wider.
Barely a minute had passed when we stopped. We were standing right in front of Alex's office and I pang of guilt hit me so hard that I wanted to go back to my room and lock it. Forget this night. But I knew that wasn't possible. Jaden was in a good mood, that didn't mean he'll remain in this mood when I tell them I want out. So, I swallowed my urge inside me, not telling anyone about it. Did Alex even deserve what we're about to do? That question will be answered. I hope.
With all my thoughts revolving around me, I didn't realize that they had already opened the door and were inside, looking at me to do the same. Um.... Should I?
"Well?" Nickie tapped her foot, impatiently. I noticed Jaden already going through the drawers.
I sighed, giving a sheepish smile, walking inside, Nickie, closing the door behind me. As if it was a reflex action, I turned on the lights. I blinked hard, trying to adjust with the beaming light, especially since we were walking in darkness a minute ago.
"Come on." Jaden said, flipping through Alex's private files. "It's gotta be here. so, start looking."
I mean, I had nothing better to do, so, I started opening up cabinets.
"What's the point of this?" I muttered, "What if it's not here?"
Nickie looked up from where she was searching and said, "This is Alex we're talking about. She's bound to keep it here."
I shrugged in response. I heard a thud and turned to Jaden.
"What are you doing!" I exclaimed, "If you keep on throwing things on the floor, she's obviously going to find out."
Jaden smiled, "Nah. She won't." How was he so sure?
I sat on the floor, "Why are we doing this? How do you know that Alex was the one to have wrecked my room and stolen your map? It could have been anyone! And also, she's the head of this building! How can-?"
"Dude," Jaden laughed, "Shut up!"
I frowned, expecting Nickie to answer but she ignored us. Like she mostly did.
I started looking through this small cupboard where I thought she kept her secret stash of food. Not files. But that's exactly what I found. Something I never expected to find. Something I thought would never happening. Not just one. A lot of them. So many that it could be easily estimated that they were written throughout the three years. My body trembled, the blood drained away from my face. How could Alex hide this from me? How could she lie to me when I had always trusted her? Why did she hide these from me? My body felt numb with... hollowness. With the truth. Why did she do this? Letters. Letters from my Dad. Loads and loads of letters, all from my Dad stuffed in the small wrenched cupboard. Hidden. From me.
My hands shaking, I reached out for hand handful, staring at them. how did this happen? Hatred for Alex grew inside me as I controlled the impulse to scream. To yell.
"Dude," Jaden stared, with a concern look, "You okay? What did you find? The folder? map?"
His eyes were wide to see me look so... weak. I didn't know how to react. Not even a little. What should I do, now that I found out? Kill Alex? As much I wanted that right now, I knew I was thinking this because I was angry. Boiling with rage. I'd know what to do once I'd calm down.
Jaden knelt down beside me, shocked to see what I was seeing.
"Woah," He breathed, "So many letters."
Picking one up, he read out my Dad's name out loud. Robert Skale. That's him. And Jaden knew that too.
"Alex..." I tried to speak but thought better not to.
"I'm sorry, man." Jaden's eyes were filled with sympathy. I didn't want it.
The fact that the last date he'd written was for today, hurt even more. He still didn't give up. I would have if he wouldn't have replied. And I didn't reply since the beginning. Because i never got these letter.
Nickie came out of the folder room, grinning, ear to ear.
"Found it." She said, waving the piece of paper in the air, which i reckoned was the map.
I didn't meet her concerned gaze. I was just so confused. What now? Now that I got my first answer. What now. Nickie looked at us then walked to take a glimpse of the small cupboard. None of us needed to say anything. nobody shared a word. I had nothing to say and neither did they. Everything is just messed up. I was messed up. My life was messed up. The world was messed up. We were all crazy to do this. But the only difference now was that I didn't regret doing this. A part of me wanted to wreck this whole office. I wouldn't care a shit if we get caught. I had a right to do this. Alex won't argue. But would it actually be worth it? I'll just blow our chance to escape. And these letters. They can be useful. Dad probably sent his address. Or something close to it.
So I started taking these letters out and stuffing them in my duffel bag. It came in handy. None of the two stopped me. Nickie leaned closer and put the folder inside the duffel bag, saying
"We'll keep watch outside. Hurry."
I didn't reply, not even a nod. But they knew I was in. The two went outside. And kept on shoving the letters inside. It took a while. More time then I wanted to. But it was worth it. These letters were worth it. When I was done, I sighed, closing the cupboard. I got up, wondering why it was so quiet. Wondering if Nickie and Jaden have left. They couldn't. I had the map. They were probably trying to attract no one towards the office. With the bag heavy on my shoulders, with the weight of the letters, I walked outside. There was no one there. No Nickie. No Jaden. Everything was hushed.
Where were they? Did they leave me? Why would they leave me? Okay they can leave me if they wanted but, the map? Why did they leave the map?
I heard footsteps behind me. Oh, they were here. I turned to face them but... Who was this? A tall man. His face hidden because of the dark. We stared at each other. I felt frozen. My body refused to run. The man didn't do anything. I felt his cold green eyes at me. I blinked, What was I doing? Where are Nickie and Jaden? Something told me that this man knew. But I didn't feel like asking.
I jerked my body to run when something hit me hard on the back of my head. Something heavy. I fell on the floor. The pain too agonizing to walk with. Limply, I touched where this person had hit me. Blood. My fingers came out wet and sticky with it. The pain. It was too much. My eyes started to close. No... Not now. not when I found out the truth. Not when I had my Dad's letters in my bag. Not when....
My eyes shifted for an escape. but the pain stopped me from doing anything. The man looked at me, then lifted me up. I tried to fight back. I tried to kick myself free. Shout for help. But I felt the pain. The stupid agony. Groaning, I gave up. The man walking me somewhere I had no idea about. And the pain. It was too much. My eyes closed. I promised myself that I'll close them only for five minutes as it eased the pain then try escaping but I felt my eyelids glued. I liked it....
I had always wondered, as a child, what it was like to faint. I got my answer. I wasn't happy.