The following day, I found myself seated in the class, my gaze drifting slightly as the teacher's voice resonated through the hall. She was a middle-aged woman, her features softened by years of experience, and beside her stood an assistant—a recent graduate, possibly in her early twenties. The assistant lingered to the side of the room, allowing the teacher to command the floor while she observed quietly, a bemused smile resting on her lips.
Although I was physically present, mentally, I was a world away. My thoughts slipped into the dark corridors of the detention center, haunted by the unsettling secrets that lay within its walls. Only last night, I had texted my brother, still reeling from an inexplicable experience. I had teleported from the detention center back to my room, enveloped in the glow of a mysterious green orb that had illuminated the space around me, along with the other seven survivors of the harrowing game we had just endured. I felt a shiver run through me as I recalled how we had expected to exit through the familiar entrance, only to find ourselves transported to our dormitories by that haunting green light.
"Students, please take your assignments," the teacher announced, breaking the spell of my thoughts. "List fifteen qualities of a good entrepreneur and submit it to me privately on my desk by 9 a.m. tomorrow." With that, she gathered her things and strode out of the classroom, her assistant trailing behind.
I shut my textbook with a soft thud and turned to Coco, my curiosity piqued. "Should we head to the cafeteria?" I asked, seeing her nod in agreement. Together, we rose and made our way toward the door, joining the bustling stream of students eager to escape the confines of the classroom.
As we descended the staircase, a familiar figure caught my eye—Valerie, joining us with a hesitant demeanor. I couldn't help but wonder why she preferred solitude, despite my previous assurance that she could count on me as a friend to alleviate her loneliness during classes.
"Did you take notes in class?" I asked, our voices mingling with the chatter of our peers as we waited for the flow of students to clear.
Valerie nodded slowly, a small smile gracing her lips. "I should go to the library to start my assignment," she declared, though something in her tone suggested a lingering unease. After the torment we had endured in the detention center, it puzzled me that she still seemed reserved, clinging to her shell rather than reaching out.
"We're heading to the cafeteria first. Don't you want to join us?" I pressed gently. Valerie cast a quick glance at Coco, who offered a neutral expression, and I felt a flutter of nerves as I introduced them. "This is Valerie White, Coco."
"Valerie, this is Coco Russell." They exchanged polite bows, and a wave of satisfaction washed over me—maybe this would be the beginning of a supportive friendship that could ease our burdens.
"If it's alright, I'll join you," Valerie replied, her smile brightening just a bit as we continued down the staircase toward the cafeteria. Unlike many of our classmates, Valerie didn't own a car or a flying device, and in that moment, I felt a sense of camaraderie, relieved we wouldn't be under pressure to keep up with one another.
As we entered the bustling cafeteria, the air was rich with the aromas of various cuisines. We made our way to the counter, ordering our meals from the cafeteria staff, who moved deftly behind the serving area. After gathering our trays, we settled at a table, the noise of laughter and banter surrounding us, creating a lively backdrop.
"So, Valerie, how do you feel after the dragon experience yesterday?" Coco inquired, her voice bright as she took a hearty bite of her chicken. I recalled the shock on Leah's face and Coco's astonished expression as I had materialized back in our room, completely catching them off guard.
"It was horrifying," Valerie responded, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Do you know those crazed people made us run for our lives?" She shuddered slightly, her eyes wide. "Those who didn't make it to the finish line... they were set ablaze." Coco's jaw dropped, and she glanced at me for confirmation. I nodded, feeling the weight of the truth settle heavily on our shoulders.
"You know this is serious, right?" Coco pressed, her eyes darting between Valerie and me. "We should report them. Why are they claiming the lives of students?"
"I think we could get in serious trouble for doing that," I replied, my tone cautious. "We need to stay out of their way; any conflict might lead us back to detention." They nodded, turning their focus back to their meals, the tension lingering in the air.
Amid our conversation, my phone chimed unexpectedly, drawing my attention. I glanced at the screen and noticed Axel had responded to my previous message.
"Are you serious right now, Carol? There's no such thing as dragons," he texted, his disbelief echoing.
"I'm being for real" I grabbed my phone and began to type furiously, my gaze concentrated on the phone as I awaited my brother's response.
"Are you seriously watching a fantasy movie? I think it's getting too much" *laughing emoji*
"I wish this isn't as unserious as you're taking it. I went to the detention center yesterday and I saw everything" I continued to relay to him, my fingers typing relentlessly on the keyboard.
I hoped Axel would finally take my questions seriously — they persisted in my mind like stubborn echoes, and I felt an urgency I couldn't shake. However, he seemed dismissive, barely acknowledging the weight of my concerns.
"So you saw dragons at the detention center?" He pressed, his voice tinged with disbelief. Axel shrugged, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone.
"I remember going to the detention center five times, and no such thing happened. Instead, they handed out ridiculous punishments, like making us face our partners and stare at them for nearly an hour. It was utterly stupid and exhausting." His words left me incredulous.
"You know what? Thankfully, someone took a video, and I'll send it to you. Please respond quickly," I blurted, urgency threading through my voice as I spoke into the phone.
"Sure," came Axel's hesitant reply, the nervousness palpable even over the line. I hung up, my mind racing. Now, I needed to find that guy who had filmed the incident and convince him to share the footage with me.
Valerie's soft voice broke my train of thought. "Are you okay? You seemed engrossed in your phone, and we didn't want to disturb you." I smiled reassuringly, hoping my expression would ease her concern, and we continued our meal in comfortable silence. Once we finished, we exited the bustling cafeteria, the chatter of students fading as we made our way toward the library. Beyond our assignment, I knew I needed to dive into my studies, sharpening my mind for those inevitable impromptu tests, so I hoped to find the right textbooks to aid my preparation.
As we strolled towards the library, an idea blossomed in my mind to change the mood. I grinned and chimed in, "So, does everyone have someone they fancy yet? This school is filled with breathtaking people; I wonder if anyone has caught your eye." I glanced at Coco, who smiled shyly and shook her head, then turned my gaze to Valerie, whose cheeks flushed a bright crimson. It was clear she was not fond of such topics, but as my friends, they were in for a bit of playful teasing — I was determined to be the one to bring out their hidden whims.
"Coco, even you? No way!" I gasped theatrically, covering my mouth in exaggerated surprise.
"What about you, Carol?" Valerie's hopeful inquiry turned my attention back to her.
"No one yet," I replied, keeping my thoughts to myself. Julian's face sprang to mind, but I chose to reserve my excitement until I was certain about our relationship. Only then could I boast about having a boyfriend and relish the silent envy of my friends.
"Looks like we're all going to be virgins until we graduate," Coco mused, her voice light yet carrying a hint of resignation.
"A bachelor's degree we came to find, indeed," Valerie added, and we erupted in laughter, the sound echoing our shared amusement.
As we reached the library door, our laughter faded into hushed tones, replaced by a collective seriousness. We were here for a purpose — serious study awaited us. The library loomed large and imposing, much like every other building at this school. A couple of security guards stood sentinel, ensuring order as students moved in and out freely.
We passed under a red light that turned green, granting us access to the vast space inside. My breath caught in my throat — the sight was nothing short of mesmerizing. Books appeared to swirl in the air, meticulously placed back on the towering shelves by automated robots. The polished marble floors gleamed impeccably, reflecting fragments of our eager faces. The air was imbued with the nostalgic scent of old books mingled with a cool artificial breeze from the air conditioning. Various computers lined the walls, ready for virtual learning, while tables and chairs dotted the floor for those preferring anathema to technology — a cozy nook with textbooks and notes.
Valerie zipped to secure her spot at the solitary table, dropping her bag with a satisfying thud. Coco followed, clutching a textbook she had pulled from the nearby shelf before settling in behind her. I wandered through the aisles, scanning for the perfect book to guide my studies. Intent on starting from the simplest subjects before moving to more complex ones, I decided to explore the upstairs section for better picks.
As I ascended the steps, my heart raced. On the first landing, my eyes landed on a familiar figure: a boy with raven-black hair, sharply defined features, and an air of concentration as he flipped through a book. Relief washed over me; I was grateful the search hadn't taken longer. He stood shyly, his side profile illuminated by the soft library lighting, his bangs gently brushing against his forehead. Clad in a black shirt and crisp white pants, he exuded a casual charm.
"Hey," I whispered, stepping closer, my heart beating faster.
His gaze met mine, and a smile broke through his serious demeanor. "Sweetheart," he said casually, closing the book with a soft thud. He squinted his eyes as if trying to thinking of how to call me. "I forgot to ask for your name"
"Carol Davis" I answered, pushing away the frown that had swept through my face at the mention of the endearment. I didn't like it except it was from who I liked.
"Alex Storm," he announced, emphasizing his name as I nodded in response, grateful that he had spared me the awkwardness of misnaming him. There was a fleeting moment of silence before I plunged into the heart of the matter.
"Do you still have yesterday's video?" I asked, locking my gaze on his. My straightforwardness cut through any lingering hesitation, leaving no room for pretense.
At first, confusion spread across his face like an impending storm cloud. "The video you took yesterday at the detention center," I reminded him gently, and I watched his expression shift like the flicker of candlelight in darkness—his eyes suddenly brightened, only to be overcast by a fleeting shadow of sadness.
His voice trembled slightly as he confessed, "I know it sounds strange, but when I tried to watch it with my dormmates, there was nothing. It scratched and then just... went off." Chills crawled up my spine as I registered his words. How could this be? I had witnessed Alex capture that video, his hand steady and sure; there was no sign of disturbance. Why would it appear damaged now?
"If you don't believe me, take this," he urged, slipping his hand into his pocket. With a deliberate movement, he retrieved his phone and pressed it into my palm. I glanced down at the screen, my heart racing as I pressed play. The video played for a moment, thand en the picture scrambled and vanished, just as Alex had described. A sense of dread pooled in my stomach. How on earth would Axel ever process this strangeness?
"And what's even more bizarre," Alex continued, leaning closer as if the walls held ears, "is that one of my dormmates who survived the ordeal doesn't remember anything at all. When I recounted the details to the other person, he dismissed my words, claiming I was fabricating tales. I pressed him about his memories from the detention room, he insisted we were just supposed to stare at each other for an hour—something that never even happened." A frown etched deeper lines into Alex's brow. "I don't understand why he would say that."
"But you remember, don't you?" I probed, desperate to uncover the truth.
"Every single bit of it," he affirmed, and a wave of fear washed over me, icy and paralyzing. What on earth was happening?
Later that day, after the final class, I caught sight of Theresa standing in the corridor, surrounded by her cluster of friends. Their laughter echoed like a cacophony, relentless and unapologetic, especially in light of the viral embarrassment that had tarnished her name. I couldn't fathom why she continued to flaunt herself so openly; it was as if she reveled in the chaos.
Yet, her business was indifferent to mine as I approached, motivated by an insatiable curiosity that gnawed at me. Memories of the detention center clung to me like shadows. Valerie remembered everything; so did Alex. But then there was his roommate—mentioning something utterly unexpected—and the strange malfunctioning of the video swirling in my mind. Was it possible that memories were being erased?
"Hey, Theresa," I called softly, trying to break through to her. But before I could reach her, her entourage stepped in front of me with a wall of hostility.
"I want to speak with Theresa," I said, irritation bubbling up as I scanned each of their faces hoping for any sign of reason.
"The last time you approached her, it led to a disaster we all want to forget," one of them shot back, their tone dripping with disdain. My eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"You were at the detention center?" I blurted out, the realization striking me like lightning.
"Of course! And I certainly didn't sign up to stare at another person for nearly an hour; I felt like slapping the idiot," she spat, her words laced with anger. My brow furrowed in confusion. Why did everyone seem convinced they had merely locked eyes in that suffocating room?
"Theresa, what did you remember?" I pressed, hoping to unearth the truth.
"What? Are you staging some kind of interrogation?" she sneered, closing the gap between us, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "I was this close to punching your face yesterday after being forced to stare at you. Thankfully, the time was up"
We certainly didn't stare at each other yesterday. How did everyone forget, leaving me, Valerie and Alex to remember?