It may not be a threat, but Alan's proximity makes her heart beat dangerously fast. Resting her head on his torso, she can perfectly smell the perfume that drives her crazy. It's delicate and sensual at the same time.
Closing her eyelids, she completely forgets about the danger threatening her. Only the slam of the door opening and Alan's jerking brings her back to reality. He pulls the girl by the hand as a drunken boy emerges from the room opposite. The party is going on there at its best, but it is only when the door is opened that the noise of talking youths reaches them. Without thinking, they go inside to blend in with the crowd.
The room belongs to the girl who spoke to Simon earlier. Laura felt like scratching her eyes out, so Sara sensed perfectly that the girl was jealous of her friend. Maybe she doesn't even know it or doesn't allow herself the thought, but recently, her roommate noticed that she was starting to feel something more for him. Maybe she finally realized that she was too consumed with her obsession with Matthew and didn't pay attention to the feelings she had for Simon.
Maybe it's a good thing she doesn't know about the party and sleeps in her room, because knowing her temperament, she would have turned the party into hell.
- In a moment they will come here to see if you are at the party. They'll start chasing everyone away to find you, so you need to hide," Alan claims, then without a word he tilts back the sheets for her to get under the bed. Seeing her puzzled look, he nods for her to hurry. Simon watches them, but doesn't say a word. He only watches as the girl struggles to get under the bed.
Alan crouches down and, biting his lip, tries to squeeze in next to Sarah. The girl opens her eyes wider as she realizes what he is doing. She sees that several people are watching them with interest, and a few more are giggling under their breath as they watch the blond man, who measures one meter ninety, forcefully try to climb under the narrow bed.
Indeed, it must look funny.
- Don't look at me like that. I have to hide, too, because when they notice that I'm here, then they'll immediately realize that I must have been with you," he speaks when he finally manages to squeeze in beside her. She's squished into the wall, so she struggles to catch her breath. Moreover, this place is so cramped that staying here for two is an incredible challenge. Fortunately, she is not claustrophobic. - Aren't you stuffy?
- It's fine," she lies, praying that the General's men will rush into the room as soon as possible and chase away the partying youth.
- I hope there is no one here who will give us away," he says, and she only then realizes that such a situation could occur. However, lying next to Alan, she does not feel fear at all. She is calm, as if she is in no danger. She just knows that he wouldn't let her get hurt. - I feel a tingling in my leg. I think I've already worn down. Being tall has its drawbacks," he mutters, trying to move, but as a result, he drives the girl's elbow into his rib. She mouths "ouch" and wants to massage the sore body part, but Alan worries that he has caused her harm and does it for her.
She feels her cheeks burning. It is his touch that has such an effect on her. She thought that after the kiss, nothing would be able to embarrass her anymore, yet there are still times when she gets shy.
Difficult to combat.
- It doesn't hurt anymore," she announces abashed, and he smiles and takes his hand from her stomach. The girl becomes breathless, she feels she can't catch her breath. Her heart beats harder and, despite the tense situation, she thinks about him kissing her again. They are in danger, but a person in love does not think rationally, staying in such a tight room with the person he likes. He can tell this from himself when he suddenly starts thinking obscene things.
A noise breaks out as the door is opened, and a math teacher walks in. The partying youngsters immediately freeze, because he is the one they fear the most. The person who teaches this subject usually inspires the greatest fear among the students. They are right, but they also don't realize how dangerous this man is. He murders orphans and acts as if the situation amuses him. Sara will never forget the smile on the man's face and his fascination as he handled the dead bodies.
Right after the General, he is the one he fears the most.
- Are you guys having fun after nights? So I'll also have a little fun keeping an eye on you tomorrow to make sure you clean up the entire building to the flash before you leave the resort.
Several people try to escape, but the General appears behind the teacher. The man's gaze frightens everyone, although they have no idea that this man is indeed a psychopath who tortured and killed innocent people many years ago. He has a loathing for people from Poland, so he takes satisfaction when he bullies them.
The old man looks carefully around the students and keeps his eyes on the teacher as he shakes his head.
- I don't see this girl anywhere.
The general takes one last glance inside, then withdraws without a word. The mathematician takes a piece of paper and a pen from the room's owner to write down a list of the students who are attending the party. After giving their names, everyone goes back to their room with a grimace on their faces, as they face punishment tomorrow. Among them is Simon, blaming the girl who invited him to the party.
The room becomes empty, and only the roommates are left in it. One of them is so drunk that she can barely stay on her feet. Finally, she can't stand it and throws herself on the bed, under which Sara is lying with Alan. The boy is so squeezed under the mattress that he croaks when the girl lays right on top of him. Sara gets the impression that this makes it difficult for him to breathe.
- I do not know by what means you manage to arrange alcohol, but from tomorrow all visits will end. No one will be able to approach the gate anymore. Vodka, cigarettes, it will all end," he declares, carefully watching the girl. The redhead surreptitiously glances with frightened eyes at the teacher. She swallows her saliva harder as a mocking smile appears on his face. - Unless we settle this the same way as last time. I'll pretend that you didn't participate in the party at all, and you'll get around the punishment," he whispers quietly, capturing her chin. He moves closer to the girl and unexpectedly pushes her onto the bed. He does it too hard, as Natalia slams her back against the wall. Closing her eyelids, she hisses in pain, feeling a piercing current passing along her spine. She trembles with fear when she sees the man climb onto the mattress. He stands over her and, with a perfidious smile on his face, unbuckles his belt. - Your roommate is drunk. We can settle this quickly, but before we start, tell me, was Sara here? She's the girl who sticks with Alan. You may not know her, but you certainly associate with this popular boy.
Natalia looks at her roommate's bed with terrified eyes, recalling their presence. Alan gently tilts the bedclothes upward to see how the situation is. Seeing that the girl is in danger, he looks at Sara as if to ascertain whether he should help her.
She has to do it. After all, this disgusting guy can't hurt her. This is too much already.
Natalia shakes her head as a sign that they did not attend the event.
- I ... I want to serve my sentence. Like the others," she says in a trembling voice, watching as the man removes his shirt. She clenches the bedclothes in her hand, looking in their direction with pleading eyes. Tears run down her cheeks, and when he grabs her and forcibly tries to tear her clothes off, the girl screams. The man puts his hand to her mouth to keep her silent.
- Shut up or I'll kill you," he warns, and Alan slides out from under the bed as quietly as he can.
Sara bites her finger out of nerves, waiting for further developments.
The blond man gets to his feet and grabs the teacher by the shoulders. He pushes him off the bed. The man lands on the floor and looks at the boy with dazed eyes. Before he can get up, the blond man is immediately at his side and grabs him by the neck. He presses him against the wall, preventing the man from moving at all.
- You're trash," he declares in his face, which amuses the mathematician. Natalia curls up on the bed, with horror in her eyes, watching Alan get into trouble. She didn't think he would be brave enough to stand up for her. However, the girl doesn't know what is really going on in the center and that Alan is untouchable because he is the General's grandson.
- At least I'm not a hypocrite like you. You protect this little freak because you fell in love with her, and what are you doing behind her back? You yourself don't know which side you want to be on," he says with amusement in his voice, and Alan presses his hand harder against his neck.
- Stop lying. You say that because you know Sara is hiding here. You are trying a trick to make her doubt me. Don't think you'll succeed," he announces, looking at him with furious eyes. - She trusts me, and I will protect her. I will not let you hurt her. Her or anyone else.
- Stop playing the hero, because you are the same as your grandfather, only hiding your true face. Eventually something will make you angry, and it's a matter of time. As far as I know, there was a similar situation with the General. After the betrayal and escape of your grandmother, he got mad, and so he was still able to come to his senses.
Sara listens carefully to the man's words, feeling increasingly anxious. Why is it like this every time? She had the same feeling when the ghosts warned her.... After all, she shouldn't doubt Alan. He is an entirely different person, and besides, he feels something for her, so surely he would never hurt her.
- I am not a monster and I will never become one," he claims with conviction in his voice.
During the conversation he forgets himself for a moment and loosens his grip, which the teacher takes advantage of. In surprise, he slaps Alan in the face so hard that the blond staggers. He grabs Natalia by the hair and pulls her off the bed, to which the girl reacts by screaming.
Alan wipes the blood from his mouth, and the mathematician glances toward the bed.
- You'd better get out of there, or else an innocent girl will get hurt," he announces, tugging Natalia by the hair. Alan immediately shouts out to Sara to stay there, so she does. Although he is worried about Natalia, she also doesn't have the courage to get out from under the bed. Not long ago, she was ready to face the General to save Julia, and now all the courage escapes her in just a brief moment.
- Leave Sarah alone, or I won't vouch for myself," Alan threatens him, although the man ignores his words and snorts under his breath.
- What about her? Can I clean her up?
Alan approaches the man and announces in a whisper:
- Do what you want with her. I only stood up for her because Sara wanted me to.
The redhead's eyes widen in horror after hearing the words spoken by her colleague. The mathematician laughs bitterly, and Sara gets out from under the bed, looking at Alan with disbelief in her eyes. Even though he said it in a whisper, she was still able to hear his words.
- And the star of this evening appears before me. The general is looking for you, so you were lucky you weren't in the room," says the teacher dryly, groping at the girl with clear hostility. - He found out that you were the granddaughter of a medium, and you don't even know how much he hated this woman.
- Alan," she whispers quietly, looking carefully at the boy.
Why did he say something like that?
- Sara, why did you leave there? Don't you trust me? After all, I wouldn't let him hurt her.
- And I think you were serious," says the mathematician, pushing Natalia away from him. The girl falls on the bed, and Alan stands in front of Sarah, as if trying to protect her with his body in this way.
- Don't even go near her, or I'll kill you.
- But I am afraid. After all, you said that you are not like Grandpa, so you would be able to kill me? - he mocks, leaning out to see the girl. She hides behind Alan's back, all the while wondering if his words were serious. She tells herself that this is also part of the plan.
The redhead sits curled up on the bed while her drunken roommate starts snoring. The girl has no idea what is just going on in the room, as she is currently snoozing soundly.
- The general wants Sara alive, so I won't hurt her.
- You've been warned. - Alan admonishes him again as the teacher heads toward them. His attention is caught by scissors that are lying on the table. He immediately grabs them, aiming them at the amused mathematician.
- Be careful, or you'll still hurt yourself.
Hiding behind Alan, the teenager nervously grabs his shirt. Her legs are like cotton wool, she feels she's about to pass out.
Her heart stands still when the teacher unexpectedly pounces on them and grabs Sarah's hand. She howls, and Natalia panics and gets off the bed. She runs to the door and is about to run away, but remembers her drunken friend.
She looks over her shoulder and curses under her breath, well aware that she can't leave them like this. After all, they protected her from this cruel man.
Alan lowers the scissors and starts tugging at the teacher. He pushes him away towards Natalia, who frantically looks around the room. Her attention is caught by a lamp standing on the desk. Without thinking, she grabs it in her hands and hits the man on the head with all her strength. However, it is not a blow that would be able to knock him to the floor.
Natalia is horrified when she notices that he has turned to her with fury painted on his face.
- You little bitch," he stammers through his teeth, then brutally chokes her. Seconds pass, and the girl begins to have trouble breathing.
And then Alan does something that completely shocks Sarah. He grabs a pair of scissors lying on the floor and runs up to the mathematician, plunging the tool into his neck.
The girl covers her mouth, watching the gushing blood with horror in her eyes. She becomes weak. Her legs refuse to obey her, so she falls to the floor. As if in an amok, she watches the scene in which the confused man lets go of Natalia. She turns to face Alan, who takes a few steps back.
The boy looks as if he himself is in disbelief at what he has just done.
- Yet there is a monster slumbering inside you," he grunts uncomfortably, wobbling on his feet. Natalia coughs and massages his neck, panicked, looking at the man, who is losing more and more blood with each passing moment. Despite the pain, a wry smile appears on his face. Unexpectedly, he drops to his knees, and a moment later hits the floor with his face. A loud scream comes out of Natalia's mouth.
Sara's eyes open wider as she realizes that someone has just died before her eyes.
- Is...is he d - dead? - she stammers, feeling chills all over her body. Alan nervously rubs his face and feels anxious when he notices that Natalia's roommate is awake. The girl has been watching the whole scene for a long time, not fully aware of it.
- Do something with her for the hell of it, not stand around like a peg! This can't happen! - shouts at Natalia, who is still trembling with fear.
She approaches her friend. She starts telling her that she is drunk and that it is just a dream. She tries to put her back to sleep.
Alan looks at Sarah as she blankly observes the dead man.
The blond man crouches over the body, and puts his fingers to his nose to check if he is breathing.
- He's dead," he confirms, and these words echo in her head.
- No one can find out about it.
- It's true. This must remain just between us.
- I will never turn you in, Alan. You saved me," the girl announces, then shifts her gaze to Sara. The brown-haired girl looks shaken and feels sick. She feels like throwing up. Her hands are trembling, although she is trying to control her emotions.
The blond man crouches beside her and embraces her hands, trying to calm her down.
- I did it in defense of my friend. He would have killed Natalia. Besides, he was a man who threatened all of us. He wanted to hurt you as well, so I couldn't let that happen.
She lifts her head and looks Alan in the eyes. He tells the truth. He only did it because they were in danger. The man was recalcitrant and tried to strangle Natalia.
His lip trembles, so Sara hugs him. Tears run down her cheeks as she is fed up with the place.
If in the morning most of the kids leave the place and there are quite a few left, hell will only begin then, and the General will not let go so easily until he gets her....
*
Sitting curled up on the floor, she stares at Alan, who, with Natalia's help, is wrapping her body in the sheet that the girl pulled off the bed. Sara is still in such shock that she does not even try to help them. This situation has left her still unable to recover.
- You will have to help me. I'll take this body, but you guys check to see if anyone is around. We have to go down to the basement. Sara, do you remember the way to this place? - Alan prefers to make sure that the girl is not too much in shock.
He nods uncertainly, then rises from the floor. Although her legs are like cotton wool, and she still feels terrible, they need to get rid of the body.
They leave the room, and she carefully looks around to see if there is anyone nearby. With her heart beating loudly, she goes downstairs, praying that they won't run into anyone. And she almost dies of fear when she bumps into Laura at the stairs.
- It's the middle of the night, so I walk around looking for you. The General's men were in our room. You don't even know how scared I was that they caught you," she claims, and only then notices that Natalia and Alan are with her. - What are you two doing? And why is that stupid monkey with you? - She raises her voice, so the brown-haired girl immediately puts her hand to her mouth to keep her silent.
- Laura, do you need to get into a discussion now? Go back to your room. Sara will be here soon," says Alan, looking around nervously.
The brunette's eyes widen as she notices the cocoon, wrapped from a sheet, that Alan has slung over his shoulder.
- What do you have there? Are you bringing out a corpse? - she asks jokingly and freezes when she gets no answer. Her attention is drawn to the drops of blood that flow from under the sheet.
- Sorry, Laura, but I'll explain everything to you later. - Sara turns to her roommate, and then with a quick step they move on.
Alan asks Laura for help:
- Wipe up the blood, if you can.
Sara assures Natalia the rest of the way that Laura is her roommate, and will not utter a word regarding what she saw.
They breathe a sigh of relief when they smoothly reach the basement. They go downstairs, and Natalia looks deeply surprised when she sees the metal door that leads to the underground.
- What is this place? - She asks in a concerned voice, looking at the rooms that hide behind the bars. She rubs her shoulders in fear.
When Sara first arrived here, she felt the same way.
- You have no idea what's going on here, but there are people worse than a mathematician. At least we don't have to worry about whether they will call the police, because they certainly won't," Sara speaks, but only Alan understands what she means. Natalia is not privy to the whole affair, so she doesn't know what is really going on at the center.
Sara is sure that this is just the beginning, so she dreads the next day. She is afraid to go back to her room, go to bed and get up in the morning when the others will be leaving the place. The girl is terrified at the thought of what the General will do when he finally catches her. After all, Alan won't be able to protect her all the time. Eventually, this cruel man will get his hands on her.
In addition, she is worried about today's events. As for Alan, this is another secret they acquired together, but she is more worried about Natalia. She completely doesn't know this girl, so she doesn't know if she can trust her.