From the very beginning, Sara believed that her roommate was not quite normal, and now she can confirm it.
After hearing the shocking news from her, which she had to reveal to her because she caught them at the wrong moment, Laura only looked shocked for the first five minutes. Then she burst out laughing loudly when she remembered that the math teacher had tried to rape Natalia.
The 17-year-old can't understand her train of thought, because according to her, it's not funny at all. What happens at the center makes her have goosebumps nonstop. She worries about herself, as well as her friends.
Sara shakes her head as Laura bursts into laughter again, repeating that Alan is a murderer.
The girl feels like punching her in the face to make her finally come to her senses, but she fears that her roommate might give her back and twice as hard. She doesn't understand the situation they are in. They are in danger because most of the youngsters are supposed to leave the center first thing in the morning, and she scoffs.
They have only a few hours left for all hell to break loose. The general is mentally ill, so he has chosen his victims to hurt. They know very well that the youths have discovered secrets related to their past, so they decided to keep them longer. They are in danger... and in great danger.
- Laura, come to your senses! - She finally can't stand it when her roommate starts giggling under her breath again. Maybe she drank something, because since she's been staying here, this girl has been stocking up on alcohol. She hides everything under the bed, claiming that she has to leave it for a rainy day. - Don't you understand the gravity of the situation? There is nothing funny about it. Do you know how Alan feels now? To save his friend, he killed a man. Put yourself in his situation. Imagine that you were in his place. Are you still laughing? - She raises her voice, looking at her with piercing eyes.
She thinks this will bring the brunette to her senses, but she looks as if nothing is getting through to her.
- If I were Alan, I wouldn't rescue her. This maggot accosted my Simon. I don't like her, so I would have let her strangle her," she claims, and Sara opens her mouth in amazement. Is she serious? She would let an innocent girl die just because she doesn't like her? - You have changed, Sara," she continues, looking at her carefully. - You're stronger, I like that. You don't behave as hopelessly as you did at the beginning of our acquaintance. I think it's my influence," she announces proudly, smiling under her breath. - You even got involved in a love triangle, and I didn't succeed.
- What are you talking about? There is no love triangle.
- Because you only see Alan. You don't notice Oliver, who has had his eye on you for some time. You are wonderful, since you managed to make this moron fall in love with you," she says, forcing a smile. - I didn't manage to win Matthew's heart, but to drag him to bed. There's quite a difference. You are innocent, that's why boys like you, and I am a slut, so they have no respect for me. Do you understand why I push Simon away from me? Because he is the most precious person to me, and I don't want him to give affection to someone as repulsive as me. I don't deserve him," she explains with sadness in her eyes, and Sara feels sorry for her for a moment. She finally understands it. She is just stewing everything inside, hence her strange behavior. - Besides, it kills me to think that cruel things are happening here. I still can't believe that Alan killed a man. A little more and we who stay here will all have something on our conscience or never leave here. All this scares me, so I try to pretend to be indifferent. However, I can't anymore," she announces, giving vent to her emotions.
She starts to cry, so Sara pats her on the back, trying to show her some support in this way.
- We will destroy them. We will not give up so easily. We have guys who will protect us and won't let anyone hurt us. We will escape from here and return home. I'm sure of it," she announces, although she herself doesn't believe her words. She has full concerns about whether they will actually be able to escape from this prison. However, she doesn't want Laura to give up so easily. She tries to lend her strength so that she can face them together.
- What has it come to... I get the impression that you have become bolder than me in recent times.
- Because I realized that I can't give up. To survive here, I have to show being confident, even though inside I'm shaking all over," she says with a slight smile on her face. She puts her arm around her, at which Laura raises an eyebrow. - Why are you looking at me like that?
- It has nothing to do with Alan, right? Didn't you take the plunge just to hit on him? - She asks suspiciously, not taking her eyes off her.
- You see guys in everything," she claims offended, then gets up from the bed. Laura laughs quietly, so the brown-haired woman turns to face her and sends her a slight smile. - We will not give up so easily.
*
At exactly seven o'clock in the morning, she leaves her room to see how many people are leaving the center. Standing in the corridor, she watches the girls walk down to the first floor with their suitcases with wide smiles on their faces.
She is horrified by the number of rooms that are emptying.
Most of them are now of age, in addition to having spent a designated amount of time here.
After a while, she is joined by Laura, who mirrors all the girls with anger in her eyes. At one point, she squints her eyes, as if she is thinking about something. She looks at her roommate and announces:
- Something is wrong. The two girls who are leaving arrived here at the same time as me. So why didn't I get permission to leave the center?
- Laura, you know very well why. They realize that we know their intentions, and besides, we have uncovered these people's sordid past, so they won't let us out of here themselves," she replies in a whisper.
- That's why we need to escape. All we have to do is blend in with the crowd and pretend that we are students who got permission," she claims.
Sara feels like grabbing her head. Is she thinking rationally? They know their faces, besides, there are teachers watching at the exit to check the names of the students.
This is impossible.
- Your plan sucks," she mutters under her breath, making Laura angry. The girl throws her a furious look and walks to the railing to see what's happening on the first floor.
After a while, she returns with an agitated face, admitting Sarah is right. She is afraid of what is about to begin in a few hours. Everyone is afraid.
Standing next to them is Natalia, as well as her roommate, who had drunk herself into unconsciousness the previous night.
- She knows," she announces, and Sarah's eyes widen in fear. This girl saw what happened last night. Even though she was drunk, she was well aware of what she witnessed. - I tried to tell her it was a nightmare, but I couldn't manage it. She is sure that it really happened.
- I distinguish between dream and reality. The fact that I was drunk doesn't change anything. I know that your boyfriend killed the teacher," she turns to Sara.
Wait a minute, my boyfriend, she thinks. Even she doesn't know what they really have in common.
Natalia looks at the 17-year-old with apologetic eyes, but she is not about to accuse her. After all, it's not her fault that Sylvia woke up at the wrong time. She is only concerned that Alan might get upset. He wants as few people as possible to know about it, and besides, he asked Natalia to take care of her roommate. However, the girl has not succeeded in doing so, so things may get unpleasant.
Laura, seeing her friend's concerned gaze, wordlessly grabs Sylvia by the shoulders, and presses her against the wall.
- Listen to me, ugly. I know that you also drooled over my friend. - At this point he breaks off and throws Natalia a sinister look. - But I'll turn a blind eye to that, because he wouldn't even touch you with a stick, but now it's about something more important. If you breathe even a word about what you saw the night before, I will disfigure that ugly face even more, do you understand? Alan is someone important to my friend, and besides, I like him too, and consider the fact that he saved your friend's life. Otherwise, it would have been you who would have handled the corpse, but hers. - Laura points her finger at Natalia, who swallows her saliva harder, probably recalling yesterday's situation.
- I'll see if I can hold my tongue," she says with a wry smile on her face, not caring at all about Laura's threat. - I'm not the kind of person who suppresses such dark secrets.
The last time Sara felt such anger was when Victoria made fun of her mother, so now she can't stand the derision in Sylvia's voice. Anger is bubbling up inside her. She clenches her fists, trying to control herself, but the thought of protecting the person she cares about is too strong. Finally, she can't stand it and punches Sylvia in the face.
Laura opens her eyes wider at this sight.
- A lioness defends her male," she claims proudly as Sylvia paws at her burning cheek.
- Just try to tell anyone about it.... You don't know what's going on here. Why do you think there are only a handful of us left? Because we are the people who know about something. If I were you, I wouldn't report it to the director. That way you'll only get yourself in trouble, but if you're so stubborn, go ahead. Way to go," she stammers through clenched teeth. Laura claps her hands, pleased that her roommate's character is visibly changing. - And you don't get so happy, because I have a feeling that they already know about what happened in the room. They left Natalia and Sylvia in the center for a reason," she whispers in Laura's ear.
She jumps up in fear, when someone grabs her hand and pulls her aside.
- What happened the night before? - asks Oliver, watching his friend carefully. Surprised, Sara looks at his face, and when he does not answer, he jerks her by the shoulders. - Damn it, speak up! I heard them talking about Alan killing the math teacher.
She puts her hand to her mouth, when she understands that she was right. They indeed already know about everything, but how? How did they manage to figure it out when it happened just a few hours earlier?
- Do they know?
- You can't hide anything from them, Sara. How do you think? How did they find out about it? It's obvious that Alan told them. - Oliver unfounded accuses him, so the girl throws him a warning look. She knows that he hates Alan and is only searching for an opportunity to plunge him in her eyes, but lately, he's starting to exaggerate a bit. Just because he's the General's grandson doesn't make him a traitor.
How can Oliver just talk about it like that, when he himself has a lot behind his back. He is the one working with these people, and yet she trusts him.
- Stop accusing him. I've had enough of this, Oliver. After all, it was he who killed the teacher. He killed the man who cooperated with them. And what do you think, he just went to them and calmly told about everything? What nonsense are you talking," she whispers more quietly as two girls pass close to them, happily talking about freedom and the fact that in two weeks it will be Christmas. They are excited to spend it at home, away from the slave place.
- You're the one who should stop defending him, Sara! You're wrapped up in him like a picture! Do you think he is some kind of god? That he is perfect without a single flaw? I beg of you. You're defending him because you're in love with him up to your ears, when he's directing you like a puppet. Come to your senses! - He raises his voice at her, making people pay attention to them. He glares at her with his eyes, then runs down the stairs.
The girl looks back at him, clearly agitated. A smile appears on Laura's face.
- He is jealous. I told you that this is a love triangle. With the naked eye, you can see that Oliver is in love," she mutters under her breath, but this does not escape the attention of Sylvia and Natalia. - What are you two staring at? At least Sara is successful and doesn't have to hit on busy boys. Simon is my cherry on the cake, so avoid him by a wide margin. He only likes me anyway," she adds haughtily, brushing her hair off her shoulder.
*
They stand at the exit, watching the last people leave the center. Biting her lip, Sara nervously moves her leg, thinking about what awaits them in the near future. She can't guess what the Nazis are preparing against them. All she knows is that their intentions are not friendly, but what is their plan? That's what he can't predict.
She looks back, when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She sends Alan a gentle smile, as she doesn't know how he feels after the events of last night.
- Are you all right? - She asks, looking carefully at his face. He doesn't look good, giving the impression of an overtired person. One can guess that he hasn't even slept a wink after all this time.
- I should be the one to ask the question. Are you okay?
- I feel fine," she replies, looking into his eyes. The blond man looks at her with clear concern, then puts his arm around the girl.
- It was the worst night of my life. With you, I'll try not to think about it," he whispers when he finally takes her in his embrace. With a smile on her face, the girl presses her face into his chest, while he rests his chin on her head.
- I'm afraid of what's about to start when they close all the gates. They left us because we discovered their intentions. I get chills just thinking about it," she says, and feels Alan embrace her even tighter.
- I won't let anyone hurt you. Let them just try to touch you...- he announces, placing his hand in her hair. He strokes the girl's back, making her feel safer.
She trusts him and knows he will protect her.
- You guys are sweet, but talk to us too. - She hears Laura's voice behind her back. She moves away from Alan and corrects her hair, which overlaps her face. She feels a blush on her face as Laura sends her a practiced smile.
Simon seemingly stands beside her, but still harbors resentment. Things are still not going well between them. His expression becomes even more sinister when Matthew and Oliver join them. The latter does not even honor Sarah with a glance.
Is he offended? The teenager can see that he is angry, but for what reason? She defended Alan because he deserved it. Why is Oliver sulking?
- Is this some kind of convict gathering? - Matthew asks, looking at each one in turn. He wants to make a joke, but this time it doesn't work out for him. No one is in a good mood. Everyone is afraid of their ass.
- The biggest convict is missing. Where's your girlfriend? - Laura bitingly turns to the boy.
- She's still getting dressed," he answers her with a hint of mischief in his voice, watching her face change.
Looking back at him, she wrinkles her nose and mutters something unintelligible. Simon doesn't even glance at her, but Sara notices that he is clenching his fists. He's still jealous, and that's a good sign, because his feelings for Laura haven't changed.
- She's certainly getting dressed, since she's been beaten so badly. It's not easy for her to put her blouse over her head," Laura adds, although Matthew is not going to pursue the subject any further.
Sara looks around the corridor and feels an unpleasant shudder when her gaze finds the General. The man is standing not far from them, carefully watching all six of them. Seeing that the seventeen-year-old is looking at him, he smiles mockingly, letting her know that it's finally time. Panicked, she turns her face the other way, which does not escape the attention of the others. Alan looks over his shoulder and, with clear hostility in his eyes, watches his grandfather, who raises his hand at the sight of him.
- I can see that you are on good terms with your grandfather, since he even greets you. - Oliver is pinched again.
- I know perfectly well that this is not about me, but about Sarah. You are spiteful because you can't bear the thought that she chose me and not you. Jealous? - he asks with derision in his voice, at which the girl blinks her eyelids, wondering what she should do. This is the first time two boys are arguing because of her. She feels embarrassed if they do it in public.
The others look at them with curiosity in their eyes.
- Yes. I can't stand the thought that she trusts you implicitly while you're flying her balls. Do you even care about her a little? I get the impression that you don't. Admit it, you're using her for your ends," Oliver claims, without mincing words.
Sara looks at Alan, expecting his answer, as if she is afraid that what Oliver says may turn out to be true.
- Sara is the most important thing for me, so be careful what you say. I will do everything to protect her. - His answer reassures her.
- Your words will not change anything. I don't believe you.
- Do you want proof? Do you really need that to finally understand that she is safe with me? That I will do everything to protect her? - Alan is so sure of his words that Sara doesn't understand how he intends to prove it. She notices the happy smile on Laura's face, as if she is the center of attention. She gets the impression that she is incredibly excited about this argument. She is probably happy that she was right about the love triangle.
- How are you going to prove it?
- It will show you that I am ready to protect her, even at the cost of my life. She is the first girl I loved, so I will do everything for her. Everything, do you understand? - he announces, with emphasis on the last words, so Sara opens her mouth.
He said he loved her. It feels as if time stopped instantly, and she keeps repeating his words in her mind.
Alan confessed publicly that he loved her. He really did.
Oliver freezes, unable to get the word out. He shifts his gaze to Sarah, but she only sees Alan at the moment. With disbelief in her eyes, she stares at him, and her heart beats harder.
Alan extends his hand to her. The girl shakes his hand, so he sends her a slight smile.
Sara lowers her head and hides her face behind her hair. She is embarrassed because everyone is looking at them.
Oliver clenches his lips in anger, and after a while walks away from them furious. He slams his fist against the wall, trying to vent his anger. Sara feels remorse toward him. She doesn't know why, but she suddenly feels sorry for this boy. So much so that she wants to run after him, but refrains only because she is with Alan.
- I'll go talk to him. I don't know what happened to him," says Matthew, then runs after his friend. Laura is still smiling under her breath, as if she is happy with her choice of roommate.
Sara lifts her head and freezes as she looks deep into the hallway. Her knees buckle under her and if it weren't for being held by Alan, she would probably fall. Seeing that something is wrong, the blond man catches her around the waist and looks at her with concern evident on his face.
- Sara, what's going on?
She doesn't answer him because nothing reaches her. With fear in her eyes, she watches dozens of ghosts who stand in a row whispering shrill words to her. They repeat that she has not obeyed them and has not done what they ordered.
They whisper that punishment awaits her.
Laura and Alan keep saying something to her, but she is unable to hear them. Simon's face pales as the girl covers her ears and yells for them to leave her alone. However, they get more and more insistent. One of them appears in front of her, and that's when she notices that it's a woman who has appeared in her room many times before.
- There is something you need to see," she says vaguely, touching the teenager's face. Then everything changes, and she finds herself in a corridor that is decidedly different from before. With horror in her eyes, she looks around the building and realizes that she is still in the center but decades earlier.
- This will be my longest memory you will see. The longest, and also the last.