door.
Warmth sped quickly up my arm, spreading through the rest of my body as I grabbed the knob. Twisting it slowly, cracking it open, I realized immediately that what I'd been searching for all my life was just in reach. That hollow feeling I'd had since the death of my parents might possibly get filled. I couldn't tell you how I knew. I. Just. Did.
Joy, happiness, contentment, belonging—those four very human feelings were a huge commodity in a chaotic life.
The light was so bright I shielded my eyes, knowing that if this didn't wake up my friends, nothing would. A high-pitched, inhuman scream erupted behind me, piercing the air. Chill bumps ran up and down my arms. That was when I noticed that the music was no longer blaring, and the freaky-colored lights had stopped their irritating flashing. The only sounds I could hear was my heavy breathing and the erratic beating of my heart, like a ball bouncing around in my chest.
Slowly I turned to face my peers, my friends, to see if they were now awake...and to find who let out that horrible scream.
Fear ran rapidly through my body, sending icy shudders down my spine. Terror clutched its ugly paws into my heart. No longer dancing, they stood side-by-side with wooden expressions harboring their faces. Kora and Brenton were in front of the mass of unblinking kids. But there was something different about their eyes, something terribly wrong.
The eyes that stared at me were black. Not Brenton's chocolate-colored eyes, or Kora's green eyes. No. Black eyes, black as the night sky. Not just Brenton and Kora, but all of them.
“What's wrong with you guys?” I asked shakily.
Kora narrowed her newly blackened pupils at me.
“Do NOT open that door.”
Whoa. Kora had just spoken, I saw her mouth moving, but that was not her voice. The voice was too deep and manly compared to her usual high and peppy voice.
I was mystified. “Kora,” I whispered cautiously, “what's wrong with your voice?” My question was answered with mean, hate-filled laughter, laughter that bounced off the walls, shaking the room.
“Clarity.” A voice called.
My heart stopped. I'd heard someone calling my name from behind the door. I faced the door, turning my back on my friends.
“Open the door, Clarity.”
Abruptly the harsh laughter stopped, followed by a cacophony of evil voices, roaring urgently:
“DO NOT OPEN THAT DOOR!”
Without giving it a second thought, I swung the door open, the blinding light penetrating the dark room. Screams of agony and pain sounded. I didn't look back—couldn't see anyway. The light was just too brilliant. The screaming started to die down. And then...
Silence.
While the screaming and light had invaded everywhere, I'd squatted down to my knees, hands on my ears, eyes squeezed tightly shut. I didn't want to move. Too afraid. Until a gentle hand touched my shoulder, that familiar sense of calmness hitting me in the chest.
Opening my eyes I was overcome with joy to see Sam kneeling next to me. He took my elbow, helping me to my feet. My eyes searched the room—at least I thought it was a room. White floors, white walls, white ceiling, white everything. Looking one way and then the other I couldn't tell where anything began and ended.
Sam's face shouted relief, his smile vibrant. “You did it, Clarity. You opened the door.”
“What is this place, Sam?” I asked, awestruck.
“A safe place,” was all he said back.
I raised my eyebrows at him. “Yeah, I guess it's safer than what's on the other side of the door. And what about my friends? They looked so evil, so...possessed.” I shuddered just thinking about their laughter and black eyes.
“They're using your friends to weaken you. They will use anything important in your life against you for their own gain. They want to make sure you never find out what you are supposed to become.” The clear-blue color of his eyes kept me enthralled, their shine breathtaking.
I shook my head. “Who are
Warmth sped quickly up my arm, spreading through the rest of my body as I grabbed the knob. Twisting it slowly, cracking it open, I realized immediately that what I'd been searching for all my life was just in reach. That hollow feeling I'd had since the death of my parents might possibly get filled. I couldn't tell you how I knew. I. Just. Did.
Joy, happiness, contentment, belonging—those four very human feelings were a huge commodity in a chaotic life.
The light was so bright I shielded my eyes, knowing that if this didn't wake up my friends, nothing would. A high-pitched, inhuman scream erupted behind me, piercing the air. Chill bumps ran up and down my arms. That was when I noticed that the music was no longer blaring, and the freaky-colored lights had stopped their irritating flashing. The only sounds I could hear was my heavy breathing and the erratic beating of my heart, like a ball bouncing around in my chest.
Slowly I turned to face my peers, my friends, to see if they were now awake...and to find who let out that horrible scream.
Fear ran rapidly through my body, sending icy shudders down my spine. Terror clutched its ugly paws into my heart. No longer dancing, they stood side-by-side with wooden expressions harboring their faces. Kora and Brenton were in front of the mass of unblinking kids. But there was something different about their eyes, something terribly wrong.
The eyes that stared at me were black. Not Brenton's chocolate-colored eyes, or Kora's green eyes. No. Black eyes, black as the night sky. Not just Brenton and Kora, but all of them.
“What's wrong with you guys?” I asked shakily.
Kora narrowed her newly blackened pupils at me.
“Do NOT open that door.”
Whoa. Kora had just spoken, I saw her mouth moving, but that was not her voice. The voice was too deep and manly compared to her usual high and peppy voice.
I was mystified. “Kora,” I whispered cautiously, “what's wrong with your voice?” My question was answered with mean, hate-filled laughter, laughter that bounced off the walls, shaking the room.
“Clarity.” A voice called.
My heart stopped. I'd heard someone calling my name from behind the door. I faced the door, turning my back on my friends.
“Open the door, Clarity.”
Abruptly the harsh laughter stopped, followed by a cacophony of evil voices, roaring urgently:
“DO NOT OPEN THAT DOOR!”
Without giving it a second thought, I swung the door open, the blinding light penetrating the dark room. Screams of agony and pain sounded. I didn't look back—couldn't see anyway. The light was just too brilliant. The screaming started to die down. And then...
Silence.
While the screaming and light had invaded everywhere, I'd squatted down to my knees, hands on my ears, eyes squeezed tightly shut. I didn't want to move. Too afraid. Until a gentle hand touched my shoulder, that familiar sense of calmness hitting me in the chest.
Opening my eyes I was overcome with joy to see Sam kneeling next to me. He took my elbow, helping me to my feet. My eyes searched the room—at least I thought it was a room. White floors, white walls, white ceiling, white everything. Looking one way and then the other I couldn't tell where anything began and ended.
Sam's face shouted relief, his smile vibrant. “You did it, Clarity. You opened the door.”
“What is this place, Sam?” I asked, awestruck.
“A safe place,” was all he said back.
I raised my eyebrows at him. “Yeah, I guess it's safer than what's on the other side of the door. And what about my friends? They looked so evil, so...possessed.” I shuddered just thinking about their laughter and black eyes.
“They're using your friends to weaken you. They will use anything important in your life against you for their own gain. They want to make sure you never find out what you are supposed to become.” The clear-blue color of his eyes kept me enthralled, their shine breathtaking.
I shook my head. “Who are
Similar Books
