In the silent night air, the noise was loud. I was huddled outside, watching the flames of the court yard braziers. They were lit each weekend now, scattered around the building under wire mesh. Weekends were our free time. We were encouraged to spend time socialising in awkward groups a part of our therapy, but it wasn’t mandated. It was just a suggestion, like from a well-meaning camp counsellor who doesn’t realise she has a camp site full of serial killers.
Like Jason Voorhies, I thought. Friday the 13th.
Great movie.
I’d parked myself out the back of the school, near the woods and mountains, watching the flames flicker hypnotically, my power craving the heat of the fire.
From my spot out back, I could see the main building, plus the additional field hospital medical lab they had built alongside it. There was the greenhouse and rumour had it there was also a secret passage around the back that led to underground tunnels and labs. On the other side I could see the hall / arena where we played sports.
I sipped my stolen soda watching the light.
I liked the quiet.
I liked being alone.
Just me and my fire.
Click.
The lights had gone off a while ago. Now only a couple of lights from the front remained on. Wild didn’t care if we walked around here too much. She knew there was nowhere to go for miles.
Click.
I threw a small shot of energy at the brazier, summoning the fire. A small flame caught on my finger tip.
I watched it, fighting back the voices and memories that cried in my mind.
Jess! Jess please!
I clenched my fists, dousing the flame. The panic was creeping in. I couldn’t let it win.
Behind me I heard a sound.
Click.
I stood up, expecting a guard to be coming to rush me inside.
But I could see no one.
And yet.
The primal part of my brain worried. I peered through the darkness, rolling my lighter in my hand.
I sat back down, now very uncomfortable.
Maybe it’s time to go to bed.
About a hundred metres or so ahead of where I sat, I saw a door to the medical wing open and out stepped Seph.
She looked like shit.
I hadn’t seen her today. That was probably a good thing. Because I would have said something and I honestly didn’t mind her.
Much.
Her uniform was limp and hanging from her skin, like she hadn’t eaten all day.
She probably hadn’t. She did that a lot.
