Runaway (The Knight Society #1)

After my little breakdown I somehow made my way back to my room which, in my absence, someone had decked out. A giant flat screen TV sat atop a cupboard holding heaps of DVD’s and games for the multiple gaming consoles there as well. The once empty row of shelves was now crammed full of stunning leather books. Finally, on the table lay dozens of snacks just begging to be devoured. If this was there way of bribing me to stay they were definitely on the right track. Not giving it a second thought I grabbed a packet of chips and picked one from the stack of games.

Hours later a knock echoed at my door and I woke up. Somehow I had fallen asleep whilst playing even with the games loud and quite annoying sounds playing.

“Come in.” Glancing at the door I watched as Avery walked in. Getting up I stretched my muscles and mentally chastised myself for sleeping on the couch when there was a perfectly good bed sitting not five feet away.

“Didn’t figure you for the video gaming type.” He said and I rolled my eyes and begun to collect the rubbish around me.

“I’m not really but I had time to kill. Speaking of which what is the time?” Digging a phone out of his pocket he glanced at it.

“7:30.” I smiled. Almost check out time, perfect. Grabbing a bunch of fresh clothing I called out to him on my way to the bathroom.

“Just wait five minutes.” Closing the door I raced through my usual bathroom procedures in record time and emerged from the steamy room five minutes later feeling delightfully fresh. Aunty Jill’s necklace hung from my neck and the unfamiliar weight somehow provided a degree of reassurance. Lacing up my boots I went through a mental checklist and frowned. “Where’s my sword?” I asked. Avery blinked a couple of times surprised then scratched the back of his neck.

“I’m not sure. Your best bet is probably the armoury.” Standing up I turned to him and grinned.

“Lead the way then please.” He looked like he was about to protest for a second but instead he shook his head and headed out the door. We entered the armoury and I grinned at the sight of dozens of swords hanging in racks. I scanned row after row and was about to give up hope when I spotted it at the end. I scooped up my trusty sword and admired it under the LED lights. Someone had been kind enough to clean off all the mongrel blood and it shone as brightly as the first day I had got it. Although I would have if necessary it would have hurt to leave it behind. It had been with me since day one and was the closest thing I had to a friend for the past two years. I reverently stroked the familiar twisting spiked pattern on the blade before sliding it into the hip holster I had found. I turned to find Avery watching me with a curious expression. Ignoring that I cleared my throat.

“Time check?” he glanced down at his phone again.

“7:45.” My stomach grumbled and I glanced down at it before giving Avery a sheepish smile.

“Just enough time breakfast apparently.” He grinned at me and led the way to the Commons Room without another word. Upon our entry many people in the already crowded room looked up, upon seeing me the whispers started again and I rolled my eyes. Grabbing a plate I served myself a decent portion of just about everything. I gobbled it all down, savouring every last bite. Avery was seated next to me and as I was chewing my last bite I nudged him and tapped at my wrist. He wriggled until his phone came free of his back pocket and clicked the lock button holding it up in front of me. The screen flashed on and 8:00 popped up in bright white letters. Standing up I patted Avery on the shoulder. “Well it’s been fun Avery but I’ve got to split.” He opened his mouth to reply but I was already walking away. I strolled through the Institute at a leisurely pace until I reached the front door. A boy around the age of fifteen opened the door just as I reached for the handle and I paused for a second.

“Excuse me but do you have the time?” He glanced at me before looking down at his phone. His gaze shot right back up again and his eyes bugged out. A few moments passed where he just stared at me until I cleared my throat. “Um the time?” I prompted and he sputtered and looked down at his phone. Red climbed up his neck and highlighted his face.

“8:09.” He murmured before stumbling past me and quickly speed walking away. I pushed the door open again and walked outside. Taking a deep breath of fresh air I descended and began to walk towards the only gap in the big black fence that surrounded the Institute. As I got closer I distinguished a large shape leaning against the gate. I let out a sigh and continued on my way, stopping when I finally reached the border. Uncle John pushed away from his position on the gate and joined me as I eyed the lush forest. For a few minutes we just stood in silence, breathing in the fresh morning air and enjoying the silence. As far as motivators to not leave went Uncle John was probably the best and part of me admired Pierre’s decision to send him.

“You’re leaving because your parents are coming?” He asked, breaking the silence. I sighed.

“It’s more than that. I can’t go back to it anymore. After Thomas died…” I choked off, emotion clogging my throat. “After he died they wanted me to go straight back to Jacqueline Bell, child prodigy. With Thomas there it was barely tolerable, but without him? I don’t think I could handle it.” He quietly absorbed my words and allowed me enough time to rail back in the emotions.

“So that’s it then? You know that no matter how much you try to outrun it, the past still happened. Thomas will still be dead.” I spun to face him, anger at him, myself, the world pouring of me.

“You think I don’t know that? What do you think I have been doing in my spare time? For months I tried to deal with his death and it never got any easier. So yes I push it all away and channel everything I have into hunting because if I stop and let myself think about a world without Thomas. A world without my best friend, I can’t breathe.” Tears spilled down my face and I angrily brushed them away. Uncle John’s face was filled with sympathy and understanding but I didn’t want any of it.

“Jack-” I held up a hand cutting him off.

“No. Don’t you see? Thomas was the only thing that kept me grounded. The only thing that kept me from being the Societies - my parents - mindless weapon. If I go back in there I’ll become Jacqueline Bell again. Child prodigy. I’ll be right back where I started.” He reached up and wiped away the last of my tears. His large calloused fingers oddly soothing.

“I knew Jacqueline Bell.” He said softly. “But when I look at you Squirt I see the person you’ve become over these last two years. You enter that building and you won’t be Jacqueline Bell, you’ll be Jack. Aren’t you tired of running away?” And with that he gave me a kiss on the head and made his way back towards the Institute, leaving me to make my decision.

Closing my eyes I took a deep breath and another until my pulse slowed and my emotions settled. Opening them I looked out at the dense forest, it seemed to beckon me. The branches swayed in the breeze, the leaves rustled and I could picture what going out there would mean. It would mean peace and quiet and a life where pain was always bubbling just under the surface. I would go on hunting until one day I slipped up and it got me killed. Stepping over the threshold would be so easy. So, so easy. Staying behind, turning around, would take everything I had. If I stayed and things didn’t turn out well I knew I wouldn’t survive. Thomas’s death had broken me but staying had the potential to shatter what little broken pieces were left. I don’t know how long I stood there but sometime later I found the strength to turn around and walk back into the Institute. Uncle John was waiting on the stairs and looked up when I pushed open the door. He didn’t say anything but simply stood up and gave me a sad smile. For him I managed to smile back.

“Let’s kick some ass.”