The Forbidden Trilogy(30)

~~~

Sam,

If you're reading this, I'm gone. Please know I would never leave you here alone, which means I didn't leave voluntarily. There are deep secrets at this school, and I've only scratched the surface. One of my students disappeared after she left. She's not where Higgins said she'd be. I fear a worse fate for you. Get out, Sam. However you can, get out. Someday, if I'm still alive, I'll find you.

You were the best of them all.

Mr. K

P.S. I made this box for you. Keep your own secrets in it.

~~~

What had Mr. K discovered that scared him so much, and what did they do to him?

"Drake, did you see?"

'Yes. Do you believe me now? They kidnapped me, Sam. They didn't save me from shit!'

"I don't know. Yes. Maybe. It's all so much. I wish I knew what to do. I wish Mr. K was still here."

Luke and Lucy needed to see this. I put the letter back and sealed it, then slipped the box into my bag.

I left Mr. K's office and walked right into Headmaster Higgins.

"Sam, what are you doing here?"

"I came to see if any of my art survived. The first time, I was too upset."

His face softened. "Of course. Actually, I'm glad I ran into you. The clinic is looking for you. It's time for your vitamin shot and checkup."

"Right now?" I had a standing appointment every three months for that, and this was odd timing.

"Yes, they've revamped the vitamin cocktail, and we need to make sure all the students get it. There's been a nasty flu going around and it'll help keep you healthy."

'Need everyone healthy. Healthy and happy.'

"Okay, I'll head there right now."

"Great. Oh, and did you find anything?"

"Not really. Everything's pretty much destroyed."

"I'm sorry, Sam. I really am."

"Me too."

I left before he could question me more, and headed to the clinic.

'Don't let them give you any drugs, Sam. Vitamins my ass.'

"I don't have a choice. There's nothing I can do about it."

He sighed mentally but didn't say anything more about it.

As I approached the clinic, Luke and Lucy walked past me. "Hey, where are you two going?"

They both smiled with glazed expressions that contained no hint of personality. "Just back to our room. See you around," Lucy said.

I couldn't hide my exasperation. What was going on? "Wait, what did you find out?"

Luke slugged my shoulder. "Oh, Sam, you worry too much. Everything's fine. They're waiting for you in there, and we have to go."

They walked away and left me stunned.

'Your friends have been compromised.'

"They're like pod people. I'm scared, Drake."

'Me too.'

But what could I do? I couldn't hide or escape, so I walked into the clinic and spied on every mind I could find, fighting a mounting headache the whole time.

***

My trepidation mounted when the doctor with the gold tooth walked into my room. "Hello, Sam." He flipped through a chart. "Looks like it's time for your vitamin dose. This is an enhanced version and will give you added health benefits as well as strengthen your powers."

"Who are you?"

"You are a direct young lady, aren't you? I'm Dr. Pana. I created this new serum and am overseeing the distribution of it."

'Sam, that's the doctor who treated me.'

"I know."

"Please hold out your arm and lie back. You might get dizzy or even fall asleep for a time. That's completely normal."

'Sam, don't! Please.'

"I have no choice."

My arm shook, but I offered it to him like a sacrificial lamb. For all my newfound courage, I still just let myself be pushed around. I'd never had any real power over my own life, and I realized I never would.

"Don't worry, it will only hurt for a second."

The prick came, and my body filled with a warm glow as I slid into oblivion.

Drake's voice touched at the edges of my consciousness. I reached for him, but he slipped farther and farther away, until he was gone and I was alone.

***

The little boy sits on the bed once again and waits. When New Daddy gets home, he's going to be ready for him this time.

New Mommy gets older every day and her skin wrinkles and sinks into itself in a yellowish muck. Drake won't hurt New Mommy, even if she does let New Daddy beat him.

New Mommy hurts herself enough for them both.

But New Daddy, he won't be allowed to do this anymore.

The door slams open and the little boy waits, quiet as a dead mouse.

Then New Daddy is standing over him, a gun in his hand.

The blow lands before Drake can move, but Drake's been practicing.

He pushes New Daddy's weak mind. He pushes harder and harder—with each bashing from the pistol, he pushes.

This beating hurts more than the rest. The metal from the gun breaks open his skin and bone. He might not heal from this, but he doesn't care as long as New Daddy doesn't either.