Dark Night

by Stefany Rattles

  After a few minutes, the music stopped and Illyanne walked to the single microphone that was standing in the middle of the stage. She was wearing a long, maroon dress that looked like a towel on her, but still dressed for the occasion, with her white gold jewelry making it stand out.

  Please stand.” She tried saying it in a kind tone, which no one believed. It was more like an order. They followed it.

  “We welcome back to the throne King Gerard Stuart and Queen Maryse Stuart.” She bowed at the sight of them, which the whole student body followed. Genevieve stood gracefully and bowed, and I followed not so gracefully. They acknowledged our bows with one as well and they walked to their throne looking as powerful as ever.

  Our parents were dressed casual, my mother with a black business suit, skirt, white collar blouse the whole nine yards. My father as well was wearing a dark gray suit, perfectly fit, as casual as a king and queen could get.

  I caught Illyanne staring at them in what seemed like disappointment. My mother turned to her slowly and dismissed her, Illyanne smiled to her face and stalked off stage. I held a laugh.

  My mother, instead of sitting next to our father walked to the microphone and took it in her hand. Before she spoke, out of nowhere the secretary from Illyanne’s office gave her a clipboard. She bowed and disappeared from stage quickly.

  “It seems we have some catching up to do.” She paused and from what I could see, she smiled. “I have some important news I need to share with you today. First, I have to say how glad we are to be back.” That got a loud applause, “Thank you. Second, I would like to welcome some new students who will be joining our institute… temporarily,” That did not get many applauses, “These are not just any students. They are princes‘, and princesses’ from other countries who have not accepted our kind… yet.” She seemed to struggle looking at the clipboard and hold the mic. But my father got to his feet and walked to her, to help her, he held the mic now while my mother looked through papers.

  He spoke. “Not only will we have guests, we will also have some permanent students. The first list is of our new permanent students….” As he started reading their names, students walked up to the stage and bowed to the king and queen then returned to sit with the other students. Next I saw Dana come up to the stage when my father said: “Gabrielle Bernice Petrelli” And Bonnie walked up behind Dana. I had no idea that was her real name.

  When he was finished with the first list, there was a loud applause before he started to read the second. “And now we welcome Prince Xin Zhu, and Princess Xia Zhu from China.” As he introduced them they appeared from behind me and Genevieve. They were skinny and beautiful Chinese twins, because they looked just alike. Xin was wearing a dark prince tuxedo I assumed, that had a golden color to it. His face was flawless and his hair was short, dark and spiked. Xia, was flawless as well. She wore a tight dark red dress that hugged her skinny little body perfectly. Her hair was in a bun, and she wore bright earrings. They sat down next to us after bowing to the king and queen.

  Our father continued with the next on the list “…. Prince Bruce Rousseam and Princess Abelle Lefebrve from France,” The two stepped from the opposite side from us and came toward our parents. Bruce had a little boys’ face, well… he was little. He looked about fourteen, yet he wore his tuxedo and looked cute in it. He had shaggy light hair, with nice big green eyes. The girl, Abelle reminded me of someone I couldn’t put my finger on. She was tallish, slim and a show off. Her skin was tanned it seemed, her hair was also pinned up and it was a little darker than the boy’s, her eyes were big, bright blue. She looked just like Mereily, and I wondered if they were related.

  “Prince Adalbert Fischer and Princess Frederike Fischer from Germany,” Adalbert looked about twenty, which he probably was, he was kind of handsome and he was tall too. Frederike was short and curvy, younger than Adalbert. She wore a short mini dress to show off her legs, “Princess Miki Sato and Princess Katsumi Suzuki from Japan.” The Princesses’ looked like trouble, both looked alike but only because of the matching skirts and tops they wore nothing else. Miki had a boyish haircut with bright red highlights. Katsumi had long blonde hair up in a ponytail, and wore way too much make up.

  “Prince Magnus Cunningham from Ireland,” Now he was hot, he had his longish red hair combed back. He was tall, and had a pretty smile. My father continued reading names from the list, but I stopped paying attention when I caught sight of Robert. He was leaning against the exit door watching, but not really paying attention to the introductions, more like watching me. He looked right at me and he held my gaze for a while until he finally broke it off, and walked towards the stage, for a minute I had thought that he was going to get me, and go. But no luck, I realized he was being called by my father. “…. Lord Robert Townsend.” And that got a cheer from Genevieve who “accidentally” bumped me with her elbow when she clapped.

  Robert took the mic, and began to speak. “Today we re-opened Crimson House.” And the crowd went wild… literally. It took Robert a minute to quiet everyone down. “But this time there will be no waiting, if we have not talked to you already then what that means is that you are not living at the Crimson House.” Everyone stopped cheering, but he continued. “The ones that have been chosen have already moved in, or are doing so as we speak. With that said, have a great day.” He said that last part almost sarcastically.

  Students started whispering to each other in confusion, disappointment, and frustration. I saw some girls actually cry. Well that was just plain stupid. As far as I knew there wasn’t anything that special about the house, except the luxuries, like they needed it that bad.

  The ceremony continued, we left the auditorium and were now in the dining area. My parents were chatting as they were having dinner with the Gods and Goddesses. Some of the new students stayed with the intention to get to know the royals here better, which they were good at. I was talking to Bonnie who was surprised that I hadn’t known her real name.

  “Yep, I hate it with a passion. You know kids at school always teased me and called me Gabe! Like I was a guy or something, piss me off. But whatever, soon as I was out of Junior High I started going by Bonnie which I like a better, people didn’t even notice. Anyway, did you see that red headed guy? What was his name? He was fine!.” She hip bumped me.

  “I think it was…Magnus? Magnus Cunningham… yeah, that was it, Irish.”

  “Even better, I like me some temper!” She burst into giggles.

  “Excuse moi?” said the Princess from France.

  “Yeah?” Bonnie stopped giggling and turned to her, she was with the boy.

  “Bonjour, Je’mappalle Abelle Lefebvre.” She said as she held out her hand at Bonnie who took it.

  “Bonjour, I’m Bonnie. Do you speak English? Sorry my French is still not that great.” She admitted, looking guiltily at me.

  “Of course,” Abelle really looked like Mereily except a little darker. “I know English. It is just hard to understand with my accent.” She blushed.

  “What accent? You’re a pro. So, what’s up? What’s your name?” Bonnie asked the boy who seemed too shy to even say his name.

  “Bruce. Hi.” He smiled sheepishly and looked down.

  “Well you look mighty fine Bruce, enjoy yourself.” Bonnie was seriously making the boy nervous, a blush rose on his cheeks.

  “Princess Mia, it is a pleasure to meet you.” Abelle said to me. We shook hands and she gave me a kiss on both cheeks. Okay.

  “We have heard so much about you two, our… cousin? That is the right word isn’t it?” We nodded. “Mereily Jolie talked to us about her best friends, that if we were able to present ourselves here and we could not find her, we could find you.” She said slowly.

  “Mereily is your cousin?” Bonnie said surprised, I knew there was something there.

  “Oui… yes,” Abelle confirmed.

  “She looks just like her, Bonnie you really didn’t notice?”

  “Nope, no clue…” She shook
her head.

  “Well, I am glad you think so. But we cannot find Mereily, and we wondered if perhaps you could show us the way to her?” She spoke softly. Bruce was standing beside her, still looking around the room for the tenth time.

  She was oblivious to her cousins condition, not good. “You don’t know do you?” Once again I asked knowing the answer.

  “Know?” Bruce said.

  “Mereily…. She is in a comma…. I’m sorry. I thought they informed her family.” That was something I didn’t know.

  Abelle and Bruce had the same look in their face, pure sadness. “I see now… that was the reason we were sent… Bruce?”

  “Oui, I agree.” Both were exchanging looks with each other, as if speaking in a code. Then Bonnie cleared her throat. “I apologize.” Bruce said.

  “But we must go, and find Illyanne. Arvouir,” Abelle said before she turned to go, pulling Bruce with her. Then they were gone.

  “God, I feel terrible maybe we shouldn’t have said anything.” I was telling Bonnie who sighed.

  She was looking around the room. “I know, but they needed to know. It looks like Illyanne wasn’t going to say anything to them, what a bitch.” Bonnie said it as if it were the only truth, which it probably was.

  My jaw dropped a little then I nodded. “You’re right.”

  Later that night, we danced and met a few of the new students. Cole and Jewel were nowhere to be seen, not that I cared. That was just something I didn’t want to be around. Sophie was acting strange, looking around as if waiting for something and Anna was not here at all. She had said she had some serious business to take care of.

  Typical.

  Bonnie had left to get something to drink when someone tapped me on my back.

  It was Genevieve.

  “What now?” I asked annoyed, I had enough of her already. For some reason she still wouldn’t leave me the hell alone.

  “Don’t be so rude.” She grinned. “We… need to talk. Now,” The grin was gone replaced by a serious face, I noticed also that she had changed into a less formal dress, still pretty.

  “Why should I listen to you?” I snapped at her, I really wasn’t in the mood to play one of her stupid little games, but she just grabbed my wrist and I let her pull me away from the crowd that was gathering to dance.

  She pulled me out of the dining room, and let go of my arm. I followed her to a maintenance room that was off the hall, I closed the door behind me once we were inside. “Okay, enough with the sneakiness, what do you want?” I said as I crossed my arms.

  She looked like she was about to cry, she pulled out a folded paper from a handheld purse and handed it to me. “This. Was left in my room, I just found it. I don’t know who is doing this, but we need to stop it.”

  I unfolded the paper and it was a printed picture of our parents talking to each other, wearing yesterday’s clothes. Their faces were marked with red crosses and underneath the picture it said: Today is the day. “What the hell does that mean?” I asked to myself, afraid of the answer.

  “Obviously someone wants to take them out. The funny thing is.. Is that this stationary paper is from this school which means that whoever is doing this is in here.” She whispered shouted.

  “Okay. Hold on a sec, how can you be sure? It could be just a coincidence, right?” She was already shaking her head.

  “No, it isn’t. Who was going to know where my room was and get in without being noticed? Seriously I didn’t think you were that stupid.” Her hands went to her hips, again getting defensive.

  I glared at her. “So, why are you telling me this? Shouldn’t you be telling our parents? Where’s Robert? You could have told him.”

  “I can’t tell my parents without causing a scene, and I haven’t seen Robert. I can’t even believe I’m telling you this, but maybe you could tell Isabelle or someone that can discretely watch our backs.” That sounded reasonable, I nodded.

  “Fine, I need to get my cell phone and change before we go all FBI on this place.” She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

  We quietly reached my room without bumping into anyone; I carefully opened the room and scanned it quickly. Everything looked the same as I had left it, I grabbed a pair of black skinny jeans, a black tank top and a black cardigan, I wore black Ugs too. I looked over my shoulder at Genevieve and found her checking herself out in the mirror. I rolled my eyes. “Aren’t you changing?”

  “After you’re done, then we can go to my room and let me change___”

  “We don’t have time for that! Grab something from my dresser and hurry your ass up!” I snapped at her while I got out of the dress. She made a disgusted sound but said no more.

  After I was dressed I grabbed my cell phone, then Genevieve came out of my closet. “Don’t you dare say a word.” She crossed her arms after putting her dress neatly on my couch. She wore a black skirt, that I didn’t like because it was way too short, but it fit her perfect. The shirt she was wearing was a long sleeved, button up white dress shirt, with black high heeled, knee high boots. That I also didn’t like. I was still taller than her.

  I grinned. “Please. You look like your bitchy self,” Then turned away from her before she could say a word. I pulled my cell phone out and speed dialed Isabelle. She picked up on the second ring.

  “Yes?” She sounded like she was in the middle of something but this was more important.

  “Isabelle, we have a situation.” I said quickly.

  “I’m listening.” Then, Genevieve took the phone away from me and told her about the note, and where she found it. She was nodding to herself, and agreeing to whatever Isabelle was saying. Then she hung up, and tossed it to me.

  “She’s going to alert the guards, without making a scene. She wants us to stay where we are and wait for protection, she doesn’t want us to do anything else.” She shrugged and sat on the edge of my bed.

  “That’s it? What the hell are we going to do sitting here?” I put my hands on my hips and stared at her. Genevieve looked about five years younger and scared.

  “I don’t know! What do you want me to do? You think I want to sit here until someone comes to protect me? I don’t!” She stood up and went to the restroom, where she stayed for a while.

  I heard footsteps coming from down the hall, but then they stopped and I heard a door open and then close. I walked over to the door and tried to hear for any more noise, but nothing. Something was wrong, I tried calling Isabelle, Robert, Illyanne, but no one picked up. What the hell was going on? I knocked on the bathroom door lightly.

  “Genevieve?” I whisper shouted.

  “What?” She yelled back.

  “Shh! Open the door, there’s someone out there.” I whisper shouted again, that got her attention. She quickly opened it and stepped out the minute the bathroom door clicked close, there were footsteps out in the hall again.

  “Shit.” She said. “Come on.”

  “Where the hell are we going? News flash we can’t get out without being noticed… if someone out there wants us.” I didn’t follow her. She didn’t say anything for a minute. Genevieve opened my closet door very quietly and didn’t even bother turning the light on, I could barely see what she was doing. She pushed all my clothes from the back to one side and then I called her when she didn’t answer I said. “What? Do you really think this is the time to play dress up?” She ignored that too and instead she took my right hand and got my thumb.

  “Press hard.” She wanted me to press hard against the wall, I did feeling stupid. But then without making a sound the wall went up and Genevieve pulled me in with her. “Hurry, close it.” She showed me where to put my thumb again, and I pressed hard. The wall went down again. It was pitch black.

  “What is this place?” I asked confused. She just smiled and then made a waving motion in the air that made the light turn on. It was a very narrow hall and at the end were some stairs, it looked like it was part of a secret entry way. There were no doors, which meant we had to go down
the stairs.

  “Let’s go, Ask questions later.” I followed her all the way down, it seemed like we were now on the fourth floor. But there wasn’t a fourth floor. “This is underground you know, like a basement.” Except it wasn’t a basement, it was a large room with at least eight more doors. “They each lead to different places, but first….” As I looked around the room I found steel drawers, tables and all sorts of fighting stuff. On one wall there were different size of swords, and knives. “We need to take something to protect ourselves. We don’t know who’s out there, or what’s going on. I had tried calling every single one of my friends back there, when I was in the bathroom, but no answer.”

  “Yeah, I tried calling Isabelle too. Whatever is happening, it can’t be good.” I agreed. One of the doors opened and out stepped Anna, Delilah, Payton, and Robert.

  “What are you doing here?” Payton asked us.

  “What does it look like we’re doing? You moron,” Genevieve said, back with an attitude. I rolled my eyes.

  “Back off, Gene he’s serious you know better than to come down here just because. This is… only for members.” Payton said looking right at me.

  “It’s alright she is a member.” Robert told him, with that Payton shut up and blushed in embarrassment.

  “So what are you guys doing here? Do you know what’s going on?” Delilah asked curious. The rest were already going through drawers.

  “Yeah we know. Someone left this in my room.” Genevieve handed her the picture. Robert, Anna –who winked-and Payton all gathered around Delilah to look at the picture.

  “Whoa. What the hell?” Anna said taking a closer look. “Check this out… it’s our paper__”

  “Yes and it was taken yesterday.” Robert concluded.

  “Duh, now you see why we’re here. We told Isabelle… she said to stay in her room but we heard footsteps and they went into her room after we left. Don’t know who it was, but they were looking for us, and we’ve tried calling someone… including you Robert and we didn’t get an answer.” She was glaring at Robert.