Chapter Twelve #6
“What about Solomon?” Isis asked. I wanted to give her a sly grin, knowing that the two were secretly in communication with one another. “What about him and Namir?”
“The disrespect these men will have for her body is something we can’t allow. I’ve dealt with the dead so I will do it. I’m not waiting for their permission. Maggie asked us to help her, so I say we do it.”
“Okay so then when do we leave?” Asha asked.
“What about your classes and–––”
“Fuck this school.” she said with her hands coming together. “What up?”
“Before you make a rash and foolish move, you all need to be aware of the growing Coven Council,” Clementine said.
“With everything happening to our previous Dean and Maggie now going missing with another student, they have begun to prey on the fear and are slowly taking over. Drew Collins is not going to want this type of bad press associated with this school so move carefully. Especially before the games so let’s be smart about this for once.. ”
…
Clementine never gave us a heads up on when she was going to do the fireworks, and we really hadn’t heard from her since.
Asha was to attend class as usual. Isis was to remain our loving free spirit, being friendly to those who are friendly to her.
Harvey was going to do research on my behalf in his spare time and I never spoke a word to Namir or Solomon.
School was meant to continue on in Maggie’s absence as Xavier’s influence continued to grow.
“Coven Council, meeting tonight on the Grounds at 9pm!” Someone shouted as a flyer was slapped down on our table.
The first dining hall was packed with students coming in for the first round of dinner.
From the young students dragging their feet with their book bags.
To the elders who were either getting off work and grabbing their meal before attending their late-night classes or on the phone still handling business.
I could see Harvey in line with his brother Cedric as they blended in with the other men surrounding them in suits and ties.
Dress for Success Wednesdays and Fridays.
Something the dean was attempting to reinforce here at Drew Collins.
I pulled at my blazer that was a size or two too long and too big for my arms. It was the best Jean could do at such a last-minute request. I just hope he didn’t steal this from the Goodwill, that would be a new low for us.
“Ughhhh!” Asha groaned as she slammed her tray down on the table.
She dropped her bags at her side while Isis quickly followed and quietly pulled out a chair to sit.
Quan hadn’t been around lately, and I hadn’t seen him lingering with any other students.
It was beginning to become strange, his whereabouts but maybe it was for the best.
“We need to leave tonight,” I said with an undertone of impatience. Isis’s eyes became impossibly wider, startled at my declaration.
“What like…tonight, tonight?”
“Yes. It’s the weekend. We’ll have two days to do this. I just…I can’t understand where Maggie could possibly be and at this point, Ayira is forgotten…or took advantage because she is a lot more than whatever she claims to be..”
“I’ve been saying this,” Asha muttered as she picked over her food with a frown. “I hate that we didn’t help her when she asked. Shit eats me up every time.”
“It doesn’t matter. We can do it now. We can speak with her mother. We can–––”
“You know what I thought about?” Isis cut in as I grew quiet. “What if Maggie has been trying to get in contact with us?”
We both looked at her just as Harvey dropped his tray down beside me. He reached underneath my chair to bring me closer to him as he began to dig into his food.
“Hi Harvey,” I greeted softly.
“Hi baby,” he replied, tearing apart the dinner roll before using his knuckles to lift his glasses for a quick adjustment. “How goes the planning, Charlie’s Angels?”
Asha sneered at him with a roll of her eyes while Isis shook her head.
“We were just thinking, what if Maggie or Ayira have been attempting to communicate with us?” Isis whispered as she leaned in. “I mean…What if she’s in danger?”
“What if Hillary can tell us where she is?” I countered, trying not to be annoyed but I felt like we’ve wasted enough time. “I can have Jean come pick us up tonight and take us to Atlanta if we can come up with some gas money.”
“And then what are you going to do? Just knock on her mother’s door and say what?”
“We will figure it out when it comes to that but–––”
The doors to the dining hall opened as this short man looked no taller than a middle schooler but you could see the age in his face.
“They’re announcing the players!” He shouted.
Just as soon as he said it, you could hear the band playing outside as everyone made their way out in a single wave.
It showed the difference in ages from the ones who ran out with excitement to those who took their time.
A group of women cackling together as they shuffled their feet in their long matching skirts.
A few teachers scurried off to grab their trays while the lines were empty.
Some students stayed to themselves, listening to music or reading while eating but our table remained the same.
“Her mom has to know about us, right? Maggie had to mention us to her family before everything went down,” Isis said.
“I don’t think she got the chance,” I told her as I pulled out my phone. “I have her address where she and Namir live. It’s close to her parents’ house. We’re going to have to stop by there and get something from Maggie to offer to Hillary.”
“Wait, what?” Asha let out. “Like…asking Namir first–––”
“We’re not asking for a mothafucking thing,” I stated. Harvey grinned with an approving nod.
“We’re going to break into their house?” Isis asked, unsure.
“Just to borrow a few things of hers. She’s our friend and was our friend before she was his boyfriend. Let’s remember that.”
“The dark side is finally coming out,” Harvey muttered as he reached to pull my chair even closer to his. “It would be crazy if this whole time she’s been trying to talk to you all and tell you where she is…maybe through an unknown number or hell…a reflection in the water or––––”
Asha slammed her hand on the table before shooting up. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth was open, remaining stuck in place. We all stared at her, unsure of what was happening before she quickly wiped around her mouth.
“We have to get to that pool,” she said. “Oh my God, oh my God. Maggie was calling out to me that day in class.”
“Wait, what?” Isis said.
“Maggie! She–––” Asha looked around before lowering her voice. “She was calling out to me! I think it was her voice I heard before the attack happened!”
“Wait a minute!” Isis called out as Asha left her food on the table. I smiled as I grabbed my things. Harvey bit into the other buttered roll before heading out with us.
The crowd outside this evening was growing as maroon and white confetti fluttered in the air, surrounding the main courtyard and entrance to and from Cedar Park.
The entire school grounds were officially decorated with strings, flyers, and artwork on the pavement for the games.
The large arena where the games were held was just in the distance hidden within the thick forest. The bright stadium lights surrounding it shined as it bounced off the glass dome.
It was the Olympics and Hunger Games of the Underground all in one.
“Only the best of the best will compete and survive!” Namir shouted on the mic.
“These four students here will carry the Trojans on their back and bring home the win because I don’t know shit about losing!
DREW COLLINS DOES NOT LOSE! So when we welcome the athletes from the rival schools to Drew Collins, let’s give them a welcome they won’t forget as we send them on their way, packing! ”
The students cheered and clapped as we squeezed through the growing mass, keeping a hold on one another while Harvey bluntly moved people out of his way or occasionally stopped to talk and dap hands in a casual greeting.
I looked back at Namir, seeing Quan and Solomon behind them and when I caught his eye, I could see the confusion on his face.
Namir knew we were on to something, he just didn’t know what.
“Also! Drew Collins!” I heard a familiar squeaky voice say into the mic.
I knew it was Clementine, but she sounded off, nervous even.
“Before celebrations can continue…as head of Beta Nu Pi Sorority Incorporated, on behalf of my sisters, we want to send our prayers and wishes for a safe return back to Drew Collins for our fellow sister Maggie Grey and our dearest new student who showed the most potential, Danielle Jackson.”
I stopped and tried to look over the crowding heads as she continued to speak against the protesting crowd.
The sorority girls in their green and white that would normally stand behind her were scattered or just not present at all which meant she was moving on her own accord, and they possibly didn’t agree.
“What is she doing?!” Asha let out.
“Say what you want! I understand your frustration and anger, but it’s misguided, misdirected and full of ignorance! We as a sorority and the leading Greek organization on the Grounds will do whatever it takes to protect our sisters!”
“You’re protecting a murderer!”
“A traitor!”
“FUCK THE FIRST FAMILY!”
Clementine ignored the growing hate and instead shot up something dark in the sky, tossing it like a ball before it burst into tiny lights that popped. Fireworks…this was the sign.
“I don’t care what anybody has to say!” She argued as they attempted to take the mic away from her. “MAGGIE GREY IS DREW COLLINS!”