Chapter 15
Burning for Pesh
When trying to escape the inescapable, it is important to realize that death might be inevitable. Death to the life you’ve come to know. Death to your past. Death to your present. Death to your disguise. And death to yourself.
I make my way through the Chemistry Hallway with my school backpack on my back. Head down, I walk straight to the elevator that will take me to the lowest floor of this building. I visualize the map in my mind of how to get to The Seventh Zone.
But I cannot help but think of Pesh. What if he could have helped me? What if he knows something I don’t? I have to eliminate these thoughts and believe in myself, but right before I can, I see him walk by with three Patrons I have never seen before.
My eyes gravitate toward him. Unaware, I stare.
He looks at me intensely. And for a second, I feel like he can see through me.
Like my soul is naked. And I am completely exposed.
My mouth opens unconsciously as though to respond in rebuttal, and my legs slip, causing me to bump into a student in front of me.
I shift to the side, shaking it off. I am flustered, but I’m regaining my composure.
Obviously, I am infatuated with this guy. It is beginning to annoy me.
I drop my stunned look and continue walking, but I see Pesh’s eyes darken. Does he detect that there’s something off about me? Just before I enter the elevator, a smoky stench wafts through my nose. I cover my mouth and nose to mask the ominous odor drifting through the halls.
I wonder if it is from a science experiment?
My eyes narrow as I look to the right, spotting Doctor Val, who begins to command in a controlled undertone, “Everyone, exit to the safe area!”
I observe as several students run through the hallway toward the tall, golden doors and into what is known as “the safe area.” It is an ash-colored spiral concrete floor surrounded by a large body of water, reflecting a dark shadow.
I notice the sky surrounding the area is also covered by bland clouds.
I sigh, reluctant, but I follow them toward this area.
I am perturbed that it has thwarted my plan.
The drumming footsteps of someone sprinting jars my head to the right. Rotating my gaze around the axis, he whirls past me. My foot halts. My head jolts.
It’s Pesh!
I turn back to see him approaching a science room.
He breaks through the door and enters the room where smoke seems to be coming from to help a girl inside.
He points her toward the direction of the safe area and she escapes, along with several other students from the room.
I watch as the students scamper out the door, sifting past me in growing mutters until there’s no one else left in the hallway.
Except… Zia, who is walking toward the safe area.
Upon seeing her, my spine freezes, remembering what Patron De Londe said about her betraying me. I try to ignore it, to snap out of my feelings. But I can’t. “Zia!” I call out.
She halts, turning to me.
Like instincts, my eyes clash into hers, the words dropping like a blade.
“Do you remember in second grade when I came to the new school and saw those kids bullying you and calling you names because Zavish didn’t like you? Do you remember how I stood up for you? You would do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”
“Why do I need to stand up for you? When all you do is steal the shine away from me,” she says with a scoff. “It’s always been me in your shadows.”
“That’s not tru—”
“Good grief! I even curled my hair to look more like you for Zavish. It’s retro style waves. Not like yours, but nevertheless, the point is I’m not good enough—”
“That’s a lie. I’ve told you countless times—”
“Damn it, Shantavia! Even my own mom thinks you’re better than me, so much so that she recommended you over me.”
“It’s fine if you felt the pressure to do something, but at least I didn’t think you’d stab me in the back.” I control my tone, disappointment gnawing at me. “And you know full well parents can’t recommend their children. So it has nothing to do with that.”
“Yes, it does!” She digs her hands through her hair, restraining herself from straightening the curls. “I am so sick of you acting all innocent. People like you… People—like you. People—want you.”
“Now they want me dead, don’t they?” I shouldn’t have said that.
“I don’t know.” She admits it, drawing back. “I just told them you were all dodgy and didn’t really wanna come here and only did it for your sister. Yep. I knew. I snooped around your things at my Commons celebration party that one time after Zavish talked to you at Math and Science Nationals.”
“You read my journal?” Shock courses through my veins.
“And? Big deal.” She glares at me. “My dad just likes for me to do research on new kids that hang around the block.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
She sighs. “Nothing...” Guilt drowns her gaze.
“Shantavia, I don’t want to hurt you. Just try to fit in, or get the F out of my way.
Just do what they want for gods sake! That’s how you fit in with the elites.
I mean, it’s what I do anyways.” She shrugs, eyes dimming.
“This is how The Commons works—you do what they say, and you’re fine.
You act like you don’t want to be one of the elites, yet here you are, competing for everything I want. ”
Realization dawns on me, anger brewing, and I can’t help but mutter, “I feel sorry for you.”
“What?” She exhales as I take a step forward, fear flaring through her steel blue gaze.
“I feel sorry for you. And I will never be anything like you.” I stride away.
“Wait, Shantavia!”
The blue smoke spreads through the area, blocking her path to me.
“Shantavia, what are you doing?” she screams as Zavish swoops in, gripping her shoulders, taking her out of the building before she hurts herself… or faces the dark dome.
But it may already be too late.
“Zavish!” she whimpers, but he turns away, joining the rest of his friends as her gaze drops to the floor.
I can’t believe I let myself get that bothered, that emotional to confront Zia.
I hear a sudden thud, and my head jolts to see a metal door crashing down on Pesh’s chest. The thump of my heartbeat escalates in my chest, and I zoom toward him instinctively.
The veins of his muscles contract and stretch as he pushes the metal door, but his elbows collapse as he tries to stop his hands from touching a giant log of wood that is burning beside him, almost catching onto his shirt as well.
It seems he is unable to lift it himself without getting burnt in the process.
Oh no! My hands tap, hoping the fire doesn’t consume him.
I wait until Zia and Zavish go to the safe area, then I run toward Pesh impulsively.
I am not sure what is going on, but I know I can’t just leave him there. Just as I bend to help him, the flames from the fallen wood surge toward his ankle. Before it can scorch him, I grab a jacket off my backpack, slamming it to the flames repeatedly.
“Shantavia, you need to leave now.”
“Stating the obvious. I’m not leaving without you.” Just as I smother the raging fire, he lifts the metal door off his chest without getting burnt.
He sits up, staring at me for a second. It is in this moment that I realize that I love him.
I love him enough to stop my journey for him.
I love him enough to risk my life for him.
I open my lips to speak, but I am interrupted by seven Fire Patrons dressed in red, militantly approaching us to stop the fire.
I rush away and hide behind the golden doors. I secretly glance to the side, and my gaze catches sight of a black cape.
Patron De Londe.
He finds Pesh and holds his arms, patting off dust from his jacket as though to make sure he’s okay. I move my back against the door to stay hidden. With my side eye, I look back at Pesh, and our eyes collide from a distance. For the first time, he looks down.
We all congregate in the safe area and a few minutes later, we are summoned into the auditorium through the intercom.
Everyone enters, but I hide behind the auditorium door and peek to hear what is going on.
I have to continue my plan of escape, especially now that everyone is in one place.
But I first want to see if I will hear anything useful for my journey.
“A tragedy has occurred,” says Doctor Val. “We are deeply saddened by these events—”
Doctor Val is suddenly interrupted. Patron Colo walks onto the stage, making a signal to speak to her.
She leaves the podium and steps to the corner for a moment.
Whispers emanate around the auditorium. Suddenly, another group of Fire Patrons begin to surge in from the Patron entrance.
I duck before I am spotted. Thank God they did not come through the student entrance.
The students draw back as the Fire Patrons walk by. The floors light up, but the floor is not consumed and neither are the Fire Patrons. Their shoes seem to emit fire as they walk. Interesting.
They approach the Earth Patrons near the podium and bow before them in a greeting. I knew Earth Patrons like Pesh were the highest ranked of all Patrons, but I didn’t know that they bowed to each other. I notice them speaking with one another as the Fire Patrons hand the Earth Patrons folders.
Some students stay silent, obviously terrified, while others whisper to each other.
“Fire Patrons on school property,” Zavish says. “Good riddance. When does that happen?”
“What could have started a fire in The Commons?” a student whispers.
“I thought this place was untouchable,” another student adds, turning to Zavish.
“It is untouchable, moron!” Zavish says, turning away, eyes darting around.
“Who do you think did it?” Another student turns to Zavish.
“Whoever they are, they clearly do not value their measly life,” Zavish completes.
Just as I look away from Zavish, I notice a student is being dragged out from the crowd.
I realize it is Tin. His face is bright red and Ciaro stares at him in shock, drawing back to avoid association with him.
He is thrown to the floor just as the Fire Patrons surround him. Everyone is now silent, petrified.
Patron Colo nods to a Fire Patron. The Fire Patron takes out a stick from his pocket and puts it inside his mouth, keeping his mouth open.
Just as the stick makes contact with his tongue, fire appears.
The stick is on fire on his tongue. What the…
He removes the stick, swallowing the fire simultaneously.
After holding the stick in his hands for a few seconds, he throws it to the floor.
In a flash, it lights a fire and the fire surrounds Tin.
The students roar in shock. Oh my. I hide again. What on earth is happening? The Fire Patron approaches Tin.
“Now tell me, why did you not shut off your gas after an experiment?” the Fire Patron says.
Tin shivers, his teeth quivering. “I... I... it wasn’t me. It wasn’t my fault. It was Jordan, my lab partner!”
Roars follow, and Jordan’s eyes flare up, tears clouding his eyes as they widen in fear. The Fire Patron smiles, and the other Fire Patrons exchange looks with each other as though they know something we don’t. They certainly do. That’s certain.
“Mmm, we don’t snitch. We take responsibility. Burn him,” the Fire Patron announces.
Roars emanate.
What the hell!
My heart is pounding; my legs are trembling. I try to stay still. God, what if I’m noticed here. They are sure to burn me alive. How is this happening?
I look to see the fire slowly moving toward Tin. And all at once, the fire engulfs him. Screams erupt as he squeals, and I turn my face away, shaking.
Laughter proceeds from the Fire Patrons, and I peek to see.
“Stop. You guys are stupid!” Patron Lenon enters, shaking his head with a smile.
They all immediately bow to Patron Lenon. The Fire Patron burning Tin touches his ring, which glows with red light, and the fire burning Tin instantly stops. It seems like it was just a simulation. Oh my world. The room instantly melts. I feel like I could have fainted just now.
The Fire Patrons leave immediately at Patron Lenon’s command, bowing to him again as Patron Suzandrick directs for Tin to be taken to the dark dungeon for setting off the alarm.
“That’s as much fun as they’ll have all year with the freshmen,” Patron Suzandrick says, walking past Lenon, bowing to him in her departure.
Even among Patrons, it seems Lenon is revered.
“It seems this is how we freshmen are introduced to Fire Patrons. Survival by fire. Quite a thrill,” Zavish whispers.
“That was a close call,” Jordan responds. “Do you think anyone died during the fire?” he asks, terrified.
“I—” Zavish instantly stops speaking at the sound of Doctor Val’s voice.
She returns back to the podium and continues speaking, “Like I was saying, we are deeply saddened by these events. Fortunately, this was merely a drill to test the reactivity of you students.”
Everyone stares in shock.
“It was the last drill for the freshmen Natural Test,” Doctor Val says. “Everything disorienting you saw when the alarm went off was all staged, including our dear Patron Pesh falling from a broken door. This is to teach you students that all is not as it seems.”
Here was I thinking he needed my help.
“I should have known that a little smoke from Tin’s measly cylinder couldn’t set The Commons on fire,” Zavish whispers to Jordan.
“Even in an uncommon event, you must all remain common and united,” Doctor Val says.
“Never panic, and never try to do the job of a Fire Patron. You have one job if you are a student—obey instructions. Therefore, all those who failed to adhere to common behavior in this fire drill will not pass this portion of the test. If you were not spotted outside by your teachers three minutes after the fire alarm went off and your name is on the wall, follow the Fire Patrons for due reprimands,” Doctor Val pronounces.
Zia is captured from amidst the crowds, her face turning red in the same instant. Her name is on the list on the wall. I want to scream her name, but I keep my words in. I cannot afford to be spotted.
I wonder how my name didn’t make it to the list? With everything I just did.
Pesh now enters the stage. Everyone notices, and they all bow their heads. For a second, I look at him. A part of me wants his attention.
Thinking that he might have been the one who protected me from making the list makes me wonder if he might help me escape. But I know this is a na?ve thought.
I can’t afford to be noticed.
Just as I think this, he turns to my direction, locking eyes with me. Crap! I hurry out. I cannot afford to be stopped.