Sharla - Family Secrets

Strange Feelings

Two weeks later. Captain exam. The students sat in a large oval-shaped room with the invigilator in the middle. Sharla and Nico sat beside each other. They had a determined expression on their faces. "I wish you all the best, Sharla" he whispered. "Same to you. But you do know that if we both become captains we won't be in the same team," she replied. "I thought about that, but just like everything else that we have competed in and against we always remained friends so it's okay. We will see each other around. " He answered. She felt a little sadness in her heart at the thought of not having him around as an annoying partner. She dismissed it as soon as she felt it. Father Venjamin entered the room along with four other priests. They had the exam papers in their hands. Fifty candidates sat in the room waiting to take the captaincy exam. They came from all over the globe from the other branches of the international school for the gifted. Once you passed the Captain exam, you were given a choice to either be Captain of your team or placed at another location. The papers were now on each candidates desk along with a pen. Father Venjamin looked at the big clock on the wall. "It is now 10 AM you have two hours to complete this exam. May God grant you all victory. You may begin." 

As the Captains exam approach the final minutes an explosion was heard in the distance. "Please stay in your seats, Brother Coal and Brother Lance, please check out what is happening out there." "Yes, Father Venjamin," they replied at once. The two priests then exited the room to begin their investigations. The candidates started to whisper among themselves. 

"Please everyone go over your work. No talking, some persons are still working. This exam will not be taken over. You have five minutes before the two hours are up," the priest warned as he walked through the rows. 

Sharla raised her hand."Yes, Sharla, Father Venjamin said." "I am finished, and I am sure some others are too, can we be excused to investigate the explosion." The door then opened and both Brother Coal and Lance barged in. "Father, we are under attack. A legion of demons has laid siege to our home." 

"Everyone leave your papers on your desk and get to your stations. Brother Coal and Brother Lance, help me gather these exams. We need to keep them safe. This might just be a distraction, please be on your guard. " The students then filed out of the room and made their way to their respective dorms while those visiting from other chapters were escorted to the weapons room. There they were handed their weapon of choice and sent to the north and south gates. 

"What is happening?", Sharla asked as she saw her friends at the North gate fully clad in armour. Look just beyond the twin peaks and army of demons' approach. Your Father left a few moments ago with your mother and then the explosion was heard. 

"What? We need to go out there and help them." She yelled."We already tried, Father White told us to wait," Leah replied. "Don't worry Sharla, your parents are okay. Your father will not let anything happen to either of you and you know that." Nico said as he held his sword in his hand.

"I am sorry, but I can't wait. Let's get out there and see what is happening." Sharla said and she made her way through the crowd back into the building. Her team followed behind her. "Where are we going?" Tico asked."Nico and I found another way to exit this place, so we can sneak out without anyone knowing or suspecting us," Sharla replied. "But what if they need us. What if they call us for something?" Marlo asked."Okay, let's draw straws and see who gets left behind?" Tico suggested. "It doesn't matter what string I draw; I am going. Now three of you can stay while two of us go." Sharla said and made a run with Nico beside her."How did you know I was going to come with you?" Nico asked as they walked into the secret bookshelf passage."Nico, because I know you will never take no for an answer." "But Leah is your best friend," he added."I know, but she won't leave our people unprotected and she can see the future and tell them what to do. So, it's best she stays behind. And Marlo will not leave her behind and Tico... well, he is Tico so he wants to make a name for himself and will find a way to do it. There was no sense in drawing straws since I knew how it was going to end," she explained.

Sharla and Nico made their way through the secret passage and found the exit they wanted to the forest.  They walked a few distances and ran into a few demon scouts. 

"Watch you six, Sharla," Nico said while decapitating a demon. "Thanks!" she said as she dodged a claw from the lizard demon. 

"Ahhh!" A woman screamed. 

"We need to help them," Sharla said as she looked up and saw a woman and two children trying to fight the monsters. 

They made swift towards the family and blocked their deadly blow as they tried to stab the mother in her chest. They fought off the demons and created a clear path for the family to get away. 

"Quick take the next left turn and follow the path to safety head to the north gate. Someone will be there to take you in.? Sharla offered. 

"Thank you so much, may God bless you, my child," the woman said before disappearing in thin air with the children. 

"What just happened?" Nico said looking at the spot the woman and children were a moment ago. 

"I have a strange feeling that we just told the enemy how to enter our home. We have to warn them." Nico said. 

"We can split up just for a little or we can both go back," Sharla said. 

"But we will lose ground and hope of finding your parents in time," Nico replied. 

"Okay, I will try and send a message to Liah. Do you have a pen and paper?" She asked. 

He quickly checked his bag and found a piece of paper and pen.

Sharla took it from him and wrote, "Potential enemy may enter via the secrete entrance on North gate, be on the lookout for a woman and two children. Maybe a shapeshifter. Keep safe.

She then closed her eyes and imagined a window open linking her to Liah. She saw her and handed her the note. A few moments later Sharla opened her eyes and a number of strange feelings started to overwhelm her. 

"Sharla! Sharla! Are you okay?" Nico asked as he caught her before she fell to the ground.