Masquerades

Chapter 09

As she got closer to the building, every step she took sent chills down her spine. Hall M, though newer than the other buildings, was intentionally designed to fit with the campus’ aesthetic. Its façade was mainly covered in bricks like the main building, but has a more modern feel to it due to the larger windows.

Calista eventually arrived in front of its double doors, and only then did she consider the possibility of it being locked. She held the knob and whispered a short prayer, before twisting it. A satisfying click made her release a relieved sigh as she carefully pushed the door open.

The solid wood door didn’t make any sound, which slightly impressed her. Though it’s to be expected, of course, the school will provide the best for their VVIP students.

It was her first time going inside of the infamous building, and the sight didn’t disappoint. Her mouth parted as her eyes roamed around the open space. Is this really a part of the school? This looks like a house instead – complete with a living room, dining room and even a small kitchen at the side!

The whole interior is on the minimalist side, with matching dark wood furniture and white walls with brown accents. There are potted plants on some corners, giving the space more life. The gray couch looked cozy and there was even a flat screen TV in front of it – are they really allowed to use that during school hours?

She didn’t get to inspect the space any longer because out of nowhere, the school bell rang, and she was quite sure that it’s a signal telling her that her time was up and the hunt had officially begun. She automatically looked up at the hall’s mezzanine floor. From her spot on the ground floor, she could see the bookshelves lining its walls and the individual desks on them, telling her that it’s probably where the Masquerades study and hold their classes.

There was not time for her to hesitate as she immediately went up. As expected, she was met by what could be described as a compact classroom – six individual desks lined in two rows with another longer one in front for the teacher, and bookshelves lining the walls forming a U-shape around the space.

She expected another door leading to a bedroom, perhaps? But she found nothing. That’s weird, she was almost certain there would be a bedroom here because of how homey the whole interior looked like. She looked around again. Could there possibly be… a hidden door?

She hurriedly went towards each shelf and inspected every book, looking for something – maybe something that felt out of place? Anything that looks like it doesn’t belong there!

The long-forgotten panic began settling in the pit of her stomach once again. Her gut-feeling is telling her that any time now, the Masquerades will return, and if she doesn’t—

“s**t,” she mumbled under her breath when faint voices from the outside reached her ears. Her hands started to tremble as she willed herself to work faster. Her mind kept going and going, repeating one line like a mantra – where is it? Where is it? Where is it?

Should she just look for another hiding spot then? What makes her so sure there’s actually a hidden door?

She was about to give up when the voices got closer, but just right at that moment, she touched a weird hardbound book with no label at the side. She tried pulling it, but it wouldn’t budge. Then she pushed it instead and finally… there was another click coming from the shelf just beside her before it slid halfway open.

Cali heard the front door open, the voices and Declan’s laughter sounded all throughout the hall, but she didn’t linger any longer and slipped inside the secret door. There was a button beside the opening inside, and she unhesitatingly clicked it, causing the door to slide close again on its own.

She collapsed on the ground as the sounds outside became faint once again. She is safe… for now.

I should stay here as long as I can. Hopefully, no one would suddenly feel sleepy and decide to come here.

“Where do you think she’s hiding?”

She stilled, and unconsciously placed her ear against the door. That sounded like Knox.

“The obvious places would be… the library, one of the labs, the auditorium, and the cafeteria. If she’s really smart, she won’t go there,” it was Declan this time.

“How about the rooftop? You think she’s there?” a feminine voice, Maisie, probably.

“One of the first places everyone would check as well,” Knox.

“You think she will really leave Xian after this?” Jada.

There was a momentary pause.

“She will. This is not just simply a hunt, remember?” The deep, slightly raspy voice never failed to bring goosebumps all over her skin. Arcane’s words ignited another fire inside her. Of course, he must be planning something more.

Now she’s pretty sure she won’t last long here.

She whirled around and, just like what she assumed earlier, it was a bedroom – a spacious one. There are two double-sized beds and a pair of three-door closets as well. The room has large windows at each side and fortunately, the blinds are currently shut closed.

She carefully walked towards one of the windows and made a small hole between the blinds where she could take a peek outside. A few students passed by and she waited until there were none left, before stepping beyond the blinds completely.

She unlocked the sliding window, its resounding click making her still for a few seconds to catch her breath and check if there’s anyone coming. When the coast was clear, she started pushing the window open and when it was wide enough for her head to go through, she stopped.

“Around three and a half meters high,” she whispered, making a mental note. “I could probably use something to get down… but I need everyone to be distracted first.”

It seemed like luck is on her side today, because just as she thought of asking for help, her phone vibrated inside her pocket. To be honest, she has completely forgotten about it.

Warren Dong: Where are you? Need help?

Warren Dong: The whole class is willing to help. They’re worried, too.