Sanctuary Chapter 12

''I--don't know--'' my voice catches as I walk to the dorm, Yoko in tow. ''They sound--dark--''

''Maybe they have a point,'' she sighs quietly, brushing her hair from her face. ''It's not like we had a choice in coming here...and they're giving us a choice...''

''I don't know...I doubt anything good can come from it...'' I sit on my bed the second we enter the room, rubbing at the awkward mark on my wrist.

She narrows her eyes. ''Dinner. Is over. All of you to your rooms while we take care of these...visionaries.'' she sweeps from the room, slamming the large doors behind her.

Yoko glances at me with a wince, biting her lip. Her eyes are wide with worry, and she's shivering slightly, though her voice is excited when she stands.

''Do you think they're right? The Phantoms or whatever?'' she whispers.

''How is that any different from here?'' my own voice surprises me, and Selene's eyes soften slightly, though her voice is ice.

''How is that any different...?'' she growls. ''Here, you won't be killed for your differences. Here, you will learn to CONTROL them, and be made USEFUL to the world. You will all be heroes, living in a world that YOU bring peace to.''

''Sounds like the same deal on both sides,'' I arch an eyebrow.

''How can I trust anyone?'' her voice is cold as she yanks away, storming for the door. She doesn't get far; Councillors block the door, and she is promptly dragged back to her chair with the other Sealed.

''IGNORE THEM,'' Councillor Selene booms. ''THEY ARE REVOLUTIONISTS. INSANE PEOPLE, WHO WANT TO TEAR THIS WORLD APART. YOU WILL BE EXPLOITED. TORMENTED. TORN APART.''

One of the Councillors stands, eyes darkening. ''Someone silence him--''

''If you wish to join us, go to the northwest corner of your prison and wait patiently. We will come for you and unlock your abilities for you.''

To my shock, a few students push to their feet, darkness growing in their eyes. A girl with a long mark of what seems to be a dancing doll down her arm passes by me, and Noah reaches out, grabbing her elbow.

''How can you trust them?'' he whispers.

After the static fades, the voice on the other end becomes much more clear. A boy, by the sound of it, barely older than us.

''You. All of you. Are prisoners,'' he begins. ''Ignore their lies, they are holding you here and training you here for one reason--to serve the Upper. You will be turned into human weapons and left as shells of yourselves. Today, you have been given a choice. Flee to the Phantoms, or stay here, lifeless, forever.''

I barely hear my fork hit the table as I release it, grasping for Noah's hand. He grips it with a strong hand, confusion etched across his face. Yoko has shut up, for once, and is also glancing around like she has no clue what's going on.

''########-Sealed-############-Time runs low-#################-join-#############'' The system lets out an awful explosion of static, screaming in my ears. A girl a few seats down screams in pain, almost falling from her chair.