Haunteds

Chapter 11

A loud banging on the door woke me up from a dreamless sleep. And a good thing too, because I doubt I would be dreaming of something pleasant. I didn't feel rested. My head was throbbing. I sat up and faced the window. It was morning. Sunlight was spilling through, giving my room a bright yellow glow. The banging got louder and more annoying that everyone started getting up.

Demi was squinting at me. "What time is it?"

I looked at the clock on the wall above my door. "It's nine," I said.

I got up and walked towards the door to open it. A tall, bulking man stood before me.

"I believe this is yours." Major Coleman said, handing me my handbook. I started wondering how he knew it was mine then I remembered that my room number, the hidden number six, was on the cover.

"Major Coleman, listen—"

"Everyone downstairs," Major Coleman ordered. "Now." Then he walked away and marched down the stairs.

Everyone was still rubbing their eyes. "Come on," I said, following Major Coleman down.

The four of us assembled at the visitor's lounge, along with some who were already there. Others came down as well, filing in till we formed a semi-circle of half-awake kids with bed heads who are still in their uniforms around Major Coleman.

Major Coleman was studying our faces, one by one. Then he began explaining that last night's search and their sensors revealed no signs of intruders. The Shade was never seen again. "So, what happened out there?" Major Coleman said, not a hint of surprised was coming from his voice.

Leo was the first to speak. "Sir, we've seen some strange things last night. Things not found on our handbook."

Major Coleman raised his eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"It had eyes, sir. It grew red eyes with black pupils. Kent saw it too." I said.

"Kent?" Major Coleman asked. "Is he..."

I nodded.

"I see," Major Coleman said with sympathy in his voice. "Let's start from the beginning."

We told him everything that happened last night. We told him that we were out doing our duty, observing the Shade, how we've heard Mr. Donovan screamed before the tree slammed to the ground and saw one of us died right in front of our eyes.

"Hmm, that is strange," Major Coleman said. No doubt the greatest understatement I've ever heard someone said in a matter-of-factly way. "Was there anything else?"

No one answered.

"Then that leaves us with nothing," Major Coleman said, scratching his head. "You did a good job, all of you."

"Sir, what happens to Kent?" Harmony asked.

"That is already being taken care of," Major Coleman said.

"What happens now?" Demi asked.

"Breakfast," Major Coleman said.

"But isn't Mr. Marino in charge of that? I asked. Because we still didn't see him. And I thought he was never late.

"Mr. Marino is currently on his way to Italy with his family so he won't be coming," Major Coleman said.

Now, that was strange. Who takes a vacation right after the first day? Stranger even, why would Major Coleman allow him? Usually, that kind of talk means one thing. "You fired him?" I asked.

"Since when?" Leo followed up.

"Since I saw two dead bodies outside," Major Coleman sighed. "For his safety, and of course to keep this matter confidential, it's best not to get him involved. At least until we find out what happened."