Chapter 6- Sign Of Danger

After lunch, I had an online discussion with the lead girls about the guidelines. It ended after one long hour When I was about to leave the office room, Chris rushed in carrying an open laptop and dragged me to the chair next to him while placing the lap on the table.

“Amy, You should see this!”

I was startled by seeing the screen. It was the ranking list of the most dangerous illegal activist groups in the country. Black Matrix was stated as the 2nd on the list. I could not believe she I was seeing. If black Matrix was a top illegal activist group why did they had Zayn's name and personal details with them?

“Whatever going on with Zayn is not simple Amy,” Chris said with a seriousness that gave me goosebumps. 

“Chris we need more information. We can’t do anything without knowing our enemy.” I said finally reaching for my voice. The idea of fighting against an illegal activist group and especially fighting for Zayn made me stronger than ever. I could feel the nerves in my body transmitting energy I never had.

“Amy...”Chris was looking at me with confused eyes. “Are you okay...?”

“Yes, More than ever” I left the office room as soon as possible. I needed to have a moment alone to gather my thoughts. I needed to have a plan. And more than anything I should calm down myself.

I met with the others at dinner. Zayn seemed back to himself. He looked stronger. I was astonished to see him closer to the team more than ever. Everyone took care of him when he was weak and that might have hit his soft spot. His face was less of a statue and he talked better than he ever did. Once or twice I even saw him smiling and it brought me kind at ease. All I wanted is to see him getting rid of the masquerade he always wore. And now I could see a progress.

At once Stacey nudged me. It is only then I came back to my senses. I had been staring at Zayn all this time. Even Zayn had noticed my stare. His lips drew into a smile and then he mouthed “EAT” and gave me a playful wink. I felt the heat rising to my cheeks and my heart skipped a beat. It was the first time seeing Zayn this playful. Anyhow, I’m not going to think of him anymore, not right here. I don’t want anyone to notice my blush cheeks. Other than that we had the best dinner ever laughing and joking around.

After dinner, Chris brought his guitar as usual and to my surprise, Zayn joined us. He even played his guitar and sang with us. I could not help staring at him. His voice was melodious and it was totally unexpected, especially from Zayn. That night girls bedroom was filled with chitchatting about Zayn.

“If I ever knew that Zayn was this charming I would have never bad mouthed about him,” Stacey said with amazement.

“After all at least now we can see that Zayn is not a bad person” my heart stuck with Phoebe's words. If Phoebe is right what about Black Matrix? What is his relationship with BM? I sighed.

“Amy? Is something bothering you ?” this is what I don’t like when living with friends this closely. Even a little expression matters. But deep down I know they are concerned about me.

“Mmm... Nothing, I’m a bit tired.”I buried myself in the blanket so that they won’t find out that I’m lying.

The next day Zayn, Jake and Chris left for martial art training. Three of us worked on our first project which was a charity programme. But none of us had an idea on what to do. It was boring than ever and without the boys around, atmosphere was too grumpy.

“Amy...I can’t do this anymore. I’m really bored” Stacey yawned while resting her head on my shoulder. Jake and Stacey were so close for the last few days. They always hung out together.

“Is this boring or are you already missing Jake?” Phoebe's giggle was followed by Stacey's smirk.

“Hey!!! Amy what is this?” the next moment Stacey was yelling at my ears. For a moment I thought that she was pointing at some sought of insect on my shoulder.

“What is it?” I roughly saw a mark on my shoulder. And when I looked back at Stacey her eyes widened with fear or surprise which I’m not sure. Phoebe was already scanning my shoulders.

"Ouch!!!" At once she pressed her finger on the mark and a twinge of pain ran through my body. Immediately, Phoebe moved her hand and peeped in to my face.

“Does it hurt Amy?”I nodded. Stacey sat next to me “What is this mark?” she asked pointing at my shoulder. By now I was confused to hell.

“What are you talking about? I can’t even see what’s on my shoulder.”I tried my best to stay calm.

“Wait girl,” Phoebe said while clicking a photo of my shoulder.

I was bewildered to see the photo on Phoebe's phone, a square-shaped faded black mark almost like a QR code. I brushed my fingers on the shoulder but I felt nothing different. So I slowly applied pressure on it with my finger. And once again the twinge of pain ran through my body. What is this on my shoulder? I was totally confused. 

“ Amy, please tell me that you got this mark from a burn” Stacey was almost crying. She didn’t need me to talk. From the look on my face, she knew that this is not from a burn.

“It is the mark of the Black Matrix” her voice was shaking and I almost stood upon hearing it.

“Amy, this is dangerous. I saw the same mark on Zayn's while treating him the day before. I thought it was just a scar from an injury but now seen yours I’m sure it’s the same.”

I was shocked by what I was hearing. Most of all, how does she know about Black Matrix. Even before I reach the words Phoebe asked “What is Black Matrix?”

“They are the ones who killed my brother” Stacey couldn’t stop her tears anymore. My hand was shaking. I knew Black Matrix was nothing good. But hearing this from Stacey made it worst. What is Black Matrix is not the problem right now. The problem is why is it on their shoulders?

“Then they must be the ones who kidnapped me and fought with Zayn,” I said the facts which I already knew because I didn’t want to tell them about Zayn's connection with BM. And especially not after knowing that Stacey's brother was killed by BM.

“How can that even be possible. We just joined the camp and why are they already attacking you?”

“Relax Stacey...”I stroke her shoulder because she was not in a mood for any explanations. After a moment of awkward silence, I told them about the files I saw when I was kidnapped. But still, I was careful not to mention Zayn’s name on the files. 

“As you say Stacey if these both marks are the same, Zayn must have been fighting with BM that night. If it is so, Zayn might be fighting with BM all by himself” Phoebe was still trying to digest all this new info.

"I’m not sure, Phoebe”  that’s all I could tell her for now. Meanwhile, I looked at Stacey. I was about to ask her about her brother. But seeing her shocked and pale, I kept it for later.

“Girls, let’s get ready for dinner. Boys might be on their way” While helping Phoebe with making Spaghetti I tried my best to bring Stacey back to her mood. She was almost okay when the boys were back.

“So boys! How was your day?” It was something that Stacey would say? But today she was silent. We didn’t want to tell the boys about all those things. Not right now. So I took Stacey's role.

“We missed you babes” Chris winked and they all rush upstairs to wash. After having dinner boys left for bed saying they were too tired to gossip with us. And it was better because we girls were not in a mood to chat with them.

That night Stacey told us about her brother. Her brother was 10 years older than herself. He too was a head boy at Camp Atlantis. Even though he was an excellent rider he had been killed in a bike crash.  But later on, Stacey's parents have found the blackmail letters sent by BM. With all these things they suspect that BM had killed her brother.

“Do you guys understand what I’m saying?. This is why I’m saying Amy and Zayn are in extreme danger.

That night Stacey's story kept ringing in my ears. As Stacey said if BM is this dangerous what is it about Zayn? What is the connection between Zayn and BM. My mind was full of unanswered questions.