Chapter 2: The Encounter

‘Someone knocks on the door’

Eileen opened her eyes. She stood up and opened the door.

“Leen! Thank goodness you opened the door. Why aren’t you in class?” She was shocked to see Ms. Cortez in front of her door. 

“I don’t feel g-good”

“Ok, go to Building 1 tomorrow.” Eileen closed the door after.

She looked at the clock and it’s 11:00 In the evening. She decided to go out. It’s already late, which means there’s no one outside. 

She took her hoodie and went outside and she started to explore the building. As she continued her way she heard someone talking in the garden where Tracey took her. She hid behind a tree and started listening out of curiosity. They wear the same clothes she wears, A hat and a black hoodie. She listened to their conversation.

“So what’s the plan?” The man with the grey hat stood up.

“The boss said that we just need to wait for the signal.” 

“But when? We’ve been here for a month and a half, I’m getting sick of this place and I can’t do what I always do.” 

“I don’t know but let’s just endure it, for now, after this, we can have our freedom.”

“So what do we do?--” 

“You sense that?” Eileen can’t understand what they were saying.

“Sense what? We don’t have the same promise.” The man with the black hat starts walking in her direction.

“Hey, you! Behind the tree! Who are you!?” 

Eileen went out and started walking towards them. She pretends to be with them hoping that they would believe her.

“It’s me!” Revealing herself.

“Who are you!?” The man with a black hat stopped. 

“You don’t know me? Boss sent me here.” 

“When? Why are you late? And why didn’t you attend our previous meetings?” 

“Because I came here this morning.” Eileen hesitated.

“Who are you!?” The man with a grey hat started walking towards her.

“This is our first meeting,” That made her scared and nervous. 

She started running and they chased her and she saw a restroom for girls and entered there.

“Where are you?” She covered her mouth. She doesn't know what to do and she doesn't want to die there. She knew that those men were the evil ones. After a couple of minutes, she heard no one. She hesitated to open the door when she’s out, she looked around and found no one.

“Eileen!” Shouting her name repeatedly.

Hearing her name she ran towards a building, she couldn't control her emotions. As soon as she got to the hallway she started crying. She didn't know where to go. She just kept running. She’s getting tired, she started to slow down. 

Someone grabbed her wrist and suddenly she found herself standing in a garden full of flowers, it's different from th other one in the academy. She looked around and stopped crying, she doesn’t know what place is that but she doesn't care she just wants to escape those men.

“They’re gone” she looked behind her and saw a man sitting there as nothing strange happened.

“Who are you?” She asked, walking slowly towards him.

“Adrian, you may sit” The man simply said.

“Where are we?” She sat on the chair in front of the man.

“A garden.”

“No I mean, how did we get here?” She asked, looking around.

“I just saved you” Adrian looked at her.

“You’re the one who brought me here?” 

“Yeah.” 

“How?” She's so confused of what's happening.

“By my promise, obviously,” He chuckled.

“You don’t know me? I’m very disappointed.”He chuckled.

“If I know you I will not ask questions.” She said with sarcasm.

“Alright, you win so who are they?”  he asked. “I don’t know.” she replied

“Are you one of them?” he asked skeptically. “No, of course not. I’m a student here” she stated. “Then why are you outside?” He asked with suspicion. “Why are you outside?” she asked back.

“What’s your promise?” Changing the topic. 

‘Eileen didn’t answer'

“You’re an outsider.” Adrian started figuring things out. He started thinking that Eileen doesn't have a promise. Confused, he thinks that  Eileen is putting on an act.

“I just got here in the morning.” 

“You're the one who didn’t attend the class, your first class.” He stood up and looked at her with frustration.

“I don’t feel well.”

“But you roam around late at night!?” He shouted.

“Look, first class is the most important class here. If you don’t attend, you'll miss the chance to prove yourself.” Hearing that made Eileen feel uneasy and she remembered Tracey.

“I don’t understand why she said I mustn't attend,” she said with confusion.

“Who?” 

“You don’t have to know. Just bring me back to my room.” 

“My promise is limited, what building are you in?” He said coldly.

“Building 20” 

Suddenly Eileen is in front of the building, she looks around but finds Adrian nowhere. ‘Is he mad?’ she thought. She entered the building and went to her room but what she saw shocked her. She found Tracey lying on the floor in her room, unconscious. 

She rushed to wake her up but no response. She took her phone out and called the ambulance but no one answered her. She rushed to the clinic but no one was there. She went to the principal’s office hoping that someone would help her.

She bangs at the door and finally, it opens. She told Ms. Cortez about Tracey and they rushed to her room. They took Tracey to the school hospital and when the nurse checked her she’s in a critical condition. The doctor said she was stabbed by a knife with a promise flowing in it.

In Eileen’s mind, she knew who did it. Those men who were after her know her name and there’s a chance they know her place. She looked at Tracey’s face for a moment and turned to the doctor and asked her if there’s a way that she can help.

“This happened because of me.” Ms. Cortez was stunned by what she heard.

“What did you do?” Ms. Cortez asked.

“I’ll explain everything later ma’am first I have to help Tracey.”

“There’s only one way to help her.” The doctor looked at them with worry.

“Everything sir, I’ll do Everything.” Eileen's determined to help her.

“The absorption promise.” the doctor said but she couldn't understand.

“The promise that was planted in her couldn't be healed by the Doctors here.”

“Is there another way?” Ms. Cortez asked.

“What? No, we just have to find someone that has the absorption promise right?” 

“You don’t understand.” Ms. Cortez said that made Eileen feel uncomfortable.

“You know someone, don’t you?  Someone who has it?” Eileen asked her.

“I do but it’s gonna be hard to persuade him. I can’t persuade him.” Ms. Cortez 

“Then I will, what’s his name?” Eileen is determined.

“Think twice, we’ll find another way, give us two days before you talk to him.” The doctor left them.

‘Is he that powerful?’ she asks herself.

She looked at Tracey. She’s still unconscious and she’s the one responsible for it.

“Don’t sleep in your room. Building 25, Room 10” Ms. Cortez stated.

She went to building 25 and looked for the room she was arranged to sleep in. She went in and looked at her surroundings. It's different from her room. The room is the same size but the design is different.

“You’re new?” She turned to the door and she saw a man standing there. 

“Who are you!?” Eileen shouted in fear.

“I live next door. I’m Carson.” offering his hands.

“I’m Eileen.” accepting  Carson’s hand.

“Thanks,” Carson said and left.

It’s too dark she can’t see Carson’s face but when they shake hands he sees that Carson has bruises.

“Wait! You’re hurt.” 

“See you tomorrow!” Carson shouted, waving his hand.

“I forgot! You can’t shake hands with just somebody!” he shouted and completely disappeared.

Everything will start tomorrow. I need to prepare myself because tomorrow I’ll be entering a whole different world.