The last runner : Academy of magic

Chapter four : The plan

It was already dark and the moonlight wasn't visible since it was covered by the moist cloud, the only light they had were twelve lamps hanging on staffs which ran vertically in twos towards the hole. It was a perfect setting and all he needed to do was sneak out and head far away from the lamps.

They dropped the dead body inside the large hole then headed back for the iron stairs but willing to escape, Thomas slacked behind and while others were coming down to dispose the bodies, he sneaked under the iron stairs as he ran off towards the right end of the building.

He stopped when he took the turn, then looked forward at the rays of lights hovering on the field and upward to five watchtowers.

'I don't think that this should be difficult. You can do this Thomas. All you need to do is avoid the lights,' He encouraged himself as he forged ahead to the front of the building in which were many watch towers and he didn't care to count.

He continued running fast as he could but carefully avoided the lights and after a long run he arrived by one of the watch towers which was closest to the gate because he knew that should certainly be the place the key to the gate should be.

Thomas laid hold on the ladder as he made his way upwards. 'Slow and steady, you can do this but you should be quick,' He kept his mind busy like a psycho until he reached the top.

He jitters his fingers in hopes that it doesn't fail him then he looks forward at the two watchmen who were backing him with their faces on the field.

Thomas approached them slowly as he electrocuted one of them, then knocked the second one to the floor and when the watchman tried to set himself free from his hold Thomas held him down with his left hand.

"I will not move if I were you," He said with his clenched fist pointing straight to the watchman's frightened face

"What do you want from me," The watchman asked.

"Give me the key to the gate," Thomas replied.

"No, I won't do that," The watchman said while trembling as Thomas furrowed his face and his clenched fist sparked with electric current.

"You should think again before giving me that response," Thomas repeated and the man looked away from his fist to his glowing blue eyes.

"I don't have the key, I promise that I'm not lying,"

"Where can I find it?" Thomas stared at the man who shook his head abruptly.

"I can't tell you that. I won't betray the academy because it is as good as being dead," he replied.

Thomas was about to threaten him further but stopped when he noticed light approaching them. He turned, and as soon as he did, the watchman freed himself from his grip then stood up, running toward an alarm button by the left.

Thomas caught up with him before he could get to the alarm as they both fell to the floor and while fighting the man fell off from the tower.

Thomas moved to the edge as he looked down only to see the man's body on the floor. "You are in serious trouble Thomas,"

…………………

Now the game is set. Since Thomas's fist attempt wasn't favourable he had to continue with the next phase of the plan which was still 'escape,' However he must remain in the camp and gather enough trustworthy people, after all, the institution was not what they said they were.

This is only an institution of madness which subjects innocent folks to slavery all in the name of power, What was power knowing you would get killed at any moment? Thomas blinked as he lifted his blue eyes to the woman standing before them.

"I will not repeat myself again, who tried to escape last night?" The woman asked as she ran her gaze through the multitude of people lined up outside in the field.

The hush continued and a man walked up to her side then whispered some words in her left ear. Thomas watched the woman's eyes quiver as she left in a hurry and the man who approached her turned to them.

"That will be enough for now, you should all head on to your various practice sections," The man said as Thomas looked right only to see Elise staring at him.

"You!" The man called when others were already leaving as Thomas turned to see his curious stare as he walked down to him. "Where have I seen you before?" he lingered and after sometime he rolled his eyes back at him.

"You were the young man who was without a specialty, weren't you?" the man said.

"I think you are mistaken sir, I have a specialty," Thomas replied instantly.

"That isn't true, I am certain that you were the young man,"

"Like I said earlier, you are mistaken. I don't have time for this, I think I should just leave," Thomas was about walking out on him as the man caught him by the hand.

"Don't mess with me young man. I can tell when someone is hiding something,"

"What is going on here, Thomas," They heard a female voice as Thomas turned around to see that it was Elise.

"Do you know him?" The man asked as Elise rolled her eyes to him.

"Yes of course, we are close friends," She paused then turned to Thomas. "We had been playing the game together for a long time,"

'Why did she say that? Thomas thought to himself while his gaze was held on her unwavering brown eyes.

"Are you sure about that?" The man asked again as Elise glanced back at him ridiculously.

"Seriously, are you trying to say I'm blind or what?" Elise frowned then reached out her right hand to Thomas. "Come on, let's get out of here,"

Thomas removed his gaze from her eyes to her palm as he gently took hold of her hand and they both walked out on him.

"Don't you have a specialty?" Elise said in a whisper as she turned to Thomas who was still staring at her with his lips pressed together while they were walking. "Stop giving me that dumb look and just answer my question. we don't have time,"

"Why did you help me?" Thomas asked as she stopped then turned to him.

"Listen to me carefully. Down here, we don't do things because we care about someone, we do what we do to survive," She answered.

Thomas heaved a sigh with his eyes closed as he touched his forehead then glanced at her. "How does saving me back there relate to your survival?"

Elise Jerked at his question as she bit her lower lips. "You are so ungrateful, that is one problem you have. This is the second time I am saving you but you won't show a single appreciation,"

"I am sorry. I was wrong and thank you for your help," Thomas replied as Elise hit him on the side of his head. "Why did you do that?" he frowned at her,"

"That is because you are stupid!" She parted her lips with a ridiculous stare at him. "Don't thank me in words. Thank me by telling me the plan,"

Thomas paused as he stared curiously at her. "What plan?"

"You can lie to everyone in the academy but one person you can't lie to is me. You were the one who tried to escape, don't deny it now. I know,"

"That's not true…"

"I witnessed all that happened Thomas…" Elise stopped him.

Thomas heaved a sigh as he looked away and after a while he glanced back at her again. "Alright, I was the one, but I won't want you to tell anyone about it for the time being,"

"Confession settled, I knew you would tell the truth once I said I saw you. Now I know the truth, you will tell me the escape plan or I will expose your little secret," She said.

"Expose my secret," Thomas busted out laughter as Elise stared at him in confusion.

"What is funny?" She asked but he laughed on, and after a few minutes he turned again to her.

"You can't be serious…" He jiggled. "How do you expect to expose me? What is your evidence? Let me guess, you will jump into the hall and scream out that Thomas was the one who tried to escape. Who in the world will believe that? they will only think you are crazy,"

Thomas laughed on again as Elise tapped him on the arm and he turned to see a small recorder held up to him.

Thomas stopped as his laughter seized. 'Now, she is serious,' he thought to himself as he swallowed hard then drifted his gaze from the recorder to Elise.

"Are you telling me about the plan or not?" Elise said.

"Shit!" He exclaimed in a whisper. "Okay, I will tell you the plan but you must not tell anyone about it until I say so,"

"Seriously, don't tell me you are giving me a condition," she lifts a side of her eyebrows up.

"Okay, but no one can know about it yet. please…" Thomas said politely as his blue pointy eyes turned pale.

"Huh! You really know how to look pitiful but I won't fall for it,"

"Please…" Thomas stressed as his eyes saddened a little more.

"Goodness, you are one kind of a guy," Elise sprained her eyebrows as she put the recorder back into her side pocket then glanced up to him again. "Deal. I will keep your secret since it was your idea, anyways. We will meet immediately after class,"

"Okay," He said and Elise turned to leave but paused as she turned back to him.

"You said you don't have a specialty right?"

"No, I do. I can make electricity," Thomas said.

"Wow! Electricity is rare and unique around here,"

"How rare?" Thomas asked as Elise pushed her lips upwards.

"When I checked yesterday, the people with electric power were only four out of this great number you can see,"

"What? That is serious, so where can I locate my class?" He asked as she turned left then pointed towards a boy who was being thronged a few meters away.

"That guy over there is from the Electric section, meet him and he will lead you to your class. Your class is quite unique but don't let anyone find out you are from that section because if they do, you will spend the rest of your time here hiding,"

"Why did you say that?" Thomas asked as he drifted his eyes to her.

"Like I said earlier, people with that specialty are unique and very loved but your case could get worse since you are also handsome,"

"Hmm… So you think that about me too?" Thomas curled a smile as Elise shook her head in disappointment.

"You are really stupid. I only wish you survive with this attitude. As for now, I'll head on to my class, but remember to be wise," she heaved a sigh then walked past him.

What does she mean by that? Thomas soliloquized, puzzled In his thoughts as he walked down to the boy Elise had directed him to.