Warm water splashed on Violet, making her sit up, gasping for air. Her hair, now soaked, dripped droplets onto the floor. She lifted her head slowly, glaring at the woman responsible. "Naps over, princess," she snarled, a smug smile on her face.
The woman in green then stood over her, her smile disappearing. "Now get up, filth."
Violet is pushed outside in a single file line, right behind Max. She smiled when she saw his familiar red hair. He turned around and winked at her. Her face warmed and she hugged her body, her hair cascading down to hide her flustered face.
The children filed into a large open spot in the facility. It was spacious and quiet, the buzzing of the light above the only sound after the tramping of the feet stilled.
They all stood at attention, waiting. Violet poked her head out, her pink eyes darting around. The other women marched up the steps and turned towards, baton tucked under their arms.
Mrs. Peapot walked to them, tapping her baton against her leg. At the sight of her, Violet straightened and got back in line, puffing up her chest in a comedic manner, a thin line for a smile.
Max let out a quiet snicker and gave a thumbs up behind his back.
Violet quietly chuckled.
"Alright Eidolons," Barked Mrs. Peapot.
Her face gave way to a sly smile. "Congratulations to B-24 for winning Dodgeball. He will get special treatment," she sneered.
Everyone on groaned while B-127 gritted her teeth.
The boy in question came on stage. He wore his coveralls tied around his waist, his white vest showing out little muscle he had. He turned towards the children and adjusted his shades and a flash of recognition shimmered in her pink eyes.
That was the boy who used his strange powers to levitate the balls and send them at lightening speeds at the others!
He's the boy who's actions caused Max to protect silly old her.
He's the one responsible for sending Max to the Infirmary.
Violet grinded her clenched teeth and thought something rude in Latin, albeit wasn't good. She could already hear Ms. Fairweather, one of her tormenters at Facility A, yelling at her in the language.
She involuntary rolled her eyes at the thought, which was the moment Mrs. Peapot turned her attention to the children. In that moment, she got sight of Violet's eyeroll.
"B-127!" Her shout made the girl jolt and the others stiffen.
"Does my voice...annoy you?"
Violet gulped, her eyes glued to the light above. "No ma'am," she muttered.
"What was that?" Mrs. Peapot whispered.
"No ma'am," Violet said louder.
Max glanced behind him, worry expressed in those green eyes of his.
"So why, you little freak, did you feel the need to roll your eyes. Hmmm?" She leaned closer, her baton hitting her open palm over and over.
Violet swallowed and she took one glance at Mrs. Peapot.
Sadly, that's all the lady needed.
The woman, in a moment, hit Violet right in the stomach. Violet let out a gasp and bent over, hugging her stomach. Her knees trembled and she sank to the ground, the child behind her moved back as she feel.
Mrs. Peapot grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out of the line, right to the stage. B-24 smiled as she dragged up onto the wooden platform.
Mrs. Peapot tosses her onto the hard wooden surface. Violet hissed, feeling the wood splintering into her skin, which wasn't as bad as the pain in her stomach that had somehow increased. Her punisher strolled up to her, her heels tapping the wood elegantly.
"You want to know why you feel so faint, and lightheaded?" Mrs. Peapot sneered, walking around her. Violet shakily glanced up, her vision blurry.
"It's because these batons are infused with a light electric shock that when applied to let say your diaphragm," she knelt down, a smile spreading across her face.
"You feel aweful."
Violet shivered and bowed her head, the pain unbearable.
Mrs. Peapot straightened and turned to the others. She stepped forward, each step being with stern purpose. B-24 chuckled at Violet's misfortune. She glared up at him, grinding her teeth to deal with the pain.
"Let this be a lesson—"
"Bitch!"
The word made her pause.
A vein throbbed on Mrs. Peapot's temple. She swiftly turned on her heels, her mouth twisted into a disgusted frown.
"What did you just say?" She glared at her.
Violet stared at her in shock. "I said nothing—"
"You're blind as well. Shocker!" The voice shouted.
Mrs. Peapot turned around, furious.
"Who is saying that!" She screamed into the area.
The children looked around, their eyes wild and confused. B-24 closed his eyes, trying to find the one responsible for the outburst. A sneer comes to his face and he points ahead.
"Line 25, Mrs. Peapot," he answered. "B-75."
She jumped down the stage and stormed over to the line. She grabs Max and pulls him out by the ear, a wide smile on his face. She brought him onto the stage and brings his face close to hers. "You think you're funny B-75?" She spat.
A crazed chuckled escape his closed wide grin. "No, I think I'm hilarious," he answered. "Vi over here didn't mean to offend your little ego, so let it go," he taps her nose.
In an instant, she flipped him to the ground, slamming him onto his back. He made a pained sound and the smile on his face, which had vanished briefly, returned.
"I don't have an ego you freak! And Vi?" she rose an eyebrow. "Don't tell me..." she glanced over at the shivering girl and it clicked.
A sneer came to her face.
Straightening her back, she turns to the others. "Let this be a lesson on what happens. Everyone, to your breakfast. You will have only one boiled potato," she said, groans erupted from the children.
"Quiet!" she shouted, the sound hushing the children. "Good," she smiled.
"Take B-24 so he can have his special breakfast and....add something special. Go now!"
The women huddled around the boy, guiding him down. he glanced back at Violet and chuckled.
"Enjoy Room 11."
Her eyes widened.
Did he just speak to her, in her mind?
Mrs. Peapot hoisted Max up to his feet. "Get your little friend as well. Clearly we didn't break you enough last time," she spat.
"That was two years ago!" He laughed before being slapped. "Shut up!" She demanded. She shoved max who stumbled a bit. He regained his footing and went over to Violet, scooped her up in his arms, holding her like he would a bride.
"What..." she muttered.
"I got you. I will protect you," he whispered, planting a short kiss on her forehead. Violet sighed in relief when his lips touched her sweaty skin.
However, her small smile turned into a frown when she remembered B-24's words.
"Enjoy Room 11."
What was Room 11?
Was it like the "Zap Room" at Facility A?
Or worse.....
"Max...what's Room 11?" Violet asked. Max frowned and she could have sworn his eyes looked away. "Don't worry about it," he replied. Violet laid her head against her chest, deciding to drop the subject.
As Max carried her away, Mrs. Peapot poking him in the back, she felt dread swell in her belly. Unable to keep being conscious, she slipped into the comforting darkness....
She woke a while later, laying on the ground. She sits up and sees the silhouette of Mrs. Peapot, standing in the silhouette of a doorway, emitting the only source of light.
"Welcome to Room 11, B-127 and B-75. You will enjoy this," she sneered. Violet looked around and scoffed. "Darkness?" she smiled as she got to her feet. "That's so scary."
Max dusted his clothed knees, his green eyes constricted. He reached over and grabbed Violet's hand. She glanced over, sensing his fear. She noticed he had broken into a cold sweat and his hands were clammy.
"Just stay close," he said as she shut the door. The light was snuffed out, leaving them in darkness.
Violet broke away from, rushing off. "No! Vi!" Max called after her, his voice immediately being snuffed out.
"Don't worry!" she shouted.
"I've been in these rooms before. I just need to turn on the light!"
Receiving no reply, she continued on.
"Light switch..." she muttered as she reached out for a wall but after minutes of running forward, her hand doesn't come in contact with on. She runs on, her hand only feeling air. Violet then stops, clutching her chest. She felt tired, exhausted. She fell to her knees, looking about, sees nothing but darkness.
She raises her hands to her face but couldn't see them.
"Okay...I was wrong," she muttered. "Max!"
No reply.
"Max?" Her voice shaking.
Nothing in response.
"Max!" Her cry sounding more desperate.
She smelled nothing, she felt nothing. She wasn't sure if she was even on the ground.
It was just...nothing. An abyss, empty space.
She felt something wet hit her head.
"Why did I separate from Max?" She thought angrily.
Poor Max.
"He's out there...all alone. He must be terrified."
Something wet dropped on her head.
Annoyed, she looked up and gasped.
Its irises glowed white, its pupils were black and its wide toothy grin glowed as well. She got up and ran, not even bothering to scream. She glanced behind her, seeing the floating eyes and teeth following.
She turned back and continued on. However, she soon fell, tripping over her own feet. As she got up again, it hit her that she didn't hear her footsteps or the creature's chasing her.
Dread swelled within her again. What if Max was dead? What if the creatures got him?
She should never have abandoned him.
Her self-pity was cut short as she grabbed and hoisted into the air. The creature opened its mouth, inside being nothing but darkness.
Violet didn't scream, she didn't cry. She just stared, down the slippery fate that awaited her.
In this moment, she was afraid.
In this moment, she felt true fear.