The Academy.

Chapter 8: Worst Nightmares Revealed

"Okay.... I got bad news." She heard David say over the phone as she's inside her room. "I found what the cipher means, and it's a bit of a problem." 

"Well, spit it out then. We're already talking about it, so what does the code say?" 

"The code translates into Irvin Mendoza... And last time I checked, he was the science teacher." Noella groaned when she heard that coming from him. "Judging by your reaction, it seems that it's quite bad news." 

"Obviously." She said to him curtly. "That proves that people are actually inside of that weird fucked up part of the school. Not just inside, but is actually using it. I don't even know what they're doing in there." 

"You said that it could be some kind of temple, right? You think they're doing all of this for a god or something?" 

"I don't know, it's just a guess of mine. I just hope that it isn't, but it's not a fever dream either, it's real... Then again, you were willing to believe the video I sent to you was real, so that's that. I just didn't like the fact that I was a bit of an idiot during all of that." 

"Why? Because you had to record it for evidence?" 

"Yes, because of that. I wouldn't have to deal with that if I just left...." 

"But that would mean that Raymond would be dead." 

She sighed when she heard that. As much as she wants to be tired of his name coming in over and over again.... How can she? Sure, she only got dragged into this mess because of him, but it would be cruel to just leave him be. She wouldn't be surprised that even if she did run away, she would end up trying to look for him anyway. Maybe because of Zach? Or maybe because she knows too much when that happened, and didn't want to feel guilty over it. Regardless, they're doing this for him, and the one thing they should focus on is at least be less stupid over how they're going to rescue him.  

"So, you got the duffel bags?" She asked him. "Y'know, the one that we agreed to stuff cricket bats in?" 

"I did, but I also made sure to add Walkie-talkies in there. I might have to find a way to see if they have surveillance in their because I'm not much good in a fight." 

"Don't worry, we'll think of something." She said to him in an effort to reassure him. "For all you know, they're not complacent enough to have cameras in there." 

"But wouldn't that mean they know who you are by this point?" He asked in concern. "Because if that was the case, then it's only a matter of time until then. Maybe I can do something about it, but that's a matter of IF, not HOW."

"Maybe, but again, one of Zach's friends is in there, and... I kinda feel guilty about it. I also don't know if it's selfish for me to do this." 

"Hey, you're not selfish for caring. More than anything, it was his fault for getting in there, chasing after rumors." 

She didn't disagree, but at the same time, grits her teeth at it. No matter how you look at it, or think about it, it was a still massive issue since that doesn't explain a massive, clandestine, complex of something hidden underneath the school, experimenting with monsters or machines of an unknown nature. Especially since that it's also some kind of weird parallel to the school itself, dealing with dark secrets. Along with the fact that what he said did feel.... Insensitive, at least, in her opinion, it was. Despite that, she keeps that to herself as she thinks, what can David do? As she thought back to her with Zach and An, they were willing to go into dark bowels, and ready to fight... David however, isn't really what should call "capable" in a combat situation. 

Maybe she can check the halls of that school, see if it's connected to the existing camera systems? No, it may be risky, there has to be something else for him to do.... But no matter what she thinks, she still needed to do something for someone willing to help them, but all of this felt really farfetched, and them risking their lives for something that may be good on paper, but fails in execution. Could she just be overthinking it...? Maybe. She might have to ask An after this.