Operation W.A.R.

Chapter 16

Stella's POV-

Kath and I end up having fun with some of the kids by the swings, but in the corner of my eye I see Jack sitting alone. I know that he like Kath more than me, but maybe my kiss this morning did something to him. I wish it did. I know I'm not Kath. She's incredibly talented, she's beautiful, strong, independant. I'm sure guys would be fighting with each other for her. Now, in the sunlight, her golden blonde hair literally shines. She looks like a Disney princess. I don't look like that. I'm quite average. It sucks. I just hope it worked.

-Hey Kath.

-Yeah?

She looks up at me from a little kid. 

-Jack is sitting there on the grass alone. Wanna talk to him?

-No, you go ahead. I'm fine here.

Yes. She doesn't want anything from him. My plan is in motion.

-Ok, I will.

I stand up and walk away. My concern for Kath no longer exists. I feel in control, for once in my life. I plan to keep it that way. OK. I'm here now and sitting down next to him. There is not a single reaction from him. Oh no.

-Hey.

-Hi. 

-Are you OK?

He sighs and looks at me. All of a sudden a smile forms on his face, the most beautiful smile. 

-I'm awesome actually. What about you?

Its a genuine question. He really wants to know. 

-I'm alright. This is all a little crazy, though.

-No kidding. 

Oh no. Awkward silence. This isn't good. All of a sudden, Sarah runs into the playground, shaken up and scared.

-Policemen at the door! They are looking for you, kids! You need to get out of here.

We run up to her, shaken up. This is horrible. They must have found us. The little orphaned children start panicking, and we try to calm them down.

-Sarah, where do we go?

I ask her while a little girl holds my hand, completely shocked. 

-I don't know. Out of this town most likely. You have to find a way out. We will hold them off. 

She looks at the children.

-What do you say we trick them a little bit?

Like magic, their faces lit up. I have no idea what's going to happen, but I'm sure they can figure it out. 

-Great. The five of you have to run. 

She takes Harry's hand and pulls him closer to her, bowing down to his height. 

-Harry, show them to the secret exit. They'll have to find their way from there. 

He nods and takes Katherine's hand. 

-Come on. Follow me. 

She looks at me, and I see the fear in her eyes. 

-Come on. 

She yells as Harry takes her inside. The boys and I start to follow. All I see of the little kids outside is them talking to Sarah. I hope they'll be alright. We continue following Harry through some hallways and into a basement. Its dark, dusty, and cold in there. Branton is smart enough to light his hand on fire to give us some light and warmth. Little Harry takes us to an old  giant dresser, covered in spiderwebs. Kath doesn't go close, she's incredibly scared of spiders. He bends down and tries to move it, without success. Kath gets out of her fearful trance and lifts the dresser thanks to her abilites. She moves it to the left of the small basement, only to reveal a metal door in the wall where the dresser first stood. 

-Woah. That's so cool. 

Branton loves mystery, so of course he would love this. The rest of us are still intruigued though. 

-We go through here? Where does it lead to?

I ask, mostly scared than excited. Akilah walks ahead and looks at the door, like she's trying to look through, which she probably is.

-Its a long tunnel. Dark, but a nice escape route. How long has this been here?

-Since you left.

Little Harry answers. We all look at him shocked.

-What do you mean?

-Well, Jack, when Sarah found out that the kids she sent to the science facility were killed, she had this tunnel made so that if they were to ask for more children to experiment on, they would have a way of escaping.

This kid clearly knows what's going on here. Kinda scary. Jack walks up to him and puts his hand on his shoulder.

-Thanks, Harry. We owe you our lives, little guy.

The little kid's green eyes light up and hugs Jack by the waist. If that isn't the cutest thing I have ever seen, I don't know what is. 

-Promise me one thing?

-Sure, kid. Anything.

I think he spoke too soon.

-Promise you'll come back someday. 

We all look at each other, and we see that Jack isn't sure that he can promise that, but he clearly will.

-Of course, we'll come back someday. But we have to save the world first.

There it is. He promised it. Oh well, we better not die for Harry's sake. 

-Alright, guys. We need to get going. 

Akilah mentions, bringing us back into reality. 

-The door is locked though, and I forgot the key.

-It's ok. Branton will get us out of here.

He looks at us, a little confused first, but then he gets it.

-Oh, right. Yeah, got it.

He walks to the door, takes the handle, and with one little twist, the door opens. Too bad the handle breaks.