See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(56)

Both men were gorgeous. I wasn't sure they came any other way around these parts. Well, if they were of the Guardian variety at any rate. I let them walk/drag me down the hall where the dormitories were. I kept a close eye on all of my surroundings. I knew that if I ever wanted to escape this place, or be busted out, I would have to be able to relate as much information as I could.

We made a turn down another hall and I was greeted by at least twenty doors on either side of me. It looked a whole lot like that hall in the movie The Shining. All that was missing were the twin girls at the other end. I breathed a sigh of relief when I was unceremoniously dumped into the equivalent of a cheap motel room.

I looked around my new digs and noticed that anything that might be used as a weapon had been removed. Instead of a mirror, there was a highly polished piece of metal that distorted my features. I sat on the bed and bounced for a minute. Well, at least it seemed a little comfortable. I took in my meager surroundings and wondered if all of the other Seers were given rooms like this. If so, it was a wonder they had not unionized and gone on strike for better working conditions.

Perhaps I could form a Seers union. Nah. That would probably constitute as misbehaving. I threw myself back on the bed and was surprised at how tired I suddenly felt. I allowed my eyes to close and I drifted off to sleep.

I don’t know how long I slept. A knock at my door brought my attention back to my surroundings. I went to it and was surprised to find I could open it. Why had I not tried to do that sooner? Standing on the other side of the door was Molly.

“So you went and got yourself caught anyway?" she said with a look of disapproval.

“Well how was I supposed to know my surrogate father was a giant backstabbing liar face?" I said defensively. I didn’t even know this girl and she was berating me for being stupid. She might have been right but that was entirely beside the point.

“I know, I tried to warn you, but I didn’t have enough time. Plus Keith would have known I was up to something more than he already suspected," she said with a roll of her eyes.

“Well, um, okay then. Would you like to come in?" I asked, unsure of what the etiquette for this situation was.

“Sure, but I was actually coming by to grab you on my way to dinner," Molly said before entering my room.

She was a little sprite of a thing. She was only around five foot four and tiny as could be. Her blonde hair was in loose waves that hung to about her shoulders. She had elfish features that conjured images of the fairytales my mother used to read me. I guessed I was staring at her because she awkwardly cleared her throat.

“You are awfully feisty for someone so small," I said, hoping I did not offend the only person that might be my friend here.

“Like TNT. I am small but highly explosive," she said matter of factly.

“So, how long have you been with the king of the asshats?" I asked, hoping she would know I was talking about Xavier.

“Since I was about three. They came and took my mother and I while my daddy was gone in training. I have been here ever since and I have been waiting for your slow ass to show up," she said, like I had purposefully inconvenienced her.

“Sorry about the wait?" I more asked than stated.

“Well, when I was, four my mom had a vision about you and she told me. I have been waiting around ever since. She said you would save me. No pressure or anything," Molly said before landing on my bed.

“Yeah, no pressure. Jesus, you would think I would have gotten a welcome packet. If I survive this, I am totally designing one. It was a lot to take on when I had no idea what I was until right before my birthday. I mean, you would think someone would have at least given me a heads up about being the whole Seer messiah thing," I said, blowing out a breath.

“Um, sorry about your luck," Molly said, clearly unaffected by my ranting.

“Well, I won’t be able to save the world on an empty stomach, so shall we?" I asked before heading to the door.

“Yep, just follow me. When we get there, I will give you the skinny on everyone. Just don’t flinch when I start yapping in your head. Other people will notice," she said as she led us to the cafeteria.

Not since high school had I been in a place like this. I had no interest in returning either. The food even smelled and looked like that of my old high school. I wondered if they brought in lunch ladies as well. I looked behind the line to see more of the goons standing about giving everyone the stank eye. I just made my way through the line and got the most edible looking selection. It loosely resembled pizza.

Molly motioned for us to sit at a table in the middle of the room and started yapping away in my head while we ate. She talked about the gossip first. Like who was hooking up with who, and who was about to be in deep crap for not fulfilling their quota for the month. I looked around as she spoke, and I was grateful that all in all there were only about fifteen women present. Not counting the ones hooked up to machines.

I must have gotten a look on my face, because Molly switched gears. She looked hesitant at first, but then steeled herself for what she was about to say.

“Listen, I don’t know how you will save us. I don’t even really know that you can when you get your own stupid butt captured. But, if you do get out of here, there are things you need to know. He is working with some of the Council members on a big plan. I don’t know what it is. I just know that not everyone that is supposed to be a good guy is fighting for the right team. I heard one of the other Seers say that she saw some sort of explosion and then a monster coming out of the smoke, but shortly afterward she disappeared. Whatever is coming isn’t good."