The Similars (The Similars #1)(61)

I watch from a distance, unable to get close enough to hear what Madison, Tessa, and Jake are saying. From the look of it, the conversation is ending. They smile at Ransom. He walks off, and then the three of them start to leave, still conversing in their tight pack. I follow them outside, still brushing away the tears that fill my eyes. I am so upset at what I witnessed at that rally. But more than that, I feel disappointed on a cellular level. Most of those students have no reason to join in a chant like that except to fit in. It must make them feel momentarily good about picking on another group, one they don’t or can’t understand. But that feeling won’t last. And kids at Darkwood are supposed to be above all that. Enlightened, even…

I feel even more motivated to follow my targets as they head toward the lake, walking in a close little formation, talking quietly among themselves. Tessa looks bored as always; Jake looks jovial enough. I notice that he brushes his fingers against Madison’s as they walk, but she doesn’t reciprocate the gesture. So, he’s still trying to win her over…

The three keep walking, and so do I. I’m not too worried about being discovered. It’s eight thirty and dark. If I’m quiet, I won’t be noticed. We approach the brambly path that leads down to the boathouse. But instead of turning left, Madison, Tessa, and Jake turn right, heading farther into the brush. Now I’m perplexed—and on guard. Where are they going?

I follow them, but it’s becoming difficult to keep my footsteps quiet on the rougher ground. I pause for a minute or two, letting them get farther ahead of me before I continue. Up in the distance is the research facility of cement-block construction. Is that where they’re headed? That building hasn’t been a working science facility in years, and it’s definitely off-limits to students.

My curiosity is piqued. I follow them toward the stark building. I tense, every nerve ending in my body alert as they pause at the front door. Madison pulls out her key and flashes it in front of the door. Then she grabs the handle, turning it. It opens, and Tessa and Jake follow her inside. I have mere seconds to react. Without thinking, I run and shove the toe of my sneaker to catch the door. I’ve done it. I’ve kept the door open, and now I can get inside. I make sure not to let the door bang shut behind me, closing it softly.

How do they have access to this building? Did they get it from Ransom?

I stand alone in what looks like a lobby. Madison, Tessa, and Jake have already headed off, leaving me by myself. There’s a desk and a couple of old couches. A lamp stands lonely in the corner, a stash of equipment next to it. On the desk are a couple of outdated computer monitors.

Directly in front of me is an elevator bank with two elevators. Did they go up? I’m about to start for them when I hear voices coming from around the corner. Cautious, I walk down the hall toward the voices.

“I’m not supposed to tell anyone yet. It could trigger a catastrophic ripple effect among the student body,” Madison is saying.

“Harvard and every other Ivy League school, plus Stanford and Oxford?” Jake asks, sounding dazed.

“All of them. I got my acceptance letters over Christmas break—plus running scholarships at every single one. They all want me for their track teams.”

“But I didn’t think you could even get early admission to more than one school at a time,” says Tessa.

“You can’t, unless you’re me. It’s going to be a tough decision…”

I stealthily peer into the classroom where they are sitting.

“We feel incredibly sorry for you,” Jake says dryly. Tessa laughs. Madison scowls.

I scan the room. There’s nothing too interesting in there, just old desks and blackboards stripped of any materials.

“Where’s Fleischer?” asks Madison. “She said eight forty-five.”

Fleischer? I wonder. They’re meeting Principal Fleischer here? Does this have to do with that mysterious blood work they were talking about that day in the library after Pru’s attack?

“She’ll be here,” Tessa says. “Ransom said she would be.”

Prickles go up my back at the mention of his name. Ransom. Headmaster Ransom knows about these meetings too? Of course he does. He’s the head of the school. He must know everything that’s going on at Darkwood…good and bad. I have a feeling this might fall into the latter category.

“He seemed happy, don’t you think?” Jake says. “After the rally?”

“Happy to keep up his charade as long as possible,” Madison replies.

Charade? What charade?

I hear footsteps coming down the hall and realize it can only be one person—Fleischer. I turn to leave. As much as I want to know what these three are up to, and what Fleischer and Ransom have to do with it, she can’t find me here. I don’t have access to this building, and I’m certain Fleischer will punish me for it. The last thing I need right now is more duty. Or worse.

I bolt to the end of the hall, away from the sound of the clacking shoes, where I’m met by another elevator bank. I jump inside and press the button for the top floor. I have no idea where I’m going or what I’m doing, but some inner drive propels me upward.

Ding. With a lurch, the elevator stops on the fourth floor, and the doors open. I walk out into a corridor lined with maybe ten labs. The doors to each are metal with plexiglass. The rooms are locked, but I peek inside. Everything looks hospital-grade white and sterile, with all the requisite equipment: hoods, test tubes, beakers, and elaborate computer systems.