Dim blue lights line the hall, making our progress smooth and easy. For the second time in the same day, I’m struck with the oddness of how empty the passage feels and the overwhelming sensation of being where I’m not supposed to be. How did I become such a strict rule follower that I struggle to function in a place with no spoken rules?
We tarry outside the combat chamber long enough for Zorrah to touch base with Icpitls One and Two.
“How do you even know where we’re going?” Yetic has done nothing but object every chance he gets.
Zorrah places her hand on the door lock. “I studied the schematic last year.”
“Yetic,” I run interference before he can mouth off more, “I need you and Cera to take lead. Make sure the cost is clear, but stay within visual contact. Give us a flash if we’ve got unexpected company.”
Cera smiles, “Right.”
I put a hand on Zorrah’s shoulder and wait for her to open her eyes. “Which way next?” Zorrah points before closing her eyes again. Yetic huffs and jogs in the direction Zorrah pointed.
Briefly I wonder if I’m teaming Cera and Yetic too often. She and I are the only ones who work well with him. I’ve known she likes him since registration day. But I’m sure she wouldn’t try anything, not while Yetic and I are coupled.
Soon after they leave, Zorrah straightens. “There’s not too much more the icpitls can do from here on out. Without a portable storage device large enough, I can’t transport them to the control room. But I’ve instructed them to ensure the eyes stay offline until I say goodbye from back at the dorm.” Zorrah fights to hold back tears.
I had wondered why we stopped to check in with the icpitls in the first place. Now I understand. I wrap an arm around her. “Sounds good, as long as you can get us into the control room and talk to whatever program runs the combat chamber.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Zorrah smirks, “as long as you guys are up for a climb.”
“I was just thinking this was a nice night for a climb.” Neca swoops in and takes Zorrah’s hand. She quickly latches onto his forearm while stifling a giggle.
Olin and I exchange a look that says, how do we put up with them. But we’re both smiling. I try not to. It’s no use. “Alright then,” I say after the fact, “lead the way.” Everyone is already scampering down the hall, leaving me to take up the rear.
I look over my shoulder as I run to catch up. There’s no reason for me to suspect we’re being followed. On the other hand, there’s no reason not to expect the halls to be crawling with probes or worse. As far as I know, no one has dared leave the barracks after lights out.
From somewhere deep inside me a thought surfaces. I hope this has never been done. It’s possible the goal of fixing the tournament could have been a convenient excuse to push the unspoken boundaries. Maybe I’m not so much a rule follower as a people pleaser. Since it’s impossible to know what the administration wants, maybe I can give the rest of us what we want.
But what’s that? At first the answer isn’t obvious. Then it hits me. Freedom.
Before I turn a corner to follow the rest, something causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end. I stop dead in my tracks. My breathing goes suddenly shallow, but something prevents me from turning around.
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