“What’s that?” Adrianna asked.

“I don’t know. Probably just something falling,” I said, shrugging.

“What do you mean? I mean, normal students probably won’t be out this late. Also, most of the ones that might sneak out won’t be so clumsy and leave a mark where they went,” said Bianca.

“Oh well. We don’t have to worry about it,” said Vivian.

We walked in silence as we climbed down the stairs. CREAKKKK! The steps below my foot cracked really loudly.

“I don’t get it. Why is this step creaking loudly?” I asked.

“I don’t know. This school is really really old,” said Adelaide.

“Well, then why do our classrooms look really modern?”said Adrianna.

“Who knows? Let’s get going,” suggested Vivian.

“Wait, what floor are we on now?” asked Belladonna.

“I think we are at B3 right now,” said Brianna.

“Come on! We can’t keep our allies waiting,” I said.

“You mean enemies?” asked Vivian.

“Yeah. We have to pretend to be really friendly when we meet them, and when they let their guard down, we will attack!” I replied.

“Okay,” said Adrianna.

“Okay, we’re at B4 right now. Let’s go find the broom closet. Oh, and be quiet,” said Vivian.

–

“I found it!” whispered Belladonna excitedly, pointing at a door in the wall with a sign saying, “Broom closet. DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION.”

“I think they shouldn’t write that. It will just attract more attention with those capitalized letters,” said Bianca, rolling her eyes.

“Well, we put those words there on purpose,” said a familiar voice behind us. We turned around and found Maddie facing us. Bianca raised her arms, preparing to attack.

“Don’t attack! Remember to act as their allies!” Brianna transmitted to us.

We slightly nodded, careful not to let Maddie see that we were secretly communicating.

“Well, Lillianna, I see that you brought friends. And what is Vivian doing here? Well, I guess you became friends!” sneered Maddie.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I glared at her and said, “Well, are you releasing my parents?”

“Not unless you agree to join our order,” snapped Maddie.

“Of course we are joining your order! What do you think we are doing here? You know that I won’t do anything risky with your hands on my parents!” I exclaimed.

“Good acting,” transmitted Brianna.

“Well, I guess that’s true, Lillianna. But we need to trust you. Who knows when you might betray us?” said Maddie, crossing her arms.

“Again, Maddie. I already said that we’ll join your order!” I exclaimed.

“Fine. Then say this: I agree to join your order. I swear that I won’t betray them, and I will do what they say.” said Maddie, and held out a potion for us to drink. “This potion ensures that you keep your promises. If you break your promises, you’ll die a painful death!”

We nodded, said what she told us to say, and each drank a swig of the potion.

“Wow, I didn’t know that we had to say that. I mean, it’s not like they’re a group that bosses people around,” transmitted Brianna.

“Yes they are definitely a group that bosses people around. They think that they’re the best,” thought Adelaide.

“Oh well. But wait, we’ll die if we betray her!” thought Bianca.

“Uh, guys? Remember my powers? I can control poison, and I can get the poison out of your systems before it kills you. Also, I can create a potion that will oppose Maddie’s. I’m much more powerful than her,” thought Belladonna.

“Are you sure you can do that?” I asked.

“Uh, yeah????” said Belladonna.

“You better be sure!” said Adrianna.

“Now, guys. Follow me to our hideout. You swore your lives, so we can probably trust you,” said Maddie, ”Now, you guys can come out.” She motioned toward the darkness, as 3 figures walked out. Ms. Octopus, Ms. Octopus’s friend, who is also Bianca’s mom’s step-sister, who’s name is Azariah, and Ms.Octopus’s sister Fisher.

“Cool. She’s called ‘Fisher Octopus’?” transmitted Brianna.

“So let’s see. Looks like my step-niece is joining my order,” sneered Azariah.

“Well, you sorta forced us to join!” snapped Bianca.

“Did I? You have your own choice. You chose to side with your little friend over there,” replied Azariah, studying her ridiculously long nails.

“Never mind that,” muttered Bianca.

“Enough of that. Let’s get this started. Lillianna, follow me and let’s go get your parents!” bossed Fisher, motioning to me to follow her.

I followed her into the janitor's closet, which leads to a long, dark hallway. Wow, this is not what I imagined it would be. In my imagination, I always thought that there would be creepy music playing, like in the movies.

“How old is this place?” I asked.

“Why do you want to know?”

“Just curious.”

“Why?”

“Can you blame a teenager for asking questions? Well, I was wondering if this was built when the school was built. I mean, this hallway looks pretty old!” I said.

“Oh, yeah. Our group has been around here for centuries,” said Fisher.

“How old is the school?” I asked.

“Really old. You should study more history,” said Fisher.

“Really? So this group’s founding member is from a long long time ago?” I asked.

“Yes. We should walk faster. I’ve already told you enough,” she said.

Gee, thanks for telling me all that.

We walked in silence until we reached a rickety old door. Fisher took out a silver key and stuck it in the keyhole. The door creaked loudly as it opened.

“MOM! DAD!” I screamed as two familiar figures exited.

“LILLIANNA!” they both screamed, throwing their arms around me.