Surrounded by the darkness of the past

Sara is still confused after Alan hugged her. Sitting next to him, she feels her cheeks burning. It's a good thing he can't see her face, because she would be even more embarrassed. She hates her character because she gets shy too quickly, which makes it difficult for her to interact more closely with people. Although she tries to combat this and is no longer as shy as she was when she came to the center, she is still not fully satisfied.

She envies Laura's character and the fact that she is not afraid of anything. She can straightforwardly say what is on her heart, and she easily moves on to actions. Furthermore, she is liked at the center, while Sarah is carried away. They have chosen her as a scapegoat, yet she is lucky to have found some friends who help her. If it weren't for them, she wouldn't survive another day here.

She smiles as she recalls the moment Alan stood up for her. Even though she's afraid of him and doesn't want him to accidentally get into trouble, she's still grateful to him. He thumbed his nose at the whack-job who accosted her. He did it in front of many people, and even though the teenager doesn't like to be the center of attention, that was the first time she wanted everyone to see what he was doing for her. She felt that someone actually cared about her.

A warm feeling arises in her stomach when Alan touches her leg. After a moment, he apologizes to her, claiming that he did it accidentally, as he was all abrasive. Her heart beats like crazy, and feeling his proximity, she gets the impression that it will jump out of her chest shortly. All it takes is for him to touch her body for a fraction of a second, and she feels a flock of butterflies in her stomach.

Is this what love looks like? She has never experienced it before, as Alan is the first guy to steal her heart. In the past, she was not too interested in boys for the sake of shyness, and besides, there was none that caught her attention.

She doesn't know how Alan managed to do it, but surely, in addition to his first impression, he earned himself further points when he helped her many times. She fell in love, although she never thought it would get her in the end, too. Unfortunately, she can't do anything about it further, as she is not brave enough to take the next step. She can only hide her feelings and enjoy every moment spent with him.

- Do you think someone will find us here? - he asks unexpectedly, snapping the girl out of her musings. She grunts back, as she is embarrassed. It's a good thing he can't read her mind, because she would have sunk to the ground. - I guess we'll have to start banging on the door. You probably wouldn't want to leave the place on a day when students are walking down the corridor. There's no telling what the others might think," he claims with amusement in his voice, and she feels a blush appear on her cheeks. - I don't give a damn what all those morons say behind my back, but I noticed that you are very concerned about it, so it will be better if one of the teachers opens for us.

- It's true. I prefer it to be a teacher; however, you can't leave here. They want to take you to the General, and there's no telling what this man might want from you. He's a monster, so he certainly isn't concerned about blood ties.

A forced smile appears on his face.

- Honest but true. Do you think I'll just get hooked like that? I only ran from the room because I saw your frightened eyes. I didn't want you to get into trouble. I wasn't worried about myself, but about you, Sara.

Only after a while does the last sentence he spoke reach her. He revealed to her that he was worried about her. Does he really care about her? Apparently she had sensed this some time ago, but she wasn't sure, because she thought he only cared about her because she was his friend. Maybe that's the case, and she's just making something up?

He thinks she is hopeless. With beauty, she does not impress. In front of the girls from the center, she looks completely average. So, is there any chance for her to please a boy? Especially one from the top shelf?

He immediately rejects the thought.

- Why are you silent? Did I say something wrong?

- Not of course not. It just clobbered me that there is a person who is worried about me," she whispers, which comes to her tongue.

She has blown a fool's errand that looks like she is grieving. Occasionally, it's better to bite your tongue so you don't burn with shame afterward.

- You have very low self-esteem. I noticed this early on, which is why people at the center tease you. They see it, and making you uncomfortable brings them joy. You have to believe in yourself. You can't show them that you are weak just face them in the end. I don't understand why you have such low self-esteem when you are a pretty and nice girl. - After these words he falls silent, and she feels herself blushing again.

Alan is breathing a sigh, and Sara is thankful to the heavens that there is darkness. At least she can't see his face, because after this confession she would completely not know what to do with herself.

The boy is confused as he remains silent for a long time. The girl decides to speak up to get rid of the strange atmosphere.

- You are one of the few people thanks to whom I have survived here so far. You have helped me many times, and I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. I sincerely appreciate it, because it was hard for me to make friends with anyone. All the luck that you are here.

She herself is shocked that she has gathered herself to make such a confession, but she wants Alan to know that she is grateful to him. He has been friendly toward her from the beginning, and she can always count on his help.

- It's nice that you appreciate me. If only all people were as friendly as you, Sara. You are different from the rest, that's why I liked you. During this time, I've managed to get to know you a little, and I know that you would never stab me in the back. You are a person who can be trusted.

The teenager opens her eyes wider as Alan takes her hand. Her heart beats harder again, and she bites her lip out of nervousness. She hates herself for being completely unable to behave in such a situation. However, she is brave enough not to pull her hand out of his grasp, and at one time she probably would have done so.

- What should we do to get out?

Alan lets go of her hand, and she feels herself rising from the floor. She walks to the door and tugs on the handle.

- They open to the outside, so I should have tried this a long time ago," he claims, and suddenly kicks the door with his foot with all his strength. He does it so hard that from the bang the girl jumps up. He tries a few more times, and Sara breathes a sigh of relief when the hinge from the handle finally lets go. A light appears in the room and Alan helps her up.

- We need to get away from here as soon as possible. Someone is sure to come here considering the noise you made. We're the closest to my room, so you'll hide in it for now. Let's go," she says and grabs his arm, but the blonde pulls her back to him, causing her to fall into his arms. She lifts her head and notices that he is watching her closely.

- This chance may never happen again," he announces leaning over her face, then unexpectedly kisses her.

At the first moment, Sara doesn't know what to do. Her legs go numb and out of it all she can't move. She remains motionless; she stares blankly at his face. She has never done this before. This is her first kiss.... Her heart is pounding like a hammer again, and she feels a pleasant tingling in her stomach. His lips are fantastic, so she closes her eyes and shyly returns the kiss.

However, this moment does not last long, as she feels a piercing pain in her shoulder area. She moves away from the boy and falls to the floor. The blond boy immediately crouches down beside her, not knowing what is happening. The girl can't stand from the pain.

Alan looks over his shoulder in clear panic when he hears someone heading in their direction. He takes Sarah in his arms and runs up the stairs, heading for her room. He lays the girl on the bed and turns on the light, ignoring her roommate.

Laura rubs her eyes.

- Sara, can you tell me what hurts you? - Alan asks, watching her carefully. He puts his hand to her cheek.

- The scar," she whispers with difficulty, so he immediately exposes her arm, guessing what she is talking about. He looks anxiously at the swastika mark, which turns red.

The ghost of an orphan appears before Sarah.

The phantom points her finger at Alan and starts shaking her head. Sara doesn't understand what she means, since she helped them escape from the underworld earlier. Why are all the ghosts against Alan? Is it because of his relationship with the General?

- Why? - she asks in a whisper.

- He is the same as this man," the phantom announces, and Sara feels unpleasant chills. Why did it frighten her? After all, Alan is the opposite of the General. He's a good man, he doesn't resemble his grandfather at all. - You will unleash the beast in him, Sara. His true nature will see the light of day, and then he will hurt you.

After these words, the phantom disappears and the pain on her arm subsides. The girl wipes the tears from her cheeks and turns to face Laura and Alan.

- It doesn't hurt anymore," she says, seeing their worried faces. She forces a smile as she looks at the blond man. The phantom's words clearly bother her, and although she tries to put it out of her head, she can't. She knows what kind of man Alan is, and it would be impossible for him to hurt her. He is not like the General. - I'm sorry, but I have to go to bed. I want to rest," she adds after a while, getting under the bedclothes. She turns her back to them and presses her face into the pillow.

If she has so much faith in Alan, why does she feel such anxiety after the words spoken by the apparition?

*

In class, she is unconscious. That night, she did not sleep at all.

She feels Alan's gaze on her, and that includes Oliver, who takes a seat in the same bench as her. The teenager wonders if she looks so awful that they are watching her all the time because of this? Besides, she still can't stop thinking about the kiss and the words of the phantom who warned her about the General's grandson.

- Sara, are you all right? You look like something is bothering you. - Oliver's voice snaps her out of her musings. With semi-conscious eyes, she looks at him and forces a smile.

- Everything's fine. I just didn't get enough sleep.

- Laura, can you stop kicking Julia? - Matthew turns to the brunette, turning to face her. The girl snorts, still furious at him for what he did to her. In addition, it drives her crazy that now he doesn't take his eyes off Julia, protecting her like a princess.

- I can't, because I'm nervous and have to move my legs. It's not my fault that this zebra is just in front of me," she replies, and an arrogant smile appears on her face. Simon, who is sitting next to her, throws her a furtive glance. The boy is still waiting for Laura to get over Matthew and stop humiliating herself in this way.

- I'm already sick of it. Let go of Julia, because she hasn't even exchanged a word with you for a long time. Stop accosting her.

Laura looks at her friend, who is outraged by her behavior. He begins to pretend that he is interested in the lesson. The girl knows that he resents her for not being able to reciprocate his feelings. She loves him, but as a friend. She can't imagine that anything could change. Simon is critical to her, so she would rather not spoil their relationship.

- Are you still angry with me? - she asks, but the blond does not even honor her with a glance.

- Take care of the lesson, because again you won't know anything.

Sara watches their exchange of words. She is still angry with Laura that she only sees Matthew. The boy has her deeply upset, but it doesn't get to her.

Occasionally, she wonders if by chance her friend is obsessed with him.

Class is coming to an end, so she leaves the classroom to avoid running into Alan. After yesterday's incident, she is so embarrassed that she can't look him in the face. However, her plan fails, because the blond man catches up with her as soon as she leaves the classroom. He grabs the girl's hand, and she closes her eyelids, not knowing how to behave.

She tentatively turns to face him.

- Are you avoiding me?

She immediately shakes her head.

- I have a feeling that you are angry with me. I thought you were not against it. If so, I really apologize to you," he announces, and she blushes again.

She lowers her head when she notices that Oliver, standing at the door, has been watching them the whole time. She feels strange, as if she has done something wrong.

The boy is walking towards them, so Sara opens her eyes wider, having the urge to run away where the pepper grows.

Of course, she is not angry with Alan. It's just that in his presence, she doesn't know how she should behave.

- Forgive me, but I need to talk to her now. It's important," Oliver asserts, snatching her hand from Alan's grasp. The girl shifts her gaze to the blond and sees that he is outraged by his friend's behavior.

- First you were rude to her, and now you pretend to be a friend? What a thing to say," he snorts, throwing him an evil look. His gaze softens as he looks at Sarah. - If you like, we'll talk later. Nothing by force," he announces, and a friendly smile appears on his face. He walks away, and she puts her hand to her chest, trying to stop the strong beating of her heart.

- Are you all right? - Oliver asks, so the girl nods in response. - I approached because I noticed you were embarrassed.

- Yes, thank you. - She sends him a smile.

Standing by the wall, Alan looks at them for a moment. Then he walks away, inattentively dodging the General.

The old man shifts his gaze to Sara. The girl freezes as he looks into her eyes. At that moment, she recalls a flashback from the past, when this cruel man hurt innocent people in a sadistic way.

Oliver follows her gaze, looking at the General from under squinted eyelids.

- He scares me more and more," whispers the 17-year-old, so the brunet forcibly forces her to look away from him.

- I know you are afraid. I am also afraid of him, but you must not show it. He is a man who seamlessly destroys weak people. Ignore him.

He nods tentatively, but the scene he sees moments later gives him goosebumps.

- Watch how you walk, kid. - The general turns to Julia, brazenly grabbing her by the back of her shirt. The girl's eyes widen with fear as she realizes who she has bumped. The old man throws her a stern look and suddenly squints his eyes as he looks at her face - It's you. You are the granddaughter of that whore," he says without inhibition.

Sara blanches. She looks at Oliver with concern in her eyes as Matthew emerges from the crowd. He boldly knocks off the old man's arm, pulling the girl back and placing his hand on her waist.

- You nasty reptile," he stammers through clenched teeth, with which he angers the old man. The general slaps him in the face, and Sara covers her mouth with her hand.

Oliver puts his arm around her as she watches the scene with horror in her eyes. She has a bad feeling. It's getting more and more dangerous, and she senses that it's going to get worse. Something is hanging in the air, something cruel, and they have no chance to escape from here.

They are trapped.