Part 6
In a wide corridor of an old abandoned school, full of webs and with dozens of items scattered all over the floor, a constant sound of combat boots striking the floor echoed through the place. That was when Leon appeared in a hurry around a corner of the corridor, sliding a little on the floor before continuing to run.
Looking over his shoulder, he searched fearfully for something behind him, but all he found was an empty corridor where rays of sunlight passed through windows with dirty and broken glass.
Even so, still suspicious and fighting with the heavy breathing he had, he tried to catch any nearby noise—while holding his breath—but he heard only his own steps echoing through the empty corridor.
I lost him… With an expression of relief, he felt a certain weakness hit his body, but because of a cold in his stomach that still accompanied him he forced himself to keep running.
Turning forward, he continued through the corridors of the structure, passing windows always on the same side of the corridor, while on the other a sequence of doors spaced between them occupied the entire wall. Always the same, there were small plaques right above the entrances with stained and some illegible numbers written—without even looking at them, he continued.
Yet upon identifying a few meters ahead a much larger opening, of a stairway that led to the floor below, he accelerated his pace to reach it.
Entering it hurriedly while looking one last time behind him—Bang—he collided against something and, losing his balance, fell backward into a sitting position on the floor.
"Ow! What was that?" Putting his hand on his head, he looked forward.
Piled on the stairway were various tables and chairs partially blocking the stairs that led to the floor below, but with a hole in them.
Recovering, he looked at the passage with anger, but quickly his expression dissolved. After hitting the barricade it was still shaking, and at the top of it a chair near the edge was about to fall.
"Ah, no…" he murmured in a tone of disbelief and defeat.
While falling and pulling another, a domino effect began, toppling half of the barricade, which produced a thunderous noise that echoed through the entire abandoned school.
With a look of pain because of the noise he caused, he looked at the stairway that was now completely unblocked.
"I need to get out of here fast and save Ísis!" he said, jumping up from the floor.
With a little pain—dodging the chairs—he descended the stairs, jumping some steps, until he reached the first floor.
There, leaning against one of the walls, he cautiously looked both ways of the corridor several times until he clicked his tongue, slightly irritated.
I didn't pay attention to the path I took while fleeing! With a restless look that constantly jumped from one direction to the other, he tried to decide which way he should go. I have to get to the court, but which way is it???
Yet upon looking at the floor he found various marks of combat boots marked on the dirt accumulated there.
This!? Setting off from there, he quickly followed them.
Passing through some corridors, alternating the route when necessary, he ran through a very similar structure—long corridors with large windows of an imperial style always on the same side, while on the other there were dark doors, some open, of large classrooms.
But following that trail, in a short time he reached a wall that closed the corridor. On it he found a double door, missing one of the halves, with only one side still attached and the other leaning against the wall.
Approaching, he knelt beside the part of the door that still existed, studying the place it led to.
Much larger than any room he had passed, he was at the entrance of a large court with bleachers surrounding it on all sides.
Even so, although spacious, it was full of dozens of items and equipment—from sports items that would be natural to find there to military equipment that stood out completely in the place.
Among them, two that especially drew attention: a large tent that occupied more than half the court, and a large four-axle military vehicle.
Seems safe… After observing all that for a few seconds, Leon began to move, still crouched, using whatever he found along the way as cover.
Passing the large four-axle vehicle, he headed for the tent—full of bullet marks and cuts—through which he passed various sections, from medical bed areas to storage with tables and cabinets.
Reaching the end of the tent, he saw that a few meters away was the other side of the court, where there was a wall and, right above, the bleachers.
Yet on the wall he fixed his gaze on a door that was right in front of him, at court level. Checking the surroundings to cross a more open part, he ran to the door, dodging some small items such as batons and running obstacles.
Reaching it, silently, he began to move it with his fingertips while checking its interior through the gap that appeared.
Crowded, it was a room full of rusty metal shelves still packed with sports equipment—from balls, helmets, and rackets, all already well damaged by time. Besides that, he saw a small window facing the exterior—through which sunlight illuminated the place—and a hole in one of the walls connected to the room next door.
Yet catching his attention, he found a person there.
Murmuring, he called her: "Ísis!"
Sitting in a chair with her feet and hands tied, she jumped slightly, looking startled at him before sighing in relief.
"Leon!"
Without wasting time, running to his sister, he began to free her feet.
"Wait, are you alone? Where are Mia and Victor?!" Looking around, Ísis searched for them.
Focusing on the ropes wound around her foot, he answered: "I don't know. I was with them until a little while ago, but we ended up separating when they found us…"
"What?! So you don't know where he is?? — Anxiously she looked at the door — Are you sure he didn't follow you?"
"Yes, because I kept moving through the corridors to throw him off… at least, I hope I managed it." Finishing untying her feet, he began to untie her arms.
"I also hope so… We have to get out of here fast to meet up with the others and hold out as long as possible hidden. Running from him isn't a good choice… — with a defeated look she remembered when she was caught — he reached me very quickly."
"Yes… there's no way to beat—"
With the sound of footsteps, the conversation between them ceased at the same time that both quickly turned toward the door. Although distant, they approached little by little at a slow rhythm, as if walking, until they stopped upon reaching the door.
The two, in the silent interior of the room where they heard only the beating of their hearts, observed the door in fear.
"…"
Faced with that silence, exchanging glances quickly, Leon, gathering courage, swallowed hard and murmured:
"Mia, Victor, is that you?"
Looking at the door, both felt an increasing tension, but even waiting they received no answer.
"…"
While they were still standing with a fixed gaze on the exit and uncertain of what to do, both felt a light wind on their backs, along with a heavy hand falling on their shoulders.
"Ahhh!"
"Ahhhhhhh-i!"
With the scare, Leon jumped away, running a little before turning back; not only him—startled as well, Ísis jumped awkwardly and fell from the chair.
Upon looking behind them they found Seven with a smile saying:
"Got you."
With a confused face, looking quickly at the door and at his older brother, Leon complained.
"Wait! How is that possible? Which way did you come?!"
"Huh? Through the hole in the wall." Pointing with his thumb behind him, Seven turned toward the opening through which Yuliya was passing.
Ignoring his sister, Leon protested. "That's not possible! I didn't hear anything! You were holding your breath, weren't you!"
"Pfff, Leon, don't be a sore loser. I just approached in silence, that's all." With a mocking smile, Seven sang victory.
"I don't believe it!" Remembering something, Leon turned to his sister. "Yuliya! He was holding his breath, right?!" Hopeful, his eyes shone while he waited for the answer.
Thank goodness she became the referee after losing the greenhouse bet! Because she definitely saw Seven cheat!
Having passed through the passage, she stopped beside Seven, but shaking her head she spoke:
"…No, it's as Seven said. He approached you in silence after passing through the hole in the wall."
With a look of defeat, Leon shouted. "Damn!" Letting his body fall to the floor, he lay down on the dirty ground.
Finishing untying herself, Ísis stood up from the floor, brushing her clothes to remove the dirt. "This time we got close to winning, Leon. Next time I'm sure we'll win."
Discouraged, Leon agreed.
"Yes… Wait! Victor and Mia are still missing! We still have a chance!"
With his spirit reigniting, he sat up on the floor, but hearing something near the door he turned toward it.
"…Ah no…" he murmured, losing his smile.
Standing right at the entrance, Mia and Victor had just arrived in the room.
"You'd already been caught…"
"Yes…" Both, defeated, nodded.
"HAHAHA, it's a shame, but if it serves as consolation, you took quite a while this time!"
"That's unfair! — Standing up with anger, Leon complained — Every time we play this Seven wins, no matter if he's searching or hiding!"
Accompanying him, the others agreed:
"True, Seven always wins when he has to run, and he keeps climbing to places none of us can reach!"
"Besides that, even taking longer, it was very hard to hide from Seven. It felt like we were being hunted…" Holding one of her arms, Ísis squeezed tightly.
Nodding firmly, Mia agreed: "Uh-huh, and not only that—everything that depends on strength big brother wins… wait, I've got it!" Remembering something, Mia turned to the whole group. "Let's play something that doesn't need strength, so even sister Yuliya can have fun too!"
Tilting his head, surprised, Seven asked:
"But what would that be?"
***
Walking down an empty corridor, Yuliya continues alone to the door of a room, carrying some books under her arm. Upon reaching it, stopping in front of the entrance, she hears murmurs sounding inside, but as soon as she holds the doorknob they cease.
With a slight smile, letting out a brief sigh—with a more neutral expression—she opens the door.
"Good morning, class!" Along with the greeting, with a professional smile, she continues to a desk positioned at the front of the room.
While the class answers her in unison: "Good morning!"
Stopping in front of the class, she places the books she carries on the table, which, even though light, cause a slight creak in the old desk.
Looking at her class, Yuliya sees her siblings scattered throughout the large classroom with the most varied expressions—from the excitement of the younger ones, whose eyes shine, to a more contained animation and complete disinterest.
"Well, today we'll have history class. Take out your books and open them to page four…"
Taking their twigs, or small metal pipes, the younger ones open torn and stained books, acting naturally, but turning to the last row, Yuliya fixes her eyes on one of the students.
Unlike the others, who are already ready, he has his arms crossed, head down, and feet on the table.
"Where is your book, Seven?"
Upon being called, as if waking, he raises his head with an irritated look.
"Eh? Are you talking to me?"
Changing the position of his feet, he casts a piercing look at Yuliya, but with a firm tone she answers him:
"Yes, who else do you think I'm talking to? Besides that, take your feet off the table; we're about to start class."
Although bothered, clicking his tongue, Seven obeys; yet in the next moment he pushes the chair back—dragging it across the floor—and stands up.
Heading toward Yuliya with his hands in his pockets, he stops near her looking down at her, chin raised.
"And if I don't want to?"
Yuliya, faced with the irritated look and a silence that reigns in the room, remains without saying anything for a few moments, until—
"Pffff!"
— Holding back laughter she turns her face, covering her mouth with her hand in a simple manner.
"Ah no, not again, Yuliya!" Returning to normal, Seven makes a tired expression.
"I'm sorr— pffff"
Turning his back, Seven grumbles while returning to his place: "How many times are we going to have to repeat this…" Meanwhile his younger siblings laugh at the scene that occurred, imitating Seven.
"'Eh? Are you talking to me' hahahah"
"'And if I don't want to' HAHAHA, Seven's face was the best!"
"This character suits big brother really well!"
The three, bursting into laughter, watch him return to his place; even Ísis, though with a more contained laugh.
"It's true, Seven, your face combines way too well with this character."
A little embarrassed, Seven sits in his chair. "Ah! I'm already tired of repeating this! All because you start laughing, Yuliya!"
"I'm sorry, I really can't hold it when you act that way, Seven…" Wiping under her eyes, she removes a tear.
"Let me change characters! I'm already tired of this. Besides, why do I always have to act as a delinquent or someone who bullies??" Bothered, Seven crosses his arms, huffing.
Having already recovered her composure, Yuliya explains:
"Ai, ai… We're sorry, Seven, but your face doesn't cooperate much. Look: Ísis looks like the hardworking characters or the best student in the class, Leon a brainless athlete—"
"Hey!"
"—while Mia and Victor look like small and cuter students, but you don't fit into any of them, and there aren't even other options for you… at least not from the stories we've read."
Sitting at the last desk, beside the window, Seven turns to a broken piece of glass from the window and begins to mess with his own face.
"Am I that scary-looking?"
Ísis, perceiving her brother's discomfort, explains:
"It's not that you're scary-looking… in this case, just like Father, your face looks severe even when it's normal…"
In the dull reflection, Seven sees some traits on his cheeks and a sharper gaze that make his face more serious, reminding him of his Father, even when he tries to keep it neutral.
Accepting that, he murmurs: "Maybe I could be a teacher…" But before he finishes speaking, all his younger siblings deny it.
"No, sister Yuliya is the only teacher!"
Disconcerted and surprised, he asks:
"What? Why?"
Caught by surprise by the question, the younger ones remain silent for a few seconds until, breaking it, Mia speaks:
"Well… — Looking at Yuliya — big sister seems reliable and calm. I don't know why, but that's good. I believe that if we had a teacher, it would be like that!"
"That's true. Unlike Seven, although he's reliable, she seems calmer…"
"Yes, she's also patient, like the teachers in the books we read…"
Completely finding the descriptions of his three younger siblings strange, Seven looks at them perplexed.
"Wait! Confident? Calm? Are we talking about the same person?" Remembering when he went out with his sister, Seven saw none of those characteristics—only a tomboy who cheated a lot in bets.
Turning to Ísis, he seeks her opinion.
"I think Yuliya knows how to act very well… — turning to Yuliya — are you imitating some teacher? From the books we have at home?"
"…"
Raising her eyebrows slightly, Yuliya stops for a few seconds, thoughtful, before finally answering.
"Well— with a melancholic smile, she shakes her head —it's not based on any character from the books, but on our mother, because she passed on that same feeling when she gave me lessons…"
Surprised, Ísis comments:
"That makes sense, because it's very different from what we know…"
"Yes, it's very different from Dad; he always seems angry… just like Seven."
"Then let me be the teacher! I'll be one like Father!"
"We don't want that, brother—Yuliya is already good!"
"Then how about a principal?!"
"…"
Surprised, the three younger ones look at one another.
"See! A principal is a good option!"
"That's true…"
"Maybe it would suit him…"
"A principal who's mean…" Discussing among themselves, they begin to decide what Seven's character would be together with Yuliya.
Why does it always have to be mean?! Leaning back in the chair, Seven looks at the ceiling, tired.
"Want to stop?"
Turning his gaze downward, he finds Ísis observing him with a worried look.
"You don't need to force yourself to have fun with us if…"
Shaking his head, Seven gives a slight smile. "I don't mind. I know everyone likes to have fun this way, even Yuliya… it just bothers me the characters I have to play…" With a heavy sigh, Seven has a tired look.
Seeing her brother, Ísis gives a slight smile.
"Yes… I think it's fun for all of us to imagine living in a world where things were… better…"
Interrupting the conversation, hearing footsteps near the door, everyone looks toward it before Father opens it and enters the room, stopping right at the entrance.
"Dad! How about you play with us! You can be a principal!" Getting up from the chair, Mia goes to him.
"Wait, Mia! I would be the principal?!"
Stopping near her, Father places his hand on her head. "Sorry, but we already have to go back; it's getting late."
"Ahhh…"