Welcome to Paradise Chapter One- Surprise in the Night

Those first few days I didn't leave my room, except to talk to Trey or eat. I didn't talk to anyone else, didn't see anyone else, didn't want anything to do with anyone else. Trey was gone a lot on days, and I sometimes found myself wondering what it was he did. I heard people knock on the dorm door at all hours of the night, and then Trey would leave for a while. I sighed as I lay awake in bed. It was around eleven at night, and Trey had been gone for more than two hours. Though it had only been four days since I had come here, I had learned a little about my roomate. He was seventeen, and he had come here at a young age, when he had turned ten. For seven years he had been here, and it seemed that it had only made him stronger. Maybe there was hope for this school after all, though I still didn't like it. I sighed as I rolled over, listening to the clock hanging on the wall as it ticked the hour's time away. I listened for the sound of the door opening, but my roomate still wasn't back. With a small breath, I closed my hazel eyes, somewhat slipping away into darkness. I wasn't sure if I fell asleep or not, but when I looked back at the clock it was around one in the morning. Frowning, I crawled out of bed and rubbed at my eyes tiredly as I stalked toward the door. Opening it slowly, I found Trey's light to be on in his room, the light seeping into the dark common room from under his door. I silently walked forward and knocked on his door. At first nothing happened, so I knocked again. "Trey?" I called softly. "You up?" I heard footsteps as they moved toward the door, and then the door was open, Trey rubbing at his eyes as he looked at me. I frowned. "Were you sleeping?"

He laughed softly. "Sleep? At a time like this? No." he sighed and moved back into the room. "Come in, Shadow." I had told him my name, but he continued to call me Shadow. I didn't mind; I'd never really had a nickname before, and I kind of liked this one. He yawned and sat down on his bed as I slowly entered the room. I peered around curiously, as I had never been in his room before. His walls were a reddish-orange color, his floor was wooden like mine, and h is comforter was a deep red color, as were his sheets and pillow cases. On his bedside table was a small lamp, the light dim and faded. Scattered on his bed were papers, and he began to place them into a pile, yawning again as he did so. I frowned at him and sat down next to him on the bed. "So what's on your mind?" he asked as he put the papers on his bedside table.

"...Where were you?" I asked. "When did you get back?" He sighed and didn't answer. "...Trey?" I asked softly, and he looked at the floor.

"I was out...I had something to do. I got back about an hour ago. I should be here tomorrow night, though, but I'm not sure."

"...Where do you go?" I asked. "Why do you have to go?" I didn't want him to think that I was intruding into his business, but I was curious, and slightly worried. Exactly how much sleep was he getting? He seemed tired. "Why do you leave all of the time?"

He frowned for a moment, chewing on his lower lip, and I feared he wouldn't answer. Then he whispered softly, "I leave because...I have to. I go...anywhere, I guess." he laughed slowly. "But I guess it doesn't matter where you go...they watch you everywhere, they watch every move you make." I frowned, but he continued. "They can hear us...they can see us...it doesn't really matter what we do, does it? Just don't let them catch you...those they catch never come back..." he sighed and closed his eyes. "But it doesn't matter. Anyway, I should be here tomorrow."

"...Trey...I don't understand..." I murmured, trying to make sense out of what he had said. "What do you mean? They watch us? Who? What are you talking about?"

He waved his hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter," he said with a shrug, and got to his feet. "You shouldn't have to worry about...at least not right now. I-" he was about to continue, when there was suddenly a knock at the dorm door. He frowned and slowly walked out of the room, and I followed after him, wondering what was going on. He pulled the dorm door open and a male stood there, eyes wide, out of breath, his chest heaving as he breathed. He slumped forward, his legs giving way, and Trey caught him. The male gripped at Trey frantically, and Trey frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

"...T...They caught us..." mumbled the male, and Trey went stiff. "They..." the male trailed off, breathing heavily, and I stared in horror as blood began to drip onto the floor. Trey gently lowered the male to the floor, making sure not to hurt him. The male grasped at Trey as he moved away.

"Shh, I'll be right back," said Trey as he shut the door. The male was inside the dorm room now, slumped on the floor, breathing heavily. Trey left the room for a minute and came back with a small first aid kit. "How hurt are you?" he whispered, kneeling next to the male. I watched in fear from the other side of the room as Trey carefully and swiftly cut the male's shirt off, revealing a battered stomach and ribs. Wincing, Trey let out a curse beneath his breath and went to work on cleaning the male's wounds. I slowly slinked forward and knelt down beside him. "Shadow?" he asked, and I looked at him. His face was expressionless as he worked. "I'm going to put him in my bed so he can rest. I'm going out for a little while. Lock the door and stay quiet, and don't let anyone in unless you know it's me." he got to his feet after he had bandaged the male, and gently hauled the male to his feet. The male stared at me in confusion for a moment, and then sighed.

"Roomate," he said. "You're...his roomate..."

I nodded. "I'm Samson."

"...I'm...Dave..." he whispered painfully, his green eyes slipping closed. Trey frowned and led Dave to his room. I followed after him and watched as he placed Dave onto his bed and then moved back to the door, where he paused to look at me.

"Stay here," he said quietly. "Remember what I told you." he sighed and then turned and left the room. I frowned for a moment, and then raced after him.

"Wait!" I said. He paused at the door and looked back at me. I stopped in front of him and asked, "What's going on?"

"...I don't know," he said softly. "But just do as I say...something's not right here. I should be back in a little bit. If the sun comes up and I'm not back, then start planning an escape from this place."

"...If you're not back when the sun comes up..." I whispered. "Then you'll be back later...right?" For a moment he didn't answer, and I closed my eyes.

"If I'm not back by sunrise," he said again, his voice softer this time as he looked away. "Then I won't be coming back. Remember what I said." he turned to leave the room, but I gripped his sleeve, forcing him back.

"Don't go," I said. "I don't know what's going on...but I don't like what you're telling me..."

"I know you don't..." he whispered. "But I have to go. There were more with him, Shadow. I have to find them." he turned and yanked out of my grasp as he left the dorm, shutting the door behind him. I stared at the door for a moment, thoughts racing around in my mind, and then sighed, turning away and heading back to Trey's room. Dave seemed to be out of it, but I wanted answers. I walked toward him and peered down at him for a moment, and then his eyes opened, focusing on me as he took in a small breath.

"What happened?" I asked softly. "Where's Trey going?"

His eyes widened. "Stop him..." he gasped.

I frowned. "Why? What's going on?" I whispered, my heart racing. What was Trey walking into? Did he know? "What's going on, Dave? You have to tell me..."

"...Ambush..." he whispered, his eyes closing. "They...ambushed us...I got away...I'm not sure...if the others did. Trey...they'll get him..." he winced. "Stop him..."

I frowned. "But he already left..."

"...Then he's gone..." he said quietly, his voice defeated. "Then there's no hope..."

"...He's not gone," I said, my eyes wide. "He's okay, he'll be back soon."

"...How can you be so sure?" he paused, and then nodded slowly. "You're right; he'll come back. He's...smart..." he let out a breath and then went silent. I frowned at him for a moment, and then went to the common room, pacing back and forth, mumbling to myself under my breath. What if Trey didn't come back? What if I was left alone? What was going on? I sighed and shook my head; I couldn't dwell on that right now.

Hours came and went, and it grew light out. I was sitting on the ground, my heart racing around wildly in my chest. Where was Trey? Why wasn't he back yet? I took in a shaky breath and watched the door for a moment, and then glanced at the window at the brightening sky. It was nearly sunrise...where was he? He had to come back; he just had to. I couldn't be left alone in this crazy school, left alone with Dave. He had to come back...because I had no idea what I was doing, or what I would do if I was left alone. "Trey..." I whispered, my heart going wild. "Where are you?" I suddenly heard a knocking at the door, and I froze, my heart skipping a beat as it jumped up into my throat. I gazed at the door silently, my face paling, my eyes wide. Who was it? Trey? Some other person? I wasn't sure.

The knocking came again, louder, and I flinched. Whoever it was, they knew I was in here. I slowly got to my feet.