I grabbed Liam’s arm. I’ve never been in danger before. Then again, I’ve never been stupid enough to follow a boy I just met into a mysterious lab.

The woman walked to the side of the room to a large red button. And, of course, she pressed it. Immediately, alarms began to wail and the doors to the lab started to close from the top.

“Run!” I whispered. We ran. We had to slide under the door, and for a moment I thought I would be crushed. We invisibly ran down the hall. We had to press ourselves against the wall when a dozen armed guards stormed down the hallway. I didn’t know where Liam was.
“Liam?” I said quietly. Had he left me? Did he know if he left me? Right when I was about to panic, an invisible hand grabbed mine and pulled me down the hall. We turned sharp corners and avoided guards and evil ladies. 

“We’re on floor two!” Liam whispered. “We need to be on floor three to get out the window!” We ran down another hallway (seriously, all these hallways and white rooms were starting to really give me the ‘evil lab’ vibe). We accidently ran into the lobby, and thank God we were invisible, because standing right there not four feet away from us were the three headmistresses themselves. We stopped so fast, I swear we left skid marks. 

“But will it be ready in time?” Violet was saying to another tight-bunned lady. “The students are beginning to complain about our lack of normal schoolwork.”

“Vut is wrong with them?” Nova screeched. “Zey don’t like schoolwork, but ven we give zem uzzer subjects, zey complain!”
“Hush, Nova.” Victoria said icily. “What we need is for the enhancer to be ready! If we do not find the one soon, they might find out about the prophecy!”

“Yes, please do tell us, Miss. Kinn, when will it be ready?” Violet said please, but her tone of voice said tell me or I’ll strangle you. 

“M-mistresses, please.” Miss Kinn straightened her glasses. “The enhancer must be made carefully to suit your abilities. It will be ready soon-”
“HOW SOON?” Violet exploded. “You said soon a week ago!”
“Miss, it will be ready soon! I don’t have control over that!” Miss Kinn said, terrified. 

“I am starting to wonder if my abilities are even accurate.” Victoria said. “I am sensing a child with abilities from both sides of the castle!” 

“I will make sure the enhancer is finished faster.” Miss Kinn said. “If you’ll excuse me-”

“VUT did you just say?” Nova raged. “If we will excuse you?!”
“Many apologies, madam!” Miss Kinn shrieked.
“May I show this woman how we may excuse her?!” Nova hissed.

“You may.” Violet said, checking her nails.

Nova’s hair began to steam, and she raised her hands. Miss Kinn screamed as she turned to stone. It wasn’t long before she was silent.

No one in the room looked horrified. They continued with their work like nothing had happened. Victoria and Violet barely even noticed the receptionist had been turned into a statue. Me, on the other hand, I was terrified and horrified and angry at the same time. I couldn’t see Liam’s face, but I’m sure he felt the same way. 

A few people came in and carried Miss Kinn the Statue out.

“Put her with the others.” One guy muttered.
I pulled Liam out of the room. We silently ran, deep in thought. We reached level three and climbed out the window.

I jumped from the tree to the snow. A whoomp and a hole appearing next to me told me that Liam had landed.

We walked through the freezing wind back to school.

“Well, that was . . . horrifying.” Liam’s voice said near me.

“If Nova could do that with her hands, I can’t imagine what the others can do.” I said.

“What do you think they meant, about the enhancer?” Liam asked.

“I don’t know. I think it will like, enhance their powers.” I wondered. “Earlier, before I followed you, I heard the headmistress talking about finding a student with abilities. They said something about that student defeating them. Because of a prophecy.”

“Okay, um, a prophecy.” Liam said, turning visible. I did the same. “Never heard that one before.” He said. I rolled my eyes. 

“What have you heard of? A magic spell to turn all humans into zombies?” I said sarcastically.

“Hey, I just barely stopped them.” Liam joked.

We climbed up the wall to get back inside. I looked out the window and saw Violet, Nova, and Victoria walking back. The cold didn’t seem to bother them. 

We walked back to the dance. When we entered the loud room, Liam went straight to the drink table.

“What are you doing?” I asked when Liam came over to me with a red drink.

“Do you like that dress?” He asked.

“What? No, not really, but what does that have to do with-ACK!” Liam splashed the drink on my dress.

“What are you doing?” I complained. 

“Hey, I thought of a whole plan.” Liam started. “The heads of school are gonna come back in and probably ask if we’ve been here the whole time. I’m pretty sure they can tell if you’re lying, so I’ll say you spilled punch on your dress, so we went to the bathroom to clean it up.”

“But that’s still lying.” I pointed out.
“Yeah, but it’s not a big lie.” Liam stood tall and looked over my head. “Okay, they have arrived, so act cool.”
“Please, I’m the definition of cool.” I muttered.

“Sure you are.” He said brightly. “Oh, hello, headmistresses!” 

“Enjoying yourselves?” Violet said.
“Oh yes.” Liam nodded enthusiastically. I almost slapped my hand on my forehead.

“I could’ve sworn I saw you leave.” Victoria said.

“Oh, yeah, that’s totally my fault.” Liam said. “I ran into Nat here and made her spill punch all over her favorite dress!”

“Yeah, that’s how we met, actually.” I added.

“And how does zat connect to you two leaving?” Nova asked.

“Because I walked her to the bathroom to clean it up-I didn’t go in, of course. Anyway she got most of it off, so we headed back over here.” Liam said.

“Mmhmm.” Violet raised an eyebrow. Liam nodded convincingly.

“Well, enjoy your night.” Victoria said, disappointed she didn’t have enough evidence to punish us. They stalked off.

Liam caught my eye and we burst out laughing. The first time I’ve laughed in months.