I reached the end of the path, which stopped at an area near the glass ceiling. I pushed some moss aside to reveal a keypad. Plugging in the code - 053389 - a panel popped open. I pulled the panel open all the way and slowly lowered myself down to the ladder attached to the inside wall. I started to climb down, locking the panel once I was low enough. Once I reached the ground, I turned, and saw Melissa standing near one of the tables, arms crossed. Maybe if I just walk away casually, she won’t notice me, I thought. Slowly, I started to walk towards the ramp. I needed to go back to headquarters to get my stuff. Not that I had any. I just wanted to go back. I started to slink away, trying to be as casual as I could. “Elias!” I turned slowly. “Hey,” I said, my voice trailing off. Melissa was still standing near the table, but her voice carried all the way across the base. “We’re going to wait for Nico, then we’re going up to Gold Team Headquarters. You’re going to have fifteen minutes inside, then I’m going to take you both before the leaders. We’re going to figure out what to do with you two.” I nodded. She seemed so solemn, completely different from when I was on Gold Team. Now, she seemed like I was a burden.
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I sat down at one of the tables, setting down my backpack. Was she mad at me? I hadn't meant to get kicked off the team. I hadn't meant for Nico to lose his spot, either. But I had. And there was a part of me that was terrified, because I knew at least some of what he'd said was true. There was no way I could know what he was experiencing. I had no clue what any of his secrets were. I laid down on the table, staring up at the glass ceiling. Why was I here? Why did the Elite choose me to be Reaper? Why was Mariah the one to start T.R.I.B.A.U.M.? Why did black goo that may or may not be part of me and may or may not be able to murder people come out of my hands? Why, why, why? I pressed my palms against my face, blocking out all the light, except for the small cracks between my fingers. I didn't have time for an existential crisis right now. I sat up, just in time to see Nico climb down the ladder.
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Melissa approached him with a grim expression. “Nico, we’re going up to Gold Team Headquarters. You’re going to have fifteen minutes inside, then I’m going to take you both before the leaders. We’re going to figure out what to do with you two.” Melissa said giving the same speech she gave me. Then we started walking towards the ramp. I looked at him, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes. I sighed and walked after Melissa, Nico taking up the rear. “Do you know what the leaders are going to do to us?” I asked him. He didn’t respond, brushing past me and walking even faster. Great.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJbD2lb4W9
