Post by Firsttimewriter on Jul 18, 2018 14:13:23 GMT -5
(Chapter 1)
I stare out the window as we rattle down the unused road. We aren't in Pennsylvania anymore. That's for sure. The forest has changed. I know we are much further south. There are increasing patches of the sand and the trees are looking more dry and brittle. I'm glad there's woods. I always loved the woods. It always feels so safe... peaceful. I don't feel safe all that often. Out there I can forget the world for a little while, inhale nature and pretend I'm the only person in the world. That would suit me just fine. If I've learned one thing in the past seventeen years of my life is that people are not to be counted on. They offer superficial smiles and then went you start to trust in them, they fail you. I'm startled when the scenery is broken. A twelve foot tall chain link fence topped with menacing razor wire slices through the forest. The forest is cut back ten to twenty feet away on both sides of the fence. I don't like this obtrusion on nature. The element of man scarring the undergrowth. The fence makes me nervous.
"This isn't one of those crazy military schools for troubled youths is it?" I ask the woman driving the car.
She glances sideways at me, and smiles. "Don't be silly. The fence is for security and protection. You saw the brochures. Did it look like an unhappy military school to you?"
I shake my head, but glance at her, untrusting. I guess I look at most people that way. I applied to this school myself though, no one forced me. The brochures did look amazing. There were pictures of dances, and sports with smiling kids. There was gym equipment, amazing food and best of all a paintball tournament. It was a fancy private school. It looked like a place that only kids with rich parents could get into. Honestly I'm surprised they would take someone like me... a nobody. A girl that changed foster homes and schools more than thirty times since I was five. A girl who got into too many fights, and was never in one place long enough to bring her grades past a 'C'. The only reason I got in was part of some outreach program for foster kids. It was a private school. I nearly jumped at the chance to get out of foster care and get some schooling where the rooms weren't sweltering hot or freezing cold, a place where teachers cared that you just got there and need to catch up a little first... A place where drugs weren't passed around in the back of the classroom and kids brought knives to school.
I change my focus from the passing woods to my reflection in the glass. I see a rather average looking girl stare back at me, her gaze is soft but there's still a glint of fire hardened steel deep behind the eyes. An odd color, sometimes they appear emerald green and other times they turn a gold color that matches my hair. I keep my hair fairly short, never longer than shoulder length. Having my loose dirty blonde curls fall any longer is too much trouble to take care of. My cheek bones aren't overly high, allowing my face a slightly rounder shape but they still show under my skin, giving my face shape. My lips are full, my nose is just a little too big and my teeth, although white aren't perfect. I have one tooth next to my front ones that didn't grow to full size and is about half the size of my other teeth. My complexion is fair and nearly unmarred but for a few unnoticeable marks left from childhood pimples. The one thing I've got going for me is my body. I've always been athletic and I work out when I get the chance. My arms and legs are toned with muscle. My stomach is flat with the promise of abdominals showing with just a little more work. While I'm lean, I'm also solid. I weigh about twenty pounds more than I look, and it's not fat. My chest and shoulders are broad and strong for a girl, and the bit of body fat I do have is in the right places, bringing a woman's curves to an otherwise lean body. I'm grateful for this because otherwise I'd probably look rather boyish, as I did when I was younger.
I offer myself a friendly smile, testing it out. I wanted to fit in in this place. I'd actually be able to play sports, and make friends. No more moving around ever few months. I was looking forward to a place where I wouldn't have to fight. I wouldn't have to watch my back or tuck myself into corners when a violent bunch of teens passed. I'd be able to bring my grades up too. I'm sure of that. I don't really have trouble with schoolwork. I actually kind of like it. I'd say I'm above average for figuring things out, and oddly enough whenever I'd move, I would regret leaving the work. I guess since I've never really been in one place long enough to sink into the rhythm of learning, it was something that appealed to me. Another normal thing I was unable to do because of my situation.
My thoughts are broken by another fence cutting through the forest at least two miles from the other one. Or really, I should say wall... Huge wall. It was probably fourteen feet tall and five feet wide. Solid stone blocks mortared in place gave the imposing impression of great strength. The gates were black metal vertical bars. They were surprisingly thick and fit right in with the wall, they almost scraped the pavement, they were so close to the ground. They added to the intimidation of the walls. Why did they need two barriers? They slid open smoothly and closed swiftly behind us as we drove through, as had the first gate set into the barbed wire fence. There were no guard stations, only cameras. I couldn't help but feel a sense of being trapped as the gate clanked shut with finality behind us. I have to stop being so paranoid. This is a fancy private school. I'm here by choice. If I choose to leave, I can. Furthermore, I do not intend to leave, not by choice, not by force. I will fit in. I will not get into any fights, not this time. Too much is at stake here. I won't do anything to get kicked out.
I'm surprised to notice that we are still not at the school. This place must be immense. We're still driving through the forest. The trees are large and sturdy limbed and the forest floor is covered with soft mosses and brown needles fallen from the pines. I lower the window and inhale the scent. The pines smell strongly, clean and fresh. I can imagine myself lying against them, finishing a math assignment or reading a novel outdoors. The wind makes a waffling sound as it hits my open window but I can still hear the breeze gently stirring the treetops. Birds sing and squirrels chatter as we drive by. The trees are closer to the road now and pine needles are scattered here as well. Finally the trees part and I see the school ground. I can't help but smile when I see the huge open expanse in front of me, and it is huge. I'm a little disappointed there are no students out running around, they must be in class. There are fields scattered everywhere. Places for any kind of sport imaginable. Baseball, football, track and field, basketball, tennis, volleyball... My grin widens as I begin to make out, farther off, a paint ball field, complete with trenches, bunkers, a fake town and artificial city blocks. I even see a huge military style obstacle course. Oh yeah. I'm gonna love this place.
"You'll get to do all of them." The woman smiles at me. She must have seen me grinning, half out of the window.
"Really? So there's not just teams you have to try out for?" I ask, unable to hide the eagerness in my voice.
"You'll be pleased to know that physical activities make up about half of the class time here, and much of the leisure time."
"That's awesome!" I really can't hide the excitement now. Although that comment does strike me as kind of odd.
I'm suddenly struck speechless as we pull up to the school building. It is much like the wall, stone, immense and a little foreboding. Students line the windows, eager to see the new arrival. Eager to greet me? I hope so. The place almost looks like a castle, solid, enormous. It's more than I could have imagined. More than I could have hoped for. The car brakes gently and we're in front of the large front double doors. The woman puts the vehicle in park and reaches down to a folder beside her.
"These are your transfer papers and your file. When you go inside Vicky will meet you. She'll be waiting. You can give her these and then she give you the orientation and the tour." She gives me a kind smile. "You're going to do great here."
I take the papers and return her smile, my suspicion melted away. "Thanks. I really hope so."
She starts the engine.
"You're not coming in?" I ask her.
"No, my dear. I've got to go. But, you'll do fine, Vicky's waiting." With no further adieu, the window rolls up and the vehicle rolls away.
I take a deep breath, exhale and start towards the stone steps that lead up to the doors. I glance at the windows and am surprised to see most of the students gesturing wildly at me, pointing to the car that's swiftly driving away. I turn to the departing car confused. Do they want me to chase after it or something? Unease rises within me, then settles. Don't assume the worst. I don't know what they're saying. They might even just be playing a joke. Freak out the new kid, who knows? These thoughts steady me and I move stolidly for the doors. They, although looking heavy, open smoothly with a gentle pull. I'm almost knocked over as a tall wirey guy bursts past me. I regain my balance and turn and stare as he sprints full out down the road, the way the car went. What is he doing? There's no way he can catch that car. Why is he running? I bend down to pick up my folder which was knocked from my grasp. As I try and scoop the papers back in place I can't help but notice the stark whitness of the sheets. They're blank. Aside from my name on the folder there is absolutely no information whatsoever. I stare at the blank pages for a second and glance at the boy sprinting down the road, already just a dot from the distance. My uneasiness is returning with a vengeance. Something is off here. I look up and see a girl my age walking towards the door. I quickly slide the papers back in place and walk inside.
She extends her hand towards me and offers a too big to be true smile. "Hi! you must be the new student. I'm Vicky."
I'm a bit thrown from the events of the past sixty seconds, and I find it odd that a teen wants to shake my hand. When I don't react immediately she seizes my hand and shakes it warmly, still with that scary wide smile on her face, teeth perfect and shiny white and her black hair tucked neatly back in a pony tail. Her brown eyes look dark against her pale complexion, darkened even more by immaculately done makeup. She looks shiny and fake to me. I find myself immediately distrusting her.
"I'm going to handle the grand tour of this place," she says with her toothy smile. "I do all the orientations here. May I please have your folder?"
I hand her the folder filled with blank paper. I say nothing and try to keep my features wiped clean. I know that the folder is empty, but I'm not about to divulge what I know. If there's one thing I learned fast in my life, it's the value of silent observation. Being alert to your surroundings can save your life in some places. It's often best, also, if people are not aware of how much you know and observe. She flips it open and turns a couple of pages, studying it like it means something. Fake, faking, faker. I keep my face inscrutable as she looks back up, still smiling.
"Ok. Perfect. Everything looks good here. Could you please follow me to the office?" She reaches for my hand.
I try not to hesitate and bring it forward. She again seizes it and begins pulling me along, chattering excitedly about how much I'm going to like it here. I try to hold on to the hope that what she says is true. That I will like it here. But I can't. I've been here no more than a couple minutes and already someone is lying to my face. I look around as she tugs me along down the hallway. Still chattering like a child with a sugar rush. Her steps are bouncy and I get the impression that she's barely suppressing the urge to skip along, singing some kind of school anthem. I'm relieved to come to a door that says main office on the glass. At least she didn't lie about that... As we walk up to it, I hear a buzz and a click. The door has some kind of automatic lock, but she didn't have to press any button to open it and I can see no one indoors. She pushes it open and I hesitate to follow, but she tugs me forwards again and I guess I don't have a lot of choice at this point. The door clicks shut behind us and I'm certain it just locked again.
I'm surprised to see that the office is empty. Furthermore, it's tiny, which seems very out of place in this gigantic school. There is what looks like a secretary's desk topped with paperwork and a humming computer. There is only one door in the office and as I'm pulled towards it I hear another hum and a click. Great. If this is any indication, all the doors have automatic locks in this place. But since there's no button or code Vicky must have a card key or something... That should prove easy enough to steal if I had to. I catch myself planning escape paths again. I do that a lot. It's probably paranoid of me to do that all the time, but I can't really help it. Even driving to the school I was trying to think how I could get out of the vehicle. Wait 'till she slowed down for a corner maybe and jump, tuck and roll and make a dash for the woods. I didn't intend to do that of course. I was just thinking hypothetically again. But it has also come in handy sometimes. If a brawl starts in the cafeteria or you find yourself walking towards a street gang suddenly... those escape plans can make a big difference.
I realize suddenly that I've started to tune out Vicky, which really isn't a good idea since I'm trying to gather information... Not that I can really trust anything she's saying anyways. I didn't miss much by the sound of it. She's still talking about all the activities and things available in this prison... school I mean. I still can't shake this feeling. A feeling of being trapped... A feeling that I've felt far too often in my life... A sixth sense that has helped me to avoid disastrous circumstances in the past, a sense that may have saved my life a few times over. Fact: The best thing you can do to protect yourself is not to learn martial arts, become a street fighting master or start packing heat. The most important thing is to be aware of your environment and surroundings and to avoid trouble before it starts. Take precautions. Don't travel alone, and stay out of high crime areas, especially if your a 5'4 innocent looking blonde girl. Unfortunately, if your someone like me, you can't always avoid these situations. I've spent most of my life in the 'bad' neighborhoods. You keep to yourself, try to find people who'll watch your back, learn to defend yourself and run like hell when you've got to. Right now my 'run like hell' alarm is blaring through my entire bone structure. Every nerve ending is burning with the electricity and setting up my entire body for fight or flight. I breathe deeply and look at the object that Vicky is offering me.
"You will need it to access your room and your classes. It's pretty cool huh? It's chip is specific to you and can't be removed from your watch. This security feature prevents anyone from switching and gaining access to your room without your permission. The watch cannot be removed either," she explained.
I glanced at the watch. It was black with red accents. It was digital with a light up display. It was a slightly feminine style with a smaller watch face. I'm surprised it's not hot pink or a garish purple. "What else does it do?" I ask, seemingly unconcernedly.
Vicky hesitates for a brief second before she answers and I see a flash of something cross her face but it's gone before I can identify it. Another skill I've learned through my life thanks again to my less that privileged childhood is to trust more on what shows on a person's face rather in the words they choose to share with you.
"Uh, well of course it also tells the time, it also has a stopwatch function, alarm setting and a lighted lcd display," she parrots in her 'I've said this line a million times' voice.
"Cool, anything else?" I ask innocently enough. I smile at her as I say it, but my eyes are scanning every inch of her flawlessly made up face, waiting for the slightest flinch or microexpression. I see her go through suspicion, fear and confidence within less than a second before she goes back to her well used tour guide expression.
"Well, it also has a security function."
"Mmmm hmm, that being...?" I inquire.
"If any of us are removed from the grounds against our will, you can be found again thanks to this versatile piece of technology," she says with a smile, obviously relieved that she could come up with such a reassuring statement.
I return her smile. "What if we leave of our own volition?"
She stammers, caught of guard and openly reluctant about what she is saying. "I-I um, well, uh, we aren't supposed to leave the school grounds without permission."
"Aren't supposed to, or are unable to, Vicky?"
"Isn't that the same thing?" she retorts.
"I'd like to speak with the principle or headmaster or whoever's in charge here."
"We don't have anyone like that."
"Fine. I'd like to speak to the nearest adult then. Immediately."
"There are no adults here. You see..."
Bullshit. I can't believe a word this girl's saying so I decide to lay out my cards, tell her what I know and hope to shock more information out of her. Hopefully I'll leave her thinking I know more than I actually do. I cut her off. "Welcome to Castlefield private school, where there is no adult supervision, by the way you can't escape. Here's your tracking device, you will love it here," I say with a mocking tone, "Cut the tour guide bullshit, Vicky. Or do you need to consult my blank folder again? I don't think I'd like to accept that watch, and as a matter of fact, I don't think I'd like to accept the invitation to receive schooling here." I'm gratified to see the shock appear on her face.
"B-but you can't leave! You're already here."
"Watch me." I say coldly.
I stare out the window as we rattle down the unused road. We aren't in Pennsylvania anymore. That's for sure. The forest has changed. I know we are much further south. There are increasing patches of the sand and the trees are looking more dry and brittle. I'm glad there's woods. I always loved the woods. It always feels so safe... peaceful. I don't feel safe all that often. Out there I can forget the world for a little while, inhale nature and pretend I'm the only person in the world. That would suit me just fine. If I've learned one thing in the past seventeen years of my life is that people are not to be counted on. They offer superficial smiles and then went you start to trust in them, they fail you. I'm startled when the scenery is broken. A twelve foot tall chain link fence topped with menacing razor wire slices through the forest. The forest is cut back ten to twenty feet away on both sides of the fence. I don't like this obtrusion on nature. The element of man scarring the undergrowth. The fence makes me nervous.
"This isn't one of those crazy military schools for troubled youths is it?" I ask the woman driving the car.
She glances sideways at me, and smiles. "Don't be silly. The fence is for security and protection. You saw the brochures. Did it look like an unhappy military school to you?"
I shake my head, but glance at her, untrusting. I guess I look at most people that way. I applied to this school myself though, no one forced me. The brochures did look amazing. There were pictures of dances, and sports with smiling kids. There was gym equipment, amazing food and best of all a paintball tournament. It was a fancy private school. It looked like a place that only kids with rich parents could get into. Honestly I'm surprised they would take someone like me... a nobody. A girl that changed foster homes and schools more than thirty times since I was five. A girl who got into too many fights, and was never in one place long enough to bring her grades past a 'C'. The only reason I got in was part of some outreach program for foster kids. It was a private school. I nearly jumped at the chance to get out of foster care and get some schooling where the rooms weren't sweltering hot or freezing cold, a place where teachers cared that you just got there and need to catch up a little first... A place where drugs weren't passed around in the back of the classroom and kids brought knives to school.
I change my focus from the passing woods to my reflection in the glass. I see a rather average looking girl stare back at me, her gaze is soft but there's still a glint of fire hardened steel deep behind the eyes. An odd color, sometimes they appear emerald green and other times they turn a gold color that matches my hair. I keep my hair fairly short, never longer than shoulder length. Having my loose dirty blonde curls fall any longer is too much trouble to take care of. My cheek bones aren't overly high, allowing my face a slightly rounder shape but they still show under my skin, giving my face shape. My lips are full, my nose is just a little too big and my teeth, although white aren't perfect. I have one tooth next to my front ones that didn't grow to full size and is about half the size of my other teeth. My complexion is fair and nearly unmarred but for a few unnoticeable marks left from childhood pimples. The one thing I've got going for me is my body. I've always been athletic and I work out when I get the chance. My arms and legs are toned with muscle. My stomach is flat with the promise of abdominals showing with just a little more work. While I'm lean, I'm also solid. I weigh about twenty pounds more than I look, and it's not fat. My chest and shoulders are broad and strong for a girl, and the bit of body fat I do have is in the right places, bringing a woman's curves to an otherwise lean body. I'm grateful for this because otherwise I'd probably look rather boyish, as I did when I was younger.
I offer myself a friendly smile, testing it out. I wanted to fit in in this place. I'd actually be able to play sports, and make friends. No more moving around ever few months. I was looking forward to a place where I wouldn't have to fight. I wouldn't have to watch my back or tuck myself into corners when a violent bunch of teens passed. I'd be able to bring my grades up too. I'm sure of that. I don't really have trouble with schoolwork. I actually kind of like it. I'd say I'm above average for figuring things out, and oddly enough whenever I'd move, I would regret leaving the work. I guess since I've never really been in one place long enough to sink into the rhythm of learning, it was something that appealed to me. Another normal thing I was unable to do because of my situation.
My thoughts are broken by another fence cutting through the forest at least two miles from the other one. Or really, I should say wall... Huge wall. It was probably fourteen feet tall and five feet wide. Solid stone blocks mortared in place gave the imposing impression of great strength. The gates were black metal vertical bars. They were surprisingly thick and fit right in with the wall, they almost scraped the pavement, they were so close to the ground. They added to the intimidation of the walls. Why did they need two barriers? They slid open smoothly and closed swiftly behind us as we drove through, as had the first gate set into the barbed wire fence. There were no guard stations, only cameras. I couldn't help but feel a sense of being trapped as the gate clanked shut with finality behind us. I have to stop being so paranoid. This is a fancy private school. I'm here by choice. If I choose to leave, I can. Furthermore, I do not intend to leave, not by choice, not by force. I will fit in. I will not get into any fights, not this time. Too much is at stake here. I won't do anything to get kicked out.
I'm surprised to notice that we are still not at the school. This place must be immense. We're still driving through the forest. The trees are large and sturdy limbed and the forest floor is covered with soft mosses and brown needles fallen from the pines. I lower the window and inhale the scent. The pines smell strongly, clean and fresh. I can imagine myself lying against them, finishing a math assignment or reading a novel outdoors. The wind makes a waffling sound as it hits my open window but I can still hear the breeze gently stirring the treetops. Birds sing and squirrels chatter as we drive by. The trees are closer to the road now and pine needles are scattered here as well. Finally the trees part and I see the school ground. I can't help but smile when I see the huge open expanse in front of me, and it is huge. I'm a little disappointed there are no students out running around, they must be in class. There are fields scattered everywhere. Places for any kind of sport imaginable. Baseball, football, track and field, basketball, tennis, volleyball... My grin widens as I begin to make out, farther off, a paint ball field, complete with trenches, bunkers, a fake town and artificial city blocks. I even see a huge military style obstacle course. Oh yeah. I'm gonna love this place.
"You'll get to do all of them." The woman smiles at me. She must have seen me grinning, half out of the window.
"Really? So there's not just teams you have to try out for?" I ask, unable to hide the eagerness in my voice.
"You'll be pleased to know that physical activities make up about half of the class time here, and much of the leisure time."
"That's awesome!" I really can't hide the excitement now. Although that comment does strike me as kind of odd.
I'm suddenly struck speechless as we pull up to the school building. It is much like the wall, stone, immense and a little foreboding. Students line the windows, eager to see the new arrival. Eager to greet me? I hope so. The place almost looks like a castle, solid, enormous. It's more than I could have imagined. More than I could have hoped for. The car brakes gently and we're in front of the large front double doors. The woman puts the vehicle in park and reaches down to a folder beside her.
"These are your transfer papers and your file. When you go inside Vicky will meet you. She'll be waiting. You can give her these and then she give you the orientation and the tour." She gives me a kind smile. "You're going to do great here."
I take the papers and return her smile, my suspicion melted away. "Thanks. I really hope so."
She starts the engine.
"You're not coming in?" I ask her.
"No, my dear. I've got to go. But, you'll do fine, Vicky's waiting." With no further adieu, the window rolls up and the vehicle rolls away.
I take a deep breath, exhale and start towards the stone steps that lead up to the doors. I glance at the windows and am surprised to see most of the students gesturing wildly at me, pointing to the car that's swiftly driving away. I turn to the departing car confused. Do they want me to chase after it or something? Unease rises within me, then settles. Don't assume the worst. I don't know what they're saying. They might even just be playing a joke. Freak out the new kid, who knows? These thoughts steady me and I move stolidly for the doors. They, although looking heavy, open smoothly with a gentle pull. I'm almost knocked over as a tall wirey guy bursts past me. I regain my balance and turn and stare as he sprints full out down the road, the way the car went. What is he doing? There's no way he can catch that car. Why is he running? I bend down to pick up my folder which was knocked from my grasp. As I try and scoop the papers back in place I can't help but notice the stark whitness of the sheets. They're blank. Aside from my name on the folder there is absolutely no information whatsoever. I stare at the blank pages for a second and glance at the boy sprinting down the road, already just a dot from the distance. My uneasiness is returning with a vengeance. Something is off here. I look up and see a girl my age walking towards the door. I quickly slide the papers back in place and walk inside.
She extends her hand towards me and offers a too big to be true smile. "Hi! you must be the new student. I'm Vicky."
I'm a bit thrown from the events of the past sixty seconds, and I find it odd that a teen wants to shake my hand. When I don't react immediately she seizes my hand and shakes it warmly, still with that scary wide smile on her face, teeth perfect and shiny white and her black hair tucked neatly back in a pony tail. Her brown eyes look dark against her pale complexion, darkened even more by immaculately done makeup. She looks shiny and fake to me. I find myself immediately distrusting her.
"I'm going to handle the grand tour of this place," she says with her toothy smile. "I do all the orientations here. May I please have your folder?"
I hand her the folder filled with blank paper. I say nothing and try to keep my features wiped clean. I know that the folder is empty, but I'm not about to divulge what I know. If there's one thing I learned fast in my life, it's the value of silent observation. Being alert to your surroundings can save your life in some places. It's often best, also, if people are not aware of how much you know and observe. She flips it open and turns a couple of pages, studying it like it means something. Fake, faking, faker. I keep my face inscrutable as she looks back up, still smiling.
"Ok. Perfect. Everything looks good here. Could you please follow me to the office?" She reaches for my hand.
I try not to hesitate and bring it forward. She again seizes it and begins pulling me along, chattering excitedly about how much I'm going to like it here. I try to hold on to the hope that what she says is true. That I will like it here. But I can't. I've been here no more than a couple minutes and already someone is lying to my face. I look around as she tugs me along down the hallway. Still chattering like a child with a sugar rush. Her steps are bouncy and I get the impression that she's barely suppressing the urge to skip along, singing some kind of school anthem. I'm relieved to come to a door that says main office on the glass. At least she didn't lie about that... As we walk up to it, I hear a buzz and a click. The door has some kind of automatic lock, but she didn't have to press any button to open it and I can see no one indoors. She pushes it open and I hesitate to follow, but she tugs me forwards again and I guess I don't have a lot of choice at this point. The door clicks shut behind us and I'm certain it just locked again.
I'm surprised to see that the office is empty. Furthermore, it's tiny, which seems very out of place in this gigantic school. There is what looks like a secretary's desk topped with paperwork and a humming computer. There is only one door in the office and as I'm pulled towards it I hear another hum and a click. Great. If this is any indication, all the doors have automatic locks in this place. But since there's no button or code Vicky must have a card key or something... That should prove easy enough to steal if I had to. I catch myself planning escape paths again. I do that a lot. It's probably paranoid of me to do that all the time, but I can't really help it. Even driving to the school I was trying to think how I could get out of the vehicle. Wait 'till she slowed down for a corner maybe and jump, tuck and roll and make a dash for the woods. I didn't intend to do that of course. I was just thinking hypothetically again. But it has also come in handy sometimes. If a brawl starts in the cafeteria or you find yourself walking towards a street gang suddenly... those escape plans can make a big difference.
I realize suddenly that I've started to tune out Vicky, which really isn't a good idea since I'm trying to gather information... Not that I can really trust anything she's saying anyways. I didn't miss much by the sound of it. She's still talking about all the activities and things available in this prison... school I mean. I still can't shake this feeling. A feeling of being trapped... A feeling that I've felt far too often in my life... A sixth sense that has helped me to avoid disastrous circumstances in the past, a sense that may have saved my life a few times over. Fact: The best thing you can do to protect yourself is not to learn martial arts, become a street fighting master or start packing heat. The most important thing is to be aware of your environment and surroundings and to avoid trouble before it starts. Take precautions. Don't travel alone, and stay out of high crime areas, especially if your a 5'4 innocent looking blonde girl. Unfortunately, if your someone like me, you can't always avoid these situations. I've spent most of my life in the 'bad' neighborhoods. You keep to yourself, try to find people who'll watch your back, learn to defend yourself and run like hell when you've got to. Right now my 'run like hell' alarm is blaring through my entire bone structure. Every nerve ending is burning with the electricity and setting up my entire body for fight or flight. I breathe deeply and look at the object that Vicky is offering me.
"You will need it to access your room and your classes. It's pretty cool huh? It's chip is specific to you and can't be removed from your watch. This security feature prevents anyone from switching and gaining access to your room without your permission. The watch cannot be removed either," she explained.
I glanced at the watch. It was black with red accents. It was digital with a light up display. It was a slightly feminine style with a smaller watch face. I'm surprised it's not hot pink or a garish purple. "What else does it do?" I ask, seemingly unconcernedly.
Vicky hesitates for a brief second before she answers and I see a flash of something cross her face but it's gone before I can identify it. Another skill I've learned through my life thanks again to my less that privileged childhood is to trust more on what shows on a person's face rather in the words they choose to share with you.
"Uh, well of course it also tells the time, it also has a stopwatch function, alarm setting and a lighted lcd display," she parrots in her 'I've said this line a million times' voice.
"Cool, anything else?" I ask innocently enough. I smile at her as I say it, but my eyes are scanning every inch of her flawlessly made up face, waiting for the slightest flinch or microexpression. I see her go through suspicion, fear and confidence within less than a second before she goes back to her well used tour guide expression.
"Well, it also has a security function."
"Mmmm hmm, that being...?" I inquire.
"If any of us are removed from the grounds against our will, you can be found again thanks to this versatile piece of technology," she says with a smile, obviously relieved that she could come up with such a reassuring statement.
I return her smile. "What if we leave of our own volition?"
She stammers, caught of guard and openly reluctant about what she is saying. "I-I um, well, uh, we aren't supposed to leave the school grounds without permission."
"Aren't supposed to, or are unable to, Vicky?"
"Isn't that the same thing?" she retorts.
"I'd like to speak with the principle or headmaster or whoever's in charge here."
"We don't have anyone like that."
"Fine. I'd like to speak to the nearest adult then. Immediately."
"There are no adults here. You see..."
Bullshit. I can't believe a word this girl's saying so I decide to lay out my cards, tell her what I know and hope to shock more information out of her. Hopefully I'll leave her thinking I know more than I actually do. I cut her off. "Welcome to Castlefield private school, where there is no adult supervision, by the way you can't escape. Here's your tracking device, you will love it here," I say with a mocking tone, "Cut the tour guide bullshit, Vicky. Or do you need to consult my blank folder again? I don't think I'd like to accept that watch, and as a matter of fact, I don't think I'd like to accept the invitation to receive schooling here." I'm gratified to see the shock appear on her face.
"B-but you can't leave! You're already here."
"Watch me." I say coldly.