No, I wasn’t ready for Lysander to know that about me yet. I probably never would let him know that part of me. I was embarrassed by that person, but a part of me, a very significant part, wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. I didn’t regret the deaths of those men. In fact, I was pleased they were dead. Pleased the kids I’d rescued might someday have a chance to overcome it. Any chance of that was better than what they’d experienced at the hands of those evil men.
The following day was Sunday, and we got up early. Kaylee and Kyle joined us as we went with a group of mostly upperclassmen and women who were avid skiers.
I had never been skiing, having spent my entire childhood in the deserts of Arizona. I’d never even been to the mountains, so I had to learn on what they called the bunny hill.
Mostly I landed on my ass repeatedly, and we all laughed each time I fell down. I’d never had friends before. I’d never had anyone. But I felt the kinship between the twins, Lysander and myself growing like we were somehow meant to be friends.
I was utterly exhausted that night. We went to the lodge to return my skis and boots. I’d never made it past the bunny hill, but I could tell none of our group cared that much.
When Kyle brought us all cups of hot chocolate, I stared at the drinks, and before I could hide it, I was showing how emotional I was.
“Dude, it’s just hot cocoa,” Kyle scoffed.
I snorted, then sighed. “You know, I never had hot cocoa until a year ago. So, it probably has more meaning to me than it should.”
I kept my head lowered, willing the emotions to stabilize.
Kaylee reached over and put her hand on mine. “We all understand, Kaden. We weren’t judging. Kyle’s an ass, but even he gets how tough your past must’ve been for you.”
Kyle had just given his sister a hateful look when I looked up. But as his gaze returned to mine, I saw what she said was true. They all seemed able to empathize with me. I smiled, took my hot cocoa in hand, and lifted it. “Here’s to new friendships!”
“Hear! Hear!” the group said. We spent the rest of the day teasing each other, and by ten, we were all tired enough to turn in for the night.
That day would go down as one of the best days of my life.
Monday morning, we all headed out for class.
When I got to my first class, the same guards who used to watch over me were waiting at the classroom door.
“Really? Again?” I asked.
“Mr. Pierce, please come with us to the president’s office,” they said.
I had no choice but to follow. I’d swear this would never end. I knew from experience it did no good to ask them why I was going there. The men were experts at being assholes.
When I arrived, more guards were stationed inside. There was also a man dressed in an out-of-date, pin-striped suit. I was no expert on style or anything, but even I knew that suit went out of style before I was born. He was also half my height, bald on top, and the hair on the side of his head stuck out, giving him a distinctive Albert Einstein look.
“Mr. Pierce, thanks for joining us,” Dr. Aynesworth said and gestured toward a chair. I didn’t even have the energy to argue that I hadn’t been given a choice.
“Let’s get right to it. With Dr. Bisbee no longer able to supervise you here at the school, we no longer feel like the school is appropriate.” I sat up to argue when the president put his hand up to stop me.
“That said, I’ve promised Mr. Phillips not to have you removed. But we can’t have you in the school without someone who can manage your unique skills if there is ever a need to do so.”
Dr. Aynesworth turned toward the man. “Let me introduce you to Dr. Fagan. He was once on our faculty, but retired a few years ago. He’s agreed to come out of retirement to assist you in your studies.”
I looked at the man. “You mean to keep me under control.”
“Precisely,” Dr. Aynesworth said without missing a beat.
The older man stared at me, eventually making me squirm. “Do you know how long it would take you to destroy the school?” he asked.
I looked around the room.
“Huh?” I asked.
“Huh,” he repeated. “I see you’ve got lovely manners. We’ll work on that, but let me ask you again. Do you know how long it would take you to turn the school and every inhabitant to ash?”
I shook my head. “No, I haven’t considered it.”
