The fucking sacrifices I’m making for this task are unheard of. It’s a good job the stakes are worth it.
The longer the evidence is out there, the bigger the chance someone undesirable stumbles upon it. Whatever Hailey’s scribbling in her diary might be crucial.
The smallest detail could be the answer I need, even if she doesn’t know the question.
18
Hailey
Iraise my hand, pausing for a deep breath before I knock on the door. Dear Melinda glares at me from above her glasses, a clipboard hugged tight to her chest. She interrupted my morning class with an apologeticthe dean requests Miss Vaughn immediatelyaimed at the professor.
“Come in,” Harrison’s voice sounds from within her office.
She doesn’t sound annoyed, which I take as a good omen.
Dear Melinda stitched her mouth closed throughout our walk, but even though she hasn’t sharedwhyI’ve been summoned, I have my suspicions.
I hope I’m wrong. Maybe my father sent a messenger pigeon. Given how paranoid he’s getting by the day about our phone calls, I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried out such an antiquated method.
Pushing the door open, I step inside the office where warm sunlight seeps in through floor-length windows. On my last visit, the sun was hidden behind thick, gray clouds, leaving thespace shrouded in a dusky glow. Today, I squint, looking away from the windows as I close the heavy door behind me.
“You wanted to see me.” I adjust my bag, plodding across the room. “Is everything okay?”
“Not quite. Take a seat, Miss Vaughn.”
I slip into the chair facing Dr. Harrison, placing my bag over my knees, my usual confidence wavering. It’s been slowly ebbing away since I got here. Well, that’s not true. It’s been ebbing away since my memories started snowballing.
“You seem to have forgotten about the rules we discussed when you first arrived,” F starts, twisting a yellow pencil between her slender fingers. “I specifically remember mentioning the need for a permission slip if you ever wanted to leave the premises.”
“You did. You also claimed that rule applies to all students, which isn’t the case.”
A stern expression creases her lined face. “I must’ve misspoken. Let me rephrase. While there are rules that apply to all students, there are also rules put in place for the chosen few. Your father specifically requested that you remain on campus at all times. He trusts me to keep you safe, and your escapade put a dent in that trust.”
My first instinct is to apologize... it evaporates quickly, replaced by another swift kick in the gut.
Dad lied again.
Well... technically he made the dean lie, buttechnicalities. I grind my teeth, my trust in him and his words flaking further to leave a fog of questions.
Questions he won’t answer.
“How do you know I went off campus?” I ask, wiping my palms down my front. “There was no one at the gate.”
Harrison pinches her lips, dragging her laptop closer. She clicks a few buttons, then turns the screen my way, showingme a black and white still from the security footage. There I am, riding shotgun in Nash’s car as we pass the Lakeside boundary.
“Cameras,” I state, swallowing hard. “I would’ve appreciated knowing that my every move here is under surveillance.”
“It’s in your orientation guide. Page twenty under the headingCampus Security.” She inhales deeply, her tone turning almost motherly, though laden with authority.” Hailey... why did you feel the need to leave the grounds? Is there something we didn’t provide?”
“Stationery. My memories are returning and Dad thought writing them down could help.”
Harrison bobs her head up and down slowly, reaching into her desk drawer. She tosses a journal and a pack of pens across the desk. “Next time, ask.”
“You weren’t here on Saturday, and I needed—”
“You are not an impatient child who can’t wait a day for a journal, Miss Vaughn,” she clips, a vein pulsing in her neck. “I know this isn’t ideal, but I’m afraid you’re not allowed to leave the premises without my prior permission.” She laces her fingers together, simultaneously squaring her shoulders. “It’s for your safety. Can I trust that you’ll follow the rules?”
Absolutely not.
