Chapter Ten “Help! Somebody helps!”
I yank the door with all my might and yells. My voices and the sound of door rattling echo in the dark and empty corridor. But only death silence falls upon me. It’s getting dark outside. The tour must have left hours ago. So I’m all alone in this observatory right now. Doesn’t this fancy school have a security guard or something? But on the second thought, this is summertime. Who patrol during summer vacation?
I panic a bit at the thought of that. I’m not exactly afraid of ghosts. But the thought of being left alone in an empty building with no food and water terrifies me.
Mr. Ramirez said he’ll meet me after the tour. But the tour ended hours ago, and he still hasn’t come and find me. Maybe he thought I left with Eason. Maybe something turned up and he must leave in a hurry.
If that’s the case, then I’m screwed. “Fuck!” I pound on the door, feeling more frustrated than ever. Nothing good has happened since I moved back to Boston and met Eason again. Maybe Valerie was right. I should keep my distance with him. He’s like a plague that only brings bad luck.
I examine the room, looking for a way out. There is a small window located on the upper side of the wall, near the ceiling. I might be able to fit through that.
I stack chairs together and climb up. My temporary ladder sways precariously under my steps, but I manage to grab the edge of the window before it collapses. Taking in a deep breath, I contract my chest to the smallest and push my body through the tiny exist. The hard concrete scrapes my skin. But fortunately with one hard pull, I’m through.
I twisted my right ankle when I drop off to the ground. God that hurts! I groan a curse and head to the gate with a limp.
I was thinking about ways to get home, when suddenly flares of flashlight appear from the darkness with heavy footsteps approaching. I look up in surprise and find a few figures coming towards my direction.
“Ms. Moore!” a security guard cries out, “I found her! Over here!”
Then I recognize one of the men as Mr. Ramirez. He runs towards me and finally slows down at last few steps, visibly relieved.
“Nat, are you alright?” he holds my shoulder. “Yes.” I’m surprised at seeing all these people. Seems that they’ve been looking for me.
Mr. Ramirez nods and turns around to look at Ms. Dave, who just arrives at the scene. “This is not acceptable,” his voice cold and stern. A few people clearly flinch under his gaze. Ms. Dave looks at me, “maybe we should hear from Miss Moore first. What happened? Why didn’t you come back with the tour?”
Valerie’s name was on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it back. If I tip off Valerie, I’ll have to tell them everything, probably involves Eason in. Things will get way more complicated. And I know how high school hates snitchers. Don’t want to go down that path before I even enter school.
in the observatory, accidently. I tried to break
Ms. Dave’s lips. Mr. Ramirez stares at me, contemplating,
nod, without saying
imagine now the school has enough founding to cover that expense, correct?” Ms. Dave smiles, of course. The school really appreciates your
they walk us to the gate and watch us
seat with me. When the car starts moving, he speaks up again,” Nat you can still tell me what actually
silly little lies can’t trick him. “It’s nothing…me and some
“Making enemies prior to school? You are a lot like
tell
already made up your mind to face this alone, I can only respect that and stay out of your way. But remember—” he raises his hand to pat
*
*
*
me ready for my new school. She bought all sorts of expensive and unnecessary things for me,
and I get to meet the parents from your school. Wouldn’t that
have to remind her, “mom, I have
at least buy some nice dresses. I heard there’s homecoming ball, held on the first week of your school. You gotta
do you know
and adds,“ I know you don’t want me to go shopping with you. Don’t worry, I got a
you.”
I’m shock to see Eason
So he kindly offers to
“Mom, I really don’t think this is a good idea—” “Please. I’m asking you a favor,” mom whispers back into my ears, “Shawn was so glad that you guys were getting alone. With you back, Eason has been more willing to show up here. It’s a good sign. Could you please spend some more time with him? You know, do some brother and sister thing?’ Only if she knew her dear stepson has kissed her own daughter. “We should probably get going,” said Eason listlessly. “Yes. Please go.”
time. I
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