Alamort

10. Priya

S peak of the Devil and he shall appear. After the initial shock of face planting into Bennett, it quickly morphed into annoyance. The warmth of his hand seeped into my tense muscles. The rubbing luring me to a false sense of security. Having daddy issues followed by lack of physical affection, it seems I’ll take any “nice” touch.

Shaking my head, I may want love and attention, but I’m not stupid enough to go after someone who sleeps around with anyone who has a vagina. I’m better than that. After going without sex for all my life, I’m not about to give it up to the first person who shows me an ounce of attention. The audacity of him, being that close when he’s dating Amber. Makes my blood boil.

I’m pretty sure this violates Amber’s rule of “leave my boyfriend alone”. But to be fair, he ran into me. I didn’t ask for his nearness to linger any longer than a deserved “sorry”. The shock on his face that I didn’t just drop my panties was hilarious. It must not be a response he gets often. He’s manipulative. Slipping on different masks. I don’t care to know what all of them are.

River’s speech was, ‘The Demons are off limits and anyone who disobeys gets a lashing from the Angels’.

Good thing I plan to stay far away from them. The type to ruin anything they touch. The goal is to keep my head down and mind my business.

I knock on the door labeled “Dean Bush”. Why the hell have I been calling him “Headmaster”?

“Enter.” Walking in with my head up, these people feed off of fear like a wraith in waiting. Everyone at this school is ready to pounce on any weakness. “Please sit.” Headmaster or the Dean patiently waits until I’m seated. Off the bat, he makes me uncomfortable. His dark, beady eyes remind me of my father’s associates. Greed lies behind his authority. He’s heavier set, no chin and his head has been eaten by his neck. His smarmy smile only makes the pedophile mustache more prominent.

“I just wanted to give you a personal welcome, along with your class schedule.” He pushes a paper in front of me. I reach forward and his hand brushes against mine. I seal my lips closed. Repulsed at the feeling of his touch.

“None of these are remotely the same courses I was taking at my previous school.” His face transforms from trying too hard to be welcoming to huffing and narrowing his eyes.

“We both know why you’re at this school. This is a last resort before you’re disowned or in prison. What were your charges?” He pulls out a file that I’m assuming is mine. “Two counts of involuntary manslaughter and...” His sausage finger pretends to search my file. “Ahh, yes. Aggravated and reckless arson. Does that sound right?” I bite my tongue to refrain from defending myself. It hasn’t helped yet. Both charges contradict each other. But no one will listen. Especially when I’m sure almost every person in this shithole says, “It wasn’t me!” I cross my arms across my chest, finally getting away from the sliminess oozing from him, to sit back and listen. That’s what they want from me, right?

“I won’t tolerate any fires on school grounds. Doing so will result in you serving your full sentence presented by the court. Miss Carter, acting accordingly, is expected. And in this school, being saved multiple times won’t prevent your consequences from catching up with you.”

With a tense smile, I appease him. “Of course.” I’m hoping I don’t have to pay him any more visits. He’s not the worst I’ve had to deal with. Lingering looks and touches are already enough. Let alone having to be in his presence more than necessary. “Is that all?”

Happy with himself like a kid at a candy store, “Yes, that’ll be all. Please see yourself out.”

Scooting my chair back to stand, I spot a crude drawing on his desk. Squinting to make out the picture. A large man with a pig nose and tail, shirtless with only a tie on, his pants and underwear are around his ankles. A nurse is bent over, holding onto his desk and a word bubble hovers over her head. “Your three inches feels so good, Headmaster!” Glancing up, his face is flushed red and then down at the gold band on his finger. He rushes to cover it. The inside of my cheek bleeds from preventing the laugh that threatens to escape as I rush over toward the door. Of course, this sleazeball would step out on his poor wife. Disgusting.

The door shuts behind me. I’m immediately face to face with River, who’s buzzing with excitement. Her eyes are lit up, bouncing on her toes. She grabs my arm, practically drags me outside, opposite the dorms.

“So, tonight is a party thrown every year to start off the school year. Everyone is invited.” I put my hand up to silence the word vomit. I’m not going. I don’t do parties, and I tell her so.

Her eyes narrow. “We’re going.” Her tone has no broker for arguments. I try to think of a good enough excuse to get out of it. I don’t like to be surrounded by people. They’re unpredictable, and dangerous. Plus, someone sent us all here for something. A bunch of criminals banded together sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

Cringing, “Riv, the party scene isn’t for me.”

“Priya! It’ll be so fun! We’re going together and that’s final. Plus,” she adds in a little voice, “it’ll be my first time not going alone.”

I chew on the inside of my lips, giving her the side eye, way to work me. It’s hard to tell her ‘No’ with her big puppy dog eyes. It might have a little to do with feeling like I’m in debt from last night. I hesitate but decide to give in. Do I want to go? No. I also don’t want to leave her alone after what happened this morning with Amber. The thought of her not standing up for herself makes me uncomfortable. Caring for someone else’s feelings has me uneasy.

I relent, “Fine, I’m only going for a little and then I’m leaving.” She starts dancing, which is alarming itself. “As long as you stop doing that!” Giggling, she slips her arms into the nook of mine and begins chattering about getting ready. At the ass crack of dawn.

“Okay, we have to get ready. I have the perfect dress for you to try on. There is food in my room. I’ve been on a Ramen and siracha kick…” her voice trails off as we pass the trees from last night. My body lights up with awareness. A slideshow of porn and dirty images flips through my mind.

“Hey!” River drags my attention back to her. She flicks her gaze into the woods and back to me with concern.

“You okay?”

Clearing my throat, “Yeah.”

Her eyes turn to slits, unbelieving.

Laughing it off, “I’m fine. Just tired. I think I’m going to need a nap. Last night wasn’t enough.” Sleep is always a good excuse to get out of things. We make the rest of the way in silence, soaking up the morning rays of the sun peeking through the clouds.

Clicking the third-floor button, realizing I don’t remember walking through any doors.

“Where are we?” Stunned, I haven’t thought to ask before I was dropped off here and forgotten.

“In Maine. Somewhere past Port Clyde, hidden away.” She turns to give me a hug before pulling back.

I smile and move on. She squeezes me tightly before retreating into her room. Letting out the breath I was holding, I step into my room when something on the floor catches my eye. A small black envelope with blood red calligraphy. My hands shakily go to open it. Foreboding skates up my spine.

What does someone else take before you can get it?

Wiping my hands on my skirt, the fabric sticks to my sweaty palms. I don’t understand. I reread it at least a hundred times. My brain trying to piece together the meaning. Spinning around my room to make sure everything is where it should be. My heart skips a beat when I see the only physical copy of a photo my sister took of us. The night of my 17th birthday, after a horrible dinner party for my father’s business associates. I was bummed because I secretly held out hope we could do something together as a family, like I pathetically do every year. Even though I never spoke it out loud, my sister knew. She always knew.

The last picture we took together when she took me to her spot for the first time.