“Well then, if you were so keen on seeing the woods, then what of Wellington? Did Graham show you that as well?”
Damien swallowed hard. He did not want to say it, but he knew he had no choice.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Damien, I have no doubt that you hold a certain power of persuasion over Mr. Graham, but my expectation was clear. Wellington is a dangerous place, especially for those who do not seem to fit in. Wellington was and is off limits.”
Damien did not know what to say. He wanted to protect Graham from any possible punishment, but Ms. Winstone’s decisions were like stone statues planted firmly in cement. They were immovable.
Trying to find a balance of justice and mercy, Ms. Winstone looked at Graham. She wanted to show compassion, but if she bent now, the news of her leniency would get around to the other children, and they would try to break her.
“One week of revoked recess time. You are to stay in your room or in a study hall. You eat, you study, and you sleep. Am I clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Damien, since you were mostly unaware of our previous conversations, you are off the hook this time, although I expect you to use some common sense every now and again. You should know better than to wonder off into the woods and down to Wellington.”
With a stern stare and a depth of seriousness he had never heard in her voice before, she said, “Now the expectation is set.”
The two boys sat still in their chairs like statues. Nothing was worse than a rebuke from Ms. Winstone. It was as if she were addressing your very soul.
“I shall also have Mr. Kobble keep a close eye on you two once you return to recess. No more ventures into the woods, or anything else beyond it for that matter. Now, go get ready for dinner.”
The boys stood up from there chairs in unison.
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, Ms. Winstone.”
“You know I care for you both. Very deeply indeed. Young minds are always searching for adventure and purpose in this world, especially when they feel they have none in their seemingly mundane, day to day activities. Whatever you two are really in search for, you can find it in the library, not in Wellington.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they replied.
At that, they opened the wooden door and closed it behind them. As they walked down the hallway and up the stairs to their rooms, they could not get over the lump in their stomachs. They did not like the chastisement from Ms. Winstone, nor did they enjoy the thought of deliberate insubordination, but they both knew what they had to do. They had to make it to the meeting tonight, no matter what the cost.
Graham broke the silence first.
“If we really get the chance to meet Cavaness tonight, it will be worth the loss of a month’s recess. A year’s recess. I don’t care how much trouble I get into.”
Graham gave a quick punch to Damien’s arm as they continued walking.
“Thanks for having my back. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Hey, what are friends for, right? You’ve saved my tail more times than I can count. I’m glad I could finally return the favor.”
Damien held his fist out in front of Graham. Graham smiled, giving Damien a fist bump. Turning the corner, they arrived at their rooms.
“See you in a few minutes,” said Graham.
“ Hasta Luego .”
As everyone was cleaning up for dinner, Graham decided it was time to roam the halls in search of the door that would lead them to freedom. Room by room, he looked along the back wall for any exterior doors, and room after room he became increasingly frustrated. So far, he could only locate five doors. The kitchen, the front door the parlor door, and two doors at the end of each wing. With only a few more rooms to search, the next one he came to was the library.
So, this is where I will find my life’s answers, huh.
Similar Books
