The Weight of the World

Chapter 16: The Negotiator

"Cat? Come inside, and fetch the other girl." Albert's shrill voice led us into the lobby. "Girl," he said. I heard, "Dyke." Didn't respond, didn't reply. I couldn't really. I had nothing to lash out for. I wasn't the Thought Police, not yet. But he was still a slimy little shit, and it made my skin crawl listening to his nasally voice, whatever he said.

Being inside felt good. It was warmer, for a start, and being out of the mist left me feeling fresher. The dampness of spending so much time outside was killing me.

"What do you want?"

"Connor is free. You said you wanted to see him, or something."

"Right." Cat and I brushed past him.

The inside of the school was exactly how I'd imagined it. Cream walls with lots of wood panelling. Tall doors leading into classrooms with blackboards and bulky desks.

At the top of a grand staircase sat half a dozen glass cabinets shimmering with silverware. Shields and cups and trophies. Cat bent down to examine a few.

"I wonder if Connor's name is on any of these?"

"Or Albert's," I chuckled.

"You'll find no current student on any of those items." Connor's voice made me leap out of my skin. "The school has done downhill in recent years. Especially so in recent months."

"Was that a joke?" I asked.

"I do try." He smiled pleasantly.

"I'll give you that one. It was funny."

"Thank you. Although I imagine you did not request a meeting simply to hear my stand-up routine. What is it you want?"

"We want to talk about the stables," Cat said.

Connor's brow furrowed and he opened the door. "Please, step inside."

Connor's office looked like the old head-teacher's study. Ostensibly a classroom, with a blackboard and desks. However, the desk he sta himself behind had a larger desk than I'd ever seen, and his high-backed leather chair glistened.

He gestured at two smaller chairs before the desk, the sat back, locking his fingers together like a CEO.

"So, accommodation arrangements."

"We're not animals. We don't want to live in the stables anymore," I said.

He considered for a second, then nodded. "Done. Tell your friends the west wing is available for their consideration."

"Right, well-" I paused. "Wait, you're just giving it to us?"

"But of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"You were quite cautious when we first met," Cat said.

"But of course," he said, laying his hands flat on the desk. "Would you sincerely expect me to invite complete strangers into my home? I have people to protect, just like you."

Cat and I looked at each other, then back to Connor, who was still smiling. "You see, I am not a villain in this story. I want to help you, but I had to see I could trust you. If you were to attack us, it would have been before now."

"Well, thanks," I said. I wasn't quite sure what to say. I'd prepared myself for a gruelling debate all morning, and now felt a bit like a bath with a pulled plug.

"Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"

I was about to up and leave, but Cat spoke before I could get up. "You're the elected leader, I see. But, why are there no adults? Where are the teachers, and the other students?"