Ash Ketchum: The Prisoner Of Cell 25

Ch. 30 Chickens and Eagles

One of my favorite chapters.

   Upon their return to the academy, Selene and Griffin helped Serena carry her purchases to her new room on the third floor of the building—a beautiful, well-lit suite across the hall from Selene's. The room had wood floors with a thick Persian rug and a two-hundred-year-old antique French armoire across the room from her four-poster bed. The room was much larger and nicer than hers at home and had its own bathroom and walk-in closet.

Serena noticed that the windows didn't open and were made of something other than glass. Selene had assured her that it was for her protection, not to keep her in, but Serena still had her doubts.

While she was thinking about where to put her new clothes Selene walked in. "Need any help?"

"I'm just deciding where to put it all."

Selene picked up one of Serena's new skirts. "I think we should share clothes just for the fun of it. I've always wanted to do that but no one here is my size." She turned back to Serena. "So are you excited about your party tonight?"

"I guess."

"You don't sound excited."

"I'm still homesick."

Selene walked over next to her. "I know. But once you get to know everyone, you'll feel a little better."

   Serena sat on her bed. "I don't know about that. I really just want to go home. Don't you miss your family?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "The family who adopted you."

  "Oh. They're gone."

  "Gone?"

   Selene sat on the bed next to her. "Well, I started coming to the academy when I was six. I'd stay here all week, then sleep at home on the weekends. It was a good arrangement. Then one day there was an accident. My parents' house caught fire and they didn't get out. Fortunately I wasn't there, or I probably would have died too."

   Serena was stunned. "That's horrible. Do they know what caused the fire?"

  "The fire department said it was an electrical fire. Ironic, huh?"

   Serena had a sick feeling about it. All the fun of the day drained away. She thought about the man visiting her house and talking to her parents. She hoped one day her house wouldn't catch fire too.

  "What if it wasn't an accident?"

   Selene squinted. "What do you mean?"

   Serena saw the look on Selene's face and decided against pursuing it. "Nothing," she said. "So the state let you stay here?"

  "Fortunately, in the school contact, there was a clause that in case something happened, Cyrus received guardianship. I was so young at the time I don't remember much. I've lived here most of my life. This is my family. That's why I am so excited for you to join us."

  "How many live here?"

  "Nine, counting you."