Into The Orchard

XIII

Robert Rell had not yet decided to call the police. Instead, he notified Gregorya that he and my legal guardian should come to the school immediately. He said, "This is not a phone call. Shortly after, he put down his cell phone and clasped his hands into fists, resting his arms on the massive wooden desk. There was a moment of silence, broken only by my sobs. The school principal seemed unfazed by this. In fact, no wonder. One of the students had brought a gun to his educational institution. Although it was unloaded, it was still a gun.

- Where did you get this? - Finally the director asked me. - Tell the truth, in your situation it's the only reasonable thing to do now.

- Mr. Rell, it's really not like that, I'll explain everything! - I said in a pleading tone of voice.

- So I'm listening.

Despite such an extreme situation, the school principal seemed interested in what I had to say. I took a deep breath and wiped the tears from my cheeks. I knew that what I would say would have to be repeated to the Von Rostovs. I also knew that whatever I said now would not improve my situation anyway. So I began to think feverishly about the most straightforward version of the story, to leave Bobbie out of it. If Robert Rell called the police, I had no choice. In that case, I could at least stall. Probably calling the police was going to depend on how plausible a story I presented here and now. So I began:

- The Von Rostov house has a locked east wing. No one goes there, no one knows what's in there except Apolonia Von Rostov. - I took a deep breath and began to gargle with my dry mouth. I felt a very unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth, and speaking even caused me pain. - Mr. Director, may I have a glass of water, please? My nerves made my throat dry.

The director called the secretary in and asked for a glass of water. He gave me a choice of sparkling or mineral water. I chose mineral water and a moment later I got a glass of water. I drank all of it at once, although I still felt dryness in my throat. The veins in my temples were pulsating like crazy and my heart seemed to jump out of my chest.

- Continue. - I was instructed immediately by the director.

- So, there is the east wing of the house closed off from everyone. - I repeated for the record. - No one really knows why. It is said that Apolonia associates some special memories with this place, which is why she does not allow anyone to go there. I, however, was once too curious. I managed to break into the east wing one night and visited the only room that was open there. - I went on, and my listener seemed interested in the story. Still, his expression didn't soften for a second. - I looked around and noticed a box in an office somewhere. It looked very ordinary, but could not be opened. I thought that since Apolonia was unkind to everyone, especially to me, there would be nothing wrong if I looked inside. So I took the box with me and in trying to open it without the key I damaged it. I didn't know what to do. I panicked because Apolonia realized soon after that her property was missing and started searching the whole house. I returned the box to be repaired so that there were no signs of damage on it. I could not bring it back in that condition. Otherwise, it would appear that I had taken it. If there had been anything else inside there... - I abruptly interrupted my speech as terrible waves of heat hit me. - It's terribly hot in here, could I get some more water?

The principal once again called the secretary, who was clearly interested in what was going on in her supervisor's office. However, all indications were that Robert Rell had decided not to tell his subordinate what one of the students had brought in his backpack to school. As the secretary left the office and I finished drinking my water, Robert Rell spoke up again:

- So you brought the gun to school because you were afraid the truth would come out in your absence?

- That's right Mr. Rell. - I said putting down the glass with the emptied water on the director's desk. My hands were still trembling at this.