Divided Mask

Chapter 4 - Confrontation

Two weeks had passed, it was Friday. Wren could finally escape Mrs Bard. The week had been torture between her 'lessons' and the questions consistently shot at her about never taking off her hoodie, mostly from Mr. Rutherford. Why did he have to be so aware.

Combat class had just started. Mr Rutherford would always suggest her take it off. If only. It felt warmer than usual.

Mr Rutherford didn't partner her up with anyone.
"Follow me for a second."  She did with a bit of hesitation.  "I know I've been suggesting you take your hoodie off, mostly for your health so you don't overheat. But now I feel I must ask. Why haven't you taken it off?"
I've been cold recently. He cocked his eyebrow.
"The sweat on down your neck by the end of training tells me differently."
It's for the same reason as my mask. It feels safer.
Although not entirely a lie, she thought he could see through it
"Well as always I will support you."

Instead of finding a partner to taunt her she went to a dummy. Whether she liked it or not Mr Rutherford was correct she was sweaty, luckily enough it was lunch.

Wren took her time in the shower, the water burning her back. Washing away her fears from her earlier conversation.
She looked around for her hoodie. She wouldn't have misplaced it, bad things would happen if she did. She let her hair rest on the back of her neck so no marks were given away.

She hurried to find Mrs Bard.
I can't find my hoodie.
"On purpose?"
No. I went to shower and when I looked for it, it was gone. I swear I didn't mean to misplace it.
"For once I do believe that." She thought and pulled out a scarf, "put this on. Ignore any questions you get."
You're a life saver.
"That right I am."

Wren wrapped the scarf around fairly tight. Realizing what she had said to Mrs Bard. A life saver? Something must have confused her to say that.

After her second to last period, Wren came in close to last and saw Mr Rutherford, instead of Mrs Bard.
"Hey class, Mrs Bard won't be teaching she's preparing for a lesson, exciting for you guys." Mr Rutherford looked at plans. A lesson, Wren felt her throat go tighter than comfortable, it made her slightly dizzy; it must have been a mix of the heat and her anxiety.

She had a death grip on the side of her desk. The dizziness hadn't subdued, she couldn't focus on anything said. She needed air and soon or she might pass out, not for the first time unfortunately.

The bell rang giving her freedom. She attempted to get out of the classroom first, with a combination of other students pushing her and whatever had been bothering her she fell into the lockers. The bump against the lockers didn't seem to bother her, she heard slight panic.
"Wren oh my!" Marcus had crouched down to her, "Mr Rutherford! I need help. Wren she." Marcus helped her stand up. Heat seemed to cover her vision.
She was boiling and wanted the scarf off. But couldn't.  Someone seemed to be directing her.
A door slammed closed.
"Thank you Marcus. I'll see you later."
Concern met Wren's eyes. She grabbed for her neck.
"Let go of your neck. You need to take that ugly thing off. Now." He demanded. She shook her head, Mrs Bard would likely kill her if he saw.
"I don't care what you have been hiding. Your body cannot take anymore of this."
She felt defeated. How much longer would he care if she disobeyed, would it be like her dad?. She didn't know.
She lightly unwrapped the scarf. His eyes scanned her red neck. A flurry of emotions crossed his face, he exhaled.
"Thank you Wren. If you could take the mask off it might help, but I won't force you to."
I'm sorry.
"For what?"
I wanted to say something earlier,
"Who did this? Why couldn't you tell me?" She struggled trying to write. "It's just you and me, no one else can see."
She sharply inhaled, Mrs Bard. His eyes widened.
She threatened if I told. I don't want her to hurt me more. It was my punishment for not taking my mask off,not being normal I guess.
She was fighting her tears harder than she fought people.
"Anything else?"
She out of anger -i think - suggested I wear the mask because I was scared of seeing the face that killed my mom. Tears fell, she still fought them so they weren't in free flow. She insinuated that I'd kill again.
She slid her mask up to wipe the tears, Mr Rutherford looked in thought.
"Wow, Wren. I am lost for words. I am incredibly sorry she took advantage of you like that." Anger seemed to replace the shock.
I'm sorry for blubbering like an idiot.
"It's not idiotic in any sense okay?" He handed he tissues. "I am thinking I tell admin. They can check cameras if they need more proof. Did anyone hear anything she said?"

Marcus said he did and I know Percy did. Well not the mask part, it was about rethinking how I was behaving.
"That woman is beyond me. Do you mind if I call admin down?"
She shrugged, they won't make me take off my mask or speak right?
"Of course not, I will make sure they don't." He nodded and used the classroom phone.
Minutes later the head of the school came into the class.
"Mr Rutherford what can I do for you?" He said happiness laced his voice
"If you wouldn't mind closing the door." Mr Rutherford didn't share the expression.
The Admin became serious. Mr Rutherford went on to explain everything Wren had said to him.

"Did I miss anything Wren?" Mr Rutherford looked over.
I just don't want her to hurt me worse than now.
"She will not be able too. Wren why didn't you inform anyone sooner? Why not your dad?"

She thought about her dad. He had begun to drink more, it was killing her that she was causing him to drink himself to death. All because of her silence.
My dad has run into his own... Problems.
I can't have him die too.
"What do you mean?" Both men asked in unison
Can you call my step mother Roxanne? She can explain it better.

About a half an hour later, Roxanne walked into the classroom. She had clearly been filled in. Wren hadn't seen her look so pissed.
"Hello. I came as fast as legal." She didn't miss a beat and smiled at Wren. "Although I'm not sure why Mark is drinking again. I can say Wren does her best to keep him happy. Wren, this is the teacher that said those awful things right?" Wren nodded.
Mrs Bard was brought into the office where they had moved the meeting. If looks could kill Wren would be dead.
"If you could stop staring my stepdaughter down that would be great. Like you were told she was hiding it until she fell." Roxanne met her energy.
"If I could take Wren out I think that would be best." Mr Rutherford suggested.
"A few more things from her then yes you can. First we must inform her father. He is her legal guardian."

Wren wanted to stop him she lightly elbowed Mr Rutherford.
"What is it."
I can't lose him too, please don't tell him.
"We have to."
No, this isn't a big deal. Realistically Mrs Bard was just trying to get me better.
She didn't believe the words she wrote down, she was scared that Mrs Bard would attack her. Mr Rutherford looked down.
"You don't believe that at all. She's not comfortable with Bard in the room. If you need clarity get it when it's her and someone she trusts."

The Admin was clearly getting annoyed Mr Rutherford wouldn't let up.
He sighed, " Mr Rutherford you may have a point. When your father arrives we will continue to discuss. Mr Rutherford if you could take Wren somewhere, maybe make sure those slices aren't infected."

Mr Rutherford was grading in his seat. Wren was laying on the floor facing the ceiling.
"For the millionth time, get off the floor. Your body language screams stress."
She still had her mask on but met her eyes. She held her phone up a picture on her screen of her mom and her
Do you think she would be proud? Maybe mad I've become a shell of a person.
"Your mom was always very proud. She wouldn't be mad. You've made strides and that's all that matters. But trust me when I say. She's watching you and proud that your still fighting."
How can you be sure? I used to think I could feel her. But once dad started fading I felt like I lost her again as well...
"Your first tournament. I was cocky that you would win, you were nervous. I remember when you went on and fought your mom quiet. When you won she jumped up hollering."
That was so embarrassing.
"You know in that moment that's exactly what you needed."

The Admin followed by Mark and Roxanne came into the classroom
"So your father decided to file a police report."