Immaculate

Talking to Tom

Sang's POV

When the call to go and see Mr Hendricks came during Biology on Wednesday I was surprised. I had the bracelet that Victor had made for me, but it wasn't needed when he called me through the PA. I took my bag with me as we were very near the end of the lesson anyway. Silas winked at me when I looked at him as I stood up. I smiled and made my way down to the offices. I was surprised to be called so soon, but I also wondered if he was trying to unbalance me, or rather keep me unbalanced.

My phone vibrated and I drew it out and saw I had a message from Mr Blackbourne.

Mr Blackbourne: We're watching and listening. You are safe, Miss Sorenson. When he lets you go, Victor will be waiting for you.

Sang: Thank you. xxx

I deleted all my messages then, clearing everything off just in case. I had my phone back into my bra by the time I was entering the offices. I was told to take a seat and wait. When I turned I saw Tom sitting there, empty seats beside him. He saw me and sent me a smile that looked as strained as I felt. I made a decision then and there and went across to sit beside him.

"Hi, Tom," I murmured, clutching my bag on my lap.

"Hey, Sang," he replied, he had his phone in hand and I could see pictures, but I made no effort to look. Instead, I kept my eyes on my boots.

"Mr Hendricks call you too?" I asked and clutched my bag tighter. "I missed your name being called."

"He... told me earlier to come now," he replied and closed his phone down and slid it into his hoodie pocket. "You in trouble?"

"No, I'm not sure what he wants," I said carefully. "Do you like it here?"

"Here as in Ashley Waters or Charleston?" he asked and I heard the bitter edge that told me all I needed to know.

"Yeah," I whispered. "I moved from Illinois last summer."

"You hang around with those kids from the Academy, don't you?"

"I'm Silas girlfriend," I said lamely and shifted in the seat. I was no good at this, and I wasn't sure if I was even supposed to be talking to him. I remembered how well talking to Tim had gone.

"Yeah, they seems decent boys. Those two teachers, Blackbourne and Green, they seem alright too."

"They are," I said quickly and firmly. "More than decent, I would not have survived the move without them." I looked at him and decided to go out on a limb, a very precarious one. "Mr Blackbourne and Dr Green can be trusted completely, more than any other teachers I have ever met," I murmured. "So can Silas and the others.

He looked at me and I was struck at the level of pain in his eyes. He blinked, opened his mouth to say something but Mr Hendricks came out and called to him, he hesitated when he saw me.

"Won't be long, Sang," he called to me and then he was herding Tom down to his room.

It was another ten minutes before I saw Tom coming back out. He was alone and he looked how I imagined I must feel when I came out, except he looked completely cornered and I realised that while I had Kota, North, Mr Blackbourne and the others watching my back, he was alone. Whatever Mr Hendricks had against him, he was on his own.

He shot me a look, but refused to catch my eye this time and I wanted to reach out and tell him to go to Mr Blackbourne, that whatever was going on, he would help him.

"Sang," I heard Mr Hendricks call my name and my chance was lost. I stood up and nerves clenched my stomach as I moved towards him. He didn't say anything until I was sitting in the chair opposite his desk.