I groan as I'm brutally awoken by my alarm clock. Rubbing my face, I slowly sit up and stretch my back. I check the time, its 05:01. Ugh. Time to get up, I guess.
I take my eyes off my alarm clock and look around the room that I currently live in. It's not much, as I have to move so often there's never any point in putting effort into décor. I'm on a single bed in the corner, with a desk opposite me and a punching bag in the other corner.
For the next hour and a half the only noise that can be heard are thumps from the punching bag and my laboured breathing.
By the time I have finished working out it is 06:28, so I enter the bathroom. After I turn the shower on, I climb in. I don't like showers for the same reason that most people do, there is too much space to think. For your mind to run free.
I hop out of the shower and start getting ready for the day. Throwing on an outfit that I know works, I head downstairs to leave for school.
I know technically I don't need to go to school, but this way I can earn my highschool diploma and make it to university. Plus, a minor showing up in a new town, without any guardians and not going to school is relatively suspicious, so this should move the suspicion off me for a while. Or at least, that's what I try to convince myself.
The walk to school is only 15 minutes, so I take the time for some music therapy. Soon though, the building comes into view.
Heading through the double doors a few people turn and stare at me, but the majority carry on with their business. I'm still relatively new, but not to the extent where people still approach me. Not anymore, at least.
Checking my timetable, I see my first class is Biology, lovely. Note the sarcasm. Biology in itself, isn't that bad, but the teacher is the spawn of Satan herself. I saw a kid get detention for a week for "repeatedly disrupting the class environment". He sneezed... 3 times.
In the class, there are only a few people here yet. I must be a few minutes early. Unpacking my textbook and pens from my bag, I sit down. I'm decent at schoolwork, but not the best, so I have to pay attention if I want to pass this class.
Just after the teacher starts droning on about cells or something, there is a static crackle and then the headteachers voice can be heard over the speakers "miss..." there is a short pause "Johnson to the office". Everyone turns around and stares at me. The rumours that have been spread about me don't help the assumptions that they are probably making.
I pause, debating whether I should go or run. The problem is, if I run and they aren't calling me because of who I am, then they will look into me more and quite likely find the holes in my backstory. I only just arrived here a couple of weeks ago.
After making my decision and after a few pointed looks from the teacher I quickly shove my books into my backpack and head into the hallway, adopting a casual stance, as if I don't have a care in the world.
Walking into the office, I don't bother knocking. Everyone is staring at me, and I stare back with my eyebrows raised, waiting for someone to speak.
Well, it seems like they were waiting for me to speak as there was a rather awkward silence for several seconds.
The head decides to break the silence "hello, Miss Johnson? Take a seat" "I'd prefer to stand" I say, putting on the American accent that is almost perfect now, seeing as I've had to use it so much. The men sitting in the chairs against the wall exchange a look. I've seen them before.
Shit.
They're the men from The Zoo.
YOU ARE READING
The Raven
Action"you're British?" "No, I'm Chinese. What does it sound like?" he clears his throat "sorry" "We would like to offer you an opportunity to use your... skills for us. You will be paid more than you earn here, and it will be more of a... professional si...
