Journey of a Girl

A Proper Education: Chapter Nine

Credence entered the first lesson of the day in a trance.

She was on edge, and there was nothing that could ease the tension in her bones.

Nothing she could say to herself could calm the roar inside her mind.

Adam said he was missing his shirt.

Penny found it in her breakfast.

It didn't make sense, Adam had been wearing his clothes when Credence spoke to him.

None of it pointed to a happy conclusion—

"Credence," the Headmaster snapped, a bite in his tone.

"What? I'm sorry, Headmaster, I didn't hear you."

"Distracted?"

"It won't happen again."

The Headmaster sighed. "No doubt we've all been a little distracted by what happened several days ago. The incident in the hallway. Let me put your minds at ease. Adam had...a small tantrum. Something he ate disgruntled him."

Your medicine, Credence thought.

"But he suffers from nothing more than an upset stomach. I had him moved to the infirmary, and there are careful eyes on him at all times. I assure you, he will return once he is well. In the meantime, I implore you all to forget what happened and focus on your education."

He broke into a charming smile.

"After all, another Auction draws closer, and soon you will move up in your lessons. Now, isn't that something to look forward to?"

"Yes, Headmaster," the class answered.

He turned back to Credence. "While you were distracted, I was asking everyone to share a dream they've had for their lives. And now it's your turn."

Credence didn't want to share anything. She didn't want to talk to anyone or be in this room. She wanted to find a corner to hide in.

"I don't have any dreams," she lied.

"Surely you've had at least one."

Saving Josiah. Getting revenge for Ma's murder. Watching the towns burn from afar—

"No."

"Think on it very hard."

"I don't want to!"

Every head turned to her. The Headmaster's eyes narrowed.

"What you want means nothing," he said, his voice sharp as a predator's fang. "This is school, where everyone does as they're told."

Credence looked at him for a long moment, fighting him with silence. His patience worn thin, the Headmaster rose from his desk and took a step towards her. He waited, and when it became clear that Credence intended to remain defiant he returned to his desk and opened a drawer.

From it, he pulled two strips of leather.

He wound one of them around his arm before moving towards Credence, and in that simple action the last of her bravery melted like snow above a flame.

She held her hands up.

"Please, Headmaster," she begged, her voice pitching high. "I'm sorry! I'm distracted, like you said—I'm worried for Adam!"

The man stopped but his expression did not soften.

"Go on then," he commanded in quiet fury, "tell us about your dream."