The Numbers on Our Arms

Chapter 37

The last weeks of summer had flown by before her as the sun rose up into the sky over the Girls' boarding school building of Wellston Private High School, illuminating it from behind with an orange glow. Seraphina dragged along the wheels of her suitcase behind her as she looked up to the building with a smile forever growing on her face.

"Seraphina Sallow." Her head snapped up in the direction of her name and was taken aback to see that the Head of Security, Keene, walking up to her from a different school building. "You need to talk to Headmaster Vaughn now."

"Can I not drop my bags off into my dorm first? And check in, so I can have the keys to my dorm?" she asked.

"Unfortunately, you cannot," he replied. "It is about your stay this year and you need to hear it before you settle in. If you follow me, I can show you the way."

"I do know the way to the Headmaster's office. I have been there before." He had turned around and began to head off in the desired direction and she quickened her pace to keep up with him.

"It would be easiest to escort you there," he replied, "Though, I notice you have come along this year. Normally, doesn't your parents' butler help you bring in your bags?"

"I only have one bag this year," she said. "I wasn't able to bring more, but I will be able to make this work."

"I think this is more of what would be discussed about."

She raised an eyebrow, although to herself. "Why would that matter? I just wanted to travel light this year. I won't be able to have the same amount of stuff forever."

"I'm sure your parents are willing to provide for you, unless something goes down."

"Well, maybe something went down."

Eventually, they went into the building and to the offices of the administration of the school. Immediately, they were met there by Headmaster Vaughn, who led her into his office and she took the seat in front of his desk.

"Why do you want to meet me here before I move into my dorm for the year?" Sera asked him.

"You do know that you are reported as a runaway case?" he asked.

"I am?" she questioned. "I haven't been paying attention to that."

"Is it that unexpected? You left your home for several weeks without telling your parents and you don't have another legal guardian and home."

"They didn't report my sister when she ran away," she replied. Her hand shook in her lap.

"It appears that they did for you. I believe you are the youngest of the two – maybe they are putting in more effort for the second time it happened," he said to her. "What is the saying? 'You fool me once, shame on you; you fool me twice, shame on me.' Maybe they are following something of the same moral."

She gripped her hands tight into fists in her lap. "I should have followed the case more. I have to admit, my sister and I don't enjoy listening or watching the news, as it has turned out."

"I assume this sister you have mentioned is the one you have been staying with since you left your parents' house."

"I have been safe since I ran away for them. I should be able to attend the school."

"You are not living with your legal guardians whilst you are still a minor. I am afraid that to go to this school while you are a minor without me reporting you."

"But I turned eighteen in only a week. Can't you hold it off until then?" she asked.

"A week isn't that long to miss off of school," he replied.