Surviving my Scholarship

Show Stopper

The hovercraft moaned to a stop at the security gate before the Galloway's mansion forcing the passengers inside to shift uncomfortably forward in a jolt. After repositioning myself, I glance at Jon who smiles sheepishly at me before opening the door and stepping out to talk to one of the suited guards. The warm air rushes in and I get a whiff of the man's scent. It was odd. Usually, Jon made sure they were untraceable. This man reeked of individuality.

"All set," Jon leaned in the doorway before shutting it and staying behind with the guard. The gates opened and the lasers were shut off allowing the hovercraft to move forward. I glanced out the window at the blossoming plant life that welcomed me back here. I sighed out as if I was finally someplace I ought to be. Like this was home.

The driver came around and opened the door for me allowing me to step out on my own. I skipped up the stone stairway taking two at a time in my horrid earthen shoes. The only enjoyable characteristic was the clicking made the men straighten as I neared them. I was intimidating for once in my life.     

The guard opened the door for me with a tip of his hat. I skid to a stop and glanced back at him in confusion. Hats? I had never seen any of them wear a hat before. He smiled at me before turning back towards the front of the house. I gave him the once over to see if anything else was off, but he misinterpreted it with a wink. I shuddered before scurrying into the house before he decided to make a move. The inner hallway was instantly filled with the deep rumble of the men outside. They were laughing at me.

I slipped the shoes off before traipsing up the stairs to Pierce's room where he probably was moping that this very second. My finger was inches from the button to revel myself to Pierce when I stopped suppressing a giggle. I could have so much fun with this. If only I was creative enough to come up with something other than 'boo'.

After moments of agonizing debate over the best way to enter, I finally just shook off any ideas and pushed the button allowing the door to slide open. I thought for sure he would yell out or throw something at the intruder on his space, but I was met with silence. There was nothing.

I tiptoed in unsure of my place here now and discovered there was literally nothing. The bed held no sheets, the wardrobe no clothes, and the desk he usually had all his tinkering little machines on was bare. I rushed from corner to corner looking for any sign of Pierce in this room and discovered nothing. Pierce was gone. I plopped down on his hard mattress with a sigh. All that work. He really wasn't here for me.

                I don't know how much time passed. Shadows had danced across the vacant wall in front of my eyes but I couldn't move from his bed. Not until Jon came in and placed a hand on my shoulder with a knowing expression on his face.

                "He's gone," I stated and he smiled at me with sympathy.

                "I told you he was gone," Jon stated as he sat down on the bed next to me.

                "Where did he go," I asked looking at my hands to stop myself from crying. I felt abandoned. All my excitement packed up and left with Pierce's stuff.

                "I haven't the slightest idea," Jon answers and I sit up straight looking over at him. Something was definitely wrong.