THEM

Chapter 13

Aithne's head was pounding when she woke up the next day. She didn't remember how she'd gotten to her room last night, but she was still in her clothes from yesterday. Isadora wasn't in the room. She got up and groaned at how heavy her head felt. She cleaned up quickly and went downstairs for breakfast. She reached for some fruits and scrambled eggs, but felt the remnants of yesterday's drinks still churning in her stomach and put down the eggs in favor of toast. She made her way to where Raphael and Isadora were already sitting, deep in conversation, both with serious expressions. They stopped talking when she got to them.

"What's going on?" Aithne asked, glancing between the two of them.

"It's nothing." Isadora said, brushing it aside. "How are you feeling?" She winced. "I'm sorry about last night, I should have been more careful."

Aithne was surprised that Isadora didn't look hungover at all.

"It's alright. I'm a bit of a lightweight."

Raphael snorted.

Aithne pushed down a few bites of food that didn't seem to want to exit the bottom of her esophagus into her stomach and then left to go to her session with Kathy. After her session, she saw Raphael and V arguing from afar when she passed through the courtyard, which was a strange event; Raphael was very non-confrontational and accommodating with V. She decided to avoid them, but Raphael caught sight of her and quickly looked away, almost guiltily. That was even stranger, because she couldn't imagine Raphael feeling guilty about anything and he had cared for her thoroughly yesterday anyway.

She went on with an uneasiness churning along with the alcohol at the pit of her stomach. She didn't feel like hanging out with anyone, because they were all acting off. She went for a quick run in the front yard of the building, finally acting upon her will to get back in shape. The memory of how out of breath she had been when running away from the footsteps spurred her to action; somehow, sprinting speedily seemed like a skill she would be needing more in the future. She had hoped the exercise would lighten her head and stomach, but it only made her limbs heavier. As she was walking back to her room, Kathy intercepted her.

"Hello, Aithne. I need to talk to you for a minute."

"Hi Kathy, what's going on? Our session this morning went well, didn't it?" She asked, furrowing her brow.

"Yes, yes. It's nothing to do with that. It's just that Mrs. Bauer wants to speak with you."

"She does?" Aithne exclaimed. "What for?"

Kathy huffed. "I'm always telling you that you ask too many questions, yet you never seem to learn. I'm sure you'll find out soon. Follow me."

Aithne had no choice but to do as she was told. Everything she could've done to be called to the director passed through her head, but nothing made sense. She was brought back to the sixth grade when she had been called to the principal's office and had stressed the whole way there only for the principal to ask her to tutor a child. She doubted that the outcome would be as flattering this time. She was probably sweating profusely, but she couldn't really tell with the sweat from her run already coating her body.

Kathy knocked twice and Mrs. Bauer's voice called back, inviting them to step inside. Aithne pressed herself against the back wall of the office once inside.

"Thank you for bringing her." Mrs. Bauer said to Kathy in a tone suggesting a dismissal.

Kathy bristled, but nodded curtly and left.

Mrs. Bauer settled her piercing green eyes on Aithne. "Good afternoon Aithne." She smiled widely, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "How are you finding the facility? I've heard you've made a few good friends."