ACADEMY FOR THE DAMNED

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Juliette stood in Durand's main office near the apex of the tower. Durand was surrounded by Dr Frank and Dr Lahr and her two psychics who blocked Juliette's attempts to read anyone's minds in the room. Also Durand had her chief of security, Macleod.

"What happened out there? What went wrong?"

"I didn't know," said Juliette trembling slightly. "I was certain it was safe."

"We had one death and the survivors are now spreading tales of terror."

"I actually think it was an interesting exercise," said Dr Lahr. "We learned much."

Durand turned to him and reduced him to silence with a glare. She turned back to Juliette.

"I just don't know what happened. Something new has put in an appearance."

"How do you mean?" said Durand.

"Something unanticipated. I don't know. It's bad."

"I know it's bad. You are telling me nothing new."

"No I mean there is something over the horizon, really bad I hadn't taken into account, or could predict would turn up."

"What?"

"I don't know. I need more information. Nobody could be sorrier over the death of that girl than me."

"You seem to attract a lot of death around you, Juliette."

"Some of the teenagers sustained injuries," said Dr Frank.

Juliette shook her head. "I know. I know."

"What does this all mean?" said Durand. "I don't like surprises."

Lahr snorted. "Then madam, you're in the wrong job."

Durand glared at him again.

"Alright Juliette," said Durand. "Look, go get some food and rest. We all need to think hard about what's happened."

Juliette turned and left the room. Macleod smirked.

"What's that coming over the hill?" he sang. "Is it a monster?"

Durand turned on him. "You think this is a joke? Get out!"

The smirk vanished from Macleod's face. He hurriedly left the room. Durand looked at Lahr and Frank.

"You two had better go too. I need to think."

Frank and Lahr went to the door. Lahr held back and smiled holding the door open.

"Ladies first," he said.

They went through and closed the door behind them. Durand nodded to the two psychic bodyguards and they vacated the room. She strode to a video screen and turned it on. At the other end of the video communication link sat a short Indian man wearing spectacles and a white lab coat. He turned and looked directly at the screen.

"Yes?"

"Doctor," she said. "Have you received the data I sent?"

He nodded. "I'm feeding it to Guardian as we speak."

In a previous conversation Durand had with Dr Lahr, Lahr had said.

"Dr Baja, he looks like a little troll, sitting in the bowels of the building with his computer."