Phrontistery Of Monster Kind - Six Feet Deep

Chapter 41

"Are you sure you can't join in?"

Most of our guests were gone, and the tests and introductions had been completed by the end of the school week. When the weekend rolled around and most of the students were out in the town to get away from studying for finals, Mayor decided to help the primary school by taking the kids off their hands for an extra day, while they got to do a scavenger hunt around the place with older students.

I tried to get the year nine involved, but year eleven's ended up helping them as they were going to be their buddies, guiding them throughout their first year.

We extended classes to local home-schooled children, as long as their parents retrieved them at the designated time.

The sports teachers and Starla grumbled about the extra classes, but holding a class over the weekend duty was the lesser of two evils.

All the obtainable items were placed around the school when they were in class, and now Ophis and I were waiting for the children to arrive in the courtyard.

"I got a meeting with Mors." Ophis tilted her head at me, and I could have sworn there was a raised eyebrow under her blindfold. "It's fine, just a meeting."

"Not from what Paris told me."

"What- I mean pardon?"

"He ranted for half an hour about you snapping at him. You know, in his own way."

Which meant he spoke nonstop for five minutes in his monotone voice that felt like an eternity to the gargoyle.

"Why are they talking?"

"She's the new assistant coordinator."

"Right." He didn't mention to me that the job had gotten filled. I would have assumed that was what the meeting was about if he hadn't already told me it wasn't about them. We hadn't talked since Monday when Abigail arrived.

"She's mostly excited about the pay increase. We're trying to put a down payment on a house, so we don't have to live with my parents during the break."

"There is no pay increase," I said, dimly. "I'm not sure about other schools but here-"

"Then why did you take the job? Oh right, they didn't tell you. That must be breaking at least one law."

"You think Harro cares?" She didn't need to answer. "If you really need a bit more money, ask him about the Adalbert Fund. The school has some money set aside for anyone related to the original owner, since they are using their funds. Though you're not related, I'm sure Harro won't mind using it to pay for your silence about being underpaid."

"How do you... You surprise me, Silverlocks."

"Silverlocks?"

"Your hair is unnaturally silver. I didn't say it was good."

"Save it for when you catch me breaking into a bear family's home." The ruckus of children getting closer broke the silence of nature. That was my cue to go. "I will see you for drop off Ophelia."

"Don't you dare-"

I waved her off as I took off to my office to kill some time until the meeting. It was easier being on the same floor as his office than three doors down in the courtyard being persuaded to stay by a bunch of thirteen-year-olds.

***

As I sat at my desk, my personal files piled high in front of me. I misplaced my photocopies of the death reports, and with each passing minute, my frustration grew.

Leaning back in my chair, I noticed a CD resting on top of a stack. It was my burned copy of one of Deborah's audiobooks I had burned weeks back and yet had a chance to listen to it yet. I had a timer set to my watch, so as long as I didn't get too drawn, it would be fine to listen to.