The Hollows Of Hiraeth (✔️) | 'Hollows' Book I

Chapter Three

^ Sky again ^

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T h e   H o l l o w s   O f
H I R A E   T  H
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"What do you think about that, Sky?"

My mind went blank, then I suddenly realised I was being spoken to. I froze, "sorry?"

I was currently sat at the end of a very long table of people, and to say I was intimidated was an understatement. Among the many people dressed in suits sat around the table, I only knew one—Jameson. Though, I had become quite familiar with the head of the Academy, Miss Scalfhield.

With her striking black hair—which was twisted and pinned up in a retro 80's up-do—and her smart, black office wear, she was quite intimidating.

"What do you think about Jameson being your Guardian, your protector? We have no female Guardians left; they have yet to pass their final exams—and, quite frankly, your arrival was a surprise." I considered the situation. Jameson —JJ. The mysterious boy who had taken me from my very normal life, and spun me into a web of unanswered questions. But, that wasn't exactly his fault—this is just part of his job description.

I gave Jameson a side-wards glance, seeing that he didn't look overly affected, though that he was mulling the idea over in his head.

"I mean, yeah." I considered, "I guess that's fine." I didn't know how else they expected me to answer—I don't really want to end up dead in the season of new life.

Miss Scalfhield nodded her head, banging a wad of paper against the table, sorting the sheets into a neat pile.

"Ah, I nearly forgot," Miss Scalfhield sifted through the papers until she found the one she had been looking for.

She pulled it out and handed it to me, "a timetable," she explained, seeing me frown at the piece of paper as I gingerly took it from her hands. "Check what you have tomorrow and Jameson will help you around." She exchanged looks with Jameson to settle her proposal. When all was finished, I got up to leave but paused when my bag was nowhere to be seen.

"We had to confiscate your belongings, it's for the best." One of the deputy's told me.

My eyes widened, "wha–"

"–we'll be off now." Jameson intervened as he grabbed hold of my shoulders and pushed me out of the room. Once out in the corridors, I shoved him off me.

"How is this fair? I get it, I do, but to take everything away from me? Do they even care about me?" I continued shouting, not even ashamed that the whole corridor of classes could probably hear me.

Jameson clenched his jaw. "No, Sky, they don't care about you, that's why they sent me on a three-hour journey to get you, and why I'm now your Guardian. You're right, they don't care."

I huffed, "I didn't ask for any of this—I didn't ask for you to come to get me, I didn't ask for you to be my  Guardian–whatever that even means." Jameson gripped his hair, walking off.

"You do realise that you have to guard me, right?" And with that, he let out a frustrated groan and punched a nearby locker. I flinched, and by this point, Jameson had momentarily calmed down. He walked up to me, checking for signs that he scared me. Truth is, he did, but I tried to mask it.

"I'm sorry, I just, I don't know. I lost it." Jameson's eyes pierced into mine and, for a moment, we stood in silence, staring at each other.

I cleared my throat, unfolding my timetable, "don't you have a tour to give me?" I asked, walking off. Jameson caught up with me as I tried to figure out the complicated timetable. Jameson pointed to the lessons that I would have tomorrow.