The Castle School of Self-Defense

Chapter 6 - Safety Bunker Number 1

1900 hrs
25th September
Principal's Office

William sat in the principal's office, cradling his bandaged forearm. Across from him, Charlotte leaned casually against the edge of the principal's desk, her utility knife still visible in her belt, though her demeanor was relaxed. Principal Dr. Benjamin entered the room, his expression serious yet calm, as he gestured for both of them to sit down.

"Let's begin," Dr. Benjamin said, settling into his high-backed chair. "William, I need a clear account of what happened. Take your time and include as much detail as you can."

William nodded, his heart pounding. As he began recounting the ambush, his voice wavered slightly. "I was on my way back from the restroom when someone attacked me in the hallway. He pinned me down, and before I could react, he... he cut my arm." He gestured to the bandage, his voice thick with emotion.

Dr. Benjamin's eyes narrowed, his fingers steepled in thought. "Did he say anything?"

William hesitated, the memory of the attacker's chilling words still fresh in his mind. "He said he was going to kill me. That he wanted me to suffer first."

The principal's jaw tightened, and he made a few quick notes on a pad in front of him. "And then Charlotte arrived?"

William's gaze flickered to Charlotte, and for a moment, his chest tightened. He remembered the way she had appeared, her presence fierce and commanding. "Yes," he said, his tone softening. "She saved me. She scared him off and made sure I was okay."

Dr. Benjamin nodded, turning to Charlotte. "Charlotte, your account?"

Charlotte straightened, her voice crisp and professional. "I was passing through the hallway when I heard William scream. I rushed to the scene and saw the attacker holding him down, armed with a knife. I intervened, disarmed the attacker, and chased him off. After ensuring William's safety, I brought him here."

"Did you recognize the attacker?" the principal asked.

"No, sir. He was masked and didn't reveal much about himself."

Dr. Benjamin leaned back in his chair, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "This is troubling. We've had heightened security concerns recently, but I never imagined it would escalate to an attack on a student."

William swallowed hard, his thoughts spinning. Why had he been targeted? Was it random, or was there something more going on?

The principal stood, smoothing his jacket. "I need to discuss this with the Board of Directors immediately. You two stay here until I return. Charlotte, make sure William remains safe. I'll decide the next course of action after speaking with the board."

With that, Dr. Benjamin left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

For a few moments, there was silence. William shifted uncomfortably in his chair, unsure of what to say. Charlotte, however, broke the tension with a wry smile.

"So," she said, leaning back slightly, "you've had quite the first day here, haven't you?"

William chuckled nervously, his cheeks flushing. "Yeah, not exactly what I expected."

Charlotte tilted her head, her blonde hair catching the light. "You handled yourself pretty well, though. Most people would've completely lost it in that situation."

William felt a warmth in his chest at her words. "Thanks. But honestly, I think you're giving me too much credit. You're the one who saved the day."

Charlotte shrugged, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "Well, I couldn't just leave you there, could I?"

William's heart skipped a beat. The casual way she spoke, the confidence in her tone—it only deepened his admiration for her. He hesitated before speaking again. "I, uh... I really appreciate it. You didn't have to risk yourself like that."

She waved a hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. Besides, you're part of the team now. We look out for each other."

Her words struck a chord with William, but before he could respond, the door opened, and Dr. Benjamin reentered the room. His expression was grave.

"I've spoken with the board," the principal said, closing the door behind him. "Given the circumstances, we've decided that William needs to be moved to a secure location. Effective immediately, you'll be relocated to Safety Bunker Number 1, deep beneath the school."

William blinked, startled. "Safety Bunker Number 1? What's that?"

"It's a fortified shelter designed for high-risk situations," Dr. Benjamin explained. "You'll be safe there until we can ensure there are no further threats. Charlotte will escort you and, in any case, you are to contact her if anything goes wrong."

Charlotte gave a small nod. "Understood, sir."

Dr. Benjamin's tone softened as he addressed William directly. "This is for your safety, William. I know this has been overwhelming, but trust us to handle the situation."

William nodded, though his stomach churned with uncertainty.

The walk to Safety Bunker Number 1 was a quiet one at first. The hallways were eerily empty, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Charlotte led the way, her pace steady and purposeful, while William trailed behind, his thoughts a tangled mess.

Finally, he broke the silence. "Charlotte... do you think I was targeted for a reason?"

She glanced back at him, her expression unreadable. "It's possible. Dr. Benjamin didn't say much, but if they're moving you to the bunker, they must think there's something more to this."

William frowned. "But why me? I just got here."

Charlotte stopped and turned to face him, her blue eyes meeting his. "That's the big question, isn't it? Hopefully, we'll get some answers soon. I'll try to check with my dad. He should know something."

William nodded, though her words offered little comfort.

When they reached the bunker, Charlotte entered a code into the keypad, and the heavy steel door slid open with a hiss. The room inside was stark but functional, with a pair of cots, a small table, and a communication terminal.

"Home sweet home," Charlotte said with a faint smile, gesturing for William to step inside.

Once the door sealed shut behind them, she turned to him. "We're safe here. No one can get in without clearance."

William sat on one of the cots, his gaze drifting to his bandaged arm. "Thanks for sticking with me through all this. I don't know how I'd be handling it otherwise."

Charlotte sat across from him, her demeanor softening. "You're tougher than you think, William. You've handled a lot already."

For a moment, silence hung between them, and William felt the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. He glanced at Charlotte, her calm presence both reassuring and intimidating.

Maybe this is my chance, he thought, his heart pounding. "Charlotte," he began hesitantly, "can I ask you something?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Sure."

"Why... why did you step in back there? I mean, I know you said we're a team, but it felt like more than that."

Charlotte studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Because it was the right thing to do," she said simply. "And because I don't like seeing people get hurt when I can do something about it."

William nodded, though her words only deepened his admiration. Charlotte bid William goodbye before leaving Safety Bunker Number 1. William lay back onto the bare bed, his whole body aching from the ordeal that happened throughout the whole day. Before he knew it, he was asleep.