The Awakened Dead ( Book 1, Secrets of Far Cry series)

Comforts of Home

I didn't get to go on the tour. Mr. Andrews held me back, with him and Principle Dayoub, as the others of the group were ushered out the doors. Before Lanie left, she threw a worried look my way and a half-hearted wave. The young secretary, that had been sitting behind the desk, followed the newborns out as their tour guide. I watched as glass door swung slowly back to its place. Without a word, Dayoub turned on her heels to head down the left corridor. Mr. Andrews urged us to follow with a lightly pushed hand between my shoulder blades. A few doors down, on the right, we came upon an office that had the principle's name plaque on the door. Opening it, she walked in followed by my recruiter. I took one step over the threshold and Mr. Andrews held up a hand.

"Stay here, please, Tabitha," he said and made a motion to close the door. Before the door completely closed I heard Principle Dayoub's voice.

"Tell me the situation, Christopher," Then the office door clicked shut. So, I stood in the hall, a smirk of irritation clouding my face. The urge to press my ear to the wood of the door, itched at me. I drummed my fingers on my thighs, aggravation bubbled under my skin. They're treating me like a little girl who bit someone on the playground... Real anger stirred in my chest. The feelings fueled irritated comments buzzing in my mind. I need to hear what they're saying! I repeated the thought over and over in my head. The repetitious phrase continued until there was a static like ringing in my ears.

"Are you sure that's what this is?" Principle Dayoub's voice reverberated, oddly muffled, in my eardrums. They must be yelling...how else could I hear them now? And yet, her voice didn't sound raised.

"I cannot be positive until I have further time to observe them. May I stay at the Academy for a brief period? I can teach if need be," Mr. Andrews spoke, request deep in his voice.

"Of course, you are always welcome here. I shall check our classes, I believe we could use a few more part time speakers," she stopped as if musing for a few minutes. "Christopher...if what you suggest is true," she paused sighing, "it means-"

"I realize the implication, Cynthia. Believe you, me, I know," his voice dipped into an unnamable emotion. "If you knew what issues are being brought up in high circles at the moment..."

"I must notify the teachers," the principle chirped, worry dripping from her words.

"Only tell them what they need to know; warn them about the newborns' abilities and about the girl. But they must not know the big picture; it is best for this to stay between you and me," he commanded in a forceful, yet soft tone.

"I cannot guarantee the teachers' behavior toward her," Principle Dayoub said with doubt ever present in her voice. "If they slip..."

"It shall be easier as she is a first year, but still a close watch must always be there."

"We cannot watch her every moment of everyday, Christopher! That for one is asking too much, and for two, she will have free time away from her studies."

"It is not too much for what is at stake, we must-" he snapped harshly. I jumped at hearing, for the first time, my recruiter losing his cool. Wouldn't want to be on the other side of that...scary Then I realized, I hadn't heard true anger in his voice; it was fear. A chill ran goose bumps up my arms; even scarier... Rustling movement came in the midst of silence.

"We will handle it; everything is going to work out as we plan," the principle cooed quietly. Again, I questioned how I was hearing such a whisper.

"If something was to happen and this was to come out; they'd get wind. I'm sure of it," Mr. Andrews' voice was muffled as if saying it through his hands.