Red Hourglass : Dark Coming Of Age Romance Thriller

Missions

The next morning, I was still curious about Ms. Jefferson. I wanted to know what she and her boyfriend got up to. And after what happened to Raven, I wanted to know if I could escape if I had to. I decided to take a motorcycle and find out.

I snuck into the garage before breakfast and wheeled out a Yamaha R25. When I was sure I was alone, I grabbed a helmet and started the bike. I drove around to the side of the Academy and waited.

Ms. Jefferson got into the black Maserati and I followed it out the gates. The car turned left but I turned right. I rode for about half a mile before doing a U-turn and almost catching up to them. I stayed back about a quarter mile, but I didn't let them out of my sight.

They drove to a huge house that I assumed belonged to Ms. Jefferson's boyfriend. I parked across the street as the car pulled into the garage. I made sure they couldn't see me from the house. A few minutes later, Ms. Jefferson's boyfriend closed the curtains in one of the upstairs windows.

I imagined what they were doing behind the closed curtains. I loved the thrill of seeing but being unseen. Maybe I was born to be an agent.

* * *

I was back at the Academy by five that evening. The security guards stopped me and made me get off the bike. They searched me thoroughly.

"You're in hot water young lady," said one of the guards as the gates opened.

Simone, the automotive teacher, was waiting for me in the garage. "How dare you leave the grounds without permission!" She yanked off my helmet. "The White Queen knows people!" Simone's face was as red as her dyed hair and spit was flying out of her mouth. "She's going to lock you up for good for trying to escape!"

"I didn't escape. I just wanted to go for a ride. I miss riding, feeling the wind. I'm really sorry."

"Shut it girl. If I were the White Queen I'd have you flogged in front of all the students. Come on. I'm taking you to her office."

What if the White Queen thinks I betrayed her?

Simone grabbed me by the arm. She marched me over to the mansion and stomped up the white marble stairs. Simone walked into the secretary's small office and pushed open the hidden door.

The White Queen was reclining in her white chaise longue, admiring her moonstone ring. "Thank you, Simone. You can leave us." She continued looking at her ring, moving it around so that the light hit it from different angles. "My dearest Janet, while I do love your spirit, you know I can't condone what you've done. We were worried sick when we couldn't find you. Fortunately, the CCTV cameras at the gate proved that you hadn't been abducted. But tell me, why in the world did you follow Ms. Jefferson?"

"I'm not sure," I said. "I'd just planned to go for a quick motorcycle ride. But then I saw Ms. Jefferson get in her boyfriend's car and I thought it would be fun to follow them. I wanted to know what it feels like to be on a mission."

"Ah, that's excusable. I had faith that my Red Hourglass wouldn't run away from me, but I'm glad that you returned home."

"I'm sorry Mama. I wasn't thinking. I would never leave you."

"I know my darling. Ah, the folly of youth." The White Queen puffed up as she took a deep breath. "Next time you want to go for a ride, ask Simone. And promise that you'll talk to me before assigning yourself more missions."

"I promise," I said.

"Very well, but I still have to punish you. There are consequences for impudence. What do you think would be a fair punishment?"