Handcuffed

A Rude Awakening

Shirley's head was still on the pillow as looked around the room. Her three roommates were sleeping. She was sure something had been pressing against her mouth while waking her. Great! She knew it would be futile to try to fall asleep in the very near future. After all, she had her mother's bad sleeping habits.

She pushed her shoulder-length, wavy, auburn hair back, and looked at the clock. 1:43AM. She rolled over to bury her face in the pillow, when a small puffy white envelope, halfway under her pillow, caught her eye. Where did it come from? She slowly slid it out and carefully looked at the writing by the light of the nightlight.

Shirley Holmes.

A man wrote this, was her first thought. With surprising stealth and swiftness for her semi broad build, she was out of bed and at the window. Nothing!

She was nearly out of the room when she realized her summery pajamas didn't cover her enough to be out in the hallway. She went back for her robe. With care to open and close the door as quietly as possible, she proceeded into the empty dimly lit dormitory hallway. It was dimmer then usual and it didn't take long to figure out why. The streetlight usually shone through the windows and must have burnt out.

The bathroom lights were considerably stronger. She slipped into one of the stalls and took a closer look at the envelope. It was a typical white envelope with no postmark or address. How did it get here and who sent it?

Shirley gently opened the envelope and pulled out a few handwritten sheets addressed to her in a very neat, masculine hand. The same handwriting as the envelope.

Dear Shirley,

I beg your pardon for communicating in such fashion but the people constantly keeping you under surveillance leave me no choice.

"I wonder who is constantly watching me," Shirley mused.

Please read this letter before 5:00AM. The disappearing ink will fade by then. I urge you to read this letter as though your future and life depend on it.

"Who is this clown?" Shirley thought as she flipped to the last page and looked for a signature. Godfrey Adler. "I wonder what he wants?"

Shirley was tempted to throw it out, but she was up anyway, so she read it.

I'm sure you have checked to see if anyone signed this letter and you may even be tempted to dump it, but I entreat you to read it. I owe you an apology.

I may have come across as arrogant, proud, rude, etc. for the year we spent together. You may also feel it was directed towards you rather then to anyone else.

You must admit that I never tried to harm you in any way. Please understand my situation. I came to Ytrairom High School for Orphans in ninth grade after my father died in the summer previously. Within my first week I was already a celebrity. I was ahead of the class in every academic field, which made me a favorite to the teachers. I was a leader on the playing field, hitting, fielding, throwing, shooting, boxing, you name it I was great at it. I even very politely bested a few teachers both academically and athletically, which gave me an edge with some of the older students and of course my classmates.

For three years I lived in fame. Even when Mori join the school I was the star. Then you came and I had to share. I should have been more mature about it, but I admit I was wrong.

Throughout the year I was a fool and immature but I am also human. I write this, even though I am pressed for time, so that maybe you will understand. I may never have looked out for you in the past, but I was never your adversary.

Shirley put the papers on her lap and tried to recall. He did have a point there.

After I graduated, The Dean helped me get a Law Degree through a scholarship speed course. He even helped me get a job at Doyle Conan & Arthur, a very large and well know law firm.