Blackmoore Academy (On Hold)

Chapter Seven

Gwendolyn ignored her initial trepidation and reached for the door handle; before she could check if the door was locked the knob rattled and the door swung open. She quickly stepped back, fearful clutching at the neckline of her chemise and bumped into the mattress of her bed. Her knees wobbled and she shakily took a seat.

Dalia slipped into the room. "You're strong enough to walk today. You should eat," she said as she set a tray on the desk and began to set a place for Gwendolyn to eat.

"I'm not hungry!" Gwendolyn pulled her knees close to her chest. "I want to go home!"

Dalia reached out and patted Gwendolyn sympathetically at the sight of her distress. "My dear child, I don't think that's in anyone's best interest." Dalia sat down next to Gwendolyn and gripped her hand tightly. When she was met with resistance she squeezed tighter. "You must complete your term here."

"You said I could go home!"

"You must gave been dreaming." Dalia turned to better look at Gwendolyn; with a smile plastered on her face she cupped Gwendolyn's cheek. "You're enrolled now. There will be no one to accept you should you try to return home."

"How can you know that?!" Gwendolyn stood and pulled away from Dalia, fleeing to the opposite side of the room. "What do you know?" She frantically tried opening the door.

"Gwendolyn dear. I only mean to say that if you've been enrolled, it's highly unlikely that your family wants to see you fail." She stood and approached as Gwendolyn rattled the handle and pounded on the heavy oak door. "Relax."

Gwendolyn allowed herself to be pried away from the door. "I-I can't stay here!"

"The door is locked," Dalia explained. Gwendolyn shrugged her off and grabbed at the pouch she wore around her waist. "I don't have a key! The door doesn't lock from the inside." Dalia held tight to Gwendolyn's wrists and pushed her back towards the bed.

"Why are you keeping me here?" Gwendolyn demanded.

"You're special, Gwendolyn."

"*Maybe I'm mad,*" she thought. Rather than voice her opinion, Gwendolyn forced a smile. "Thank you." Questions buzzed in her mind with such ferocity it made her head hurt. "Are there...girls here..."

"Well, this is a girl's school."

"*A girl's school!*" Trying to keep her face emotionless, Gwendolyn clarified. "Actually, I'm wondering about two girls in particular."

Dalia raised an eyebrow quizzically but didn't push.

Gwendolyn continued without prompting. "They're twins. Rhaen and Rhetsae?"

Dalia froze a moment. Her brow scrunched in confusion, and then her expression gave way to one of contemplation. "Aye, those names do sound familiar."

"Who are they?"

"See, I told you you were special!" Dalia laughed, changing the subject.

"You didn't answer my question!" Gwendolyn huffed in annoyance; she gave Dalia the strongest glare she could muster.

"You are graced with a most...uncommon ability: it seems you can read minds! And it also seems you can sense the presence of others."

"But I met them!"

"Perhaps that is just the beginning! We can tap into your true potential here!"

"You're not listening!" Gwendolyn screamed. She ran a hand through her hair and took a deep breath. "But then why should you?" With a firm grip on her composure Gwendolyn met Dalia's gaze once more.