Winter Fire

Ch. 26 [The Third Mistake]

Winter Fire
Ch. 26
The Third Mistake

Ms. Lynne blatantly refused to answer any of my questions. She wouldn't deny, but she wouldn't agree either. I was beyond frustrated. Principal Glass had disappeared deeper into her office, but I could hear her voice murmuring over the phone. I couldn't tell what she was saying. However hard my ears strained they picked up nothing. And when I tried casually creeping closer to the cracked door she'd vanished behind, Ms. Lynne caught my arm and dragged me out into the hall.

"Winter." She spoke cautiously as if she were talking to a child on the verge of a temper tantrum.

I glared at her. She pressed her lips together.

"I need you to go back to your room and gather your belongings." I went to object, but she held up a hand and cut me off. "Don't bother. You just have to trust us, okay? Mr. Shor is going to accompany you."

"Mr. Shor!" I cried. "The karate instructor?!"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, he should be here any minute now."

She glanced around the halls, but there was no sight of Mr. Shor. She fidgeted in place.

"Ms. Lynne--"

"No."

I huffed and crossed my arms. "Are you not even going to ask about earlier?"

She glanced sidelong at me. "Did you want me to?"

I scowled and glanced away. Ms. Lynne watched me for a moment, then she let out a soft sigh.

"Winter, I can understand how you must be feeling right now--"

No--!" I snapped, whirling on my heels to face her. "No you have no idea what I'm feeling right now. I don't even know what I'm feeling right now."

Ms. Lynne immediately backed off, and I could see sympathy in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry this had to happen to you. After all you've been through already . . ."

I didn't reply.

Mr. Shor was approaching down the left hall, dressed in his normal joggers and T-shirt. He smiled at Ms. Lynne, but it was severely forced and she only grimaced in response.

"Mr. Shor." She greeted coolly.

"Ms. Lynne." He replied.

"You are to take Miss Arrow to her dorm immediately and without any side tracking. Stay with her at all times and do not let anyone approach her. She is under your care now. Help her gather her belongings and then meet us at the gym entrance. Do not let her go off on her own. Now I expect to see you in 20 minutes. Good luck, Mr. Shor."

Mr. Shor nodded solemnly and watched as Ms. Lynne dissappeared back into the Principal's office. Then he gestured towards the hall. I cast him an irritated glance, but started forward anyways.

The walk to the girls' dormitories was utterly silent. Mr. Shor did not respond when I tried to persuade him I'd be fine in my own. He even dragged me stoically by the back of my tank top when I tried sneaking away. I'd given up attempting to lose him by the time we'd reached the entrance to the girls' dorms. I led him down the halls towards the stairs, but right when I turned the last corner I froze in place. Mr. Shor nearly ran into my back.

Archer stood leaning casually against the doorframe of the entrance to the staircase. His bow and sheath lay against the wall by his side. He did nothing when I stopped cold in the center of the hall, his electric aquamarine eyes lifting slowly to meet mine. My gut lurched and I suddenly had trouble swallowing.