Don't Go Into The Woods

Chapter 4

It was dark and a little too long for my liking. Did these people not have enough lights in this place or were they just trying to make cut backs so they thought that cutting back on the electricity usage would be a great way to save? What ever the reason they had for shrouding this place in darkness was by far a stupid one. Especially since I was not a fan of being in the dark in an unfamiliar place and it could not get any worse than being in an very old creepy looking castle. To make matters worse, this place smelt like an old dusty broom and the brick walls was far too cold for me. The paintings that hung from the wall were not helping to settle my nerves in this plan. Although I could not see the paintings very clearly in the dim light my cellphone provided me as i walked down the passage, I felt their eyes on me which gave me major goosebumps. I was actually relieved to finally reach the door to the principal's office. The large golden sign reading PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE" I knocked on the door first before entering in a bit of a rush. I had had enough of the dark and gloomy passage. The office I entered contained far more light. My eyes squinted for a moment or two as they adjusted. When they did I was finally able to take in the room that I was standing in now. The walls were littered with books of all colors and sizes. There was a purple velvet double sofa situated on my left with a little glass coffee table placed in front of it. A large crystal chandelier hung from the very high ceiling which was the main reason as to why this room was so lit up. There were massive windows that were situated directly opposite to the entrance door of this office, but seeing as the sky was still so grey after all the raining, they did not offer much light. Right in front of the windows was placed a large old fashioned wooden desk with one of those very high purple velvet arm chairs. This Ms. Hatch clearly liked her purple velvet. It was then that a medium height hour glass shaped lady with pointy purple glasses on, dressed in a lilac colored suit with a matching shirt underneath the jacket, came stepping out from behind the chair. He long dark blonde was tied up in a high bun which just looked too tight for me. My head hurt just looking at that. I quickly tried to divert the attention from the bun as I cleared my throat and spoke up. "Uhm. Sorry to barge in like this, but your passage is super creepy. I did knock though." I said, being my super honest self. Trying to make a first good Impression here was not on my to do list seeing as I did not even want to be here.

"You must be the Savannah King." Ms. Hatch said. Her eyes were fixated on me almost as if she was trying to get a good read on me. What ever tickled her fancy. I honestly did not care.

"That is correct. I'm guessing Rick told you all about me." I said. Another thing I did not care about. Rick or anyone else for that matter talking nonsense about me. Ms. Hatch did not answer me Immediately. She just continued to stare at me as she decided to take a seat at her desk, motioning me to join her as she held out her hand to the two smaller purple velvet arm chairs placed in the front of her desk. I was hesitant at first, but chose not to be difficult. The chairs looked comfortable to sit on at least. Far better than the back seat I was subdued to for the pass couple of hours.

"I used to be your step father's teacher back in the day so that should answer your question." Ms. Hatch said. I did not really need her to say that in order for me to already know that. I don't care if that made me look like a know it all. I took seat on one the chairs. My butt felt at home so I was right. "There is two reasons why Rick asked for me to speak to you before you make yourself at home." I was not aiming at making myself at home, but I chose to keep my thoughts to myself as Ms. Hatch continued to speak to me. "As you already must know, we are a private boarding school who aims to achieve nothing less than success. We feel that each student should dress like they are aiming for success so a pair of boots, jeans and leather jackets are not considered uniform. You shall find your uniform waiting upstairs in your room on your bed." Ms. Hatch said. My heart sunk at the thought of being forced to wear anything that I did not choose for myself. I had a very particular taste in clothing and now this stupid school and all its aiming for success nonsense was just messing it up completely. I bit my lip to prevent myself from saying anything to this principle. "There is also a rule book waiting for you. I suggest you read it tonight seeing as you are currently the only student here. Classes start on Wednesday so we are only expecting the students to arrive tomorrow." So my mom and Rick chased me away only to have me arrive a daily earlier than expected. Typical. They seriously could not wait to get rid of me. Like I cared anyway. I was always better off being alone than with anyone else. Especially them. "Secondly. You will come to learn very quickly that I do not take any nonsense from any of the students here so as long as you stick to the rules and perform as expected in your school work than you and I should have no problems. I won't tolerate any of the shit you have been putting your mother and step father through. Are we clear?"

"That sounds awfully like a threat to me Ms. Hatch." I said, folding my arms and glaring at this woman seated before me. She was trying to boss me around and she was not going to win. She was not the first principle to preach to me, but I hoped that she would be the last seeing as I was becoming tired of being preached to by people who were only going to fail in their attempts to control me.

"Take it up as you like, but I prefer to think of it as a promise." Ms. Hatch said, leaning forward with an odd smile which made me feel sort of uncomfortable which I hid from her of course. She placed her elbows on the desktop and rested her chin on her crossed fingers. Not once did she take her eyes off of me. I was not stupid. I knew what she was trying to do here. She was trying to intimidate me. Too bad for her it was not going to work. Not on me. She must have me mistaken for one of those other weak and dumb students who she could just push over when she had broken them down. I was not weak. "I suggest you go unpack. Dinner shall be served at 6pm sharp in the school's canteen. There is a map in your rule book to show you where to go." Ms. Hatch said smoothly.

"Thanks for this lovely chat. I guess I will see you around than." I said, giving the principal a snarky smile as I rose to my feet. I wasted no time in hurrying to the door in order for me to leave. The sooner I got out of here the sooner I would be able to start breathing properly again.

"One quick piece of advice Savannah." Ms. Hatch said as I reached the door. I let out this heavy sigh as I forced myself to turn back around to face the principal. It was more than obvious that I really did not want to have to hear another word from this wannabe tough woman. "I always advise that the students keep their doors locked over night time."

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Just an old folk story about the castle." Ms. Hatch replied. "As the story goes, there was a young maiden taken by a wolf during the night. Her body was found in the nearby woods ripped to shreds. They never did find the wolf."

"Nice welcoming story. I will be sure to leave the dinner for the wolf tonight than." I said sarcastically. I added a smile there which Ms. Hatch chose not to return. For a rule maker she was clearly incapable of even smiling at her own meek attempts at trying to scare me. Unfortunately for her, I did not scare easily just like I did not allow myself to be intimidated easily. I gave the principal one last look before opening the door and leaving the office without a second thought.