Safe With Me

Chapter 1

Gordon gave me the name Margo Mandala, printing off lots of new paperwork at the table. The printer made the familiar whir, click-click-click, swoosh sound as the paper printed, one sheet at a time. I peeked at the birth certificate, skimming through the words and turning away before Gordon noticed that I was looking. On the couch, I closed my eyes and pictured the page, scanning through to find the date. He had me registered as being ten. Although I was only four, I was tall enough to be considered a short ten-year-old, and I certainly had the brains to trick people into thinking I was older than I actually was. I had the intellect of an adult, but I would never pass as one physically.

Still, a question itched in my mind, one that I knew Gordon would never approve, but I still found my way back to the kitchen and let the words spill out.

"Mr. G., can I go to school?" He looked up at me with a questioning look and I felt the need to defend the question. "You have me in the paperwork as being ten, so I could go to fifth, or even sixth grade, I'm smart enough."

"Margo," he started, setting his hands flat on the table. "You're smart enough to go to college, but you know that we can't risk putting you out in the open. I'm sorry, there's too much risk."

I nodded, biting my lip and spun on my heel to head back to the couch. Gordon cleared his throat, clearly reconsidering.

"Do you swear that you will try to fit in," he asked, rubbing his face with his hand. I nodded, trying not to seem overly enthusiastic. He shrugged, staring at he table.

"Alright, Margo. But keep in mind that I'm trusting you on this."

"I'm going to need clothes," I respond and he shakes his head.

"Yes ma'am," he said, and I spun on my heel and skipped into my room, gazing out the window at the cars moving below. I'll be in school soon, I thought, smiling to myself.