Black Diamonds and Silver Hearts

C H A P T E R - 7

|June|

And yes, yes it freaking can.

After four days of bed rest, thousands of movie marathons, and plenty of visits from the good Dr. Kim, the FBI came back to deliver some unexpected news.

"What do you mean I can't go back?" I inquired, squinting my eyes at Agent Halloway and the other two agents that lurked behind her like shadows.

"It means you can't," She reiterated, plain and simple, from where she sat. A white armchair which seemed to short for someone as tall as Agent Halloway.

Before I could say another word she cut in again, her expression stern and serious.

"June, you have to understand this is for your protection. Jack and his crew is still at large and who knows what they might be up to. They could hurt you again." Worry threaded through her words and the heat on my tongue faded to a simmer.

"That's a big if," I muttered mostly to myself. "I don't even know for sure if they're the reason why I ended up in the hospital."

Agent Halloway's stern expression softened and her eyes shone with sympathy. "Perhaps not, but we can't risk it. You know them and they know you. One day they might think you know too much or..."

Maybe they already have, were the words she left unspoken. She had a point. Unfortunately.

And if going back meant bringing danger to Evergreen, everyone else would be at risk too. It's one thing if it's just me, but if Damien or Penny, or even Ms. Mitchell got hurt...

I don't know how I can live with that.

"Not like I have a choice do I?" I murmured, rubbing my wrist where bruises faded into my skin.

Agent Halloway shook her head, the corners of her mouth dipped down slightly. "No. I'm sorry June, but I promise we will keep you safe. And when it all blows over you can return home if you like."

I curled my arms around me and sighed. Home? I'm not even sure what that is anymore.

Staring down at the tiled floors I tried to picture my future. Before, I always knew I would have to leave Evergreen after graduation and live on my own while working a part-time job or something like that. But I never thought I'd have to go like this.

Looking back up at Agent Halloway I asked, "Where am I going?"

Holding her hand up behind her head, one of the other Agents handed her a leather briefcase. Holding it in her lap, she flipped the latches open with a click, and shuffled through what sounded like stacks of papers. When she found what she was searching for she held it out to me, gesturing for me to take it.

At first glance it looked like a travel brochure for New England like the ones you'd see in tourist shops or in the lobbies of hotels.

The cover was of a grand castle sitting on acres of lavish green fields with a sea of clear blue skies hovering above. But as I took the brochure into my own hands, my eyes drifted to the bottom where, in metallic gold text, words flourished onto the paper.

Kingswood Academy of Excellence.

I blinked twice and read it again. The words remained the same.

"But...I don't understand." I handed her back the brochure. They couldn't be serious. It had to be a joke; a very bad joke. Kingswood wasn't even in a different continent let alone a different state. "Shouldn't I go in hiding somewhere far away like Antarctica or something?"

Her lips quirked up slightly, barely suppressing a laugh. She gently pushed the brochure back into my hand. "Trust me. Kingswood is the safest place for you. Their security is top-notch and they prioritize not only the students education, but their well-being too. Arrangements have already been made so all you need to worry about is what classes you want to take."