Welcome to the City of Lancaster

Chapter Twenty

"Samuel West?"
"Yeah."
"Abigail Johnson?"
"Here."
"Herman Blackthorn?"
"Who the hell is Herman?" I asked Sam in a soft voice.
"Take a wild guess," Sam whispers back with a smile, the smile didn't even reach his eyes.
I look at Calum who simply raised his hand not saying a word.
"Good, come with me please," the administrator beckons for us to follow him.
We got up from our chairs and followed the administrator, we had been in the infirmary for a full day for an observation before Amara decided to that we were fit enough to return to our normal routine but we hardly said a word to one another during that time, well, except just now when I asked who 'Herman' was. We headed up to the headmaster's office, probably for another round of questioning and being told what our punishments were going to be. The worst I've received is detention and I have doubts after this incident that it was not going to be that and I prayed it wasn't something bad.
The administrator knocked on the door and entered the headmaster granted him access by calling out 'enter', I waited for Calum and then Sam to go first as I was a coward, my heart was beating furiously against my chest.
"Sit down please."
From the two experiences I have had with the headmaster, he sounded calm and gentle but as expected and still taken me by surprise, he sounded angry.
The headmaster looked at each of with nothing except disappointment.
"Well?" He asks us.
None of us said anything, I fiddled with my fingers nervously.
"No one is going to give me the truth?" The headmaster asks.
From the corner of my eye, both Calum and Sam looked at each other confused. I didn't tell them about my lie, I guess I should've swallowed my pride and actually speak to them whether they wanted to speak to me or not.
The headmaster sighs in annoyance.
"Which version of the story is true?"
"Mine," I say quickly before the others could say anything. "Like I said, it was my idea and anything they said about the entire thing... it was only so I wouldn't get the full blame for it."
The headmaster raises his eyebrow.
"Headmaster, I like to read," I was going to tell him exactly what I said to that ranger fellow. "I came across this information about the maze and I really wanted to go. As much as I don't like to admit it but I am curious about the world and I wanted them," I motioned to them, they both stared at me with a mixture of confusion and surprise, "to take me but they said 'no'."
I take a deep breath. "So I went by myself. They followed and tried to stop me. They knew the dangers whereas I didn't and they followed me."
"Is what Miss Johnson saying the truth?" He asks the boys.
"Uh..." Sam turns from me to the headmaster. "Yes?"
"You don't sound so sure," the headmaster says. "True, yes or no?"
"Yes headmaster," Calum says. "We should have got a teacher and we did not think straight, our main concern was getting Abby back."
"She's our friend sir," Sam adds, he looks at me and smiles, I quickly returned the smile.
"Headmaster, I am truly sorry. I still do not understand how dangerous and scary this place may be, I shouldn't allow my curiosity to get the better of me," I reused the same line on that ranger on the headmaster.
"Well Miss Johnson, now you know the dangers that lie within our world. I am sure you have dangers in your world?"
"Yes sir but nothing compared to that," I tell him.
"Regardless of anything, you all broke the rules. Detention for two weeks everyday and this weekend, you will remain in your dorms, no leaving unless it is for food purposes. Understood?"
Huh, I expected much worse than this.
A knock came on the door.
"Enter."
Ranger Ace and Ranger Robin came walking in, the woman was no where to be seen.
"We have discussed your situation here at the academy Miss Johnson and as much as I had hoped for you to train to become a ranger, it seems fit to send you to the Rangers Base until further notice."
"What?" I leaped up from my chair unexpectedly causing everyone to jump. "You can't do that."
"Yes, actually we can Miss Johnson," Ranger Ace says handing the headmaster some papers.
"Headmaster, he can't be serious! What about the other things you and I discussed?"
The headmaster lowered his head. "I did want to speak to you privately about the matter-" I cut him off, this was unacceptable.
"And what do you expect me to do there?" I question.
"Sit around in your room until the portal is ready," the ranger says as if it were obvious.
"Headmaster, you can't be serious," Sam jumps in. "You can't keep someone locked up in a room!"
"I am sorry, it is out of my hands now."
I slammed my hands down on the table in anger. "I said no" I say slowly. "I just had a taste of what it is truly like out there and you know what? I liked it."
The headmaster looked at me like what I had said was crazy and you know what? He was right, who in their right mind would say that they liked being in the Maze of Horrors?
"You want to know what my horror experience in the maze was besides those little creepy ugly ass things? My aunt's boyfriend. He liked to hit us, he liked beating the living shit out of us, he liked telling us what to do, he liked scoffing his face with our food while my aunt and I starved," I was crying now but I didn't care. "I almost let him win but somehow by being here, I found the courage to fight back. I fought back and I defeated him. So damn any male who tries to take my choices away because I'll fucking fight you." I wiped my tears, I hated crying, I was so over it.
"Language Miss Johnson," headmaster says sternly.
I glared at the rangers, Robin seemed taken back by what I said and even though Ace's expression was unreadable, his eyes gave off another story. I glanced at Sam who looked like he was about to start crying while Calum had his jaw clenched. I finally turned back to the headmaster.
"I apologise for swearing but they are not going to make me sit around in some room. I am safer here and if you let me train to become a ranger, I wouldn't have to only rely on everyone to keep saving me. I saved myself once and if given the chance, I can do it again."
I sat back down, that felt extremely good.
"Well, I am sold," the headmaster says, his eyes twinkling brightly at me.
The rangers glanced at one another.
"The matter has already been decided by the council," ranger Ace says. "I'm sorry Miss Johnson."
"Why don't we organise another council meeting?" Ranger Robin pipes up ignoring the glare from his colleague. "It appears that this child is not exactly a child anymore and is now capable of making her own decisions, so we must let her," Robin looks at Ace. I wasn't sure if he was mocking me or they were having a conversation of their own. I was very confused.
"Until then, she can stay. The academy is heavily guarded and we will have to scoop the areas to make sure there isn't any sneaky ways in or out," Robin glances at us.
"I'm cool with that," I tell them. "But I want to make sure I am heard and not have you people take me lightly."
The headmaster chuckles. "The King and Queen would be delighted to meet you Abigail. I'll make a request for you to come along."
"This is unprofessional headmaster," ranger Ace says through his teeth.
I started feeling a wave coming on, I did my best to ignore it and listen to the headmaster and the range get into an argument but the headache was coming on strongly. I clenched my jaw to keep from expressing the pain. It has been on and off since I passed out in the hallway and I haven't had the chance to tell any of the boys just yet, I rested my head against my forehead giving it a bit of pressure.
The next second it was gone. I glanced up, no one had seemed to notice which was good, I made a mental note to go see Amara to see if there was anything I could take.
"We will send for you when we have decide to meet, until then," the rangers nodded their heads and left the room.
"Well now that was quite an interesting conversation," the headmaster says. "Um, back to business. Miss Johnson due to you not having your family here for the two week holiday that is a couple of months away, the West family has been informed about your situation and have gladly welcomed you to stay with them."
"Seriously?" Sam perks up. "Mum and dad were okay with it?"
"Yes, although I have also spoken to them about what you've been up too and don't expect much of a warm welcome either."
Sam makes a grim face.
"Mr Blackthorn unfortunately I was unable to contact your parents-"
"-typical-" Calum mutters.
"-so I contacted your brother instead, he will be here in a few hours."
Calum groans.
"And do not worry about attending your classes today but I do recommend getting to detention at seven-thirty sharp at B-thirteen classroom."
"All right, dismissed."
We get up to go.
"Miss Johnson?"
"Yes headmaster?"
"After hearing your speech, I would recommend speaking to the school councillor about it or even to some friends that you trust."
"Yes sir," I felt my cheeks heat up.
"I am happy to know that this place is helping you, I am also here if you need to talk."
I nodded. "Thank you sir."
I turn to follow the boys out of the room. They led the way down, the bell rings signalling that classes. People were coming out of the classrooms, some noticed us and started whispering. I assume that rumours were already flying around the academy by now, I kept my head held high as I continued to follow them outside. Lynette stood outside, she waved us over. I hesitated but walked over to her anyway.

"I am glad to see that the three of you are okay," Lynette says. "I've been so worried."
"Yeah, well, we're alive," Sam says trying to keep the tone light.
"Well, it wasn't just me but the others within the team were worried as well," she takes a deep breath. "I am here to apologise to you three."
"What do you mean?" Calum finally says something.
"I had a vision," Lynette says biting her lip. "You were in a maze running terrified, you were lost. I had to tell someone and I am so sorry!"
Calum looked pissed off. "No one asked you to do that."
Lynette flinched a little. "I expect you not to forgive me... I thought it was the right thing to do."
"It was the right thing to do, if you hadn't said anything, we'd probably be still stuck there or worse," Sam says elbowing Calum. "We should be the ones that are sorry. It was difficult and some of us are still trying to process it, right?" He looks at Calum.
Calum sighs. "I'm sorry to Lynette... and for snapping. You have no idea what we've been through."
"We're all forgiven?" Lynette asks her eyes lighting up.
"Of course," Sam says reached out to pull her into a hug.

I took a step back smiling sadly, I wanted so much to feel apart of this moment but instead, I felt unwanted. Whether it was because I had pushed them away or because of the maze incident, it felt unwanted. Without a word, I turned to leave.
"Abby?" Lynette's voice stopped me. "Aren't you going to give me a hug?"
I turn around giving them a fake smile. "Actually, I was just going over to see Amara."
"What for?" Calum asks, he sounded so emotionless. I hated it.
"Mind your damn business," I snap at him before back around and heading in the direction of the infirmary. I tried pushing every single thought to the back of my mind, the only thing I needed to think about is that damn medicine to help with the bloody headaches.
"Abby?"
Sam comes up beside me. "I'll come with you."
"There is no need Sam," I tell him.
"I needed to go see her anyway," Sam says shrugging.
"Oh, okay, sure."
He smiles but again, it doesn't reach his eyes.
We walked in silence for half of the way which should've felt nice since it was easy being with Sam but right now, it felt tensed and awkward.
"I wanted to ask you... how are you feeling?" Sam asks.
"I'm good."
"Really?"
"Truly."
Sam stops walking. "Abby..."
"Just stop it Sam," I tell him.
He didn't say anything, he fell into step next to me and we walked in silence.
When we reached the infirmary, Sam wondered away from me to go sit at one of the chairs while I waited patiently for Amara by the desk who took nearly ten minutes to arrive.
"Everything all right Abby?" Amara asks.
I explained to her about the headaches coming and going and luckily she gave me a small container filled with numbing leaves.
"Suck on one of these for about five minutes, the headache should subside quickly. Once you finish the container and if they are still occurring please come back and see me."
I thanked her and left without waiting for Sam who was reading a magazine when I walked past. Honestly, I had no idea what my problem was. I was the one who was pushing people away and even when someone was trying to break down the wall, I continued to push them away and Sam did not deserve it. I wanted to go back and apologise but instead, I kept walking with my head down in shame.