Page 4 of Disobedient Pawn

“I don’t get into trouble and have top grades,” I said.

“I find that hard to believe with how flippant you’ve been with me.” His dark grey eyes reminded me of a snowstorm. Staring into them left me feeling like I was standing in the middle of a blizzard.

“I didn’t realize it was mandatory to give someone I don’t know respect. Especially when they practically tore my family apart with how much they made my father work while my mother was ill. Thanks, but I’ll reserve my respect for those in my life who deserve it. I don’t hand it out for free.” I couldn’t believe I had just said that, but I wasn’t looking away or backing down now. My father worked for him, but I didn’t, and I was only on this plane because I was being forced.

Surprisingly, he smiled. “You will do nicely,” he said. Mr. Collier undid his seatbelt and stood up as we reached cruising altitude. “It was nice chatting with you, Ms. Davies.”

I watched him walk down the aisle and rejoin the group. There was nothing nice about our chat. What the hell did he mean, ‘I’d do nicely?’ Nicely for what? I caught my father’s stare, and it was unreadable. I was alone. Aunt Nadia and Lizzy would be a country away, and Mum was truly gone, never coming back.

I covered my mouth to stop myself from breaking down into hysterical sobs. I was alone with snakes that I didn’t trust.

* * *

NOVEMBER 3 - WEDNESDAY 4:45 PM (PDT)

Ren

I must have nodded off and jerked awake as the plane’s wheels touched down with a bounce. I glanced out the window at the sun in practically the same position as when we left Alberta and remembered that Portland was an hour behind what I was used to.

Yawning, I shuffled to the front of the plane and waited along with everyone else to get off the flying tin can. As I walked down the stairs, there was once more a line of black limos waiting for us. What the hell was it with black limos? Had they run out of any other styled vehicle or even a different color for variety?

I breathed a sigh of relief when Mr. Collier got into his own limo, and we ended up in another. As the cars left the airport, we resembled a funeral procession all over again.

“How far away is the house?” I stared across the seat to my father, who, unsurprisingly, had his nose buried in his phone.

“From here, about twenty minutes, but you’re not staying at the house,” he said casually like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on my head.

“What do you mean I’m not staying at the house?”

My dad looked up and stared at me. “I swear I told you.”

“Told me what?”

“Wayward is a boarding school. You’ll be living on campus.”

My mouth fell open. “You brought me here away from my friends and Aunt Nadia all so you could dump me off at a boarding school? Mum just died, or did you forget that already?”

The earlier anger I’d managed to tame was back as it burned in my gut so hot that I thought it would burn right through my skin. I gripped my backpack, fists clenching tight.

“Don’t be like that,” my father said. “Of course, I remember, but this is for the best.”

“Don’t be like what?” My voice rose along with the quickly building rage.

“Mr. Collier assures me this is a top school, and you’ll excel there. You found your old school too easy.”

“Oh, Mr. Collier said, so it must be true.” I flopped back into my seat and stared out at the world passing by.

“Ren, this is for the best.”

“Yeah, for you. As always,” I spat out and glared at my father. “You know what, I’m happy to be dropped off. Do me a favor and don’t bother to visit,” I snapped and then pulled my earphones into place as my father started in on a rant.

I didn’t care if I ever heard his voice again.

* * *

An hour later, we pulled into the school’s long driveway. I could’ve sworn we stepped back in time as I stared at the architecture. The campus looked like something from an old movie, horrific and haunted, with gargoyles lining the top of the main building.

Jumping out of the car the moment it stopped, I looked up and already hated it. My father got out, still talking to me, but I didn’t even glance his way. Slinging my backpack over my shoulder and taking my large suitcase from the driver, I made my way up the ramp to the front door.