Chapter 14 #4
His gaze doesn’t leave mine, and his breathing steadies.
Every part of him is still, as the sound of the wind brushes past his exhale.
I was screaming on the floor when he was fighting me, and he just kicked me more.
Now, I say my wrists hurt, and he’s staring at me like I’m a puppy.
Is this all it takes to still the great Patron Pesh or what? I want to smile, but I don’t.
For a second, I am almost hypnotized by his tempting gaze, then I snap out of it (unbeknownst to him) knowing if I stare a second more, he might anticipate my next move.
And I cannot let that happen.
I let out a gentle sigh, then look up to his lips. He looks down at my face, then to my lips, and draws closer to kiss me. Unconsciously, he fully loses his grip.
I think I just won.
Suddenly, I jab, kick, then go to slide kick him, but he comes to his senses and swerves, so I miss.
I slide kick him again—this time pretending to aim for his right by looking at his right leg, so he watches out for that one, but I use my right leg to slide kick into his left leg where he was not expecting to be targeted.
That may have been symbolic of the prior situation that led me to this and as such, he falls into my hands.
He falls back, then catches himself. I smile slightly, knowing I’ve won a major milestone.
But in the same moment, I snap out of it, wondering what the consequences of my actions will be.
I honestly hope he will be angry and somehow not be the forgiving Pesh I know him to be.
I want him to send me to The Seventh Zone or something crazy like that, but something inside me tells me that he won’t do that.
Just as I am contemplating my thoughts, he barges toward me in anger.
“You cheated.”
“What? That was fair and square!” I scream, elevating my tone as much as I can.
“The Commons isn’t fair or square. You cheated.”
“What? By looking you in the eye? Sorry if my gaze is too distracting.”
Instantly, he grabs my hands and pulls me closer to himself.
He whispers in my ear, “I know what you’re doing, Shantavia.
Stop it. That’s not the way to find what you’re looking for.
I didn’t get you that book to cause you to ruin your life.
There are people who would die to know the skills I am trying to teach you here. ”
“And what skills are you trying to teach me exactly?”
“Skills that people in The Seventh Zone need: to escape.”
Instantly, he lets go of me and walks out, the door slamming against the wall in his haste. My eyes flicker, trying to come to terms with what he just said. To Escape? What?
I don’t know the full meaning of that terrifying statement.
But there is one thing I can make a reasonable assumption about.
Pesh is on my side. If not overtly, but secretly, he is trying to help me.
So, I decide to maximize his allegiance to the fullest. I decide to sneak into his office to find as much information about The Seventh Zone as I can.
I know if he catches me, he most likely will not punish me.
And even if he does, it will still only advance my quest to get to The Seventh Zone—one way or another.
I approach Pesh’s office door and look to see it requires a passcode on the doorknob for entrance. I remember his mother’s date of birth, so I try that—July 1st.
0701
Beep… it opens. Yes!
I enter his office, my eyes briefly scanning the ornate architecture.
And then, before I forget, I quickly pull out his golden-camel sweater from my backpack. I leave it on his chair with a note that says: I don’t intend to owe you.
Next, I rush to his table and begin to look for files that could lead me to Levon—anything about myself, my sister, The Seventh Zone, the study abroad program. I search and search through piles of papers.
I find nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Creak… I hear footsteps approaching. Oh no. In haste, I begin to arrange the files, rushing to put everything back. That’s when I see Pesh coming inside.
Shocked, I hide under his desk and peep through a hole in the corner.
To my even greater shock, I see Patron De Londe, with his devilish green eyes and flamboyant black cape in the office with Pesh.
Do his eyes change color? I wonder why Pesh is with him at this time in the night, but I don’t have time to wonder.
If I am caught in here, I will face the risk of suspension, expulsion, or even death.
I think about my course of action. Pesh warned me that I needed to be skilled if I was going to go to The Seventh Zone, so I know I cannot just run out and expose myself right now. I have to be cautious, so I listen in on their conversation.
“So, show me the deviants,” Patron De Londe says.
Pesh hands him an ethereal-looking book, emitting gold dust. Patron De Londe opens the book, and in the center, there are golden stars and a C shaped moon enclosing the stars. My name appears with what seems like code interpretations.
“These ones you already know,” Pesh responds.
“And the girl Beatrice kept mentioning, whose bed picks up her thoughts at night. The one plotting plans in her brain and not sleeping?” Patron De Londe asks.
Oh my! That’s me.
“I don’t think she’s a problem,” Pesh responds, but Patron De Londe interrupts.
“Of course she is a problem. Her sister was here. Why would she come, knowing that—except she has other plans? She doesn’t seem to be conforming well.”
“I’ve talked to her. Fought her. She’s too smart to deviate.”
Patron De Londe smiles, saying, “Too smart, mm. I talked to her, did you know? I also talked to the rest of the Patrons. They think she’s too smart for the tests.
Seriously? How can she be too smart for our tests?
We have to find someone to eliminate her, she looks like trouble. Maybe her best friend can do it?”
“No!” Pesh responds.
“Why not? She already agreed to,” Patron De Londe responds.
“No. She can’t. She’s too soft to do it. I will.”
“I’ve never seen you volunteer to do one, but it’s decided then. Do it smoothly.” Patron De Londe gives him a pile of files, then leaves. Pesh sighs, then leaves.