Joan Darcy & The 27th Observer, The Telescope of Elsewhere

Chapter 1

A Vacant Beginning

December 22nd, 2009

Today started like any other day. I woke up. In an unusual feeling beyond recognition, I find that have I slept without dreaming in a vacant manner. I ponder on that thought when I realize that today is not like every other day. My forward expectation of the coming day is blank. Why can’t I remember? I cannot seem to remember who I am. I have awakened in a strange bed in a strange room. I just can’t seem to figure out how I got here. What’s happening?

In a small room at the end of a ward full of beds with young girls was a solitary girl, who felt seemingly older. She started to stir. The door to her room was slightly ajar. After opening her eyes slowly she adjusted them to the light from her single narrow window on the east side of the room. After realizing that she didn’t recognize where she was she sat bolt upright. She turned her head back and forth to find any familiarity but sadly did not. She got up and crossed the small room in a heartbeat and threw the door open. For a moment she was struck, surprised at the vision before her.

There were rows of bunk beds on both sides of a ward, each one filled with a body that slept with a slow rhythmic flow of air entering their lungs and dispersing afterwards. One girl in the closest bunk turned her head to the noise of the door. She stared at the girl holding the door then with disdain turned away to find if any more sleep could be recovered before the start of her day. The girl holding the door closed it softly to spare anyone else’s dreams. She crossed the room to lie back on the bed but saw herself in the mirror over the dresser.

Her reflection was that of a young girl of sixteen or so. Her hair was a black, down to her shoulders. Her build was thin but strong. Well… she felt strong anyway. Her eyes were familiar in color. They were hazel and green with bright yellow flecks scattered throughout. They looked empty and vacant. Her posture stood tall. She turned back to the room at large and took in her surroundings. On the wall to her right was a poster of a band she didn’t recognize and an empty shelf waiting for some stuffed toy or book to call itself useful. She knew the room was small but she had not realized by how much until she took in everything around the room. Then she sat back down on the bed. The room had an overall look of being out of date with a shabby texture about it. There was wallpaper on the walls but the pattern of scantly drawn people fishing in a swamp seemed quite antiquated.

Before the bed stood an entry door, which was quite large for a door, she thought. The next wall was bare except for a much smaller narrower door. She jumped out of bed to check the handle but wouldn’t turn, locked. On the opposing wall stood another door, she tried to see if it was open but found that it was not either. She frowned. When she sat back on the bed a thought came to her. Maybe she was in a hospital?

A sudden bursting sound came from behind the wall where the second narrow door stood. Some shouting proceeded. It was a boy’s voice she thought, the voice cracked. Suddenly her front door opened. Not all the way but enough to show two women who stood patiently with smiles. She looked at the women with some indifference.

The first woman stood tall with long brown hair and brown eyes. Her smile was kindly and inviting. The other also stood straight and tall but she was more heavy set. The smile she issued didn’t seem as inviting but contained a passable amount of warmth. Her hair was a lighter shade of brown and was held up with a comb style clip in the back. Both wore long skirts with a sweater for a top. The girl got the impression that they be might wearing the same approved uniform of some kind. The thinner woman came into the room first and introduced herself.

Hello my name is Margrette Smith and this is Helen Gennova. We are here to introduce you to the new place that you will be calling home for a little while.

The girl suddenly thought to herself that she was definitely in a mental institution now by the way she was being spoken to.

The other woman spoke next with a higher pitched tone.

This is the Murphey House for Girls and Boys. You were transferred here last night and I thought we should have some breakfast before we start showing you around.

The girl looked between both women as they spoke. When they finished she displayed a puzzled look about her. When they paused, she spoke cautiously.

So, what is the Murphey House?

Helen Gennova then had the puzzled look about her. She turned to her associate, then to the young lady.

Surely you were told that this organization was an orphanage?

The girl thought about her statement then said, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I am also struggling with my name as well. I was kind of hoping one of you might tell me that to start with?

Margrette walked into the room and sat on the girl’s bed.

Well to start with, your name is Joan Anne Darcy. You have a medical condition that impairs your memory. Helen here is a like a school counselor except that she works for the orphanage. She will help with your needs in the system. Why don’t you get some clothes on and we’ll all have some breakfast together.

Joan pointed at the closet, If that is the closet it’s locked.

Helen piped up immediately then walked in herself. Yes, because you were new we locked the closet in case of fire. We don’t want to lose anyone because a new child thought it was a good place to hide. Here let me open that for you.

After the door was opened there was quiet moment when Joan just stared at the two women in her room as no one spoke. The two women realized that she was waiting for them to leave so she could change in private. They bustled to their feet and left closing the door behind them.

Joan crossed the room in two short steps. When she looked inside the closet she was disappointed. There were a handful of clothes which hung on hangers, a pair of sneakers, which looked new, and a backpack which sat on the otherwise empty floor. She took some jeans out and a knit sweater, she laid them on the bed and looked for some socks, to which she found none. She pondered on the name Joan Anne Darcy before she took off her pajamas. The name seemed so familiar, why couldn’t she remember her own name?

Knuckles rapped against the door, Miss Darcy, are you presentable yet?

Joan quickly changed, tossing her clothes on the floor behind her. She quickly searched in vain for a comb. She wet her fingers in her mouth and ran them through her hair as a temporary substitute. Joan flung the door open to a surprised Helen. Oh yes, I’m ready. I’m sorry I kept you waiting.

The two women turned to lead the way. Joan followed without talking. She took in her surroundings as they made their way to the stairway that took them down. Joan couldn’t help but notice the vacant expressions on all the children’s faces. They seemed more like drones than children. Each of them appeared to follow a scheduled routine more than a familiar one. Then it hit her, where were her parents? Did she have brothers and sisters? Why was she in an orphanage anyway? She didn’t even remember coming here in the dead of night last night. It almost felt like when she woke a switch turned on and she started a new life in a new place. And there it was the pit in her stomach. An ache that felt deep and unfathomable. She knew that feeling. It was an acutely remembered feeling. If she could not remember her own name, why then did this feeling in her stomach feel like she knew it so well? A tear started in her right eye. She wiped it away suddenly. No will know that she was weak.

As the three women walked into the cafeteria Helen walked them to an empty area near the back of the room. She indicated to some of the seats, Please have a seat and I will get us some food. I’ll be right back.

After she left Margrette turned to Joan. I’m sorry. You must be on edge not knowing that you would be here when you woke up this morning. Change is difficult. When Miss Helen returns we will talk about some of the rules here so you will acclimate more quickly. But I must tell you a few things in private before she returns. First, you were brought here in the dead of night for your protection. Second, you suffer from a medical condition that doesn’t allow you to remember certain things. I will try to remind you from day to day of these things to help you along so your life might be a little easier here. And third, there is a trust fund to provide for you when you need some things...

Joan’s eyes opened. Like socks?

Yes, do you need some?

I couldn’t find any in my closet.

Maybe we should go out this evening and pick some up. But I must finish before Miss Helen comes back. This Trust allows you a certain amount cash to be given to you every day for incidentals. I will be giving this to you every day but you must not tell anyone. There are some who will be jealous of you receiving money and make problems. So...

Margrette paused on the word to see if Joan would respond.

Joan nodded and said, Yes I understand, do not tell anybody.

Just then Miss Helen came to the table with a tray of assorted food.

I see you have been chatting with Miss Margrette? I brought over an assortment, hope there is something here that suites you? Yes, well since it is Miss Margrette’s first day as well as yours, we will go over some rules that both of you will need to know.

Joan took an orange juice pint and opened it quickly.

"As I was saying, when you are addressing anyone who works here at Murphey House for Boys and Girls, adults will be always as Miss or Mister. It is a form of respect and we want to instill respectful language here at the home. Evenings are preparation for the next day, such as homework, showers, laying out your clothes and such. There is an inspection afterward where we check to see if the lockers are locked. But you do not have one of those so that would not apply. This home allows the eldest boy and girl to enjoy the privacy of their own room until they leave. It is something that the younger children can work up to as a privilege. I conduct regular meetings with the children to see how they are fitting in and to see if there are problems that I can help with. Miss Margrette here, is the ward supervisor and she will conduct the daily activities in the ward. There are two wards for girls and three for boys. Currently the southeast ward for boys is under reconstruction, leaving two, which are very full at the moment.

This cafeteria is only for girls on this side, the boys are on the opposite side but it can only be reached by going upstairs and around. We try to keep the boys and girls separate for bullying issues. There is the common room, you’ll see that when we tour. That is for interaction between all groups but it is only available before dinner at six or in the evening during special events. Hours generally run between four and six. The nurse’s station is on the first floor. The door is open all day and night. A person in your condition, Helen indicated to Joan who was wolfing down a bagel, might need to see the nurse sometimes. If you cannot remember how to get there you can find Miss Margrette on the ward and she will attend to your needs. She has an office right at the top of the stairs where you will be living.

After this long speech Miss Helen looked at Joan for a sign that she understood, but she found Joan with a donut almost fully shoved down her throat. Joan froze looking guilty as though all the food might disappear if she didn’t eat it all. Miss Margrette just smiled.

I’ll make sure she understood it all.

A young girl with dirty blond hair, cut as a bob with a round face that fit inside nicely, approached Miss Helen. Her expression was frantic. She took Miss Helen’s hand and pulled her away from Joan and Miss Margrette. She spoke in animated spurted whispers. Miss Helen looked back and spoke quickly as she hurried off.

We’ll talk more later okay? I have to go. Then she was gone.

Miss Margrette put a hand on Joan’s arm. If you are done we can walk. I want to show you around some more, well as much as I know anyway.

Joan’s mouth was full of some other food with a blueberry muffin in her hand awaiting its turn. She nodded quickly accepting Miss Margrette’s invitation. She took a last swig of orange juice from a second container as she stood. Margrette Smith commented on Breakfast.

I guess you were hungry this morning?

Joan nodded again in agreement as they stood, as her mouth was still too full to properly answer.

As they walked through the halls Miss Margrette spoke in a soft tone. She pointed out the director’s office, the bathrooms, where the common room was, but as she did so she also was holding a second conversation in an even softer tone.

Today we are going to throw a lot at you. Not only are you going to acclimate to your new home, we are also going to have you start your first day of school. I know your memory is a bit out of whack right now but it is four days before Christmas. It’s important that you get some time in before they close for the holiday. You do understand, right?

Joan nodded again but this time but she was done eating. They were approaching Joan’s room through the ward. Joan noticed that all the other kids had left. A question came to her before they arrived.

Miss Margrette, what happened to my family? I mean if there is a trust fund and stuff, isn’t there a place that I can live at? Am I rich?

Miss Margrette took Joan’s hand and led her into her room. They sat together on the bed. Miss Margrette made a heavy sigh. This is a story I have told more than once. She took Joan’s hand and smiled. Your mother died giving birth to you and your dad left. You have no brothers or sisters or extended family. The Trust I spoke of earlier was established to help you while you are growing up. You are a very lucky recipient to have received such notice among so many. So in a way you are richer then all of these other children but you are rich only in a monetary sense. The other children here are all alone and penniless. They have distant family, but no one to look after them. So even though you are an orphan like them, you are the luckier one. It is important that we never speak about the Trust and the conditions that help you along in life. The others would never understand and treat you normally. Am I making myself clear here about keeping these things to yourself?

Joan nodded as she said Yes, Then added, But I don’t understand why we had to move?

Miss Margrette pursed her lips as she pondered on how to phrase her next sentence. The reason you had to move so suddenly can only be disclosed to you when you have remembered more. The story is too involved to explain it all now. There are things that you need to understand before you can appreciate the reason why. It is difficult to do this to you now but trust me, it is very important not to broach this subject just yet. I hope you can understand. Place a little faith in me and I will come through for you.

Joan turned away a little. She wasn’t sure how she should feel about this thing called the Trust. She didn’t really know Miss Margrette. Heck, she didn’t know herself at the moment. She seemed nice. Was all this real? She was really an orphan with a memory disorder where she could not even remember her own name? Why couldn’t this be just a dream? Maybe it was? Either way she did need someone that she could believe, dream or not.

Miss Margrette put her hand on Joan’s again. It was warm in this cold reality called her life. Joan looked up into Margrette’s eyes. The parental look of a mother’s love peered down at her.

We have a full day ahead of ourselves. Why don’t you start by going into the bathroom and brushing your teeth? We’ll grab your back pack and get you off to school. After the day is done we will meet up again and see whose was worse. Remember today is my first day too.

They both smiled. Joan liked this idea. Maybe she already had a friend in Miss Margrette. Maybe this would be a good day.

Chapter 2

The Position Imposition

Joan entered the bathroom full of hope for a good day. In the hour that she had spent with Miss Margrette she had learned her own name and what happened to her parents. Strangely she did not have any feelings about any of it. It was all just information. Her day was going to be all about learning and positioning herself so that every day would be smooth and purposeful. In her hand were her toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. She was ready to start her day. She literally had nothing on her mind. Her day yesterday was forgotten so she didn’t have to worry about what she’d forgotten and there were no plans as of yet for tomorrow. Her mind was an open book.

The bathroom contained many toilet stalls and one very long counter with imbedded sinks of fake marble. Everything seemed very clean, an older style maybe, but very clean. She wasn’t sure why she knew that it was an older style. It weighed on her mind.

Joan approached the sink in the middle of the counter. The rest of the girls must still be at breakfast. She lay down an even amount of toothpaste on her brush and started brushing. In her mind a song started but of course she could not place it or even remember the words. After several minutes of doing duty to her teeth she could see three girls walk in from the reflection in the mirror. They saw her there alone and stopped. One of the girls nodded towards the stalls without saying a word. That was when something she remembered came to her. In a sudden sharp pang in the pit of her stomach it clenched. Why she remembered that special pain in her gut but not anything else bothered her a little but she didn’t know why. But now was not the time to reflect. She continued brushing and waiting. Maybe they would just go away, maybe not.

The girl that went to check the stalls found them empty. She looked back to the leader and nodded in approval. The leader was a little chubby for a young girl her size. She had long dirty blond hair that framed her long and sallow face. She smiled maliciously. Her two friends were on the thinner side. One was dark skinned and wore her dark hair straight. It too was long. The other had a European style, narrow face that showed malice through her eyes with a smile that portrayed her as hungry for the coming engagement. Her hair was long and bright pink but was slightly shorter than her friends. All the girls’ clothes were stylish for thugs, sporting T-shirts with terrible sayings or pictures and artfully torn jeans. They had facial piercings that did nothing to make them look any more feminine.

They were not pretty sights in Joan’s mind. The pit she felt came with a memory. She didn’t feel any fear with the pang. Instead she was aware of what she would need to do. She spit out the toothpaste and rinsed. As Joan finished rinsing the leader of the girls reached out and took the brush from Joan and tossed it one of the girls next to her. She spoke with a sickly sweet voice.

My name is Cassandra. That room you’re staying in was mine until last night when I was told to leave. That room is for the oldest girl on the wing. Those of us who are here the longest get the room, a privilege I’m told. In reality it is payment for no one wanting you the longest and I have been here the longest, twelve long years. She spat out in disgust.

"I’ve enjoyed my privacy, finally! And it lasted for only three months until you came along. Now I have to stay with the young girls who cry themselves to sleep every night hoping their parents get out of prison soon.

But, you know, as I lay awake last night I decided I’m going to make you pay until you run away and I get my room back. It’s true what they say; ‘You can never go back once you get a taste of freedom.’ And I’m not going to stay one night longer then I have to on those iron bunks. Strength and perseverance, that’s what I’m going to do, show my strength, and persevere until you leave.

Joan smiled calmly before she spoke, I think you got the saying wrong which tells me that you must still be in the fourth grade. Am I right? Secondly, Cassy is it? I have no idea who you are, but I’m not intimidated by you and your friends. I’m sorry you lost the room but none of that is my problem.

Cassandra nodded to the dark haired girl holding the tooth brush. She kicked in a stall door and tossed the toothbrush in a toilet. Cassandra smiled as she spoke this time. Maura here is going to make sure you have nothing to brush with while Pink will establish the new problem child this institution took on by agreeing to have you come here.

The girl named Pink went into a stall and started kicking the water valve to the toilet until water started spraying above the short wall separating the stalls. Joan quietly watched Cassandra take her toothpaste tube to the mirror and started writing.

We have to make sure that the Director knows who is responsible for all this destruction. When Cassandra pulled back from the mirror the writing in toothpaste said, I am responsible for all this fun. Cassandra looked back to Joan. They tell me your name is Joan. That’s good because there is no one else here with such an old fashion name and they’ll know who you are right away.

Cassandra bent over the counter again and signed Joan’s name on the mirror. The previous words had started running down making long streaks of white goo. She turned to Pink and gave her an order. I think we should send someone to find a ward supervisor. That way we can show them who we caught tearing up the bathroom.

Pink was out the door in a flash. Joan walked up to Cassandra and smiled again. I won’t be around to see the results of this mess. See you around.

Joan started for the door. Cassandra grabbed Joan’s sweater and pulled her back. Maura got behind her and pulled back both of her arms trying to lock them in a full nelson. Joan fought back twisting her arms and foiling the feeble strength of Maura’s thin arms. Cassandra had both of her hands on the front of Joan’s sweater now trying to hold her still. That was when Joan decided it was really time to go, her stomach clenched hard and sharp.

Joan headed butted Cassandra in the nose and spun hard on the spot putting Maura and Cassandra of balance. At that exact moment the door swung open real hard with a man running in trying to catch who was vandalizing the bathroom. The door hit Cassandra hard in the face so hard that it knocked her to the floor. She didn’t get back up. The man turned and looked at Maura holding Joan’s arms from the back. A half second later another person came running in, it was Miss Margrette. Joan looked up to her new friend hoping to find solace but found anger instead. The man took Maura and pulled her away from Joan. Cassandra lay still on the floor motionless.

Miss Margrette pointed to the door with a harsh look on her face. All of you to the director’s office now. Mr. Baston, please go and get the nurse. I will stay here until she arrives. I will be at his office in ten minutes. You all had better be there when I arrive.

Outside the Directors office there was a line of ten chairs in the hallway. There were young girls in grade school who were running past with backpacks over their coats and with mittens on, rushing to meet the buses. Joan, who arrived first at the director’s office, sat in the closest chair to the office door. The other two girls sat at the complete other end. They were whispering franticly to each other, sometimes they used hand motions to further enhance what they were saying. Joan assumed they were getting their stories straight. She, on the other hand, felt comfortable about her position in all this. If she had really wanted to wreck the bathroom, she would not have wrote on the mirror that she had done it. That was a clear indicator that she was being framed. Head butting Cassandra’s nose on the other hand, well, that was a sign of aggression. Was she an aggressive person? How did she know how to do that? Was she a bully in a previous school? She was getting worried now about her past. Maybe she had to leave the other orphanage because she was a lot of trouble and had to go into hiding.

That sick feeling in her stomach started to come back. Miss Margrette stormed up the hallway and turned into the director’s office, slamming the door closed behind her. She didn’t even stop to look at Joan. Maybe she couldn’t be her friend anymore? Maura and Pink sat quietly now waiting to be called in. A few moments later the door slowly opened and another woman stuck her head out.

The director would like to see Miss Washington and Miss Emery please.

The two girls rose and strode single file past Joan. One girl stomped on Joan’s foot the other kicked her when they went past. Joan didn’t say a thing until the door closed. Then she grabbed her leg to rub it.

Joan thought back on what had been said in the bathroom. Cassandra had stated that she, Joan, dislodged her from the room last evening to make room for her. That must mean that she is now the oldest girl on the ward. That would also mean that if someone older were to come in, she would also be in the same position as Cassandra. How would she feel about that? She couldn’t remember anything from yesterday. She struggled with how she would feel about it but it seemed like a moot point. All she could think of was that she would be a little upset about being moved away from being the oldest girl and getting the oldest girl privilege. Cassandra earned that right, she, Joan, just got there. She did not deserve the room. Maybe she should give it up? It was Cassandra’s before her after all. She pondered that a little more before the door opened again.

Time passed slowly. Joan couldn’t decide where to put her hands after she finished rubbing her leg’s recent wound. She wove her fingers together then played with her fingernails. It was then that she noticed that she had a ring on. She had no idea why she had a ring. It was gold in a simple design with a flat top. Recessed within the flat top was a light blue stone. The area where the stone sat was quite dirty. She could not be sure even what kind of stone it really was. The light blue nature of it suggested that it was not a diamond, perhaps a tourmaline. They came in light blues. Again that feeling settled into the pit of her stomach. How did she know that? There seemed to be a lot of things she just knew but could not remember how she knew. She needed to ask more questions about her past to Miss Margrette. She led her to believe that she knew a little. Maybe she knows more?

The woman she didn’t know popped her head back out of the door. The director will see you now Miss Darcy.

Joan rose, not feeling so well positioned anymore. She was confident a few minutes ago about being blameless. Now maybe she deserved to be confronted about a benefit she did not deserve. Joan walked into the office taking the only seat left available by the door. Miss Margrette closed the door behind Joan as she sat. The other two girls were sitting with their heads looking away as though they were just scolded but were too old for that sort of thing. They played the role of indifferent observers. Miss Margrette stood behind the director as he sat back down at his desk. The name plate said his name was Joseph Frantz. He spoke with a deep even tone.

I wanted to bring you in last to describe the events that exploded, for lack of another word, in the girl’s bathroom. I have spoken to Miss Washington and Miss Emery and they gave me their accounts. Since this is your first day I am giving you the benefit of the doubt. Please tell me what happened in you own words.

Joan sat up a little straighter and started. I went in to brush my teeth. Miss Margrette suggested that I do so before I go to school. These three girls came in and they wanted to pick a fight. The head one, Cassandra, said that I took her room...

Maura and Pink suddenly changed their positions in their seats and started to shout over Joan because their stories did not match. They were calling her a liar and a bully. Mr. Frantz stood right up and shouted Quiet! All went silent in an instant.

I want you two girls to go back out into the hall and stay there until I call you again.

They stood quickly and stormed out. Mr. Frantz sat back down and straightened his tie before he spoke again.

Now, the three girls you encountered this morning are the bullies of the girl’s dormitories. They are frequently in my office because of something. These three young ladies have been problem children from when they were very young. The fact that they get along with each other is a testament to the loneliness this place can instill in individuals. I am sorry you had to encounter them within the first hours of arriving here. From what I understand you may not even remember them tomorrow. But if you do, you need to give them a wide berth, understand? I don’t see any of this as your fault. I just feel bad that all of this happened in the first place.

Joan cut in. I can see why she was so mad. I might have been upset at losing what I earned if someone came in and took the room from me. You should not let me have it. I mean, I don’t ever remember having peace and privacy. I can’t miss what I never had, or remember having. And about Cassandra’s nose...

Mr. Frantz looked over to Miss Margrette. I see what you mean.

He looked back to Joan. I already know about Miss Landry’s nose and black eye. Mr. Baston already told me about the door hitting her in the face. She will be ok, don’t worry. Also your desire to give her back the room is a gallant gesture and shows the real nature of what’s in your heart. She never really deserved getting the room in the first place because of her undesired activity here at the home. But it is in the rules that the oldest girl and boy get some needed seclusion from the community. Having you come here and changing that for her will hopefully show her that she has a way to go before she can earn that trust back. I am going to allow you to keep the room because I think you will need it more than she will. I will send you back to the ward with Miss Margrette so that you can get ready for school. I believe that you are now late. Miss Smith, after you finish at the school I would like you to come back to my office. There are a few things I would like to go over. Please send Miss Washington and Miss Emery in on your way out.

At that dismissal Joan followed Miss Margrette out and down the hall. They walked in silence for most of the way. Very few children were around now. The whole place felt empty.

When they approached the room at the end of the ward Joan finally spoke. Can you tell me more about those girls, Cassandra and the other two from the bathroom earlier? I mean, I did nothing wrong in that bathroom, but I feel like I took something I didn’t deserve. I also want you to tell me more about my medical problem. I seem to have feelings that I already know things that I have no memory about. I am very confused.

Miss Margrette returned with a short answer. The time for such lengthy answers will have to wait until the end of the day where you and I can sit uninterrupted. Right now you are supposed to already be at school and I am supposed to be doing my duties.

Can we still go shopping for some new socks and a toothbrush?

Miss Margrette stopped at Joan’s room. She turned and looked into Joan’s eyes. Joan was tall for her age and she did not have to lean over to find her unusually colored eyes. Yes, I think that we can still do that. But I need you to stay clear of trouble, do you hear me? It is important that you have an easy day.

Why? Do I get in trouble all the time? Am I bully?

No. You are a fine young lady. It’s seems that trouble seems to find you like a magnet.

Is that why I had to come here? I got into too much trouble?

Miss Margrette paused for a moment. I think that there are too many things you may have questions about that would take to much time to answer adequately. I want you to fully understand what the answers are before bed tonight so you can ponder them while you are resting for tomorrow. If I were to answer them now, you would not be able to concentrate on them while you are supposed to be learning in school. Now go and grab your backpack so we can start our very full day. When you get back from school come and see me in my office and I will be able to let you know what time we can go out. Deal?

Joan looked down to study her feet for a moment. She wanted to take the whole day to discover herself and not go to school.

Miss Margrette recognized that Joan really wanted to this now. So she offered a compromise. If you can wait until later we can go out to dinner before we shop and get ice cream afterwards. Is that better?

Joan’s eyes got pretty big. She liked ice cream. Okay, I’ll wait for later.

Good. Grab your bag so we can start this new day.

Chapter 3

Hide and Seek

For the second time that day Joan was sitting outside the office of an important person at an institution. She wondered what she would be taking this year; probably algebra 2, American history, English, gym, and maybe an elective, like yearbook, or photography.

She remembered that she was good in school. Why, she wondered, would she remember that? She had to ask Miss Margrette later. This memory thing was quite a stupid thing she thought. What if I wake up tomorrow and have to start all over again wondering who I am? What if I am a perpetual blank slate where I need to rely on everyone else to remember me? Every day would be a new day, literally.

A bell rang over head with the familiar sounds of kids spilling out of class rooms into the hallways searching for their next class. Over the all noise she didn’t hear the door right next to her open.

A balding man in his forties walked up to Joan surprising her. I’m sorry I surprised you. The noise is very loud here between classes. Please come in.

Joan followed the man into his office. She sat at one of the only two chairs available in front of his desk. The man walked around his desk then sat too. Before he started speaking, he tidied up his desk shuffling some papers to one corner where there was already a good sized stack going.

Your name is Joan Darcy. But I should introduce myself since this is your first day. My name is Assistant Principal Deckert, Andrew Deckert. I, of course, manage a portion of the student population in this school, which includes the junior class. At this school we have four assistant principals here each following a class through from freshman through their senior years. Since you are a junior this year, you fell in with me. So, what I’m going to do here today is have you sign a few papers so that you will be officially enrolled here at Central High School. Do you have any questions so far?

Joan shook her no and continued to listen.

Ok, good. I have already prepared your class schedule. Since you are here a little later than I thought you would be we will be heading upstairs to the next class on your schedule. That is going to be with Mr. Shales in math, which to say is Geometry. I hope you like Geometry. After that you will be going down to early lunch. Then you will go across the length of the building to the gym. Obviously you know what to do there.

He chuckled in spite of himself. After gym you will go down to your history class. Now, I am proud to say, that this year we are introducing an enhanced European studies curriculum in place of the prior version of European history. There will be some American history rolled into the lessons because it is important to learn how the European continent affected out early history. I think this will be very exciting as opposed to going over world wars one and two again. It is only available to juniors and seniors. So you are getting in at ground level.

The next bell rang, indicating that the next classes were starting.

Now I want to pair you up with another classmate on your first day. She is in the same classes you are. Her name is Robin Emery. I will walk up to Mr. Shales with you and introduce you to Miss Emery.

Joan nodded again in approval. She stood only when Mr. Deckert did. They left the office and went to the stairs. The trip was entirely silent. Joan imagined that he had a lot on his mind. When they arrived at geometry class, which was located on the math wing, he knocked on the door. Mr. Shales could be heard talking to his students then pausing to go and open the door. Mr. Deckert spoke softly.

This is a new student here at the school. Today is her first day. She will be attending your class going forward. Could you send out Miss Emery? I want to introduce Miss Darcy here to both of you. Joan will be shadowing her throughout the day as their classes are the same.

Mr. Shales smiled genially. He turned on the spot disappearing into his class. Joan waited, like she had all day thus far. When Mr. Shales reappeared with Miss Emery in tow she had the look of being in trouble again and not knowing why. When the two girls eyes met Miss Emery’s dower look changed to shock. Joan and Robin recognized each other from the incident in the bathroom at the Murphey Home for Boys and Girls. Pink’s real name was Robin. Mr. Shales and Mr. Deckert were speaking together softly, they did not notice Pink’s expression change when she put eyes on Joan.

Ah yes, there you are. I would like to have you show Miss Darcy here around today. She has the same class schedule as you.

Pink’s expression changed instantly into a look of sweet satisfaction. I would love to show Miss Darcy around. We can be best friends all day long.

Joan groaned on the inside while she smiled just enough to use those muscles on the outside.

Mr. Shales clapped his hands in a loud single clap. Great. I love new students. Thank you Mr. Deckert, I will take good care of her. Inside we go. We have lots to do today.

He held the door open ushering the girls past. He pointed to a seat by the windows where an empty seat was available. Please take that seat today Miss Darcy.

Both girls took their seats quietly. He crossed to the black board. Today we will be having a quiz. Miss Darcy I’d like you to take the quiz so we can find out where you stand but we will not grade it. It will be a bench mark that we will use to base what you already know.

The class groaned out loud. He smiled and went to his desk. He passed the papers out then a few moments later he said, Begin.

Joan studied what the content was. The problems seemed easy enough. She took a pencil out of her backpack and started to work. While she concentrated, Pink folded a piece of paper and had the person in the next row send it along until it found Joan in the last row. Joan was surprised when someone had poked her. She jumped. She took the note that was offered and put it under her desk. She looked around to see if anyone was watching her. Mr. Shales was working on some papers at his desk. Joan opened the note and saw a crudely drawn figure of a person lying in a bed with another stick figure standing over the first figure with a knife in its hand. The words underneath the picture said, You will die tonight.

The feeling in Joan’s stomach clenched hard. She turned back to Pink. She just smiled and gave a thumbs up. This confused Pink, and she frowned. She went back to her quiz as time was quickly running out. Joan leaned back in her chair and looked at her paper. She did some quick corrections then turned her paper over awaiting the end of the exam.

The rest of the class was uneventful. Joan found that she understood most of what the teacher spoke about with ease. When the end of class came with the bell Joan took her bag from under her seat. She waited for her new unwanted best friend to rise and follow everyone else out of the room, however she did not. Robin stayed behind. It wasn’t until Mr. Shales said something about being late that Pink stood and crossed the room. Joan followed at a distance. When Pink crossed over the door’s threshold she bolted down the hall to the corner.