This Might Hurt(68)

Raeanne peeked over both shoulders, scanning the campus, then pulled a ring of keys from her pocket. She slid one of them into the lock and pushed the door open, signaling for me to go through.

I had roamed every inch of the island but never here, never through these doors. All those times I’d jiggled the handles, curiosity had overpowered fear, but now fear sliced through me. What was waiting for me out there? I shook off the weakness. My fellow staff members would never lead me into harm’s way.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“It’s a surprise.”

Raeanne locked the door and pulled a flashlight from her pocket, illuminating our path. Pine and rich earth perfumed the air around us. Nearby an owl hooted. We rushed through the forest, sticking to the narrow trail strewn with tree needles and moss. I was walking so fast that I barely registered my surroundings, other than clusters of spruce so tall and dense that I could no longer see the starry sky. I pictured the trees as a gang of Slender Men—spider-limbed and faceless, waiting, watching, following—and stuck as close to Raeanne’s six as I could. Insects gossiped; twigs snapped underfoot. I tugged the cuffs of my sweater tighter, swatting branches from my face.

After a while the forest gave way to enormous blocks of granite. In the dark I couldn’t see the ocean, but I heard waves slapping at the shore. We had reached the edge of the island.

On the granite stood a handful of people. They turned when they heard us approach. My pulse quickened.

I recognized Ruth first and let out a huge sigh—she wouldn’t be involved in anything untoward. I stepped onto a boulder beside her as she winked. Next to Ruth was Sanderson, hood pulled up, hands crammed into his sweatshirt pocket. I was surprised to see the cook Debbie here, beaming at me, but not at all surprised to find Sofia bouncing in place. Raeanne strutted to her own spot on the rocks, pulling a toothpick from a coat pocket. Rounding out the group was Gordon, standing at a distance with his arms crossed. None of them looked like they’d been roused from sleep.

Ruth checked her watch. “We’ll have to start without Jeremiah.” I perked up at my friend’s name, glad he also belonged. “Gather round.”

The group formed a tight circle. I felt a spike of disappointment—I’d been hoping Teacher was part of the IC too.

Ruth gazed at me. “Welcome, Kit, to Wisewood’s Inner Circle. Sometimes it’s hard to remember how fortunate we are when we’re all so busy. Lord knows I can barely keep up with the workload, what with the daily chores and classes, plus the planning of these things falling to me every time.” She glanced around the circle accusingly, then perked up. “Then again, no one else has my experience, which is why Teacher only trusts the job to me.” A few bodies tensed. Ruth frowned at Raeanne as soon as she opened her mouth, prompting her to close it again. “Tonight should serve as a reminder to each of us how wonderful this place is.”

“So wonderful,” Sofia said, already starting to tear up. Debbie took a subtle step away from her.

Behind Ruth the tide was low. The moon bounced like a spotlight off the sea life scattered across the boulders: rockweed, whelks, and periwinkles.

“We’re so thrilled you’re—”

The trees rustled, stopping Ruth mid-sentence. We all froze. There was someone or something in the forest. A bulky figure rushed onto the rocks.

“Sorry I’m late,” Jeremiah said, hands on his knees.

“Can you not fit a watch around that tree stump of an arm?” Raeanne grumbled as everyone relaxed again.

“Sorry,” Jeremiah repeated, still panting. “I got caught up.”

“Doing . . . ?” Gordon asked.

Jeremiah straightened, ignoring him.

“What were you caught up doing?” Gordon said again.

A hush fell over the group. Jeremiah stroked his beard, which he had let grow bushy. He hesitated a second too long. “Helping Teacher with tax stuff.”

At three in the morning? Even I, the newcomer, could tell he was lying.

“At this hour?” Gordon said.

Another uncomfortable silence. I was sure whatever reason Jeremiah had for being late was a legitimate one. He could’ve had a breakthrough he wasn’t ready to share. Or Teacher might have asked for his help, told him to keep things confidential. I wanted to defend my friend but now was not the time to cause trouble. I tried to catch Jeremiah’s eye. He was busy returning Gordon’s glare.

“Why don’t you mind your own fucking business for once?” Jeremiah finally said, tired.

Ruth gasped. Raeanne smirked. Everyone shifted nervously except Gordon, whose face and statuesque stillness gave away nothing as he stared at Jeremiah.

Sofia bounced harder on her toes, goggling at the horizon. “Can we jump in now?”

That broke the spell. Jeremiah turned away from Gordon and stood next to me, mouthing, Sorry. I smiled and his shoulders slackened.

Ruth stepped up. “Unless one of you wants to lead this ceremony, no more outbursts.” She fixed each of us with a scowl. No one said a word. “Let’s get in the water.”

My fellow students slipped out of their shoes and hitched up their pant legs.

“Cannonball,” hollered Sofia, running toward the sea.

“Sofia, don’t,” Ruth called. “The water’s not that—”

Sofia jumped in. We all peered over the boulders, waiting. A couple of seconds later she resurfaced, shrieking about how cold it was. Ruth sighed.