At the Jordan Manor.
After Paulina said this, the headmaster refused, âThe students are in study hall right now.â
Paulinaâs expression tightened, her brows knitting together, just pop over for a moment then. Youâll unlock the for me later
With a sigh, the headmaster capitulated. âAlright, Iâll call her out for you. Just give me a minute.â
A smile of relief spread across Paulinaâs face, âThank you so much, sir.â
âWe understand a parentâs concern,â he assured her, raising his voice to call out, âMerry, your momâs on the line.â Shivering in her stillâdamp clothes, Merry shot up from her seat as if catapulted by a spring. That suffocating fear gripped her again, sending chills down her spine.
Approaching the door, the headmaster handed her the phone, âTalk to your mom, Merry. Be nice, okay?
The headmaster gave her a threatening look, his eyes ruthless.
She nodded, taking the phone with trembling hands and whispering a timid âHello?â
The strain in Merryâs voice was enough for Paulina to feel a tug at her heart, âMerry, howâs your day been?â
Merry was silent, her eyes fixed on the headmasterâs stern glare.
Paulina pressed on, âWhy so quiet? I know youâre mad at me, but itâs for the best. Rest up tonight, follow the rules, and once youâre better, Iâll transfer you back, okay?â
âMr. Walters,â the teacher called out, diverting the headmasterâs attention.
Seizing the moment, Merry covered the phone and hissed, âHelp me. Help me!â
Stunned, Paulina asked, âWhat?â
The headmaster wheeled around, his gaze sharp and threatening. As he and the teacher advanced toward her, their faces half illuminated by the dim classroom light, they resembled demons closing in.
Merryâs heart pounded against her chest as she screamed into the phone, âTheyâre going to kill me. Help, please.â
The headmaster rushed forward, snatching the phone away, while the teacher clamped a hand over Merryâs mouth, dragging her back toward the courtyardâs ominous water fountain.
With a splash, Merryâs head was forced underwater again.
Paulina stared at the silent phone, a dazed look on her face. The headmaster let out a weary sigh, âSheâs been trying escape since she got here Weâve contained her, but now sheâs talking nonsense.â
âThen donât hit her,â Paulina exclaimed.
He replied gravely, âWe havenât laid a hand on her. Physical punishment is illegal. Weâre a reputable institution, and we would never do such a thing. Weâre just keeping her from running off. Sheâs been trying to go live on social media.â
Paulina finally relaxed, âJust donât hurt her.â
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âDonât worry,â he assured her, âSheâs strongâwilled, but sheâll be home in a week. You can check her then, and there wonât be a mark on her.â
After hanging up, Paulinaâs unease only grew.
She turned to Cain, asking in anxious, âMerryâs never sounded so panicked. Could something really be wrong?â
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Cainâs brow furrowed as he replied, âWe should go check it out.â
Nodding, Paulina rose, âI wonât rest until I for myself.â
As they prepared to leave, Cainâs phone rang with urgent business.
âYou ahead,â Paulina âI can handle this â
Stepping outside, they ran into daughter Leila returning home.
After a quick explanation, Leila insisted, âMom Iâll come with you.â
At the school gates, they were met by the headmaster who cautioned, âYou canât go in. Weâve set boundaries for a reason. If parents start visiting, itâll disrupt our system.â
Paulina was adamant, but Leila interjected, âWhat if I take a look instead?â
The headmaster was about to refuse when Paulina said, âYes, let Leila in. She can pretend to be a student and it wonât bother anyone else. Youâll let her go and watch for me, I wonât feel comfortable.â
With a wary glance at Leila, the headmaster conceded.
Once inside, Leila surveyed the oppressive layout, its numerous water fountains an enigma.
It seemed that a student had disobeyed and was called out by the teacher, and the student shivered in fear, his legs all but collapsing to the floor.
Leila frowned.
They found Merry, freshly clothed but cowering. âMom wanted to make sure youâre okay,â Leila said as they spoke under the headmasterâs watchful eye.
Merry clutched at Leilaâs hand, about to speak, but released it in fear when the headmasterâs gaze turned to them, âIâm fine, really. Donât worry.â
Leila suggested, âMomâs worried sick. How about a video to show youâre okay?â
Under the scrutinizing gaze, Merry agreed.
Leila recorded Merry from head to toe, ensuring her mother would see everything. âIâll make sure Mom sees youâre alright,â she promised.
Following the headmasterâs lead, Leila walked out, leaving Merry behind. Once they were alone, Leila looked quizzically at the folded piece of paper Merry had slipped into her hands. âSir, Merry just gave me this,â she said, gesturing to the note. âDo you know what it means?â
Upon hearing this, the headmasterâs eyes darted to Leila, pupils narrowing in shock.
Casually, Leila unfolded the note that held one terrifying sentence, âHelp me. If I donât obey, theyâll drown me. Mom, save me.â
Realizing the sinister use of the water fountains, Leila handed back the note, feigning resignation, âI guess Merry just needs to follow the rules. Please take good care of her.â
The headmaster seemed just as taken aback, staring blankly as he clutched the note handed to him. âDonât you worry,â he assured, âWe will take great care of her.â
After Leila had left, Paulina asked anxiously, âHow did it go?â
Leila responded, âAll good. Look, hereâs a video she took. I made sure to check it she hasnât been hit, not a single mark on her.â
Paulina felt a surge of irritation, âWhy canât she just make life easy for us? I sent her here for her own good.â