Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/6290413.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Major_Character_Death, Rape/Non-Con,
      Underage
  Category:
      Multi
  Fandom:
      Original_-_Fandom
  Stats:
      Published: 2016-03-19 Words: 43102
****** The Orphans ******
by Saltganley
Summary
     John could not hide the shame of his brother's name but he could try
     to do his part. Moving to a war torn town of Killa to teach Orphan
     children isnt turning out to be so straight forward as John hoped as
     the lines blur what is a man to do. ( I dont own the picture, I dont
     know who does but its pretty bloody awesome!)
The Orphans
Then there was war.
It was a beautiful day when the war started, the sun was shining, a nice breeze
stirred thought the trees. Nice enough to keep you cool but not hard enough for
your hair to whip in your face. Normally I would clean the guns in the spare
room but I was out in the back yard because it was such a beautiful day and
there was no one for a couple of km to worry about anyway. I'd just put the
Glock back together when I felt the first hit. I had never felt a hit like that
before, we were at least 20km away but the ground shook like an earth quake and
the sound of explosion echoed through the trees. I slid the Glock in my pocket,
threw the shot gun over my shoulder and ran inside. My partner met me in the
hallway, we instantly headed for the attic and our clear view of town. We
crowded around the window; past the carpet of green trees that surrounded our
piece of paradise we could see only part of the concrete jungle of town. The
rest was covered in a thick layer of smoke, then we saw one for the first time
as it slowly slid out if the smoke a huge black ship just slowly hovering above
the city. It was like some kind of sci fi movie as a bright light came out one
end lighting up a block of buildings and then the buildings just exploded
followed by the earth shaking under feet. We had gear but it was an unknown
force and we didn't want to invite someone to come play when we didn't know
their ability. So we headed to our bunker, we felt a couple more shakes before
a huge crash shook the foundations of our bunker. Either our house was gone or
they had bigger guns then what they were using and just floored the town. Then
it was silent, eerie silent, like the whole earth was bracing before the storm.
Our phone rang, made both of us jump. It was HQ, they wanted to know if we were
still alive. They confirmed the attack was extra-terrestrial and top secret;
they didn't want the public to know. The whole town has been decimated but a
fighter jet was able to down the ship and we had to go get the passengers. We
decided to take a range of weapons not knowing our enemy it was better to be
prepared. As we merged from the bunker I was pleased to see our house still
standing, a huge plume of smoke was rising from the town, thankfully the wind
was blowing it away from us. We were able to work out generally were the ship
went down. We headed towards town. It was strange, we had been to many war
zones but I kinda recognized bits of twisted buildings and maybe a little bit
of sentiment was seeping through. The good part was we knew generally were we
were going even if most of the landmarks were shredded. We got to the ship; it
was a lot smaller looking on the ground. Two dead bodies were inside, we could
see them thought the glass looking outer of the ship, it then dawned on me the
other half of the ship was in pieces across the town square. We looked at what
we had to break the glass and we tried the butt of the shot gun 1st to smash
it, didn't work. So we tried a couple of rounds of different things before we
managed to smash it. It hit one of the bodies however so we decided to take the
other, less damaged body instead. We headed back to the house when I heard a
strange noise; my partner had the body so I went to investigate. Amongst the
rubble covered in dirt & what looked like human remains in a broken crib lay a
baby crying gently. I picked it up and brought it back to my partner, well we
couldn’t leave it here nothing else has seemed to have survived. My partner
shrugged so we took the baby home.
 
After the war
Over 20 years later.
I remember my interview day; it was one of those days you just remember. My dad
slapped me on the back and told me not to wipe my sweaty hands on the front of
my pants, he would know, when we get nervous we both get sweaty hands and I had
been wiping my hands on the table cloth all through breakfast. I know my
parents were nervous too, proud, extremely proud but nervous. Been a government
teacher was a whole new world post war. I had been living with them while I was
waiting for the intakes after I had graduated. I had to do my degree in another
town, because of my brother. I was able to live on campus there but after
graduating I had to stay somewhere. Portlyn, my home town was a lovely place,
heaps of trees and well spread out. None of the buildings were over two stories
so most of the trees towered over them. I have no idea why this town is so
green; in fact I have vivid memories of planting trees as a child. Almost all
of the houses had large gardens and the town centre was lined with trees. The
beauty of it was I could drive down town and easily find a car park under a
tree. I got to the interview office building; looking up at it I went to wipe
my sweaty hands on my pants, remembering what my dad said I decided to wipe
them on the backside of my pants. I figured no one would see it but then I
realized it looked like I was feeling my own arse up. I smirked, my dad was
such a crafty bastard, I’m sure that was his plan. He would have thought it
hilarious, me nervous as hell rubbing my arse. I headed inside and sat with the
rest of the applicants, a lot of ex-soldiers sat there some fairly normal were
able to sit and happily been in their own mind. Others couldn’t even sit still,
been in the one room seem to stress them out. I sat as far away from the others
as I could, I didn’t want to be part of something, not here, not at the
interview. Thankfully I was the first to be called, a shrill voice called out
“Mr Mathews?” I moved quickly hoping no one would recognise the name but I
could still feel eyes boring into my back. I followed the voice to one of those
ladies that business wear was never made for, the poor woman wasn’t fat as such
but it looked like she was squeezed into her extremely fitted clothes, the
buttons where almost stretched to breaking point as they held on for dear life.
Jewellery shone from every part of her like she was some kind of Christmas
tree, She smiled at me and motioned to follow her, she had a bit of a wobble
walk as she tried to look professional in a tiny pair of heels. Beauty of been
a bloke I’ll never have to wear of pair of them! She stopped at an office door
and gently knocked, a computerised voice answered. The door opened to a
computer screen with a middle aged man watching to see what came in. I had
never been to a interview via the internet before “This is Mr Mathew’s
headmaster,” the lady introduced me to the man on the screen. “Ah Mr Mathew’s
please have a seat, I’m Headmaster Tony from Killa”. The computer speaker
crackled slightly as he spoke, “Um, nice to meet you headmaster” I replied
while I slid into a nearby chair positioned in from of the computer. “Mr
Mathew’s I see you have just finished training, tell me boy why become a
government teacher? Why not a comfy school there in Portlyn, the schools are
mostly new and steep in heritage.” Even thought he was talking to me from
another part of the world it felt like he was staring me down and it was
obvious he wasn’t a bull shitter “Headmaster I was too young to fight but I
still want to serve and help our people, what better way than to help the
orphans. I mean it has been the biggest disaster for our people. ” The man
nodded, he looked older then he was “It’s a sick war tactic to murder all the
adults and leave the children to fend for themselves, the chaos filters through
generations. So what do you specialise in Mr Mathew’s?” I couldn’t help but sit
up straighter, I was extremely proud of my specialisation, “I’m a Language
major Headmaster, top of my classes.” The headmaster moved back in his chair to
get a better look at me, “Language, top of your classes, and then why aren’t
you part of the Peace Treaty team?” The man was definitely a no bull shitter
and I really don’t know how well my answer would be received but I don’t think
lying would do me any favours, “I knocked them back, Headmaster.” He laughed, a
disbelieving laugh but that was better than calling me a liar. “Why would you
do a stupid thing like that?” I figured in for one in for all, this interview
was not going to plan anyway, “I’ve seen were they work, not a tree for miles.
They are professional liars and think they are better than everyone else and I
just want to do something helpful.” He looked at me, as if trying to work me
out, break me down in his mind or something. Then he smiled “What did you want
to be before the war?” He caught me off guard and I answered before thinking “I
wanted to be a novelist.” I blurted out. “Ah so you’re a intellect not a
fighter yet you want to serve, I admire that, your hired.” That was it, I
thought I was bombing out badly but he hired me on the spot. My parents weren’t
too keen on me leaving they had hoped I was going to stay in Portlyn, there was
a public school there but there were no orphans in Portlyn, one of only a few
towns that were spared the total devastation and because of it Portlyn had been
rebuild quickly.
 
Welcome to killa
Soon I was flown to Killa, half the city was still in ruins and the odd
building still had holes in them throughout the rest of the town. The school
was a miss match of buildings some had obviously been there before hand and
ones that had been shipped in to take the sudden influx. The school was
surrounded by trees and bushland, the parts of town that seem to have survived
the war were basically been taken over by trees. Headmaster Tony met me at the
gates with four other teachers starting, our transport stopped almost touching
the gates, I could see a couple of small faces watching as we got out and into
the safety of the school gates. As the transport left the faces disappeared,
obviously they were looking for a chance but the school had been doing this for
a while. “You saw them Mathews?” Headmaster Tony was at my shoulder “Yeah,
aren’t they close?” the headmaster ushered us away “Yes, we have a bit of
trouble here with them, that’s why you get self-defence training in your
teachers degree. You’re not just keeping yourself safe but also the students;
it’s also why the students at the school are not from here. The female teacher
seemed to already know this and was zoned out but the other two male teachers
looked seriously at the headmaster. “Two reasons, 1st if the students run away
they are running away to an unknown force, outside these gates the students are
as good as dead. 2nd stops them learning the inside of the school, keeps us all
safe.” I was mindlessly following the path while I listened to the headmaster,
“So where are our students from then?” the headmaster snuck a small smile out
at my question “Everywhere else, they try hard to limit the number of students
from the same area, that way they are forced to meet new people and start a new
life. So the school year runs from 1st Feb to 30th June then from 30th July to
1st December.” The headmaster continued, I didn’t get much of a chance to think
about it as the Headmaster showed us through the school, it was quite a
fascinating place, almost a prison with the huge fences all around the grounds
and guards walking the perimeter but it was a lot more like a boarding school,
much like the one my brother and I went to before the war started. The
Headmaster had shown the other teachers the dorms that they would master, most
of them had a teacher to about 15 students. I was last, he lead me to a section
of the school that had little flats randomly dotted about. They seemed simple
yet surprisingly private from each other. “This is your flat.” The head master
pointed to the very last one set aside from the others. “I’m sorry head master
but I don’t understand, shouldn’t I have a dorm to master?” “Mr Mathew’s, this
is the flat of the man you are replacing, married quarters. However part of
these is that you have one student live with you, these are the students that,
well, need it.” The headmaster put the key in my hand, “Also you might want to
look at some additional furniture, we savaged as much as we could, we were even
able to paint it before you got here but, well, there was only so much you can
do.” I almost dreaded to ask but my imaginative mind needed to know the truth
“Headmaster what happened?” he looked around a couple of people had come out of
their own flats at this point, “Lets chat inside” He wasn’t wrong, there was a
couch and a repaired coffee table in the living room, practically nothing in
the kitchen, but the headmaster continued before I got any further in “This
belong to an ex-solider and his wife, the man your replacing. He was never
suited to teaching but the soldiers were encouraged to apply for the teaching
jobs and well we are desperate. One night they both just snapped, him and his
wife. His student was here too, the teacher died in the altercation but we
aren’t sure who took the last blow, his wife or his student. His wife, she was
empty and soulless after it, I’ve never seen such damage to someone’s soul
before. She was the one who found his branding equipment and maybe when his
student saw it, I dunno they just lost it. We didn’t want to believe we had a
hunter here but I guess it’s to be expected really when you have so many ex-
soldiers and they believe that the orphans aren’t people well. Anyway none of
the teachers know the truth about it, they think it was a domestic gone wrong
and we hid it from the students the last thing they need to know is that one of
their teachers was a hunter.” I shuddered a little I couldn’t help it, “So why
are you telling me this?” “I guess I trust you. Anyway I’ll try and organise a
fund for you to get more furniture and you can make the place your own.” The
head master tried to lighten the mood, I was so desperate for this to work I
decided not to dwell on what must have happened right where I was standing.
“Headmaster, would you mind if I get my parents to send me some gear, my
brother bought them a lot of new stuff and they have kept a bit of the old
stuff to give to those who may need it?” The headmaster grinned pleased I had
taken the news well, “That would be great Mathew’s.” With that he left
 
Frist Week.
It wasn’t long until the new wave of students arrived; I was sitting on the
front porch eating breakfast when they arrived. I could see them from across
the field between the flats and the main part of the school. Cold, scared,
filthy, starving and so young, they were herded like sheep, first they were
spilt into genders and then to the showers. Quite a few were moved from the
boys showers to the girls, the teacher in the next flat, Simon, said a lot of
the girls pretend to be boys because the girls are more prized by the hunters.
The thought made me feel ill and I couldn’t eat the rest of my breakfast. From
the showers they were sent to the nurses and checked over, some were sent on to
the hospital, the rest to be clothed. Then on to the mess hall for food, I
decided to go help. There was always a worry that they would eat too much and
make themselves ill so it was important that they got small serves of different
things over a long time span. It was well after lunch by the time they were all
ushered to their dorms. I waited back on the porch of my flat for my 1st
student. One of the nurses started to head towards me with a student, the
closer they got the more the student looked like a girl. The nurse practically
pushed her towards me, “Is this a joke?” I felt instantly bad as the student
looked offended and the nurse was exhausted “It’s no joke Mr Mathews, most of
the individuals are girls, they need the protection.” The last bit seemed
exasperated as the nurse left not waiting for my reply. The poor girl stood
still in front of me, obviously having no idea what was going to happen next,
she had her arms wrapped around herself and basically glared at me. I
remembered my authorised greeting I was supposed to give “I’m Mr Mathew’s and
you will be staying in my flat while you are here at the school. Ok?” she
didn’t move even as I pointed towards the open door. The chants of my lectures
started running through my head, “You’re a teacher, they must respect you but
you must also show them respect or they will not trust you.” Well that wasn’t
helping, “I have food inside, are you still hungry?” that worked, her eyes
widened as she tried to look past me to the food. But she didn’t move, it was
starting to become extremely uncomfortable as all the other teachers had gone
inside with their students. So I decided to start and went in to the flat, she
slowly and at a distance followed me, I figured this food idea might be a goer
so I grabbed a couple of things out of the fridge and sat them on the bench.
She stood at the door watching me, I gestured towards the food but she didn’t
move. I was getting a bit hungry at this point, having only half eaten
breakfast all day and decided to start eating myself. Well that worked she
raced over and started to eat, not as feverish as most of the students had in
the mess hall but the desperation was still there. I figured after I had eaten
I may as well talk to her while she was a captive audience. I told her she had
to call me Mr Mathews at all times, it was school rules. She wasn’t allowed in
my room at any time and I had to inspect her room every morning before class. I
ended up just rambling on about all the rules; she listened in silence while
she ate. Thankfully a janitor arrived with her assigned belongs, clothes,
toothbrush, and school things and was able to tell me her name, Dahlia, of
course no last name. Most Orphans didn’t know their last name, some of them
with siblings did but most of them had no idea, either too young to remember or
they are second generation orphan. I figure Dahlia was from the 1st category
too young to remember. The 1st couple of mornings were awkward to say the very
least, I wasn’t used to been in a girls room let alone having to judge the
cleanliness of said room. The evenings weren’t so bad to start with, the first
week is a bollarge of after class classes for the new students. Each teacher is
assigned a duty roster or playground duty as some of the teachers called it on
what domestic skills they would be teaching the 1st week. They gave me
something easy, washing dishes, each afternoon two classes would run for half
an hour each and every student had to attend every class. There was deportment,
washing clothes, washing dishes, there was even room cleaning and a couple
more. I was a bit worried that another teacher might be going into our flat and
Dehlia’s room to teach her how to keep it tidy but I found out later that it
was a work sheet / checklist style to be completed every morning before
inspection. Dahlia pined it to a corkboard above the desk in her room, it had
things like make sure everything is straight, bed is made, curtains drawn, make
sure all the clothes are either hanging up, in draws or in the wash basket etc.
I smirked maybe I needed one of those checklists in my bed room but I highly
doubted it would get done. My first dishwashing class made me feel quite
nervous, I had no idea why, I mean how hard is it to stack a dishwasher really.
I remember my mum teaching me how to stack the dishwasher and how the first
time I did it myself I managed to get a plate melted to the bottom of the
dishwasher. Maybe I should be worried these students might not have even seen a
dishwasher before. I headed off early to my dishwashing class deciding not to
change after class, thankfully one of the kitchen staff was already waiting for
me. Her name tag had Fiona stamped on it. She smiled sweetly handing me a swad
of checklists to give out to the students. I gulped hard as I read through the
list quickly and stared at the big industrial stainless steel dishwasher. My
hands getting sweaty but I had already started to wipe them on my pants. “Don’t
be nervous Mr Mathew’s” Fiona coed “I’ll be here if you need me.” With a quick
smile and a sway of her hips she turned back to cutting up potatoes in the next
room. It didn’t take long for the first group to appear, Fiona had ushered them
in to the cramped room. I quickly scanned their faces but I didn’t see Dahlia.
The class wasn’t so bad, I didn’t make any mistakes. But one extremely fragile
looking girl dropped a glass cup from her tiny wet and soapy hands. It looked
like she shattered at the same time as the glass and tears instantly streamed
down her face. Fiona appeared from nowhere with a broom and a dust pan. She
showed the distraught girl how to use it and told her not to worry it happens
all the time. Fiona flashed me a quick smile as all the students were watching
her sweep up the glass with expert skill. “Glass likes to spread far so make
sure you do a wide sweep.” Fiona kept explaining to the students. For some
reason I felt even more thankful for my mum and even gave her a quick call that
night. The first week was almost over Dahlia didn’t speak to me at the flat,
just nodding or handing me things. It was on Friday in the first session that
Dahlia was in my dishwashing class, it was probably a good thing as by now I
had it down pat. I would show them all how to do it then get them to all do it
in small groups, one group per dishwasher. Once we got the dishwashers going
Fiona would show them some pretty cool tricks in the kitchen. Once the machines
were finished we would mix up the groups and they would empty the dishwashers
looking for anything that wasn’t clean. I listened hard this session but didn’t
hear Dahlia speak once. I did see her lips move as she showed another student
something in her hands but I couldn’t hear her voice.
 
Dahlia.
So Dahlia wasn’t in any of my classes and as hard as I tried she wouldn’t talk
to me, sometimes she would bring me her homework and just hand it to me mostly
in tears of frustration. She would nod or shake if she understood my
explanations or not. It was a little frustrating at first but after hearing
what some of the other teachers had to deal with I decided it wasn’t so bad and
let her be. One teacher had to physically restrain one of their students, quite
a few of them would scream, swear and verbally assault teachers the scariest
however were the ones that woke screaming from nightmares. Normally teachers
aren’t allowed in to the bedrooms at night and been a male teacher going into a
female students room at night was unfavourable but the screaming would wake
half the flats and then you would hear more screaming and throwing of items as
the girls would think they were still in the nightmare as the teachers tried to
wake them. Quite often I would throw a night gown on and go to their aid, the
wife’s were great, they would normally be there before me so they could deal
with the girls and I would help the male teacher. I would get back to the flat
an hour or so later to find Dahlia waiting in the doorway of her room. It would
be strange, she would stand in her bedroom doorway look me over for wounds and
when she found none would go back to bed. One night I miss judged ducking a
thrown lampshade and it got me on the side of the face. Dahlia looked horrified
that I had been hurt and only left her doorway back to her bed when I told her
not to worry it was just a scratch. It was hard to describe watching Dahlia
change, they taught the girls how to do their hair, how to put on make-up,
painting their nails. It was like I was given the honour to watch her grow from
a scared, skinny, dirty little mouse to well, a woman. A couple of months into
the year I noticed a strange change in her however. She would wear her hair
down, and she would wear very short shorts and low cut shirts around the flat.
Even though she still wasn’t talking to me a couple of times I would be marking
assignments in the lounge room and she would stand in front of me and tilt her
head to one side look at me with her huge blue eyes. I felt like a deer in the
headlights, if I didn’t move or say anything maybe this is the time she will
finally talk to me but no, she would just shrug and walk off. One afternoon I
got back to the flat early, I was on kitchen duty but Fiona had it well under
hand and the students were well into routine now and knew what to do. I had a
stack of assignments to mark anyway. Dahlia wasn’t back yet and I knew I had a
good half hour before she would be back so I left my bedroom door open and
stripped off my shirt and pants. It was kind of nice to be lounging in just my
boxers even if it was only for a half hour. I put some music on and started to
rub my chest, been semi naked and alone for the first time in a couple of
months I was started to feel a stir. I wasn’t sure if I was comfortable enough
yet to pull one off, I slid my thumbs under my boxer strap still not 100% sure
when I heard something behind me. I turned to find Dahlia standing in my open
bedroom door way. She was staring at me looking interested in what was going on
but not crossing the threshold of my room which is out of bounds for students.
The stir disappeared instantly and my mind raced, what the hell do I do. I
should be casual like this is nothing, but catching your teacher in just their
boxers isn’t exactly nothing, even worse when you share a flat with them. Then
again if I freak out she will probably freak out which wouldn’t be good because
then I would have to explain why I was semi naked with the door open. I just
stood stunned, Dahlia stretched out her hand presenting me with a bit of paper.
I tried casually to walk to her to accept it, it was her last Language
assignment that she had been struggling with. It has a big A on the front with
a smiley face. “Well done Dahlia, you deserved it, you worked so hard on it.” I
smiled still very aware I was practically naked. I handed the assignment back
to her, we were uncomfortably close. She was searching my face, her big blue
eyes searching for something in my face. My hands started to sweat, I didn’t
dare try to move or wipe them on my boxers. She was obviously satisfied as she
turned on her heel and headed back to her room. I practically ran back to my
clothes and threw them on so fast I’m amazed I didn’t hurt myself. After that I
expected things to be even more awkward between us but instead things became
quiet and well normal. As we headed closer to the midyear break a lot of the
students were learning how to study for exams and feeling the stress of exams
for the first time. Not to mention the new teachers experiencing the stress, I
had a different student to tutor each school day after classes, nightmares
almost doubled amounst the flat students. The night before the exams started a
screaming woke me up, it was really close, I threw on a night gown and ripped
open my door. Dahlia was already at her door panic written all over her face. I
told her to stay here. I opened the flat door to see the next doors student
swinging a hockey stick at Simon the male teacher from next door. I couldn’t
see his wife Marg anywhere as his student Ashleigh started screaming again with
the hockey stick pointed at Simon. “I saw you rip her shirt off” I could hear
what Ashleigh was screaming about now. Simon’s cheekbone was sporting a huge
gash as he desperately tried to calm Ashleigh down. “What the hell is going on
here?” I tried to boom. Ashleigh looked at me relieved. “Mr Mathew’s, he is a
monster!” Ashleigh poked the hockey stick in Simon’s direction. I had never
seen Ashleigh like this before, she was in a couple of my classes but was
always quiet, respectful and hard working. Right now Ashleigh was pissed to the
point of hysteria. “Ashleigh, tell me what happened?” I asked a little gentler
then before but before Ashleigh could answer Marg finally appeared pulling a
shirt on over her head. “Ashleigh honey” she called “it’s not what you think
dear.” She tried to sooth. “Don’t lie for this monster Marg” Ashleigh shouted
getting a better grip on the hockey stick and heading for Simon. I managed to
grab Ashleigh around the waist as I heard Headmaster Tony’s voice. Then
everything went black.
 
Sex Ed.
I could hear a light humming, it was soothing noise but then the smell of
cleaning products made me scrunch my nose and then it hit me. My head. I felt
like I had been drinking for a week and I was waking up to the hang over from
hell. I groaned slightly as I tried to open my eyes. “John?” I could hear
Marg’s voice. “Marg?” I replied regretting instantly trying to sit up. “John,
don’t sit up, you’re in the hospital.” All I could do was murmur a “Why?” as I
tried to blink my eyes to stay open past the pain. A nurse spoke from the other
side of the bed. “This is for the headache.” She stated before I could feel a
strange rush of cool spread up my arm. A couple of minutes later I was able to
see better. It was dawn, I could see the sun coming up through the window Marg
and Simon were sitting next to my bed. Simon had the gash on his face stitched
up but it was swelling quite badly. I finally had my head clear enough to
think. “What happened?” I asked, both Marg and Simon went bright red in
embarrassment. “Well, um, Ashleigh accidently hit you with the hockey stick in
the head and knocked you out.” Well I thought that explains the headache. “Is
Ashleigh ok, I mean she was pretty upset about something.” I asked. Marg looked
back at Simon who was now staring at his hands. Marg was about to open her
mouth when Headmaster Tony spoke for her “John, good to see your awake, the
nurse told me you were awake, how do you feel.” “Like I’ve been smacked in the
head actually.” I blurted out not really thinking. “I’m so sorry Mr Mathew’s”
Ashleigh had followed Headmaster Tony into the room and I hadn’t seen her, she
was practically in tears. “Its ok Ashleigh, accidents happen.” I tried to make
out that I was fine and it was nothing. “I think it’s best if we have this
conversation together.” Headmaster Tony sat down after nodding that he was
pleased with my response. “Marg I know this is a little embarrassing but I
think it best if you tell us what happened.” Headmaster Tony continued. Marg
squirmed uncomfortably in her seat as Simon looked apologise at her. “Well”
Marg began “Ashleigh said she was going to bed early after her hockey practice,
that she was really tired with studying and hockey. Simon was up late marking
assignments in the lounge room. I went to bed but I couldn’t sleep, I, um was
restless.” Marg was becoming more and more uncomfortable. “I decided to get up
and get a drink but I saw Simon on the couch, his pyjama shirt was tight across
his chest and I was sure Ashleigh would have been sound asleep. I shimmied out
of my Pyjama pants in the kitchen and then walked out into the lounge room.”
Marg was trying to get the next bit out as quickly as possible. “When Simon saw
me he quickly pushed the assignments he was grading to the floor and lay me
down on the coffee table. Just as Ashleigh came out of her room Simon ripped my
shirt off and started to pull his pyjama pants down when Ashleigh came
screaming out of her room with her hockey stick. She just managed to get the
side of Simon’s face before he bolted for the door. By the time I had found my
pants from the kitchen and another shirt from the bedroom John was trying to
calm Ashleigh down outside. That’s when Ashleigh lunged at Simon, John caught
her and Ashleigh hit John not realising who had hold of her.” Marg breathed. I
was shocked, I must admit I was pleased it was just a misunderstanding because
Simon was a great teacher and Marg was fantastic with the girls. After all was
forgiven Headmaster Tony decided that Sex Education had to be a class given
earlier in the school year as well as just before the mid year dance.
 
Mid-Year Dance.
I was in my classroom preparing my next class when Headmaster Tony cleared his
throat in the doorway making me jump. "Headmaster, sorry I was concentrating" I
explained. He chuckled "It's ok Mr Mathews, I wanted to have a quick chat to
you before the staff meeting tonight" Headmaster sat on the edge of my desk
making himself comfortable. "Ok" I answered putting the chalk back on its ledge
and sitting in my chair. "How's your head?" He enquired. "Fine, my mum used to
say I have a solid head." I joked. Headmaster smiled "So your the youngest
teacher we have here at the moment, fresh from college, so I thought you might
have some fresh new modern ideas on the mid year dance." Headmaster looked at
me waiting for a brilliant suggested to just come pouring out my mouth. "Um,
well, my prom or formal, whatever you want to call it wasn't actually themed.
It was more about the formal experience really." I answered hoping like hell it
was what he wanted. "Well that is one aspects of why we hold the mid year
dance. The students get a chance to experience the formal dining but also they
get a professional photo of themselves to keep, it teaches them dating skills,
finer etiquette and dress skills but also that some behaviour is unacceptable
in certain settings." The Headmaster was right, I had been to a formal dinner
before I had been to my formal but I certainly learnt a lot, particularly about
women that night. "So, I'll look forward to hearing about your ideas about the
mid year dance tonight in our staff meeting then." Headmaster slid off my desk
and headed off leaving me slightly stressed, the biggest choice I made at my
formal was which girl I was going to go with. I pulled a scrap bit of paper out
and started listing dance themes I could think of. I wrote gangster and 60/
70ties and I remembered 'Under the Sea' from the movie Back to the Future. I
wrote colours, as in colour themes, like yellow or blue. Feeling even more old
school I wrote Doctor Who and Harry Potter down. Wow I was bad at this I
thought looking at my limited ideas. I scrubbed gangster out thinking guns
probably aren't such a great costume idea. I wrote masquerade and Shakespeare.
I then thought a little more simple and put garden and music before students
started coming into class. That night at the staff meeting I put my ideas on
the table. I was surprised the teachers were actually interested in my ideas.
Some even laughed and added some of their prom experiences. Made me feel much
better about my epic fail prom. I had asked my then girlfriend, Elizabeth, to
the prom like a total gentleman, she said I had to get red to match her dress.
I had no idea there was more then just one colour of red, when I showed her my
red and black vest she got angry as it was the wrong red. The relationship was
already on the rocks so we ended up breaking up. I didn't bother changing my
red and black suit but I did ask another girl to prom last minute. Sue, was her
name. She had a black dress and said not to worry the black and red of my suit
would match her dress fine. I took Sue to the prom but she disappeared about
half an hour later so I started dancing with another girl. Then Elizabeth
turned up, angry as hell as she had been waiting for me thinking I was still
taking her to the prom even though we broke up. It just got messy from there.
In the end they picked masquerade as a theme for the mid year dance and I must
admit it was a fun night.
 
Survival tips
Teaching wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, it wasn’t what I expected
either. When I went to school my subject was called English, now it was called
Language. Even in my training I guess I just didn’t realise that we weren’t
teaching these students Shakespeare and reading Animal Farm like when I went to
school, we were teaching them how to become successful employees. Simon pointed
out to me that ultimately as soon as these students had a job and kept it they
wouldn’t be Orphans anymore. That simple difference between the dirty, abused
and starving children outside the school gates was work, more directly the
money and stability the work offered. We were teaching them to get into the
habit of a working life, get up to an alarm, have a shower, get into a uniform,
breakfast, work, lunch, work then home to leisure pursuits like reading and
sports then dinner and bed. As well as all the social graces and domestic life.
My part in this was to make sure they spoke and wrote like educated citizens,
well enough to get through a workplace. I hoped Dahlia was successful in her
Language class; she had another teacher which was good as she hadn’t even
spoken to me. I only saw a couple of assignment from her, the ones she
struggled with and would get me to help her with. Surprising all the students
could read and write, I didn’t think it would be such a desired survival need
as an Orphan but one of my students managed to explain it to me one day. The
older kids would teach the younger kids, recognizing words was the most
important thing for them to learn as quick as possible which after it was
explained to me was quite obvious. The war rations which were still quite
common and easy for anyone to access because let’s face it they weren’t really
the greatest meal on the planet, had the same wrapper and same white writing on
it if you had a tin of shaving cream and a tin of cream how would you know the
difference if you couldn’t read. As for the writing one of the kids told me
they would find (I’m sure they mean steal) supply applications for both sides
and they would fill them out and get supplies dropped at various places or
change documents to get supply routes changed so they could hijack them. Not to
mention communication between each other. Signals for which houses that
sympathise with Orphans and which don’t. I t occurred to me half way through
the year that these students must have been the smartest of the groups they
came from, not all of them were randomly picked up as most people were led to
believe. There was a lot more going on behind the scenes; these students were
going to change our world by becoming part of normal society. I couldn’t help
but admire what Headmaster was achieving here and even more so proud of the
students could achieve. They knew this was a one shot chance and they were
taking it with both hands and working hard. Every now and again the pressure,
the memories or the nightmares would be too much and one would snap but the
other students would rally around them and support them. I overheard Headmaster
telling a group if students that they must band together, they must support
each other because no one else is going to want to see them succeed and they
all need to succeed. It was like a pep talk and it worked.
Somehow Dahlia and I both made it through the entire school year without her
speaking one word to me, she was only on the one year program, one of the
teachers told me she had been accepted into a furniture business, and they had
seen her detailed paintings and offered her a job on the spot for their female
furniture line. I could understand as on her last day as she packed her things
she shoved a bowl in my hands. It was quite beautiful; it matched the white
kitchen curtains my mother had sent me with various fruit on it. In the centre
of the inside of the bowl was a painting of a pencil, exactly the same as the
pencil I used to write my stories with. She must have seen me late at night
when I couldn’t sleep I would sit out on the porch and write with my favourite
pencil. I had decided to start writing about the stories of the students, maybe
one day I would print it and everyone would know what has happened to these
orphans and they will no longer be just a problem. It was very disappointing
how negative the villagers were in regards to the school, their lack of support
was certainly disheartening. We were even warned not to talk about been
teachers at the school if we did decide to leave the school grounds but it
wasn't encouraged to leave the school at all. Ultimately we really had no
reason to leave, everything we needed was available at the school anyhow. All
our food, supplies and security was supplied from outside Killa, none of the
locals wanted the contracts. They wouldn't even come within a block of school,
it was like the whole school didn't exist. One day I hope that would change.
 
Fiona
It was kinda strange even though I was surrounded by women, the nurses, some of
the other teachers were women, and the male teacher’s wife’s, I hadn’t noticed
it had been well over a year since I had been with a woman. I never seem to
have a shortage at high school or during my training to nip one with a woman
but for a whole year, since graduation, I hadn’t, it was strange for me not to
even notice. It hadn’t even occurred to me until the night after Dahlia had
left and Fiona turned up at my door. She bought some drinks with her to share
as she sat next to me on the couch. "To your first year John" she toasted to
me. "John, I'm leaving tomorrow, transferring to another school." Then she
basically threw herself at me, I dropped my drink on the floor as she jumped on
top of me kissing me hard. Her hands already undoing my shirt buttons. I got
over the shock and pulled her shirt off over her head. Her fiery red hair
dragged along my chest made me smile, I let her take control as she pulled my
trousers off. I gently grabbed her hair as she took me in her mouth. I tried
hard not to make too much noise but it felt so good. All of a sudden she
stopped, slipped out of her skirt. She had no underwear on. "Wait." I quickly
ran to my room and came back with a condom, I quickly slid it on as he pulled
me back onto the couch. I sat back down as she slid onto me. I grabbed her
breasts and kneeled them as she rode me. I felt her tighten and grind against
me harder as I climaxed she climaxed a couple of seconds after. Heavily
breathing she snuggled into me as I pulled her hair to one side. I felt a
little bad about it as it was frowned upon to sleep with anyone at the school,
single adults were the less evil of all the options, they are consenting adults
after all. It was nice and it relieved a bit of stress and then the next day
she was gone.
 
Boss
My parents asked me to visit them in the break so I headed home for a couple of
weeks. It was nice to walk around outside a gated campus, I hadn't realised how
much like a jail the school feels like compared to Portlyn. My parents gave me
heaps of stuff to take back for the flat and the students, my mother had
started telling everyone about how wonderful my students are and how proud they
are of my work. I hadn’t told them everything but it was nice to be in such a
positive environment for a bit. I was pleased to get back to the school, it
certainly had grown on me quickly, my second student wasn’t quite as easy as
Dahlia. Boss was her name and I can understand it, from the beginning she
demanded to know who I was, what was going on. I scored clothes washing duty,
it wasn't too bad. Separate the colours from whites and blacks are separate
again. Thankfully another teacher showed them the ironing part, I could hardly
iron my own clothes properly. Irons aren't my strong suit. Boss however picked
up all the house life stuff in an instant. Quite regularly other students would
be on our porch talking to her, asking advice, venting, she was much more a
mother to all the other students particularly the younger ones. We discovered
her real name was Chloe but she was called Boss back at her town and she hated
been called Chloe. She was a force in herself, if a student was been difficult
they would ask her to come and chat to them. She hadn’t failed to get her own
way; I only inspected her room three times before it become too uncomfortable
for me. She never gave me a reason to go into her room so it never became a
problem. Boss got a group of students to organise the mid year dance which
headmaster Tony supported 100%, definitely took a lot of pressure of the
teachers. I have to admit they did a bloody good job, they choose a black and
white theme so everything was either black or white except of course the
donated dresses and suits the students wore. I still had a suspicion there was
a lot more variety of dresses and suits this year and some of them looked brand
new.
Boss was also on a one year program; she was accepted into nursing and had
decided she would become a school nurse for a government school. I smirked when
she told me, they will never know what hit them when she rocks up, she will be
running the school in no time. I must admit she had spent a lot of time with
students in the nurse’s room and even in the hospital, it was Boss who demanded
Leisha be kept at the school not long after she had arrived. Leisha was a
strange girl, to the point that normally she would have ended up in the mental
hospital which is where she was headed too before Boss got involved. Boss
worked out and I have no idea how, that Leisha had a knack for gardening and
plants. Horticulture was an after class optional class for students run by Mrs
Thatcher. Mrs Thatcher was pretty odd herself and I have no idea where Mr
Thatcher was and I wasn't game enough to ask. Boss managed to get Headmaster
Tony to allow her to set up a garden in the front of the school and each day
from then on Leisha would be in the garden. Mrs Thatcher thought it was great
because she didn't have the time to maintain all the gardens because she taught
Maths as well. Leisha started the front garden all from scratch; a couple of
times she would wonder into a classroom, mid lesson grab paper or supposably
useful gardening objects out of the bins for her garden. The kitchen staff
started leaving what she wanted in separate bins and somehow she even managed
to make a worm farm out of old food barrels, mind you no one is completely sure
were the worms came from. All without talking, in fact if you tried to talk to
her she would stare at you until you backed away slowly. I assume she spoke to
Mrs Thatcher however as the gardens really started to flourish. So Leisha
became a part of the school, every now and again she would appear in a
classroom and present something that had grown in her garden to someone. My mum
sent a heap of garden tools when I told her about the girl and a week after I
gave them too her she appeared in my classroom with a dirty hand full of snow
peas fresh from the garden which she dumped on my desk and then disappeared.
They left a soggy mess on my desk but I appreciated the sentiment. The day Boss
left was the day I really felt like I was changing the world and that I had
made the right decision. Boss stood at the door with her bag, she looked at me
and said “You did good Mr Mathew’s” then she was gone.
 
Third year.
I decided to spend the break at the school this time, there was still quite a
few students on longer terms still at the school. We played a lot of sports and
I got a lot of writing time in. I was certainly feeling confident when the new
year started, but then I saw her, at first I couldn’t understand a teacher
coming in with the new students. She was fairly short but her curves were
defined. The students had come out of the mess hall; a group of the students
was following her. Then she turned and looked directly at me, her eyes were
mature and deep, she was definitely a teacher. Her hair fell around her face,
even pale her lips were pink and full and lovely. Her body although skinny had
an instantly reaction from my body and it was then that I realized she was a
student, she was too skinny and the scars on her body were becoming obvious. I
wasn’t sure what was making me feel more ill, the fact this infatuating woman
had been brutalized or the fact that I was lusting after a student. I quickly
retreated into the flat; I need to calm my mind and my body. I thought I should
have a cold shower but my new student was due in a couple of minutes. I grabbed
the breakfast bench for some stability, this year was going to be hard, I
thought hopefully she is just on a year program and if she isn’t in any of my
classes and in a dorm I’ll be able to dodge her. A soft knock at the door made
me let go of the bench, the nurse was standing between me and the student. “Mr
Mathew’s, this is Amelia.” She stepped out from behind the nurse and it was
her. The nurse left her on my porch; I just stood in the kitchen looking at
her. She stared back me; she searched my face and then continued to look over
my body. I wished behind hope that my body wasn’t betraying me. It wasn’t,
thankfully, but she moved towards the bedroom I had prepared for her and closed
the door on me. I could have slapped myself, what was wrong with me! Amelia
must think I’m insane, but it was too late now so I retreated to my bedroom. I
paced my room until another knock at the door indicated that the janitor was
there with her assigned belongings. I physicked myself up and headed out of my
room. Amelia was at the door accepting the janitor’s offerings. “Thank you
James” I called out from the kitchen casually hopeing like hell I had
remembered his name correctly “Mr Mathew’s” the janitor nodded and left. “You
should find clothes, bathroom stuff and your school items in the bag” I
gestured towards the bags in Amelia’s arms as I tried to be casual. “So you can
talk.” Was her reply, feisty as well flashed past my mind as she headed back to
her room.
 
Amelia
The next day was awkward as I had to introduce myself and explain that I had to
inspect her room, Amelia just stood aside and let me in. She had hardly
unpacked or even disturbed anything, only the bed sheets. She looked at me as
if awaiting my assessment of her room. I just nodded politely and headed off to
class. My head felt so messed up, she's a child I kept chanting in my head, so
I decided in the afternoons instead of heading back to the flat I would go for
a run. I wore running shorts under my work pants and kept a pair of runners and
shirt in my classroom. It worked fine for a couple of days, by the time I would
get back to the flat Amelia was in her bedroom, until I took a run along the
front perimeter fence. I thought I would check out Leisha’s garden. Strangely
Leisha wasn’t in her garden, I dismissed it though, maybe she was picking up
food from the kitchen or looking in the classroom bins. Then something caught
my eye, it was Leisha following something along the fence. I decided to follow
her and then I saw Amelia with the fence open, she quickly shut it and snuck
over to where I had seen a group of orphans before. I couldn’t believe it;
Amelia was going to get herself killed. I ran straight past Leisha, a force of
anger was building inside me as I wretched the gate open and stormed over to
where I could see Amelia standing. I grabbed her by the arm and scared the hell
out of her but I was too angry with her to care. She had put herself in danger.
“What the hell are you doing?” I yelled at her, she just looked at me stunned.
I don’t think I had ever yelled at anyone like that before. She didn’t answer
so I pulled her by her arm back into the school gate, I let go of her to slam
the gate shut. “Oh my god” Amelia went white as a sheet and threw herself
against the fence staring at something out on the street. I turned to see what
she was looking at and just in time to see Leisha disappear behind a building
with two orphans. “Shit” I swore, thinking I must have left the gate open when
I stormed over to get Amelia “We have to go after her” Amelia plead, “This is
my fault”. I hadn’t noticed but Amelia was wearing a cloak that hid her school
uniform, it made her look more like the orphans. We didn’t have time to wait
for the guards so I agreed, we headed out together, this time I made sure the
gate was closed and we followed were Leisha had disappeared. Amelia seemed to
know where to go as she led the way. All of a sudden we disappeared into a dark
gap between two buildings. I could see at the end a bit of light which showed a
building that had been bombed, the gap we were in was the only way in or out of
the rubble but amongst it all was at least 10 children. No Leisha, Amelia
pushed me back away and back onto the street, down another alley way. She
wiggled around a bit until she had taken her school shirt off without taking
her cloak off. “They can’t see this” She commented as she handed me her shirt
“hide it.” Stunned I managed to fold it up and stuff it in one of my pockets as
I followed her back out into the street. She headed away from the gap and
around a corner. We could have walked into a completely different town as all
the buildings were untouched by the war and people hustled past ducking in and
out of shops that lined both sides of the street for the small block.
Completely immersed in their own world Amelia and I were able to walk over to a
food shop a couple of doors down completely unnoticed. It was one of those old
fashioned shops with grates of fruit displayed out the front and an old fashion
sign hanging above it with MARSHES stencilled on it. “Grab that carton of food,
head back to the gap and I’ll go inside and pay for it.” Amelia instructed me,
I figured she knew what she was doing; she had after all grown up as an Orphan
she would know how to bargain with them. I grabbed the carton and headed back,
a couple of seconds later she was at my elbow huffing a little. “I will have to
go first, they’ll see I’m a child and hear me out without running off.” I
nodded and followed her back in. She drew herself up and walked straight into
the light in the rubble. “Who is in charge?” She demanded, at first all the
orphans stopped and stared, and then slowly about 10 more of them appeared from
nowhere. “That would be me” a young guy stood out from the developing crowd,
“What do you want?” he had a casual drawl about him, like nothing in the world
could pull him down from the top of the rubble heap. “I want to trade, food for
the school girl.” Amelia answered without fault. “Food” the boy echoed her
coming closer to see what she had in the crate. I moved to stand behind her but
the boy saw me “Who the hell are you” Amelia didn’t miss a beat, “he is my
help, he has another crate of food.” The boy stopped and glared at me, trying
to work me out. “So let me get this right, two crates of food for the girl.”
Amelia nodded. The boy looked at another boy beside him “Go get the girl.” The
boy instantly obeyed. Amelia stepped forward and put the crate near his feet
and then stepped back to me. The boy motioned to a young girl not far from his
feet, she moved closer to the crate and poked some of the food. “It’s Mrs
Marshes.” She answered with a smile, I remembered that was the Marshes shop we
got them from. The boy came to have a closer look “Mrs Marsh would not be happy
that you’re giving us her food” Amelia shrugged “The grumpy old bat is already
pissed off we stole it from her.” I moved to question Amelia on it but she
pushed me back with her hand, “John not now” she whispered, it took me back,
she had never used my first name before. The boy hadn’t seen the interaction
“So what’s in the second carton then?” Amelia made sure she was between the
carton and the boy, “Give me the girl and an explanation and you get the second
carton.” The boy laughed “I explain myself to no one.” Amelia didn’t flinch
“You wanted her for a reason; maybe I can help you so you don’t need her.”
Leisha had appeared with the boy who had been sent for her, “There is your girl
now go.” The boy grabbed the carton Amelia had put on the ground and started to
walk off, many of the orphans looked longingly at the crate in my hands but
Amelia watched until Leisha was close enough to grab and pushed her towards me
so that Amelia would be between Leisha and the orphan’s “Boy, you tell me what
you took her for so that you can all eat.” The boy stopped and turned back but
Amelia started walking towards him staring him down. “Ok then, we want the
gardening knowledge she has so we can grow our own food, happy?” Amelia turned
back to me and grabbed the crate out of my arms handing it to the closet
orphan. “I’ll be back tomorrow with books on gardening, you teach each other
how to read them and leave the girl alone. Agreed?” the boy looked at Amelia
sternly then grinned “Whatever you recon black fairy.” Then the Orphans all
left following the boy and the food. Amelia turned back and started pushing us
back out to the gap.
 
Branded.
We all walked back to the school in silence, “You didn’t have to steal that
food” I blurred out all of a sudden. “Students don’t have cash, how did you
expect me to pay for it?” Amelia replied calmly “besides the Orphans now know
we can’t afford to buy them anything.” I couldn’t argue with her logic so I
made sure no one saw us re-enter the school. Leisha went straight back to her
garden like nothing had happened, Amelia headed back to our flat, so I
followed. Back in the flat I pulled Amelia’s shirt out of my back pocket as she
slid off her cloak to hang on the hat rack. The brutality she had under gone
became even more apparent as deep scars lined her back, her thin bra did very
little to hide them. She turned facing me; she was a million miles away as if
she had even forgotten I was standing there. “Oh, thank you” she grabbed her
shirt out of my hands and that’s when I saw it the top of a brand on her hip. I
grabbed her arm and pulled her skirt down her hip to see if it was what I
thought it was. “Your branded” I growled, I couldn’t help it the anger was
boiling over, how dare anyone brutalise and brand her, and it was more than I
could take. “John you’re hurting me” Amelia whimpered, she hadn’t even resisted
when I grabbed her. I hadn’t realized I was holding her so tight. I let go, “I
don’t know how people can do this, I just don’t understand. You should be loved
and cherished not beaten and branded like cattle.” Amelia looked at me as I
realized what I had just said and the reality of the situation was crashing
down on me. My student, Amelia was half naked in the living room and I had just
said she should be loved and to make matters worse she had called me John,
twice and I loved it. I was torn I wanted to prove she could be loved and I
wanted to hear her say my name again but it was wrong, she was a student. I
walked away, it was hard and painful but it was all I could do. I didn’t dare
look at her as I shut my bedroom door and lay down on my bed. The lines were
blurring, I realised I loved a student, I had stolen food to give to the
orphans and now I was going to have to cover for Amelia to keep Leisha safe.
I'm becoming the monster we are trying to protect the students from. What would
my parents say if they saw this, if they knew. If the headmaster found out,
what if Amelia told him. I would lose everything. I was awake most of the night
staring at the ceiling, I'm so fucked.
 
Martin
I had no idea what I was going to say to Amelia the next day, thankfully I
didn't need to Amelia presented me with a detailed plan on how she was going to
get the information the orphans needed, how to sneak out and how to not get
caught. She ran through the plans with me, sitting beside her looking over her
shoulder at the breakfast bench I could smell her sent mixed with a vanilla
hair wash, it took all my will power to stay focused on what she was saying
instead of her soft lips and deep eyes. Once she had explained the whole plan
she looked at me, something was stirring in her eyes but then it was gone. “You
don't have to do this you know?” She said all of a sudden snapping me back to
the moment. “Yes I do, I must protect you.” “School rules” she mumbled “no” I
blurted out without thinking, “I mean yes, yes school rules.” “And how many
school rules are we breaking right now John?” her sweet voice asked. It took me
a couple of seconds to realise her hand was on my thigh. “We can't do this” I
croaked sliding out from under her hand as my heart shattered. What the hell
have I started, she's a child I told myself as I quickly left for class. I met
at our agreed point that afternoon, she had her cloak on but she hadn't taken
her uniform shirt off, maybe she thought I wasn't coming and didn't want to be
caught in just a bra. She gave a slight smile. “Amelia” I murmured as we slid
through town, “mm” Amelia replied “If this is something you want to continue
doing I want to teach you to protect yourself.” Amelia stopped and turned back
to me “You want to teach me self-defence?” “Yes, just in case we get caught out
here, if something happens to me.” “Don’t say that, nothing is going to happen
to you. I will like to learn self-defence however.” Amelia smiled and then
continued on. “Amelia” I interrupted her again “Why did you come out here to
begin with?” Amelia didn’t stop this time “I had to know.” She answered quickly
“Know what?” I replied “I had to know if they were just like me and if I could
help them. I’ve been watching them since I got here” Amelia was focusing on our
route “You could have been killed you know that, students have been killed
before.” I commended “Students who were running away from the school yes, they
threaten the established group and cause competition for resources. Anyway I
wasn’t running away. I was going to wait for them to come to me. I was in one
of their scouting spots and I was going to talk to them. I wasn’t going to tell
them I was a student.” I didn’t have a chance to question her further as we had
arrived at the gap. The same boy that stood out as the leader was there waiting
for us with a couple of older looking boys all with handmade weapons of some
description, at first I thought it was a trap and I grabbed Amelia’s arm to
pull her behind me. “It’s ok John, they may have thought we were with the
Hunters.” Amelia looked at me with her deep eyes and I couldn’t help but melt
to her will. “So the Black Fairy returns.” The boy declared still in a defence
position. “Of course a deal is a deal” Amelia replied not even fazed by the
boy. “These are pages on how to start a garden, preparing the soil, that kind
of thing.” The boy didn’t look pleased “You said books on gardening!” Amelia
breathed deeply “I can’t give you books, I can give you photocopies of them
thought and only parts at a time.” The boy gestured for another boy to take the
pages Amelia was holding out. The boy read through the photocopies, “It’s the
same things I have seen the girl do Martin.” Amelia looked quickly at the boy
giving all the orders, he didn’t look pleased. “So Martin is it, I’ll be back
in five days with the next lot of information.” Amelia didn’t give him time to
argue about his name been discovered. “We want seeds with your next lot of
information.” Martin demanded angrily. “That wasn’t the agreement.” Amelia bit
back “Photocopies weren’t the agreement either.” Martin stated. “Fine” Amelia
spat back at him. “We’ll bring seeds with us in five days.” Amelia turned to
leave gesturing that I follow her. “Be careful Black Fairy.” Martin called as
they too disappeared. We started back to the school. “Why do they call you
Black Fairy?” I had wondered and decided to finally ask. “They have to call me
something and we would both prefer they don’t know who we are or where we come
from. I guess the cloak doesn’t help. There are also legends of black fairies
that are young women who have come back from the dead, sometimes they are good
but mostly they are for evil.” Amelia continued as we walked along the street
“I don’t get it” I finally admitted. “They are telling me that they don’t trust
me and we probably shouldn’t trust them.” Amelia was distracted looking around.
“Is that why we are going the wrong way?” I had only just noticed we weren’t
going the right way back to the school. “They are following us, trying to find
out where we are from but I have lost them. I have worked out a few different
ways to put them off our trail going past a few places I don’t think they will
want to cross by.”
 
Bad morning
The whole week had been one nightmare after another. After having snuck out of
the school, not looking forward to the next visit, trying to avoid Amelia,
having a couple of students start a fist fight in my class, the student 3 flats
down had a screaming nightmare's three nights in a row and I didn't sleep so
well after anyway. When I did manage to sleep I kept dreaming Amelia would
crawl into my bed, she's a child I kept trying to tell my stupid brain. I
wasn't in the most fabulous mood when I woke up. To make it worse it was a
Saturday so I had no reason to rush around & focus on getting the day started.
Lying in bed sulking wasn't helping either so I dragged myself out of bed.
Amelia was unfortunately already up, she had a hip against the kitchen bench
while she sipped her morning juice. Why did she have to look so sexy in the
morning, her hair was pulled up in a messy bun letting wisps of it fall around
her face. Her thin short night shirt covered enough to be decent but not enough
to stop me getting hard again. I felt ill, what the hell is wrong with me & why
did she have to be so damn sexy. "You’re not much of a morning person are you?"
Amelia shook her head at me. I realized I was staring at her, I was only in my
boxer shorts with an oncoming hard on; I hadn't even had the decency to put on
a shirt. I stepped behind the chair to hide it, “Why the hell you so cheery” I
snapped at her in my own stupid frustration. “Well good morning to you too” she
snapped back. Then she turned away from me & put her glass in the sink. The
movement allowed her butt to become uncovered as she leant over; her undies
were light blue matching her night shirt. I snapped “Can you not wear that" she
spin around "so now my clothes offend you?" She grumped at me, "no I mean don't
wear it out here," I was messing it all up "so what you want me to go naked in
the morning?" Amelia was getting fired up and sarcastic; I had offended her
which only made her even sexier now that she was angry. "You have no idea how
inappropriate it is" I fired back, "Your moody arse is what is inappropriate
Mr, I'm sick of your hot & cold attitude." She bit back "Well if you weren't so
beautiful in the morning it wouldn't be such a bloody problem." I shouted back
instantly regretting what I had said. She went silent, staring at me like the
monster I was. Me & my big bloody mouth, why couldn't I just bloody lie for
once! "I'm going for a walk." I declared, "You might want to put on a shirt"
Amelia suggested quietly. I went back into my room & slammed the door. I heard
Amelia have a shower & leave before I came out again. I couldn't believe I was
making such a mess. Maybe this is what happens, the teachers just go insane. I
decided to mark a heap of assessments, they weren’t pressing but they were a
decent distraction. The 1st assignments told a lot about each student and gave
us a starting point. I managed to read a couple and write notes on each
individual before Amelia returned, she had been jogging, smart girl, I thought,
get some frustration out. “You promised me self-defence classes.” She stated
standing in front of me. “Yes I did” I answered feeling a lot calmer now that
she was better covered. “I have no plans for the rest of the day.” She
continued and hadn’t moved from right in front of me. I wondered if she just
wanted to get the chance to beat the crap out of me, she did seem more pissed
at me. “OK, I’ll pack this up and change and we can start.” I offered, I
figured that extra emotion might serve her well.
 
Bathroom music
For the fourth time in a row I had flung Amelia to the mat and this time I sat
on her to make my point that she wasn’t listening. She was getting even more
pissed and frustrated as she pushed her hair out of her face. I suddenly became
very aware that I was on top of her; the sweat on her white shirt was allowing
her bra to show through the material. Her short shorts hadn’t covered all of
her as I could feel her bare thigh against mine. My body started to react
pushing my manhood against her we both became aware of what was developing.
“That’s enough for tonight” I huffed as I hurried to get off her, I started to
pack everything up without even looking at her. We silently returned to the
flat, the whole time I was telling myself this is wrong she's a damn child.
Amelia had her shower first, I gave her a wide berth by hiding in my room, and
then when I was sure she was in her room I had my shower. It was a warm night
so I only put my boxer shorts on but I hadn’t heard Amelia in the kitchen over
my music and we ended up awkwardly staring at each other over the breakfast
bench. “Why do you listen to music in the bathroom?” Amelia blurred out
breaking the awkward silence. “Um… I guess it makes me feel better, upbeat
music to get me going in the morning and chilled music to relax me in the
afternoon. I can stop if its making you feel uncomfortable” I answered “I like
music, the soldiers would play music and the guards, I liked it but it was
dangerous you got distracted and danger could sneak up on you and it would be
too late.” Amelia looked deep into glass of water as she spoke “Is that how you
got those?” I pointed to the scar running down her arm “No” She answered
quickly “that one was from a rescue mission, I guess it was successful.” She
shrugged “Did you want to talk about it?” as I gestured towards the couch. “Not
much to tell really” Amelia replied yet she moved to the couch and kept talking
“Baker got locked in a shed after he was caught stealing food from a kitchen.
Baker was one of the twin boys I lived with. They beat him pretty bad, he
couldn’t even walk. It took us most of the night to find him, it was almost
light when we did find him so we didn’t have much time to get him out. We
managed to pull a part of the corrugated iron up enough for me to crawl in. I
dragged him to the hole; we were almost out when the sheet of iron fell. I was
able to get us both out of the way except my arm. Sliced from my shoulder to my
elbow, not extremely deep but like a flap of skin. I screamed, which was a big
mistake, Lars put the flap of skin back over and we ran with Baker. Lars was
like a little brother I guess. Tom had found medical supplies a couple of days
earlier so we were able to treat my arm and Bakers injuries. Tom is Bakers twin
brother, well he was.” Amelia swallowed hard “I had to keep using my arm though
and it scared up.” I really didn’t know what to say, every time I saw her scars
horrible images came to mind and made me angry that someone would hurt her.
Amelia drank the rest of her water and put the glass on the sink. “John,”
Amelia turned to look at me from the sink “Do my scars bother you?” she blurted
out before she lost her nerve. “What, where the hell did that come from?” I
automatically replied “I notice you looking sometimes” Amelia replied playing
with the hem of her skirt. “I think your beautiful.” I blurred out. Amelia
looked at me, searching for anything that would suggest I was lying. “I think
its wrong that any of them have happened to someone so amazing it’s just not
right.” I realised I was digging myself a hole but somehow I just couldn’t
stop. Amelia smiled. “Your pretty amazing yourself John” she replied. My heart
almost stopped, I couldn’t believe she just complimented me. “I’m off to bed”
she hastily retreated. I still couldn’t think of anything to say so my mouth
just blurred something out. “Good night Amelia.” Amelia looked back at me from
her door, “Good night John.” She replied and then disappeared behind her door.
What the fuck is wrong with me? Maybe I am a monster, a pedo they called them
at Uni but all teachers where screened for it. I passed, maybe it's flawed
test. I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling again.
 
Awkward.
Our next visit to the orphans went smoothly, but Amelia didn't talk to me the
whole time. In fact Amelia hadn't really spoken to me since I said she was
beautiful. I decided it was best we didn't talk, I mean I couldn't get myself
in trouble if we weren't talking. When I was sure things couldn't get anymore
awkward Headmaster Tony caught up with me outside my classroom, my first
reaction was Amelia had told him but I was wrong, he had a request. "Mr
Mathew's I need a male teacher in the mess hall in 10 minutes, could you go?" I
felt I had no choice, "Sure" I replied before I had even considered it, I
should have asked what the hell for. "Perfect." The headmaster replied and then
ran off. I turned and started to head the other way towards the mess hall. I
entered from the side, a large group of students were in the mess hall. Most of
them looking quite uncomfortable, it wasn't until I saw Nurse Renee up on the
stage that I realised what I had gotten myself into. "Mr Mathew's!" She called
over the PA gesturing me to join her on stage. The whole group went silent. I
saw Amelia out of the corner of my eye but with everyone watching me I wasn't
game enough to look at her. I stood as close to the stairs on the stage as I
thought was acceptable. "Ok students let's start." Nurse Renee already had
everyone's undivided attention. "So this session is about sex, the medical and
socially acceptable practices. Following on from this session is a sexual
harassment session." My hands started to get sweaty, I had never been to one of
these sessions for the students and I really had no idea why the hell I was
here for. "So the basis of sex, sex is considered multiple physical movements
with the end result of creating an offspring. In humans sexual intercourse is
how a child is produced, a full man" Nurse Renee pointed at me "and a full
woman have sexual organs with the required items needed to produce a child."
Nurse Renee turned off the lights and started to show slide show pictures of a
penis and vagina and how together they make a baby, I would have given anything
to not be on the stage at that moment. Specially since Amelia kept looking at
me. Nurse Renee turned the lights back on. "There are more varieties of sex
then this way, this is called the traditional way but you can also have two
men, referred to as gay, two women referred to as lesbian even multiple people
in a sexual relationship. People who are happy to have a relationship with
either male or female are called Bisexuals and there are many more variations.
Some people may even be born one gender and become another, normally called
transsexuals. The point is everyone is different and sex is suppose to be
between people who love each other. Sex is not for one person to push on
another, everyone has to agree to it and I highly recommend you talk about sex
before engaging it in. If the person that wants to have sex with you doesn't
want to talk about it first, they are probably not the one you should be having
sex with. Now personally I waited until I was married and on my wedding night I
was able to give my first sexual experience to my husband. What about you Mr
Mathew's what are your beliefs?" It took me a couple of minutes to realise
Nurse Renee was talking to me "Um, yes definitely have to be in love with the
person before sex." I answered feeling really stupid. Nurse Renee smiled
obviously happy with my reply. "These days it is socially unacceptable for
students to have sex, it is believed that you must be over 18 to make the best
judgement on your own sexuality and for your partner to have the acceptable
level of responsibility to handle having a sexual relationship. However you are
best suited to having a deep understanding of sex before you reach the age of
consent." Nurse Renee then move on to STD's and some really nasty pictures that
honestly made me feel slightly ill. I was so relieved when she announced the
session was finished. I headed towards the flats but Amelia caught up with me,
she looked around to make sure no one could hear us. "Are you gay?" She asked
"No" I answered not 100% sure where this was going. "Are you a Bisexual?" I
thought for a second, "I don't think so, I have never been attracted to another
male." Amelia thought for a few seconds "I don't think I am either, I've never
been attracted to a female before." I stopped at the door of our flat. "This is
not a conservation you should be having with me, with your future, partner
maybe but not me." I couldn't say sexual partner, it just made me jealous and
angry. Amelia pulled the door open in front of me and walked pasted, I'd
obviously pissed her off.
 
Self-defence.
It was the end of February, I had survived the first month. For our second
self-defence lesson I took some time to put my mind on the right track. The
girls a student, she's 17 and my job is to protect and educate her. I had to
think of her as just another student, I had to ignore those eyes, ignore the
way her school skirt hugged her hips and the way she would twist the bottom of
her skirt when she was nervous. Or the way she would bite her bottom lip when
she was concentrating, and when she would let it go it would be red and full. I
growled at myself, this wasn't helping! I pulled my shorts on and grabbed a
clean gym shirt off the end of the bed. I took a deep breath and headed off. I
caught sight of her first, waiting outside the classroom we had agreed to meet
at. She was twisting the end of her skirt. She was looking away from me so I
couldn't tell of she was upset or day dreaming. "Amelia" I called to her. She
nodded to acknowledge me not wanting to break her stern mood. I opened the
classroom door and we started. Again it didn't take long and I had her pined to
the floor. Frustration got the best of me "Amelia how did u survive like this?"
She just glared at me "seriously you have to protect yourself!" She pushed
against my chest gently to make me let her go. I got off her and let her get
up. She walked to the water trying not to look to me. "John I can’t” she
practically whispered. "I can't hurt you". "What, Amelia you’re not going to
hurt me, that's why they call it training, come on it will be ok." Amelia threw
the drink bottle down, "why are you even helping me!" I was a little shocked,
Amelia had never snapped like this before. "I'm your teacher, it's my job." I
answered simply. "So it's your job to say I'm beautiful!" I went a bit red.
"No, that, I'm sorry I should never had said that." Amelia scrunched her fists
"So you just said it to get your own way or something" this was getting out of
hand "Amelia your my student, I'm a teacher, there are lines we can't cross."
Amelia softened "but you want to." "Can we please get back to training." Amelia
nodded taking a stance ready to start again. I went to grab her to start again,
she slipped out of my grip and the next thing I saw was a fist towards my face.
I grabbed my nose in pain as warm liquid started to seep through my fingers.
Amelia had broken my nose. Amelia looked at me shocked, I managed to get to
sickbay without getting too much blood on anything or attention from anyone.
Amelia followed me and looked horrified the whole time as I convinced the nurse
that Amelia had opened the door accidentally in my face and that I was teaching
her fitness drills I learnt in college to help her with her focus. Thankfully
the nurse believed me. Amelia kept apologising, as we headed back to the flat
she tried apologising again. “Amelia its ok, that’s the reaction I’ve been
wanting from you this whole time, some fight I know that’s in you.” I managed
to smile at her even thought I still had a tissue up each nostril. Amelia
smiled at me and then started to giggle. “You look kinda funny with those
tissues stuck out your nose.” I smirked “It might catch on as a new trend” I
replied making her laugh. It was something I couldn’t explain, making her
laugh. It was the first time I had heard her laugh and the thought that I had
made her laugh made my heart swell. Life was so serious here I never thought I
could enjoy someone laugh so much. Back at the flat I started to tell her jokes
as we sat in the lounge room drinking the rest of our water bottles. It wasn't
until I realised it was late and we had classes the next day that we headed to
bed.
 
Making Friends.
Amelia wasn’t in any of my classes but I started to see her more in the
hallways, she would smile at me as she walked past. It was nice to see she was
making friends too, Ashleigh was still at the school and had befriended Amelia.
One night over the breakfast table Amelia told me Ashleigh was on an extended
program because she was only 16 when she came to the school, so she was in most
of Amelia’s classes. Amelia also found it strange to have a female friend her
age to talk too, most of the kids she spent time with before were either male
or much older females. Ashleigh was able to give Amelia the heads up on what
was happening and coming up from been at the school last year. They both liked
the courtyard fernery and I would often see them having lunch there by
themselves. It had become a habit when I didn’t have lunch duty to watch them
from the veranda above the court yard which just happened to be just outside my
classroom. They couldn’t see me and I couldn’t hear what they would talk about
but I could always see Amelia, she always sat facing me. It could also hear her
laugh every now and again and I never made it obvious that I was watching them.
It was a particularly warm day and most students were getting into trouble for
having too many buttons open on their shirts or rolling their pants up. I was
pleased I didn’t have lunch duty that day as a nice breeze was coming through
onto the veranda. I was sipping a coffee when Amelia and Ashleigh stepped into
the courtyard. Ashleigh gave Amelia her bag and headed off so Amelia got
settled in her normal spot. I hadn’t noticed one of the boys had been following
the two girls into the fernery and now stepped into the court yard. Amelia
didn’t seem overly happy to see him but he sat beside her anyway, they said a
couple of things I couldn’t hear when suddenly he pushed her against the wall
and started trying to kiss her. I dropped my cup and ran straight down the
steps almost missing the last one and ran into the court yard. “Get your hands
off her now!” I boomed barely controlling my anger. The boy jumped back enough
for Amelia to slide out and run to me. I pulled her to me as she buried her
face into my chest. “What’s your name boy?” I questioned fighting every desire
to simply beat the living daylights out of him. “Christian sir.” The boy
replied getting to his feet “This was her fault.” He added pointing at Amelia.
I instinctively held her tighter as she gave out a sob trying to control her
tears. Gritting my teeth I asked how he had come to that conclusion. “She has
been flirting with me the skank” Christian spat “Liar!” a voice rang out from
behind me. Ashleigh had returned and had obviously heard the last part. “You
have been hounding her for days!” Ashleigh shouted back at him. I looked at the
boy and sure enough I did recognise him, he had been following the girls around
a fair bit lately “Christian you are to apologies to Amelia and Ashleigh and
I’m assigning you to another round of deportment and sexual harassment courses
because you obviously didn’t listen the first time around.” The boy started to
seethe “like hell, those two bitches aren’t ladies.” Christian pointed to
Amelia and Ashleigh. If I hadn’t been holding on to Amelia that moment I would
have completely lost my cool. “Christian you apologise or I will take this
discussion to Headmaster Tony.” I threatened. Christen went white as a sheet.
He knew having this conversation with Headmaster Tony would threaten his
position here at the school which meant he could be sent back to whatever hell
hole in which he came from. Just as Christian was about to reply Headmaster
Tony turned into the courtyard. Amelia instantly let go of me and Christen
swallowed whatever he was about to say. “Is there a problem here Mr Mathew’s,
Ladies and Christen?” Headmaster Tony asked as if this was an everyday
occurrence. “No Headmaster Tony, I was just apologing for disrupting these
ladies lunch break and I was heading back to football training.” And with that
Christen disappeared out of the fernery as quickly as his feet would take him.
“Ladies are you alright?” Headmaster Tony directed the question straight to
Amelia. “Yes Headmaster” Amelia replied almost shaking with worry. “Well then
Mr Mathew’s shall we take a walk and let these ladies get back to their lunch?”
Headmaster Tony turned before I could answer. Amelia looked at me worried sick,
the headmaster had just caught me with Amelia in my arms all I could do was
give her a worried look back and then follow the headmaster out of the fernery.
“So how goes it?” the head master asked once I had caught up. “Good.” I
answered realising that was a stupid answer but it was too late. “You were
quiet in the last few staff meetings.” He casually commended “Yeah.” I answered
trying to give myself some time to work out an answer. I couldn’t tell him I
was too busy thinking about Amelia so I made something up. “I’ve decided to sit
back this year, let the new ones put forward their ideas. You know learn from
the older teachers.” Wow I suck at this I thought after I had said it. “How’s
your nose healing?” he answered changing the subject. “Oh my nose, its fine.
The nurse said it should heal fairly straight but I’m not too worried, it was
an accident and accidents happen.” I waved if off casually. “How’s your student
going?” he asked without missing a beat. “Amelia” I replied with maybe a little
too much surprise “Um yeah, she’s good. Made friends with Ashleigh which is
great.” I nodded like some kind of dashboard ornament. “Well back to work then”
the headmaster replied with a smile as the bell rang. I walked back to class
still running the headmasters conversation over in my head. It didn’t seem like
he had any idea we were sneaking out of the school and he didn’t ask about why
I had Amelia in my arms. All in all I figured we were safe. As soon as I had
the door of the flat closed that afternoon Amelia pounced on me, “What did the
headmaster say, does he know?” she had obviously been stressing about it all
afternoon. “We are safe.” I answered, Amelia let a deep breath out “He wanted
to know how I was going and if my nose was ok.”
 
A hunter
“Something is wrong” Amelia started to smell the air; we were almost at the gap
to meet up with the Orphans again on a shitty dark rainy April Monday
afternoon. Amelia pushed me against the wall so we were completely in the dark.
I could hear someone kicking stones in big boots. “Hunter” Amelia breathed as
she slowly snuck forward “Amelia don’t” I whispered back “We have to make sure
they are ok” Amelia pleaded back so I took a deep breath and carefully followed
her. I could just see a guy standing in the rubble with what looked like a gun
in his hands pointed to the ground lazily. “What is that” I whispered nodding
to the gun thing. “It’s called a rail gun, it burns when it hits you.” Amelia
answered still examining the rubble. “What do you mean it burns you?” I must
have said it too loud however as Amelia ducked & pushed me aside as something
made contact with my shirt and started to burn. “Run” Amelia screamed grabbing
my hand. A couple more things whizzed past our heads as the heat coming off
them would rush past. All of a sudden Amelia pushed me through a door and
dragged me under a table in the dark and then wrapped both of us in her cloak.
After a couple of minutes we heard a man run past swearing under his breath. He
didn’t see us come into the building and he kept on running. We both took a
deep breath out which then bought me back to the warm spot on my shirt. I tried
to look at it in the dark. “You’re ok, I can’t smell burnt skin or burnt hair
so we only got side swiped.” Amelia sat back giving me room to breathe, “What
the hell was that?” I blurred out “A rail gun, it’s like a magnetic gun, the
projectile goes through a long rails in the barrel, hence the rail gun. They
can use pretty much any type of projectile in it but the heat transfer keeps
whatever it is hot as hell. Lots of Orphans die from burn infections.” Amelia
replied as if she had explained it many times before. “How do you know this?” I
asked still trying to see the spot on my shirt in the dark “I heard guards
explaining it” She answered with her eyes focused on the doorway. “We should be
right to get back to the school now.” Amelia declared getting up. “Wait what
about the Orphans?” I remembered that’s what we were out here for to begin
with. “They must have been warned, none of them were there.” Amelia replied
cracking the door open slightly. “All clear” she replied calmly. We headed back
to the school, "Amelia, was this what it was like living out there?" I managed
to ask awkwardly. "Pretty much, you learn how to hide or you don't survive."
Amelia answered casually. I kept quiet for a bit thinking how horrible it would
be when another thought entered my head. "Amelia, does Ashleigh asked where you
go in the afternoons?" I asked as we walked along a new street "No, she keeps
apologising to me that she spends more time playing hockey then spending time
with me. I keep telling her that it's ok, that I'm getting private fitness
lessons anyway." I stopped, "you didn't tell her it was with me teaching you?"
Amelia looked back at me, "of course I didn't" Amelia replied."Ashleigh is
already as jealous as hell." I heard Amelia mumble under her breath.
 
A confession
I pulled my ruined shirt off and dropped it on the coffee table and I fell into
the couch, exhausted; I couldn’t believe we had gotten away with that. Amelia
had hung her cloak on the hook and was standing in front of me waiting for her
shirt from out of my pocket. Tonight she had a beautiful black lace bra on, it
really didn’t cover much. I instinctively licked my lips then looked into her
eyes. She was looking at me, she stepped forward, ignoring her shirt in my
hands and placed her hand on my chest. It was still a little tender like a
sunburn from the projective that side swiped me. Her touch was soft and gentle
and made my heart beat faster. She ran her fingers along my bicep and along my
slowly disappearing six pack. She looked up into my eyes, her deep eyes were
warm and loving, I could have looked into them forever. But then something
stirred in them and she pulled her hand away from my chest. It instantly felt
like all the warmth in the world left with her hand. “I have to tell you
something, something you need to know.” Amelia sat on the foot stool obviously
looking for somewhere to start. “I’m not a child. I’m an adult.” Amelia blurred
out before she lost her nerve. “What” was my only reaction “I’m an adult, I’m
18 this month.” I thought for a couple of minutes “So the day you got here you
were still legally a child and legally able to be a student.” “Yes” Amelia
replied “are you telling me this from the sex ed class?" I had to ask. "No, but
it bothers you thinking I'm only 17." Amelia answered honestly, I nodded "Does
the headmaster know this?” “Yes, this was all his plan.” A tear fell down her
cheek “You don’t have to tell me this.” “No I do, want you to know the truth."
Amelia took a deep breath. "I’m from Murda, most of the town was devastated but
before the war the town was already divided. Our side was against the war, the
other side welcomed it. We were targeted, our parents killed and we were left
to survive. The other parts of the town build a wall between the two sides,
refused to help us. We ran out of food and started sneaking over the wall, well
more accuracy under the wall. Drainage pipes. If we were caught stealing they
would shot us. The government ended up getting security guards to guard the
wall so pictures of dead children stopped appearing. The guards, they were
young, really not that much older than us. We were able to sneak around them
quite easily as we got to know their patrols. One night four of us snuck into
the green grocers, Lars, the twins Tom and Baker and me. Lars really was like a
little brother I never had.” Amelia smiled remembering the boy but her smiled
dropped quickly. “So we didn’t notice that a guard had followed us, he caught
us red handed stuffing food into our bags. I didn’t know, I swear I didn’t
know, Tom had a gun, he must have nicked it from a sleeping guard. We hadn’t
had a gun with bullets in a year or so at that point. The guard panicked seeing
the gun in Tom’s hands and shot him in the head, point blank. We were all
stunned even the guard, the guards had never shot one of us before; they knew
we didn’t have any ammo anymore. Really the guards had always been nice to us
but Baker fell to his knees at his brother’s side, begged him to wake up. Tom
was dead instantly, a hole in the centre of his head made it unmistakable. Then
Baker lost it, he grabbed the gun from his brothers dead hand and shot the
guard in anger in the chest. I managed to get it out of Baker’s hand before he
was able to shoot again but at this point we had waken the whole street and we
could hear more guards coming. I told Lars to take Baker back to our side, I
told him to run and don’t look back. I grabbed the guard’s chest and pushed on
the hole in his chest to try and stop the blood. It was everywhere, I begged
him please don’t die. He was just like one of the boys, too young. The other
guards burst into the shop and saw me trying to stop the bleeding; two guards
grabbed me and pulled me out into the street to their bosses. They dropped me
at an older guard’s feet, my hands were covered in blood, and it was starting
to chill at my fingers in the night air. There was a lot of shouting while the
other guards saved the shot guard. The residents saw the guard covered in blood
and me, on the ground, I couldn’t hide the blood from my hands. They demanded I
be punished for murder. They took me back to the guard centre and threw me in a
cell. That morning a guard asked me a few questions, told me to clean up then
handed me to Headmaster Tony. He changed my age, my name even where I was from
so I could come here to this school and have a new life. The guard survived and
told them that I saved his life and that’s why Headmaster took me.” Amelia was
rocking slightly with her arms wrapped around her. I knelt on the floor in
front of her and hugged her. She cried, I think she cried for Tom, Lars, her
parents everything. I curled her into my lap against my chest and held her
tight while she cried on the floor of our little flat. I’m not sure how long we
sat there for, but having her beautiful soft bare skin against my bare chest,
it just felt right. Eventually she stopped crying, her head was tucked under my
chin and she started to draw lines between the freckles on my arm with her
finger. “Amelia” “mm” she answered “what’s your real name?” Amelia took a deep
breath “It’s not my name anymore, I was called Isabelle or Belle. I’m Amelia
now; I don’t ever want to be called Belle ever again. That part of my life is
over.” Amelia looked up at me seriously, “You can’t tell anyone what I just
told you, everyone at Murda think I’m dead and Headmaster Tony swore me to
secrecy never to tell anyone. I don’t know what they would do to me if they
ever found out.” I pushed a stray hair from her face and tucked it behind her
ear “I’m not going to tell anyone and I’m never going to let anyone hurt you
again.” Amelia looked deep in my eyes as if she was looking for any deception
on my half but then she put her hand on my face, her lips were directly in line
with mine, I could feel her breath getting quicker against my skin. My heart
started to beat faster as our lips came together, the sweet taste of her was
divine, I wanted more but I couldn’t hurt her. I slid my hands into her hair,
so soft and her smell mixed with vanilla surrounded me. She kissed me back so
deeply, the next thing I knew she was straddling me pushing her amazing breasts
against my bare chest. Without thinking I slid my hand down her back and undid
her bra, she pushed the bra off instantly. She pulled back to throw it aside, I
grabbed her shoulders. “Wait.” My sanity had finally shown up. “Amelia your
still a student, I can’t abuse your trust like this, not after everything you
have been through.” Amelia just stared at me as I battled to keep my focus away
from her inviting half naked body. “Do you like me?” Amelia asked, my heart
shattered. I couldn't look at her, but yes I loved her very much, I loved her
with everything I had but if I told her the truth I don’t know what would
happen, if I lied she would hate me but at least she would be able to live her
life beyond here. My body answered before my brain could “Yes” I blurred out. I
had done it again, my mouth blurred out the truth before my brain could control
the situation. “I like you too John.” Amelia replied and with that she stood
up, grabbed her clothes and walked off to the shower. I sat on the living room
floor still trying to work out what the hell had happened. I ran my hands
through my hair, I'm an idiot. I grabbed my shirt off the coffee table and
headed back to my room. At least she's an adult I thought laying on my bed
starting at the ceiling, still wasn't making me feel less of a monster for been
in love with her. Amelia is a student, I have to protect her. I'm her teacher,
what if someone saw us. I would lose everything.
 
Portland
The next day I was really tired, I couldn't get to sleep but what was even more
confusing was Amelia got up and got ready for class if nothing had even
happened, “See you this afternoon John” She called quietly as she left. She
used my first name again; it stirred something inside me every time she said my
name. But after a few weeks of pretending nothing had happened, of thinking
she's still a student even if she is an adult I just couldn’t take it anymore,
I had to say something. Amelia was sitting on the couch in the living room when
I came in after class “Amelia we have to talk about what happened the other
night” “Ok” Amelia put her book down to look at me. Those deep brown eyes calm
and waiting to hear what I had to say, I had to look away to keep focused. “You
understand why I had to stop don’t you?” “Yes, I do, I reached out to you and
you didn’t want to take advantage of me when I was feeling, upset.” I had no
idea what to say, I didn’t even know that’s what I was feeling but she was
right. “Um, yes.” I replied still stunned. "But also I'm your teacher and
teachers and students aren't suppose to have relationships." Amelia moved to
face me completely "I know" she replied sweetly. "Ok, so we have an
understanding then." I replied feeling a little hurt but also trying to keep my
head. "Yes" she answered. “You looked stressed.” She gestured for me to sit on
the foot stool; I decided to go with it. She started to rub my shoulders, it
was bliss. Both the rhythm of her movements and the fact that she as touching
me. She gently slid her hands under my shirt so she was touching my skin; I let
a sigh escape my lips. “You know this is heaps easier without your shirt on.” I
obeyed and slid my shirt off over my head; she started to add little kisses to
the rhythm of her hands smoothing over the tight muscles in my shoulders and
back. “John” Amelia brought my attention to her voice, “mm” I answered “Do you
have a home?” “Well yeah, Portlyn.” I answered “tell me about it.” She asked
“Well I grew up there, my parents still live there. The war didn’t really seem
to touch the place. I mean not like here. There are hardly any damaged houses,
no Orphans. It’s very green, lots of trees and parks. They say that’s what
saved it, they didn’t realise it was a town from the sky it looked more like
farming land or habited bushland.” Amelia was quiet for a few minutes “Do you
miss it?” she asked “Portlyn will always be my home I guess.” I shrugged “Will
you take me there one day?” her movements became less coordinated as she waited
my answer “Only if you want to go to Portlyn.” Amelia sat in front of me on the
floor, “I just want to be with you.” The truth in her eyes was undeniable, I
smiled “Come here” I grabbed her hands and pulled her onto my lap. “I will not
force you to do anything you don’t want to do, if you want to stay here forever
then I’ll stay here forever, we can look after the Orphans here forever if
that’s what you want.” Amelia looked at me “Are you serious?” I looked at her
seriously “Amelia I would do anything to make you happy.” Amelia smiled then a
cheeky grin started to spread across her face. “Anything to make me happy,
hey.” I was about to enquire on what was on her mind when her soft lips pressed
against mine, so I kissed back. She shifted into my lap again to straddle me
leaning deeper into me I carefully eased us onto the floor off the foot stool.
Having her small body lying on top of mine made my pants tight. She intertwined
her fingers in my hair and gently pulled, I had never had a woman pull my hair
before and it was strangely erotic. I slid my hands up her back under her shirt
pulling her closer to me as we searched each other’s mouths with our tongues. I
gently unhooked her bra, she pulled away to unbutton her shirt and toss that
and her bra aside. This time I didn’t stop her as she laid her bare chest
against mine, it was like it was supposed to be like this. She kissed my
forehead then licked my nose and smiled at me, in this moment I knew she was
the one. I took her face in my hands and kissed her so deep I thought my heart
was going to explode. She slid her hands down my sides to the beginning of my
pants and tucked her fingers inside the band of my pants. I slid my hands down
her side but remembered her branding, right now I didn’t want to touch it so I
diverted to her back and then down to her butt. I had caught a glance at her
butt a few times in the school skirt and it made my body react but to have hold
if it with both hands made my heart beat faster again. I pulled her closer to
me as I kissed her deeply. I wanted her so badly, more than I ever wanted
anyone in my life. I sat up trying to keep control “wait, what are we doing." I
questioned myself more then her. "We can't do this." I continued "but you want
to, don't you." I looked at her, I wanted her, not just right now on the lounge
room floor but always. I didn't want to live another day without her in my
life. "I do, but I can't." I answered "then just hold me." Amelia replied. I
scooped her up off the floor and lay on the couch with her snuggled into me.
Eventually she fell asleep in my arms, I really didn't want to leave but I knew
I had too. I gently scooped her up again and took her to her bed.
 
What did I do
I woke up the next morning & thought about what had just happened. I hated
myself, as amazing it was to have Amelia in my arms I felt as guilty as hell.
She might be an adult but she was still a student and I was still her teacher
and protector. I just couldn't protector her from myself. I rolled over and
looked at the wall, I'm becoming a monster, I’m worse than my brother & it made
me feel ill. I crawled out of bed, I could still smell her on me and as much as
I loved it the more I hated myself. What the hell was I going to do, I couldn't
lie to her. I just psychically couldn't. Amelia smiled at me from the kitchen
when I came out “You really aren’t morning person.” She shook her head at me
again as she put my coffee on the breakfast bench and headed to the bathroom. I
grabbed the coffee and sipped it, gees she made a great coffee. I resolved I
would tell her that we could never do what happened last night ever again. I’m
her teacher and she is a student, its wrong and it’s my fault I should have
known better. But then when she said my name and looking into her face as she
slept I couldn’t help but smile, it felt good and she made me feel whole. How
can something so lovely be so wrong? “Thinking about last night?” Amelia was at
the bathroom door looking at me, all she had on was a towel and it didn’t cover
very much. Her hair was twisted up in a messy bun again letting the wisps float
around her face, I felt my heart skip in my chest. My brain forgot she asked me
a question so my mouth went on without me and answered “Yes”. Amelia just
smiled and headed off to her room to change, I just stared at her like I was
teenaged boy on heat again. I shook myself out of it and went for a shower; I
was deep in love and royally screwed. I thought about it most of the day, what
to say, how to explain it. Every time I ran through it in my mind it hurt but I
kept telling myself I’m a teacher I had to do the right thing by Amelia. Maybe
after she has graduated we could meet up for coffee and see how it goes. Maybe
she will hate me forever. My time ran out as the bell rung, I distantly headed
back to the flat and before I knew it I was standing in front of Amelia in the
kitchen. “Amelia” I started “About last night.” I tried to keep my nerve “We
can’t do that again.” Finally I said it. “You don’t love me?” Amelia looked
devastated; the hurt in her eyes was like someone had stabbed me in the heart.
“No Amelia, it’s not that, I’m your teacher.” I mumbled “So you do love me”
Amelia was trying to stay calm and in control. “Yes Amelia I love you, I love
you more than I thought I could ever love anyone and that is why I can’t
jeopardise your future.” Amelia looked me in the eyes “If you’re not in my
future I don’t want it, I’d rather go back to Murda and let them have me.” She
slammed a tin on the bench, the seriousness in her was frightening. “How can
you say that, they will kill you.” I stumbled out. “I’d rather die than be
without you John; I have lived long enough to know not everything is permanent
so I’m going to love you while we are both still here and alive, I’m not going
to waste time just because of school rules. I don’t care, I love you and we are
here now.” Amelia was starting to lose control of her emotions. “OK” I answered
pulling her into me. She took a couple of deep breaths to regain control of her
emotions while holding me tight. “Your right, we don’t know how long we have
here but we have to be careful. You have to be careful; I have my parents to
fall back on. You need to build yourself a future.” I whispered in her ear.
“I’ve been thinking about my future actually.” Amelia pulled away to look at my
face. “I was thinking of becoming a teachers aid, it means I can stay here and
study, it also means we can continue to help the Orphans here.” It was obvious
Amelia had been waiting for the right time to bring this idea to me and now she
was waiting for my reply. “Is it what you really want to do?” I had to ask “I
want to help the other Orphans, I don’t really mind how and I want to stay with
you, I thought it was perfect fit.” I couldn’t help but smile, everything she
has been through and still all she wants to do is help others. “I think it’s a
great idea but you still have time to change your mind and if you do change
your mind don’t be afraid to tell me, ok.” I forced out the words, I wanted to
be selfish and tell her to stay here with me forever but I knew it was the
wrong thing to do. I wasn’t going to trap her here. Amelia smiled and hugged
me.
 
Shadow man
We had regained contact with Martin and his Orphan crew since the Hunter
incident and to prove we didn’t have anything to do with the hunter’s
appearance Amelia promised to show the girls the self-defence techniques I had
been teaching her. Most of the time I stood in the background, the Orphans
trusted Amelia even though they continued to call her the Black Fairy. The boys
would read through the latest photocopies Amelia bought while the girls would
crowd around Amelia and well be girls. They would practice self-defence moves
and giggle, Amelia showed them different ways to braid their hair, and she even
managed to sneak out a few hair brushes for them. We would come every week but
always on different days and take different ways to and from the gap. They
tried to follow us a few times but gave up after a few goes. It was Martin who
approached me first, he walked up to me while Amelia was teaching the girls and
sat beside me on a bit of broken building I was standing next too. “So shadow
man what are you in all this?” at first I wasn’t sure if I should just ignore
him or not but I figured Amelia would be safer if we kept these visits as
pleasant as possible. “I’m her protector” I answered; I mean it was true but
didn’t give anything away. “What’s an ex-orphan to you?” Martin continued
looking at Amelia “How did you know?” I asked without thinking. “The scars, the
brand, a couple of our girls have the same branding. I saw how he does it you
know, he pushes them up against the wall and pushes the brand against them.
They can’t move, all they can do is scream as it burns them.” I started
gripping the wall behind me thinking that’s what happened to Amelia. “One of
our girls kicked him in the balls and he let her go long enough for her to run.
Another was saved by her brother, he died saving her. Grace” Martin pointed to
a girl with long blond hair watching as Amelia explained a movement “she
managed to escaped from the cage he put her in, not before he beat her. That
girl could pick a lock with her eyes closed.” I breathed deeply to stay calm;
Grace looked a lot like Amelia only a couple of years younger. I tried not to
think which one was Amelia’s story but if I ever caught the Hunter that did
this to her I don’t think I could stay so calm. “You love her don’t you?”
Martin punched my thoughts. “What.” I answered shocked. Martin smiled “I have
seen that look before, its love, you love the Black Fairy and that’s why you
come. Don’t worry she loves you back Shadow Man.” Martin was satisfied as he
moved away back to his group. I had to hand it to the kid; he wasn’t as dumb as
you’d think. As we headed back to the school I told Amelia some of what Martin
had said, “Why do you think he is calling me Shadow man?” I asked “You do tend
to stand back in the shadows so it makes senses really. He has to call you
something; you can’t afford to make mistakes out here so everything has to have
a name.” I waited until we were back in our flat before I continued. “Amelia,
Martin said that some of the girls had the same brand as you.” Amelia looked at
me from the fridge as she grabbed out some water. “You want to know how I got
mine.” Amelia guessed which I was pleased I really didn’t want to ask right
out. Amelia grabbed her glass of water and sat on the couch “You don’t have to
tell me if you don’t want too.” I quickly added. “Its best you do know, I was
about 10. We were all asleep, Lars had fallen asleep on watch, it had been a
horrible week, bombing all week. We hadn’t slept and hardly eaten, we had lost
a third of our group. Some of us had shrapnel wounds too, this scar on my leg I
got that week.” Amelia pointed to a small jagged scar just below her knee. “I
don’t blame Lars for falling asleep, I was going to stay up with him to keep
him company but I too had fallen asleep. We had moved into a different house
about two nights before, our last one had been bombed to rumble. We had an
upstairs and downstairs of this new house, most of the group were down stairs.
Upstairs was look out and the ones who took look out shifts slept upstairs.
Anyway we heard screaming from downstairs, it woke us all. We all ran down
stairs and this guy had one of the girls, May, by the throat pushing the
branding against her arm. May was about 6 almost 7. The others had run, Lars
grabbed me by the arm telling me it was too late and to run. The Hunter saw me;
the evil in his eyes scared the hell out of me. He dropped May and started to
head towards me, we ran. He followed us; we managed to find a dark patch to
hide in. Once he had passed I demanded we go back to the house and check on May
and the others. We got back to the house; May had hidden in a wall cavity that
we had discovered the day before. She was ok but the Hunter figured I would go
back for May, as we started to sneak out of the house he grabbed me. He pushed
me against the wall with his brand against my hip. He whispered in my ear that
I was now his as he breathed down my neck. I tried not to scream, I didn’t want
to give him that satisfaction but tears were rolling down my face. He whispered
that I would be his pretty one as he pushed his body against mine, I knew what
he meant.” Amelia stopped for a moment; I was gripping the chair in anger. “It
was enough of a distraction for Lars to beat him in the back of the head with a
gun butt we had no ammo for. It knocked him out, we ran for it. We met up with
all the others and broke into groups. We continuously hid all over the city for
a week before he gave up and left, when we all got back together they said he
was looking for his black haired pretty, he was looking for me. Lars never
forgave himself for falling asleep that night; we lost another 10 that week to
the Hunter while he was looking for me. When he caught them he would torture
them to find out where I was hiding, none of them knew where I was. They died
because of me.” I got up and pulled her to me, I never wanted to let her go.
“I’m not going to allow him or anyone else to hurt you ever again.” Inside I
hoped against hope that I didn’t know her hunter. We spent the rest of the
night with her crawled up on my lap as I told her a bit about my childhood
growing up in Portlyn.
 
Sex
It was another shitty rainy day as I sat on our couch reading an assignment
when Amelia stood in front of me, “What’s this?” She held up a box “What’s,
oh...” I could see what she had in her hands; I had completely forgotten I even
had them. “They are condoms.” I answered truthfully. “I know what they are, why
do you even have them, did you plan this, and how many of your students have
you slept with?” Amelia was pissed “Amelia that is not what this is about, it’s
a habit.” I tried to explain “You have a sex habit?” she replied screwing up
her nose “What no!” I answered “My dad told me when I was about to start high
school that I should always have one in my wallet, as a habit, it was
respectful to the women I wanted to sleep with.” Amelia threw the box at me “So
you don’t respect me!” she spat “Amelia they are out of date, I can’t use them,
I haven’t used them, they only last 12 months and it’s been a year and a half
since I was at home.” I tried to explain “So you expected to sleep with someone
while you were here?” Amelia was trying to keep calm and logic “Well, Amelia,
please just sit down.” She sat across from me with her arms crossed “I slept
with a woman my first year here, she was leaving and I don’t know it was stress
relief for both of us.” Amelia started to rub her legs as if she was cold. I
picked up the box, “It’s not like I can really put these in the bin now. I
planned to take them with me when I go on my next visit home and dispose of
them. I mean I wasn’t even supposed to sleep with her.” I added “Did you love
her?” I was put back by her question, “Um, no, it had been a tough year.”
Amelia tucked her legs under her “Did you sleep with people a lot before you
came here?” she asked with a less anger and more interest. “I guess, I mean
high school and when I was doing my degree was stressful and been a hormonal
teenaged boy and experimental too.” Amelia started to pick at the hem of her
skirt “Do you miss it?” I thought for a second “No actually, I mean I hadn’t
even noticed that it had been a year, well a bit more then that between
graduation and then the end of my first year.” Amelia was still focused on the
hem of her skirt, “So you had sex on your graduation night?” Amelia wasn’t
looking at me “Yeah, Megan was, well, my fuck buddy, we just had sex nothing
else. She flew out the day after graduation so yeah. I liked her, she was a
good mate but I didn't love her. What about you?” I regreted it as soon as I
said it but I wanted the focus off me and I really did want to know. “Lars, he
was my first. The hunters preferred virgins, one of the older girls told us
about it, she stole a book about sex and Lars said he wanted to be my first to
protect me. The book never mentioned how much it hurt the first time.” Amelia
was still playing with the hem of her skirt. “After Lars?” I asked gently “no
one was after Lars, the only time I got caught by hunters I escaped, well not
before he did this to me” Amelia gestured to a couple of scars “then I ended up
here with you.” Amelia smiled, “it could have been worse, I could have been a
fat grumpy old man with a monobrow and smelt like barley sugar.” I replied
sarcastically, Amelia laughed and snuck onto my lap for a cuddle. “So where did
you find them?” I nodded towards the box of condoms I put on the coffee table.
“Um, well, I had never been in your room before and well I was curious. I’d
never been in a man’s room ever before.” “Well come on then, I’ll show you
around my room.” I took Amelia by the hand and showed her around my small room.
I opened a couple of draws and the closet, it was kinda silly really “and the
bed” I finished with pointing at the double bed in the centre of the room. My
pj’s were still lying on the pillow and I hadn’t made it very well “Most guy’s
rooms are messy” I joked as she poked a bulk of sheets on the bed. “It’s safe
just not made.” I joked about the sheet lump on the bed. “Is it comfortable?”
Amelia asked eyeing me, I gestured she try it. Looking at Amelia laid out on my
bed was an instant turn on, “What do you think? Is it comfortable?” I joked
“There’s something missing” she purred as she slowly started to unbutton her
shirt, I crawled up the bed so I was on my hands and knees on top of her. “Is
this better?” I asked “Almost.” She purred back. I gently kissed her and
started to help her unbutton her shirt and pulled it open to show me her lush
breasts. I gently kissed along a scar that started at her shoulder and traced
down her side but stopped at her skirt. I found another scar next to her belly
button and followed it back up past her breasts then left its trail to go back
to her lips. I found another scar that started about her hip and trailed up to
her breasts so I traced it with my fingers. She was running her hands through
my hair. I stopped and pulled away for a second to pull my shirt off over my
head, it gave me a chance to look at her face close up. A long thin scar lead
from one side of her eye brow down to the end of her jaw on the left side of
her face. There were other little scars mostly on the left side trailing back
into her hair, I kissed all of them. She watched me with only love in her eyes,
it made me catch my breath and made my erection push harder against her. I
gently slid my hand under her to undo her bra, she watched me the whole time. I
gently nibbled at one of her harden nipples while gentle rubbing the other with
my thumb. "Amelia, how far did you want to go?” I forced myself away from her
to hear her answer. “I want you John.” Her voice was desperate as I felt; I
unbuttoned my pants and slid them off then from under her I grabbed the hem of
her skirt and pulled it off her hips. The scars continued down past the band of
her skirt further then I had seen before but as she pulled her undies off
smooth unbruised skin appeared. None of the scars traced past her genitals, I
almost cried in relief. I looked up, she was watching for my reaction. I
reached back up and I kissed her, “Are you ok?” I breathed in her ear, “Yes”
she replied. I nervously slid myself into her she gasped slightly so I stopped
waiting for her reaction but she pulled me into her kissing me. I slowly
started to rock not wanting to hurt her but she started to pull me into her
faster and faster, I didn’t want to hurt her so I held myself up off her but
then she started to moan and whimper in pleasure and then called my name “John,
don’t stop!” I couldn’t help it, hearing her say my name just sent me wild I
pushed into her faster and faster as she dug her nails into my shoulders, “Yes”
she whispered in my ear. Then she tightened and let out a whimper as she
climaxed, the sweet sound let me climax with her. We lay panting on my bed, she
laid her head on my chest and listened to my heart as it started to recover and
slow to a normal rhythm. I stroked her hair; I don’t think I could ever be this
happy, until the reality of situation crashed down on me. I had just had sex
with a student, holy shit. “Amelia” I managed to get my voice to work, “we
should go and have a shower.” Amelia looked up at me “That’s a good idea.”
Amelia slid off me and looked around at our discarded clothes all over my room.
“We better clean this up too.” She giggled. I let Amelia have a shower, I sat
on the end of bed with my face in my hands. I'm an idiot, a monster. I've
ruined Amelia's life, if anyone finds out my career is over. I don't think my
parents would even want to have anything to do with me after this. What the
hell is wrong with me.
 
Historical Lovers
I lay on my bed for a while looking at the ceiling. This was my first
placement, my dad said it was the start of my career. I needed to be careful
but also not to be afraid to fight for what's right. That my performance here
and now will effect the rest of my life. To work hard and give it my all but
most of all to have confidence in myself. Right now I had no confidence in
myself at all, how can I let myself do this. Ruin my career before it even
starts, the look on his face when he finds out I have slept with a student. He
may never be proud of me again, will I end up like Richard. A stain on our
family. I hear people talk about Richard in the street in Portlyn, they whisper
and stare how deep throughout the family does it go they would ask or is he
just a bad egg in a nice family. I guess I now have the answer, will people now
whisper those Mathew boys, stay away from them, they are monsters. I couldn't
help it anger started to seep into me. I hated what my brother did, it made me
sick every time I thought about it. I knew I had to go for a run. Back in high
school I would run every morning and every afternoon. In college I would run in
the morning as much as I hated mornings and join in the ad hoc games that would
break out in the lunch break and again after classes. I was asked to join a
couple of sports but the jocks never appealed to me as people I wanted to hang
with. I liked to stay the fit one that no one noticed was fit and running was
my time to think. First it was to get away from Richard as a teen, then away
from the stress of college now it was a haunting of Amelia. The frustration of
wanting her in my bed but knowing it was wrong, remembering the smell of her on
me. I had to stop thinking about it or it was going to happen again. I rolled
out of bed and slid my gym shorts on over my boxers. I found my running shoes
with a used pair I socks in them. They didn't smell to bad so I put them on and
grabbed a polo that was sitting on top of my dresser. Amelia looked up at me
from the couch and her latest assignment. She smiled and the looked back at her
school work, I put my earphones in and headed out the door. I tried to run hard
in the rain, I tried to push Amelia out of my mind. It wasn't really working,
heading back to the flat both Amelia and Ashleigh were waiting on the porch. I
was very nervous, I have never had the two of them waiting on the porch for me
before. As I got closer I could see through the rain they where smiling.
"Ladies" I greeted them when I was close enough, they waited until I was out of
the rain. Amelia handed me a towel. "Mr Mathews as a Language teacher you know
a lot about historical lovers." Ashleigh stated rather then asked, I nodded
"Well can you tell us about some of them?" Ashleigh's asked with a huge smile
on her face. "Sure" I answered still not terribly sure what I was getting
myself into "Just let me have a shower first." The girls nodded in agreement. I
headed inside, leaving my wet joggers at the door. I quickly grabbed some
shorts from my room and my dry towel and headed to the bathroom. I was about to
turn my music on when I could hear the girls talking. "Oh my god Amelia he is
so hunky, did you see his chest, I mean the man could win a wet shirt
competition any day!" "Ashleigh, he's a teacher!" I could hear Amelia reply
"but I mean living with him must be awesome, those dreamy eyes. Remember when I
told you I hit him in the head my first year, well I fell back on him and I
mean at the time I was totally freaked out but now when I think about it having
his arms around my waist and then falling on him, ohhhh, he's so buff!"
Ashleigh pretended to wane "Ashleigh, stop it! Mr Mathews is a great teacher
and a lovely guy who is here to help us not give us eye candy!" Amelia berated
Ashleigh " So you agree he is a serious piece of eye candy?" Ashleigh baited
Amelia, "Of course I agree, I mean I'm not blind!" Amelia replied giggling. I
turned my music on and stopped ears dropping on their conversation, feeling a
little smug. I quickly showered and rejoined the girls, I noticed too late I
was wearing a tight fitting t shirt and shorts but they both smiled sweetly at
me making me feel a little uncomfortable. "So ladies, historical lovers, what
do you want to know in-particular?" I asked sitting across from them. "It's the
mid year dance theme and we are trying to work out who to go as?" Ashleigh was
suspiciously doing all the talking. "Well, you have Romeo and Juliet, the most
famous. They were children of two feuding families, they risked everything to
marry but ended up killing themselves thinking the other was dead. But then
that's not real, it's a Shakespeare story." Both girls looked at me
shocked."There is the Roman Anthony and the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra they
married even thought neither of their countries liked the idea." I decided to
leave out the fact they too died thinking each other dead. "There is always
Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester, Jane was an abused, um, Orphan who became
Edwards governess. Anyway they married, again maybe not real." I moved on
quickly, "There is Eloise and Abelard, Abelard was Eloise's tutor and they
married." Amelia stared in shock at me as Ashleigh smiled at me. I was making
this worse. "What about Pocahontas and John Smith, a native Indian American who
falls in love with an Englishman in a time when Indians were considered savages
by the English and the English were considered invaders." The girls looked at
each other, apparently I was hitting the right track now. "How about Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert, no one wanted them to marry but they did. Victoria
was the Queen of England and Prince Albert was German and they were cousins."
They both scrunched their noses up at me. "They were related, isn't that
illegal?" Ashleigh commended, "She was Queen I guess she could marry whoever
she wanted." Amelia mused. "A more recent story is a vampire, Edward Cullen,
who is a couple of hundred years old finds his soulmate, a 17 year old human
girl Isabelle Swan. They get married, she has his vampiric child and then
becomes a soulless vampire like him." The girls laughed at me, they had
obviously read it, "Oh hang on there is Bishop Valentine and his jailor,
Asterius's daughter. The story goes that Bishop Valentine was marrying young
lovers when it was against the law, he was eventually caught. Asterius heard
that Valentine had the ability to cure the sick so he bought his daughter to
see him and he cured her and they fell in love." Ashleigh's thought about it
for a second, "as in St Valentine, Valentines day?" Ashleigh questioned.
"Yeah!" I answered. I sat back as the girls discussed the choices they had. I
made them a small dinner as it started to get late, I ended up sending Ashleigh
home. "John, what happened to Eloise and Abelard?" Amelia asked as she helped
me clean up the kitchen. "They were discovered, Eloise was sent to a nunnery
and Abelard became a monk, if they couldn't be together then they didn't want
to be with anyone else." I answered honestly. I decided not to add the fact
that Abelard was castrated in his sleep. Once the kitchen was clean Amelia slid
into my arms, "come for a shower with me?" Amelia grinned playfully, I cocked
an eyebrow at her so she lead me by the hand to the bathroom and closed the
door behind us. I should have stopped it right then and there but Amelia pulled
the tie out of her hair, I watched as it fell around her shoulders. She gently
ran her fingers down my chest then grabbed the end of my shirt pulling it off
over my head. "Your shirts are a little tight you know." Amelia smirked as she
threw it aside "they are gym shirts, they are suppose to be tight." I replied
in my defence. Amelia put her hands on my bare chest, I automatically put my
hands around her waist pulling her closer. She bought herself up on her tip
toes to kiss me on the lips, I used the chance to grab her butt which made her
giggle. My heart skipped as I felt her fingers exploring my shorts, I pulled
her shirt off over her head as her fingers returned to my shorts, things got
faster as the rain started to fall harder. It wasn't long before we were both
naked and I had her legs wrapped around my waist, our mouths connected in
passionate and deep kisses as the warm shower water falls down our bodies.
"John" Amelia pulled away from me, "I want you." Her eyes loving looking
directly into mine. I wasn't even thinking as I moved myself to impale her as
she still had her legs wrapped around my waist. She pulled in a sharp breath of
pure pleasure as I slid myself into her. I gently pushed her against the wall
to steady myself as I carefully pushed into her. She closed her eyes in
pleasure, I continued to move inside her as gently as I could but as her nails
dig into my shoulder and she moaned in pleasure I couldn't control myself. I
buried my face in her wet hair, a thigh in each hand I thrusted into her.
"John, oh my god." I heard her gasp before she tighten around me "oh Amelia" I
whispered in her ear before I climaxed inside her, I felt her nails dig in
deeper as she climaxed at the same time. We both breathed heavy as I held her
to the wall with my body. "I love you" I whispered in her ear. "I love you too"
she whispered back.
 
Christen Again.
It didn't take long for the dance to come around, I pulled out the same suit I
wore the last two years in a row. Amelia decided to go as Jane Eyre even with
the uncomfortable connection and been unsure if it's true story or not. She
wore a beautiful light blue dress, it gathered just below her breasts and
flowed down to her feet. The dress simmered as she twirled in the lounge room.
"I would love to be going with you." She declared suddenly stopping in front of
me. She looked divinely beautiful and I wish I was taking her too. "You look
extremely handsome in your suit." She continued "You would make a dashing
Edward Rochester." I slid my arms around her waist and pulled her close to me.
She smelt so lovely, I let her scent and the vanilla she uses swirl around me
as I breathed her in deeply. "I hate to say it but I feel more like Edward
Cullen, the vampire then Edward Rochester, the gentleman." Amelia smiled,
"Maybe I can become your Isabelle Swan." I smiled, "Tonight, after the dance."
Amelia grinned cheekily. I pulled out a necklace from my pocket, "My
grandfather gave this to my grandmother, apparently on their first date." I
opened my hand to show Amelia a simple yet quite pretty love heart necklace. "I
want you to wear it." Amelia didn't know what to say so I put it on. She turned
back to face me and gently kissed me, I kissed her back. "Your not a soulless
monster." She whispered in my ear. A gentle knock at the door made us pull away
quickly, I headed for the door. I opened the door to Christen dressed as Edward
Rochester. "Christen wanted to make it up to me." Amelia quickly explained. "Mr
Mathews" Christen nodded to me as he held his hand out for Amelia. Amelia took
his hand and mouthed a thank you to me as she left. I took a couple of minutes,
for the first time I was insanely jealous of a student. It wasn't making my
distrust of the boy any less. Once I had calmed I headed over to the
festivities at the mess hall. It didn't take long to find Ashleigh as
Cleopatra, she was hard to miss and had really come out of her shell. Amelia
had just gotten her photo with Christen and another by herself when the two of
them headed to the dance floor to meet up with Ashleigh. I snuck in a side door
and headed to the far corner of the room. The more I watched Amelia and
Christen the more I wanted to throw something but Headmaster Tony showed up and
offered a distraction. "Mr Mathew's, same suit I see!" He yelled over the
music, "It's still got plenty of life in it!" I joked back. "I see Amelia has
forgiven Christen for his behaviour." Headmaster pointed towards them, I didn't
look "Yeah, some people are nice enough to give second chances." I replied
realising I too should be giving the boy a second chance. "Yes, sometimes a boy
needs the second chance of a girl to set him right." The headmaster continued.
"How about you, how are you traveling?" I really didn't know what to say, I'm
trying to balance a bit of insanity meeting orphans outside the school, mixed
with loving a student yeah sure I'm fine. I thought. "I'm good, the students
are keeping me busy" I decided to answer I then smiled thinking I should just
shoot myself in the head right now. "Good, good!" The headmaster replied as Mrs
Thatcher came into view headmaster excused himself to say hi to her. I'm such
an idiot I thought, I looked around to see where Amelia was. I saw Ashleigh
starting to look around and then move off in a hurry. I decided to follow her,
any distraction would do right now. I managed to catch up with Ashleigh as she
headed outside. "Ashleigh, are you ok?" Ashleigh looked at me with a worried
sick look on her face. "Amelia said she had to tell me something and to meet at
the toilets but then she disappeared before I could answer." I swallowed hard
but told myself to stay calm "I'll come with you" I offered making out I was
just been nice. We headed towards the toilets when I heard Amelia scream. We
both ran towards her voice. Amelia was on the ground, Christen was sitting on
top of her one of his hands had a fist full of her hair the other ripping
layers of her dress off. I couldn't control my anger as I grabbed christen by
his collar and threw him against the wall. Ashleigh ran to Amelia and started
to help her up. I looked back to Christen, with a blood nose he was starting to
get back up and he charged at me. I grabbed him and flip him over my shoulder
and to the ground before he managed to touch me. He yelled out in pain but
wasn't giving up, he tried to swipe my legs out from under me but I jumped. So
he leaped up at me pushing me to the ground, he then sat on my chest and
managed to punch me in the face before I flipped him off me. I got back on my
feet and managed to grab his collar, I was about to punch him in the face when
I heard Headmaster Tony shout "John!" I instantly let go of the boy that was
desperately trying to squirm out of my hold. Three security guards flanked the
headmaster, I'm screwed now. I wiped my blood nose on my sleeve waiting for one
of the security guards to cuff me. "Mr Mathew's" the headmaster continued now
he was next to us "please take the girls to sick bay, we will deal with
Christen." I didn't wait for a reason I picked Amelia up in my arms and headed
off to sickbay as quick as I possibly could with Ashleigh right behind us.
 
The Aftermath.
In the light of the sick bay I could see Amelia had a black eye developing, her
hair had completely fallen out of its updo and her knuckles were bruised and
bleeding as well. Ashleigh had managed to wrap the ripped layers of Amelia's
dress around her, thankfully Christen hadn't made it to the last layer. The
Nurse Renee took Amelia into another room, I paced the waiting area as Ashleigh
sat watching me and chewing on her fake nails. It wasn't long before Simon and
Marg burst into the waiting room. Marg headed straight for Ashleigh giving her
a huge hug, Simon headed for me. "Mate, you alright, your white as a sheet and
your nose is bleeding!" Simon grabbed me and steered me to the chair calling
another nurse over. She felt my nose, took my vitals, asked me a couple of
questions. My nose wasn't broken, Christen had missed it and got the side, it's
just sensitive now to been hit, she gave me a couple of pain killers and told
me I needed to take the next couple of days off work. If I felt dizzy or
vomited I had to come straight back. When Nurse Renee came back she said Amelia
was asking for me. Nurse Renee said she wanted to go back to the flat and as
long as I was willing to keep an eye on her that it would be fine. Amelia was
pacing the room when I entered "Joh..." Amelia stopped mid word seeing Nurse
Renee enter behind me "Mr Mathew's please I just want to go back to my room." I
nodded "Nurse Renee said that I could take you back if that's what you really
want." Amelia nodded so I took Amelia back to the flat while Simon and Marg
took Ashleigh back to their flat. As soon as I had the door shut Amelia started
"John I promise I fought him off, you have to believe me I fought him off just
like you showed me!" I pulled her to me in a gentle hug "Amelia I know, honey
you broke his nose, it was bleeding," Amelia completely broke down, I picked
her up and sat down on the couch with her on my lap while she cried. The nurse
had dressed her hands, I gently pulled stray bobby pins out of her hair and
pushed her hair out of her face. "John, what's going to happen to Christen now?
They aren't going to send him back are they, he would do this to another girl
if they do." Amelia looked at me, her black eye extremely obvious now. I was
finding it very hard to care about the boy but I could see her point. "I don't
know." I answered truthfully. A knock at the door made both of us jump. I put
Amelia on the furtherest chair and answered the door. It was Headmaster Tony.
"Sir!" Amelia stood up trying to make her self more presentable. "It's ok
Amelia, take a seat sweetheart." I had never heard the Headmaster been so
gentle so I stepped aside to let him in. Amelia carefully sat back down as the
headmaster helped himself to a chair, he gestured for me to also take a seat.
"Amelia, I know tonight has been extremely hard but please I have to know what
happened tonight." Headmaster asked her gently. Amelia looked at me scared
"Amelia it's important you tell the truth, no one will think less of you or
Christen." The headmaster looked at me surprised "ok, the night started well,
Christen came to the flat and escorted me to the mess hall. We got our photos
done and then went to join Ashleigh. Christen kept grabbing me and pulling me
close to him, I managed a second away from him to tell Ashleigh to meet me
outside. I was going to tell her Christen was making me feel uncomfortable but
Christen grabbed me and pulled me outside, he wanted to know what I had said to
Ashleigh. I told him I wanted to get her outside to talk. I lied and said I
wanted to compliment her on all the work she has done tonight. That's when
Christen grabbed me around the waist and dragged me towards the bathroom, I
punched him in the nose which only made him angrier. He said I was pretty and
that he wanted me for himself, he grabbed me by the arm and threw me to the
ground. I hit my head on the concrete, which made me a little fuzzy. He grabbed
my hair and I started to scream so he punched me in the face then started to
rip at my dress." Amelia wiped her face with her bandaged hand. "He said he was
going to claim me so everyone knew I was his and nobody else's. So that no one
else would want me." Amelia looked at her hands "that's when John and Ashleigh
appeared." Amelia looked at me, "You mean Mr Mathew's" headmaster corrected
her. Amelia nodded. "Thank you Amelia." The headmaster stood to leave. "What is
going to happen to him?" Amelia asked worried. "Christen will go to a special
school, a boys only school. They will try and help him and if they can't they
will arrange work for him where he will never be able to harm anyone." Amelia
nodded. As soon as the headmaster left and I had locked the door I scooped
Amelia up. "I'm so sorry, I should have been there to protect you. He made me
so jealous I just couldn't watch." I confessed as I held Amelia close to me.
 
Don't want us.
After two days I questioned Amelia why Ashleigh hadn't visited at all. Amelia
said Ashleigh had something exciting to work on but wasn't going to tell just
yet, it was a surprise. I wasn't complaining, it was actually really nice to
just sit around watch TV with Amelia curled up beside me. A couple of days
later I was back to work, Amelia was back in classes as her black eye had gone
down. I was marking assignments as my class quietly read through case studies
in their books when a red head from another class ran in my door "Sir come
quickly" she huffed out in a hurry as she ran off. I dropped the assignment and
followed her, first I thought it might be Amelia in trouble but then student
wouldn't automatically come to me. I followed her to the roof, on the ledge on
the far side Ashleigh stood looking out over the front garden of the school.
"Ashleigh" I called to her gently. "What!" She spat back "What's wrong?" I
asked slowly trying to get closer to her " What the hell do you care?" She
yelled back still not looking at me, "Ashleigh, come down, we can chat about
this." I suggested gently "chat about what Mr Mathew's?" She asked finally
turning to look at me. "Whatever you want to talk about." I replied casually
"How about this, all this bullshit?" She yelled at me "Sure, we can talk about
it but tell me what's bullshit?" I gingerly asked "This school is bullshit!"
She screamed at me "they don't want us!" She gestured past the school looking
back over the front garden "Ashleigh, we want you, your smart and dedicated and
caring why wouldn't we want you here?" She turned back to me "Here, why are you
here Mr Mathew's? For her!" Ashleigh spat at me, anger just seething out of her
now "You should have left us out there were we belong! Go home to your life and
let us go home." Tears started pouring down her face as she shouted at me.
"Ashleigh this is your home right now, you love it here, why has all of this
happened?" Ashleigh turned to me then looked past me, I turned to see my whole
class behind me in shock. "They wanted to know where my parents were on such an
important moment in my life" She shouted "Who?" I asked completely confused
"The interview, they don't want us, you dress us up, make us look like you, but
they know the truth, they know what we are and they don't want us!" A voice
called out from behind me "Ashleigh!" She screamed, it was Amelia I grabbed her
quick enough that she couldn't run past me to Ashleigh. Amelia tried to get out
of my arms but I held her tight. "Ashleigh, your a fighter, don't let them take
that from you!" I shouted while trying to hold Amelia back, Amelia stopped
fighting me and Ashleigh looked at me. "You have a story to tell, your story is
not over and yes people will try to push you down but your stronger then that,
don't let them win. We are all here because we are fighters and we will never
let them bring us down." I continued, Ashleigh fell to her knees, I almost died
inside as I thought she was going to fall. I let go of Amelia who then ran to
Ashleigh's side pulling her away from the ledge. "Ashleigh!" Amelia cried.
Thankfully the crowd behind me started to clap, the sound hid the sound of me
holding back tears. That could have been Amelia on that ledge. Suddenly the
sound stopped, Headmaster Tony's voice called through the crowd. "What's going
on?" His voice boomed. I wiped my face and turned in time for him to see what
was going on. "Ok everyone back to class!" He boomed. All the students started
to file back to class as I helped Amelia and Headmaster Tony take Ashleigh to
sickbay. We stayed for a little while but once Simon turned up I signalled for
Amelia to come home. Once we were back in the flat with the door shut Amelia
broke down in tears "Oh my god John, thank god you were there, what if she had
jumped." I held Amelia tight as we lay on the couch, I never wanted to let her
go. A small knock at our door made me jump, Amelia looked at me worried as I
got up and answered the door. It was Ashleigh and Simon, I let them in. Amelia
ran to Ashleigh and hugged her. I gestured for Simon to take a seat and I
grabbed everyone a drink as Amelia and Ashleigh took a seat each. "Ashleigh
wanted to talk to you two." Simon explained. Ashleigh's face was still quite
red and swollen from crying. "I'm sorry Mr Mathew's" she murmured "Sorry, what
on Earth for?" I questioned shocked. "I'm sorry for yelling at you, my
interview was suppose to be a good surprise." Ashleigh whispered. "Ashleigh
it's ok, you were upset. I would prefer next time you just come see one of us."
I added. "You should have seen her, she looked at me like I was nothing. Like I
was filth on her shoe." I looked confused at her, Ashleigh took a deep breath
to contain her tears threatening to come out. "The interviewer, she asked me
were my parents where, I told her I didn't have any. Then she asked how I could
afford such nice clothes and if I had stolen them. I told her they were a gift
then stormed out. The security guard brought me back to the school, I was
suppose to go and tell the headmaster how my interview went but I couldn't face
him. He will be so disappointed in me, it's like they know, out there that we
are Orphans and they don't want us." Ashleigh swallowed another sob. "I was
scared stiff when I went to the interview for this job and I didn't take my
parents." I admitted I thought back to one of the headmasters talks, "We have
to stick together and fight for each other because a lot of people want to see
us fail. We are fighters." Ashleigh looked at me strangely "You survived this
far Ashleigh, I promise it get easier after school. I lived in my brothers
shadow, he was stronger then me and I never lived up to his name. I was teased
relentlessly. After I left school and I moved on no one knew my brother and
people saw me for me not just Richard's little brother. Once you leave here you
will be Ashleigh not just another Orphan, find something that's you, something
you love and enjoy and go for it." Ashleigh smiled "Thank you Mr Mathew's."
Simon looked at me quite amazed, I hadn't actually told anyone about my time in
Richard's shadow. I had actually shocked my self that I had admitted it. "We
better get home, Marg is probably waiting for us." Simon smiled getting up,
Ashleigh followed suit so I saw them off at the door. "John" Amelia finally
spoke. I looked back to her on the couch. "You never told me you were teased at
school." I ran my hands through my hair, Amelia looked genuinely concerned.
"Richard, my brother is an arse, even at school he would treat people badly. I
was an easy target." I really didn't want to talk about my brother. "Don't look
so worried Amelia, it was years ago, I haven't seen him since my second year of
college." I opened my arms and an instant later Amelia was melting into them.
Amelia looked up at me, "can I kiss it better?" She cooed with a cheeky grin. I
picked her up and took her into my bed room.
 
Richard
If I could have picked the worse thing to happen it would be what happened a
few weeks later. I was putting my breakfast together while Amelia was in the
shower. A solid knock at the door & I opened it to my brother, practically in
his hunting gear on my doorstep. “What the hell are you doing here?” I spat at
him, “That's not how you greet your brother”. He pulled me forward in an
awkward hug & then pushed past me. “So this is what a government teachers house
looks like, its rubbish, my bathroom is bigger than this.” “Well you have seen
it you can leave now” I bit back gesturing back out the door. “Oh come now
brother show me around.” I had just started to glare at him when Amelia had
turned the shower off. “Who is in your bathroom?” He teased. ”This area is for
teachers who work one on one with students.” He eyed Amelia's girls school
shirt hanging off the chair beside him, “so they give you one do they”. My
anger instantly rose I knew I had to get him out before Amelia came out in just
her towel, Richard would know instantly she was a orphan from the scars & if he
saw her brand he would tell whoever owned that brand & he would come for her.
Not to mention if he told the headmaster that we were involved I would be
ruined. It was a complication we couldn't afford. While Richard was distracted
by her shirt I stood between him & the bathroom. “Richard it's nice to see you
but I have class to get to & I'm very busy maybe at the year break we can meet
up?” “Oh please brother you have no desire to meet up with me.” Just then
Amelia stepped out of the bathroom humming she had been listening to music, she
was picking up my habits & hadn't heard the discussion. She stopped dead when
she saw Richard & Richard started to grin. “John who the hell is this?” Amelia
was scared & Richard sniggered, all his thoughts were just confirmed, she had
used my first name. “Amelia this is Richard, my brother, Richard this is
Amelia, my student”. Amelia didn't move she could feel this situation was not
good, students weren't allowed to use teachers 1st names & not allowed to be so
naked outside their rooms or the bathroom & Richard had his hand on her shirt.
Richard stepped towards her to shake her hand & get a better look at her but I
stepped between them & Amelia hid behind me. “Richard please leave.” He smiled,
he knew, my protective stance just completely blew it & we were screwed.
Richard could always read me like a book, he could tell I had deep feelings for
her. “I can't leave the headmaster has planned a thank you dinner in my honour.
I have made a large donation to the school & he wants to thank me.” “Well we
shall see you at dinner then.” I murmured, Richard smiled & left. I rushed to
get Amelia dressed as quick as possible the last thing we needed was the
headmaster at the door. We silently made sure nothing was out of place before
we left for class, just in case.
I spent the whole day looking over my shoulder, I even found an excuse to stand
in the doorway of the fernery were Amelia ate lunch just in case my brother
reappeared. Later that afternoon in my last class I discovered that Headmaster
Tony had been keeping my brother busy with the longest tour of the school
garden ever. Headmaster was a smart man. We had been given the speech that we
would be holding a dinner that night to thank my brother for his donation,
everyone must attend in uniform. I had gripped the chair to stay calm amazed I
hadn’t ripped the panel of the poor thing. As soon as class finished I raced
back to the flat, pleading that Amelia was already there. Thankfully she was
but she wasn’t happy. “Where did your brother get the money John?” Amelia
turned on me as soon as I had shut the door. “Your brother is a hunter isn’t
he; I knew I had seen him before. Do you know students here have his brand?” I
collapsed in the chair; she had all rights to be angry, more than angry. “Yes
Amelia, I know what my brother does. He is an ex-solider and now he is a
monster.” Amelia stared at me in disbelief. “We hadn’t dobbed him in because he
threated to tell the authorities that we were involved too. Me, my father, even
my mother. Even thought we could prove we were innocent that damage would be
done. Some people were killed just for been named even if they are innocent. We
would have had to run.” Amelia was even angrier, “My brother gets his money by
selling orphans as slaves.” Amelia grabbed the breakfast bench for support “So
the money he is donating to the school is orphan slave money.” She managed
through gritted teeth. “Yes” I replied. I slowly moved to hug her, I hated
seeing her like this, I slipped my hand between her hand and the bench. She let
me take her hand, she looked up at me. The anger and the pain was swelling in
her eyes. “He will get caught and he will get what he deserves.” I reassured
her “Headmaster Tony is not stupid; he knows what my brother is up to.” Amelia
threw herself at me and burst into tears. I held her as she cried her angry
tears. Once she had regained herself I suggested we have a shower and start to
the dinner, for now we should play along. Half way thought the dinner I noticed
Amelia had left the hall just as I saw my brother disappeared out a far door. I
decided to follow my brother, I’m pleased I did, he had followed Amelia to the
bathroom. They were standing a few feet apart, Amelia had a murderous look on
her face, my brother was perplexed “Richard, what the hell are you doing?” They
both jumped at my voice and Amelia turned and ran to me, I grabbed her. “Amelia
go back to the mess hall, I’ll meet you there.” Amelia nodded and headed back
to the hall, I stormed right up to my brother “Stay the hell away from her!” I
growled barely keeping my anger under control, I wanted to beat him right then
and there but I knew I couldn’t, I couldn’t lose control. “John, you be careful
with that one, she’s dangerous.” Richards’s voice was serious; I would have
scoffed at him if his voice wasn’t so deadly serious. “I’m leaving tonight.” He
finished with and left me standing there even more confused.
 
Getting sick
It would have been a few weeks later when I noticed Amelia was a bit pale, then
she started vomiting. I called nurse Renee straight away; she came into the
flat and into the bathroom were Amelia had finished vomiting. I paced with no
idea what I should do, I was supposed to stay calm, I was her teacher but
inside I was freaking out. What if she was seriously sick, no it is probably
something she had eaten or an upset stomach but what if it wasn’t, what would I
do without her. Nurse Renee had her on her feet and out of the bathroom; “I
think we should take her to the sickbay just to be sure she’s ok.” The nurse
commended “Should I come too?” nurse Renee looked uncomfortable “No, Mr Mathews
you have classes you need to attend to.” “Yes of course you’re right; I’ll stop
by in the break and see how she is then.” I was distracted the whole morning,
keeping myself calm, convincing myself she just had an upset stomach, a bug or
something she ate. I couldn't concentrate to teach so I had the students read
from the text books. At the first break I almost ran to the sickbay but as I
pulled the door open I run straight into the Headmaster, “Ah Mr Mathew’s just
the person I wanted to talk to.” He grabbed me by the shoulder and turned me
out into the yard. We walked silent for a few minutes until we were well away
from others. “Tell me Mr Mathew’s how much do you know about Amelia, how much
has she told you?” I was instantly nervous, my hands started to sweat “What do
you mean Headmaster?” the Headmaster looked at me sternly, “About her past Mr
Mathews.” I took a deep breath, “She told me about the accident in her home
town, in Murda and that you organised for a few of her, um, details to be
changed. You saved her life and bought her here.” I didn’t think Amelia would
mind considering it was the headmaster’s idea in the first place. He was
watching me, analysing my answer “What details did she tell you I changed?”
“Um, her name, her age…” “So tell me Mr Mathew’s how old do you believe Amelia
is?” he interrupted me “she told me she turned 18 back in March, the school
records say she turned 17 in March.” “So you know she is an adult.” The
Headmaster continued “Well yes.” He relaxed a little “Well that changes things
then, still you did break school rules.” My heart sank he knew we were sneaking
out of the school helping the orphans, I wonder if he knew about the food we
stole from that shop, maybe that’s how he has worked it out the villagers
recognised me. I didn’t say anything “So you have put me in a hard position Mr
Mathews, either you take the fall or I admit I lied.” I stayed silent “Then
again, accidents happen I could just say it must have been a computer error and
admit she is an adult but then don’t you think Amelia should make the choice?”
He was right Amelia should make the choice, my future didn’t matter I had my
parents but Amelia had nothing. “I agree, its Amelia’s future she should
definitely make the choice.” The Headmaster smirked “What about your future Mr
Mathews?” “My future doesn’t matter, Amelia’s future is more important than me;
I’ll take the fall for her.” “Well let’s hear what she wants then shall we.” We
headed back to the nurses station, Amelia was sitting in a confidential room,
on the bed reading a book. “Amelia” The headmaster nodded to her as we entered
and shut the door. “Mr Mathews has agreed to take the fall and go to jail.”
“What” Amelia jumped off the bed, slammed her book down and ran to my side.”
“Amelia, you have a future, I will have my parents to fall back on I can’t let
you ruin your life.” I begged her “No Headmaster, I’m an adult, it was
consensual, I will not let John go to jail. I love him.” Amelia pleaded
“Amelia” I grabbed her face to look at me, “I love you too, don’t throw your
life away for me. Wait did you say consensual, what are we talking about?” I
looked up at the headmaster, he was smirking “Amelia is pregnant, to you.”
“Wait what!” I looked from Amelia to the Headmaster then back to Amelia.
“You’re Pregnant.” Amelia nodded “All positive pregnancy tests are followed by
DNA tests to deal with any rape cases straight away. I had to make sure you
knew she was an adult and that you hadn’t raped her.” My anger rose “Raped
her”, I almost shouted horrified that this was even been discussed “I love her,
I could never allow.” I couldn’t form words as my mind swam with anger. “Mr
Mathews you do understand my situation, I had to make sure. I’ll notify that
our data is incorrect that Amelia is an adult before we advise anyone that
Amelia is pregnant which means you need to keep this secret. The nurse, I and
the two of you are the only ones that know. I want it to stay that way
understand.” “Yes Headmaster” we answered in union. "Not wanting to make
excuses but doesn't Amelia have a thing in her arm so she can't be pregnant. I
saw the fresh scar on her arm." “True, all female students get the chip, gives
them a chance to make a life for themselves without getting pregnant if the
worse was to happen." The Headmaster answered. The worse, he meant me; the
worst thing that could have happened to Amelia was me and my inability to keep
my hands away from her. But the Headmaster kept explaining "Amelia like some
girls have a reaction to the chip & it has to be removed. We figured she would
be safe here and we hadn't looked at alternative birth control for her, plus we
don't get funding for alternative birth control." Headmaster was making me feel
even worse, but he was right I was supposed to be protecting her and now I have
ruined her life. "So, um, what's the plan now?" I asked with a heavy heart "You
obviously love her, you were willing to take the fall for her without even
asking what it was about and she obviously loves you having jumped to your
rescue not even knowing what you were going to jail for. So we just keep this
quiet and get her graduated, work it out from there I guess." I looked at the
floor "and my job?" I asked waiting for the blow. "Like I said your in love,
you have never touched another student. We will just have to keep it quiet." We
looked at each other sheepishly, I was relieved he wasn't going to dob me in or
take her away, I would have deserved it but it would have broken my heart. The
headmaster was a really crafty guy.
 
Surprise visit
I stepped out of my empty class straight into my parents; it was surreal to
have them here, in this place. It was like they didn’t belong in this world,
they belonged back at home were the lines were solid; the world was right and
just. Men were men, women were women and children were children. Here those
lines weren’t as solid and they both smiled at me, their positive vibes just
filled the hallway, I didn’t feel like I deserved it. “What are you guys doing
here?” I blurred out, again not even thinking of how rude I was, it didn’t faze
them. “Parents are allowed to visit their children you know” my dad joked, “In
fact the government is encouraging people to start traveling again to
particular safe places only.” My mum added matter-of-factly. They were still
both beaming at me which was starting to unnerve me. “I’ll show you to my flat
then, I guess.” I pointed out a few buildings and things we passed that I had
told them about in my letters. I couldn't help but think how devastated they
will be when they find out I have slept with a student but even worse she's
pregnant to me. They would never look at me with such pride. Once we got out of
ear shot from everyone almost at my flat door my parents got serious. “Richard
contacted us a couple of weeks ago” my parents hardly ever talked about my
brother, I looked at them sideways, they weren’t comfortable with this topic.
“He told us your student was dangerous.” I frowned “Amelia?” I questioned them
“Yes Amelia” my mum was doing all the talking. “Well of course Richard thinks
that, he scared the hell out of her when he was here about a month ago. Slimy
bastard.” Mum hated it when I called him names and Dad was about to say
something when mum decided to ignore it “Well, we were going to come then but
we thought we would wait it out a bit, then we found out Amelia was pregnant,
well we had to come then.” I stopped with my hand on the flat door knob “How
the hell did you find out about that? Only four people know about it and none
of them would have told you.” Dad smirked, “Headmaster Tony told us and well we
had to come and meet our future daughter-in-law.” I sighed,"I'm sorry, I'm so
ashamed" I started to explain but I looked at them both smiling at me still.
"Your not angry?" I asked unable to believe what was happening. "Your happy and
in love, how can we be angry?" My mum smiled. “Mum she doesn’t have to marry
me, she doesn’t even have to stay, and I’m not going to force her to do
anything.” I added as I opened the flat door “Force who” Amelia repeated
standing inside the door, she had beaten me back to the flat. She stepped back
when she saw I wasn’t alone. I stepped inside followed by my parents. “Amelia I
want you to meet my parents, Alison and Bruce, this is Amelia.” Amelia stood
completely still as my parents beamed at her. This was awkward, “So how far
along are you then?” my mum blurred out; yeah I got that habit from her. Amelia
looked at me with her mouth open thinking I had told them even thought I told
her I wasn’t going to, not yet anyway. “Headmaster Tony told them.” I answered
before Amelia recovered. “It’s ok dear, we know all about you and we think it’s
lovely that John has found such a lovely girl.” My mum was just making it worse
as Amelia looked at me darkly “I told them only good things.” I tried to be
causal but also try to tell Amelia I hadn’t told them her secrets without
sparking my parent’s interest. Thankfully Amelia picked up on it “Um about two
months” She managed to answer. “How’s the morning sickness?” my mum continued
questioning her “Mum, Amelia isn’t used to parents, just give her some room.”
My protective feelings were starting to seep through. “Come sit down and we can
talk.” I decided to change the direction. My parents sat on the couch, I sat on
the chair at the breakfast bar, Amelia didn’t move. “It’s ok Amelia, come
here.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to me. That seemed to
please my parents to no end. “So what are your plans?” my dad broke the awkward
silence that was developing. “We don’t really have any I guess, it’s up to
Amelia, if she wants to keep the baby or leave.” “You want me to leave?” Amelia
broke in “I’m not going to force you to stay.” I replied, she pulled away from
me “So you don’t want me to stay?” “Of course I want you to stay but I want you
to stay because you want too and not because you think you have too.” Amelia
ran her fingers along mine, “I just want to be with you, I want our baby.” She
whispered. “Well I guess we are staying here and having a baby then.” Amelia
hugged me. My mother just got more excited “So have you thought about baby
names?” I spent the rest of the night buffering Amelia from my parents, having
strange adults ask personal questions wasn’t something Amelia was used to. I
managed to get her aside for a couple of seconds to explain it was perfectly
natural for parents to ask such questions. No matter how embarrassing it can
be.
 
Big question
I was sitting on the porch sipping a coffee when I mum came out to join me.
"John" she put her hand on my shoulder "have you thought seriously about
marrying the girl?" She was serious this time. “Of course I want to marry her
mum, I love her & she's carrying my child. She's perfect; I never thought I
could feel this way about someone." My mum smiled “ask her" I shook my head,
"she deserves someone better than me, I mean I'm her teacher, how bad does that
look!" My mum shook her head “let her decide what's best for her. Isn't that
what you have been saying all along?" I looked at my mum “I don’t know what to
do mum, I’ve ruined her life, i have trapped her here, I’m a monster. I’m worse
than Richard!” All the stress was falling out. “I’m her teacher and protector
and look what I have done to her!” I took a breath “John, what your brother
does is, hateful, you love her. How does love make you a monster?” I looked at
her with expiration “Sometimes love is enough.” Mum looked back at dad reading
the paper inside on the couch, Amelia walked into the kitchen to the fridge.
She tucked her hair behind her ear as she ducked behind the fridge door. I
can’t explain it but I love her.
"John" a small voice echoed into my room, I rolled over still half asleep & I
pulled my eye mask off. Amelia was standing at the foot of my bed. "I had a
dream..." she murmured sniffing so I pulled one side of the sheets up gesturing
for her to crawl in. She quickly curled up beside me so I wrapped an arm around
her & tucked her head under my chin. "What's that thing on your face for?"
Amelia asked just as I was falling back to sleep "eye mask" I grunted in reply.
“It stops the light getting into my eyes & helps me sleep. If you go back to
sleep I'll get you one." I woke before the alarm that morning which gave me a
chance to watch Amelia sleep. So peaceful & it felt so right as I breathed her
scent mixed with vanilla in, burying my face in her hair. I was so busy
enjoying been close to her I didn't realize my morning horn was pushing against
her back. “What are you thinking about?” Amelia sleepy asked as she ran her
fingers along my mass poking her back. “That's my normal morning reaction.”
Amelia rolled over to look at me “reaction to having someone in your bed?" She
teased “No, all men wake up with one, it's called a morning horn.” Amelia
giggled “really?” “Really. I was thinking about how beautiful you are however,
sleeping so peacefully in my arms.” Amelia smiled “It is nice sleeping with
you, I feel safer and happier.” Amelia snuggled into me and I wrapped my arms
around her. “Amelia, will you marry me?” I just blurred it out, it kinda
shocked me at the same time. Amelia pulled away to look at my face. “You want
to marry me?” She questioned “Yeah I do, I want to marry you, I don’t want to
feel like I’m a monster every time I hold you.” Amelia watched me, trying to
read my face as I spoke “You think you’re a monster?” she asked “Well yeah, I’m
supposed to be your teacher and your protector and look at me right now I can’t
keep my hands off you.” Amelia looked at my chest “So you don’t want to marry
me because you love me.” “Amelia” I grabbed her chin and made her look at me “I
love you, I fell madly in love with you the moment I saw you across the
grounds.” Amelia smiled “I saw you too, I felt strange when I saw you but then
you disappeared.” Amelia smiled remembering the day we met “I accept, I will
marry you” I kissed her passionately; my mum was right love is enough. It
didn’t stop the alarm going off however and we had to get up and get ready for
class. From then on Amelia slept in my bed, we both seem to sleep better.
 
Marcus
Headmaster Tony had never pulled me out of a class before; in fact it was one
of those things he disliked so I knew something serious was going on. I took a
deep breath & knocked on his door. “Come in” he called. “You wanted to see me?”
I ducked my head in “Yes, yes quickly shut the door.” I closed the door behind
me, the Headmaster started “There is a story about an orphan who was a Hunter
murder, the story goes that she first killed a Hunter named Jeremiah, the
Hunter who branded her. From there she killed another 3 Hunters and freed heaps
of Orphans before she was even 16.” “I have heard that story” I replied
desperately trying to think where I heard it. “The story ends with the Orphan
been caught by the government and sent here to the school to start a normal
life. Your brother believes Amelia is the Hunter murder. He believes it because
he recognised her brand.” The headmaster got up from behind his desk; I just
stood in the one spot shocked “The thing about the hunters is that they are
actually a small tight knit group. I know just looking around here it's hard to
believe only a small group has made all this damage but it's true. Amelia has
Jeremiah’s brand, he managed to brand her but he was never able to catch her
but your brother doesn't know that. The point is the hunters group is tighter
than any blood brotherhood and Richard will use you to get to Amelia & they
will kill her. Well actually Jeremiah’s brother is also a hunter, Marcus & he
has a bounty on Jeremiah’s murderer. At the moment that is Amelia.” The
headmaster stopped to exhale “They’ll only get Amelia over my dead body!” I
growled “That is an option for them.” The head master replied “They were a
platoon of soldiers in the war, the platoon your brother was in. It was the
brain child of their commander that they started to hunt, brand & kill the
orphans. The war still rages even now after the commander’s death for the
platoon the mission goes on. They believe they are serving us by eliminating
the orphan threat.” The headmaster shook his head in frustration “They are
children!” I declared horrified at what I was hearing “They bring chaos to our
society, a drain on a rebuilding society post war.” The headmaster commended as
if quoting someone “Do you seriously believe that headmaster?” I looked at him
in disbelief “I believe we have a duty to save and protect our children.” The
Headmaster sighed “Jeremiah’s brother Marcus will be here soon & we need to
hide Amelia & the real murderer. Marcus will recognize his brother’s brand on
her and on Amelia & she will lose it if she sees Marcus here; they look very
similar Jeremiah and Marcus. I don’t know what she would do if she saw him, we
could all be in danger” The Headmaster gestured to the whole school “Who is the
murder Headmaster?” I wasn’t so sure I really wanted to know. The headmaster
walked to the window & pointed to someone outside I stepped up to the window.
Down in the garden was Leisha. “Leisha, are you serious?” I looked shocked at
the headmaster. “Very, she wasn't like this before, but Jeremiah made her
believe that he loved her, lulled her in. But it didn't last long & he started
to beat her for no reason. But then he smashed a mirror across her face, that's
the scars you see. Then I guess she snapped, grabbed a large bit of mirror &
plunged it into his chest slicing his aorta he bled to death in seconds. It
started as an accident. She sliced her hands up too in the process, she freed
all the orphans he had & they fled. She was almost dead herself when we found
them, she had lost a lot of blood.” It was more like he was reminiscing now
then telling me the story “How do you know all this?” I answered without
thinking “That's not the point,” Suddenly the Headmaster was focused again
“right now we have to do our duty and protect our students.” He looked at me.
“I'll take them both & hide them.” I offered. The headmaster rubbed his head;
he looked so much older than he was again. Marcus will not stop looking for
Amelia; while she still lives and he thinks it was her they will hunt her.
Amelia has Jeremiah’s brand and scars on her face, I can see how your brother
believed her so easy.” “Wait what do you mean believed Amelia?” I replied
confused “Amelia told your brother that she killed Jeremiah and that he should
stay away from both of you or she will kill him, then you showed up so your
brother didn’t get a chance to question her further.” I remembered back to when
I saw them outside the mess hall, Amelia had a murderous look on her face and
Richard was perplexed about something. “So what do we do, how do we stop them?”
I tried to stay calm and focused “We’ll have to kill them.” The Headmaster
answered like it was obvious; I plonked down in a nearby chair, “I have never
killed anyone before.” I admitted “Mr Mathews I will not have my teachers
become murderers, in self-defence but not in cold blood. I've seen too many
murders made I will not have my teachers turned as well.” The headmaster
grabbed his desk for support, “Take the girls, hide them. Use your parents if
you need to contact me.” The headmaster headed towards a cupboard in the back
of the room, “What do you mean use my parents?” again I was confused “They know
how to contact me without raising suspicion, very intelligent your parents and
very giving too.” I looked at him confused “Your parents contacted me not long
after you started here, they wanted to know how they could help. Your mother is
a very kind soul, your father, well he’s smarter than you would know. At first,
like you, I wasn’t sure if you were in league with your brother. I set a couple
of tests and you all passed.” The headmaster chuckled “Did you ever wonder how
Leisha got the worms for her worm farm? You can’t just get normal worms they
have to be particular worms.” Not sure how worms were important right now I
decided to go along “I had thought about it but no real idea came to mind.” I
answered “Well your mother concealed them in some science equipment that she
managed to get donated to the school, anonymously of course. How do you think
we got these smuggled into a school?” the headmaster was now holding up a shot
gun and a box of bullets. I shook my head shocked “Toilet rolls; your parents
packed these in toilet rolls, donated anonymously. Not just to this school
either; you would be quite surprised how many friends your father has, powerful
ones at that. Boss stayed in your room for a couple of months as a boarder
until your parents found her a place. Who do you think got her into nursing? As
for you, you didn’t ask who the soldier was that died in your flat when we
first met. If you were in league with your brother you would have been shocked
and wanted to know straight away. We never told anyone the real name of the
Hunter, as far as the other Hunters know he disappeared. Dahlia told me all
about you too, she set you traps and you didn’t fail any of them” I looked at
the headmaster in disbelief “Dahlia, she didn’t even talk to me!” I tried to
make scene of the all this information it was making my head swim. “Extremely
smart and observant, she doesn’t need to talk.” The Headmaster handed me the
shot gun and the box of bullets and then pulled a guitar case out from under
his desk. As he proceeded to pack the gun in the case he continued. “Your cover
here will be that you are taking the girls to the hospital. Amelia is getting
tests done for her unexplained ongoing sickness and Leisha is getting an annual
psych evaluation.” The headmaster handed me the guitar case “What are we really
doing?” I asked taking the case “Well for 48 hours you will be at the hospital
but you’ll be going to a safe house just outside the city. Far enough away to
be hidden close enough for us to come if something goes wrong.” I got up and
looked out to Leisha who was tending her garden completely obiouius to what was
been planned. “I’ll explain it to her; just keep the gun out of sight.” I
nodded still not completely sure about the whole idea but for Amelia I’ll do
it. “Headmaster, you should know, I asked Amelia to marry me.” The headmaster
looked at me, “What did she say?” I smirked “She said yes” the headmaster shook
my hand “Congratulations, a good woman like her needs a good man like you Mr
Mathew’s. We can work out those logic’s when you get back.” I headed back to
the flat as class had ended, I carefully opened the door. Amelia was already
home buried in the fridge. “Gees I’m hungry for beetroot and corn.” Amelia
looked up at me with a tin of corn in her hands, her eyes fell on the guitar
case and her face fell. “We have to leave don’t we.” I nodded; Amelia slammed
the fridge shut then the tin on the bench “It’s not fair” she shouted. The
nurse told me it was common for pregnant women to be overly emotional and to
over react so I braced myself.
 
Goodbye.
We didn't know how long we would be gone for so I gave Amelia the chance to say
goodbye to Ashleigh. Ashleigh was her first real friend in this new life of
hers and Ashleigh was trustworthy enough. Amelia headed over to Simons and
asked if Ashleigh could join us for dinner, Ashleigh jumped at the chance. We
had dinner, the girls talked about random stuff. I cleaned up leaving the girls
to chat on the couch, I gave them some privacy and returned to packing my own
room. We could take a suitcase each that will be dropped off ahead of us so we
would only be leaving the school tonight with a backpack each so it didn't look
suspicious. I had my backpack sitting on the bed, my music already packed so I
couldn't listen to it. It was hard not to hear what the girls where saying. "I
want to come with you!" Ashleigh protested "Ashleigh it's too dangerous,
besides you have your education to focus on!" Amelia replied. "But your not
well enough to be hiding out!" Ashleigh argued back. "Ashleigh please don't
make this harder, I'm not that sick and John will be with me the whole time. He
will keep me safe." Amelia pleaded "If your not that sick then why are you been
sick all the..." Ashleigh figured it out "OMG Amelia that Richard didn't, not
while you where here?" I heard Ashleigh get off the couch quickly "No, no it's
not Richard's child." Amelia answered quite stern like the idea made her ill.
"So wait who, why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend?" Ashleigh started to
squeal excitedly. I decided to intervene "Ashleigh, it's complicated" Both
girls jumped when I spoke from my bedroom door. Ashleigh looked from me to
Amelia and then back at me confused. "Ashleigh please don't tell anyone."
Amelia rubbed her stomach. "I'm not going to tell anyone." Ashleigh replied
slightly offended we had even considered she might have told "Amelia your my
best friend." Amelia smiled the first time since I told her we had to leave.
"Thank you Ashleigh." I smiled at her. "I gotta pee!" Amelia shot off the couch
and straight for the bathroom. "Mr Mathews, you better look after her!"
Ashleigh looked at me sternly once Amelia had shut the bathroom door. "Don't
worry I will protect her with my life." I answered honestly. "How dangerous is
this, I mean will the Hunters find you?" Ashleigh looked extremely worried, "I
don't know Ashleigh but I trust the headmaster and he's organising all of
this." Ashleigh nodded.
 
Marcus
It was strange holding a gun, honestly I didn't like it, I liked it less that
Amelia was the one showing me how to use it. Eventually I broached the subject.
“How did u learn to shoot?” I asked “There was a toy shop before the war they
sold cap guns and pretend guns. We stole them and practised with them, slightly
modified & silenced. Some of our parents before the war had guns, we found them
& we took guns and bullets from the dead. We collected them, never knew when
you would find bullets but no gun or a damaged gun & some of them we could use
other things as bullets & sometimes just waving a gun at someone was enough to
scare then off.” Amelia moved my elbow back into position like this was
something that happened everyday “Why didn't you just leave after your parents
died?” I asked after taking a shot. “Some of us didn't know if they were dead
or captured, we all kept hope that one day they would return for us. If we
stayed they would find us if we left we would be abandoning any chance of them
been alive still. But when the war finished and they didn't come home we
realized they were dead & not coming back. Some of us stopped fighting & ended
it. Most of us knew no other home and we had nowhere else to go so we stayed
and did whatever we had to do to survive. You’re getting better.” Amelia nodded
towards the cans we had been using as a target. “Just remember people are
moving targets.” Amelia was starting to show as she rubbed the arch of her
back, every time I took a shot the baby would kick, I didn't blame it. “We
should go inside, I'll start dinner.” I offered. We had been hiding in the
Marigold cottage for three months. It was a beautiful old cottage, hidden in
the country side just out of town. The garden was beautiful and kept Leisha
amused for hours and I taught Amelia how to cook. It was beautiful and relaxing
and honestly we could have stayed in Marigold forever, forget the world existed
and raise our baby. Amelia still had nightmares every now and again which
really could only be expected, she missed Ashleigh terribly but life was quiet
and peaceful. Headmaster Tony would ring with updates every now and again, the
school year was about to end and Amelia’s work had been approved for her
graduation. In a way it was a stoke of good luck, no one could see her getting
bigger with the baby. She was able to finish all her school work in the comfort
of her pj’s and with my tuition. Headmaster Tony himself had taken over my
classes and they had all been approved for graduation. Leisha had realised
pretty quick that Amelia was pregnant to me and that we were in love, we had
tried to hide it. We would wait until Leisha was asleep before Amelia would
sneak into my room and try and sneak out early. It didn’t work too well.
Understandably Leisha was cautious about it and didn’t trust me but she came
around eventually. It was a pity it didn’t last.
 
It just gets worse
It was late in the evening when Headmaster Tony called us, he was extremely
tired. “Mr Mathew’s, Marcus has found you.” He spoke gently through the phone
as cars rushed by in the back ground. “We can move now, where do you want us to
go.” Headmaster Tony was quite for a bit as a couple of voices in the
background had serious and hurried conversations “There is no use running, they
will find you, plus you have Amelia who is now heavily pregnant, she can’t be
out in the dark not now. We will try and get there before Marcus. I’m sorry, it
wasn’t to be like this, protect the girls Mr Mathews, and we will be there as
soon as we can.” He hung up. I got Amelia and Leisha in the living room and we
turned all the lights off, locked all the doors and windows. It wasn’t long
before a booming voice and a loud banging at the door made us all jump. I
recognised the voice, it was Richard. I decided to try and talk to Richard.
“Richard is that you?” I called from the other side of the door. “John let me
in brother.” I fell silent and Richard started to bang on the door again.
“Richard, I’m not letting you in, I can’t trust you so just leave.” Amelia came
out to the entrance way and stood beside me to offer support. Just as Richard
went quiet a huge bang blew the door off the hinges Richard had used his rail
gun to blow the door down. The debris managed to miss both of us for the most
part, a couple of scratches. Richard stepped in to the entrance way rail gun in
his hands. “Richard please, don’t do this.” I stood between Richard and Amelia;
I could feel our unborn child push against my back as Amelia grabbed my arm.
“John, you’re on the wrong side brother, they will always be dirty & an
uncivilised drain on society. They will always be Orphans.” Richard spat the
last word out like poison, “Richard she is your sister-in-law, she is carrying
your unborn niece.” I pleaded “How can you even believe that bitch, she
probably slept with another dirty rat from that whole you call a school and is
using it to drag you into their disgusting world.” Richard was getting even
more fired up. “Richard they did a DNA test, this is my child.” Richard wasn’t
listening anymore his mind was made up and picked up his rail gun and pointed
it straight at me. “Don’t make me kill you too John.” I made sure Amelia was
completely covered by my body “Richard are you listening to yourself, your
going to kill your brother just to kill one Orphan?” Richard looked at me away
from his rail gun, “They must all die John, we can’t let them infect the rest
of our people.” It was like Richard was begging me, I stood strong, Richard
positioned the gun aiming back to my chest, I took a deep breath and held
tightly to Amelia who was still behind me. I was ready to die protecting her
and my child. A loud bang filled the room and I squeezed my eyes shut waiting
for the pain. Nothing happened. I opened my eyes to see Richard lying in a pool
of blood on the floor. Leisha was standing in the doorway behind where Richard
was standing with the Headmasters shot gun smoking in her hands. Leisha’s eyes
were fixed on Richards’s dead body and the pool of blood getting larger around
him. I slowly walked towards her trying to shield Amelia from my brother’s body
at the same time. “Leisha” I called gently, she looked up at me with empty eyes
but she kept the gun pointed at the floor. “Leisha, I can take the gun now, its
ok, it’s over.” I smoothed, Leisha blinked and with some recognition of who I
was she handed me the butt of the gun. I gently pushed the girls back into the
other room and shut the door on my brother’s dead body. My brother had found us
which meant that Marcus couldn’t be far away. Amelia sat with Leisha for a
little while, neither of them talking. Leisha walked off to the bathroom when
Amelia came over to me. “John, are you ok?” she put her hand on my shoulder
“Yeah, I’m ok.” She was searching for the words to say but as far as I was
concerned that body in the next room wasn’t my brother, my brother never came
back from the war. “John, you can’t leave his body like that.” I was surprised;
I mean he had just tried to kill both of us. “If a stranger or Marcus gets here
before the Headmaster and saw that.” Amelia was trying hard not to say Richards
name. “I’ll sort it, you two stay here.” As much as I would have rather chewed
off my own arm then clean up my brother’s death, Amelia was right and I was the
only one who could physically do it.
 
William
I stood at the door & just looked at my brothers body, I knew the longer I
looked the worse it would be but I just stared. I heard Amelia's voice talking
to Leisha & it pulled me out of it. I grabbed his rail gun and took it back to
the living room with Amelia and Leisha. Back in the entrance I managed to roll
Richards body over, his eyes were closed. It was like he was asleep, except for
all the blood. I managed to get his body into another room and made him look
decent, except for all the blood, I just couldn’t get it off. I found a mop and
managed to mop enough of the blood up to make it less obvious. It was badly lit
room as we kept as many lights out as possible. As for the door I managed to
put it somewhat back in place. There was nothing to stop Marcus from just
kicking it back down and walking straight on in but I had to try. I found a
couple of boards and nailed them to the door and door frame. My carpentry
skills really left a lot to desire. Amelia bought the shot gun out to me, “I
put new bullets in it” she murmured as she handed it to me. “How’s Leisha?” I
asked leaning against the wall. She’s ok, not talking like normal.” Just then I
heard a car pull up, “Is it the Headmaster?” Amelia asked desperately. I snuck
a quick look out the hole in the door, I could see one guy I didn’t recognise,
it wasn’t the Headmaster. My heart sank, it must be Marcus. “Amelia go back in
the other room with Leisha” I pushed her towards to the closed door. “I’m not
leaving your side.” Amelia looked straight at me with determination. “If I’m
going to die tonight I’m going to die with you.” She was serious, I swallowed
hard, I knew I couldn’t really save them but I didn’t want her to die. I didn’t
want to die but I would die saving her. “I don’t want you to die” I managed to
blurt out. “I don’t want to live without you.” Amelia replied without
hesitation. It was too late anyway Marcus banged on the door that creaked
badly. “Richard are you in there?” a voice called we didn’t reply but slowly
moved away from the door. All of a sudden the door came flying off the make
shift hinges and on to the floor. Marcus had kicked it in. I pushed Amelia
behind me and held up the shotgun. “You must be Richards’s brother!” Marcus
basically laughed at me. “You certainly look alike.” Marcus started to circle
the room a little taking very little notice that I had the shot gun aimed at
him. “So where is she then?” Marcus demanded “I don’t know what you’re talking
about.” I tried to lie “Now John you lie as bad as your brother, oh wait there
she is.” He had seen Amelia from behind me. “Wait your hair is black, you’re
not the right one. Yet Richard said you have Jeremiah’s brand so as Jeremiah’s
next of kin his belongings are now mine.” I swallowed hard as my hands sweated
against the gun. “People are not belongs” I commended pretending to be a lot
braver then I was. Marcus just smiled, “Your brother said you had spirit. Come
now let me see you little one.” Amelia stepped out from behind me before I
could stop her or block her Marcus got a good look at her. His face dropped
“She’s pregnant; Richard had warned me you might be involved with this one. I’m
sure he wouldn’t mind if I fixed his family problem for him.” Marcus pointed
the rail gun at both of us as I had Amelia completely hidden again. "Marcus I'm
here" Leisha was standing in the doorway on the other side of Marcus with
Richards rail gun in her hands pointed at Marcus. “Leisha" Marcus called to her
putting his gun down "wait, is that Richards gun?" He asked puzzled. “I took it
from his cold dead hands" Leisha answered pointing it directly at Marcus,
Marcus growled & bought his gun up to point it at Leisha. I squeezed the
trigger, Marcus dropped to the ground. I had shot him, in the head. I couldn’t
believe it. From the other side of the room Leisha spoke, "Thank you" Leisha
put the rail gun down. “I couldn't have shot him; I was in love with him. I was
telling Jeremiah that I loved Marcus when he flew into a fit of rage and
branded me then smashed me with the mirror. I knew Marcus wouldn't love me with
Jeremiah's brand so I killed Jeremiah." All of a sudden a movement made us all
jump “No Marcus, you killed him!” a young boy ran past us all to Marcus’s side.
He grabbed his shirt and shook him “Marcus, its William.” He desperately called
to him, but Marcus was dead. The boy realized this and grabbed Marcus’s rail
gun “Who did this?” the boy William demanded “Which dirty orphan was it, the
fat one or the blonde?” William asked pointing to Amelia then Leisha. “Calm
down William” Amelia called to him stepping out from in behind me “It’s ok”
William pointed the rail gun at Amelia “It was you!” he shouted and within
seconds before I even knew what was happening William had Amelia by the hair
and the rail gun in her back. “Amelia” I was shocked how could this happen.
William started slowly backing out of the house. “Don’t make any movements and
don’t follow me or I’ll shot her” William threatened, even thought he was
barely a teenager he had a gun in Amelia’s back. I could hear another car
coming in the distance, hopefully it was the Headmaster. I heard Marcus’s car
start and gun down the driveway before Leisha and I ran out after him; we got
to the end of the driveway when the Headmaster pulled up. “Headmaster, that
car, they have Amelia.” I shouted. Headmaster Tony and my parents jumped out of
the vehicle. “Follow that car and get the pregnant girl back” Headmaster Tony
instructed the driver and the female passenger. They drove off after the car,
as the Headmaster held me back from jumping in the car myself. “Stay here Mr
Mathew’s, they will get her back safety.” he demanded. I took the headmaster
and my parents back to the house explaining what had happened, my mother gasped
when I said Richard was shot dead but they all stayed silent while I told them
what happened. I took my parents to Richards body and left them alone, the
headmaster helped me moved Marcus’s body out of the entrance way. Leisha
started the fire in the fire place, I felt sick, Amelia was in danger, I had
promised to protect her that no one would ever hurt her and now. Now she was in
a car chase with our unborn child. I hadn’t realised I had stopped, tears where
starting to slide down my face. “John, she will be alright dear.” My mum had
her hand on my shoulder; I slumped in a nearby chair. Headmaster made coffee
for everyone, and then got Leisha. My parents told her they don’t blame her for
killing Richard, that it was ok and she didn’t have to be frightened of them.
Been so worried about Amelia I hadn’t realised that I had told my parents that
Leisha had killed Richard and now they were in the same room as each other. A
vehicle started coming up the drive, I abandoned my untouched coffee and
everyone followed me out into the driveway. The driver and the female passenger
got out of the car “Where is Amelia?” I asked as I started ripping doors open
looking for her. The female passenger addressed the headmaster “Tony, it was a
kid, a boy. When he realised we were following him he started taking risks. We
had to stop so he didn’t crash and kill both of them.” I stared at them; they
left her with that boy. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, “Mr Mathew’s
told us it was William, Marcus’s prodigy. It means he will follow Marcus’s true
and tried methods, he wouldn’t know any of the secret places. We will be able
to find them. Thank you Headmaster Hannah.” “What” I shouted at everyone. It
took a couple of hours of Headmaster Tony and my parents to calm me down and
explain the situation. Amelia was bait, bait to get the Hunter Resistance to
show themselves. “Most of the headmasters are elite government agents and part
of the Hunter Resistance; we have been fighting the Hunters for 5 years
officially. When the Hunters commander was killed we thought it was over but
the platoon kept their mission secret and alive. Using money from selling the
orphans as slaves they are well funded and have the public well tricked that
they are up standing citizens. It makes them hard to catch and even harder to
prosecute. Most of the time we have to kill them before they kill us.” The
Headmaster was explaining to me. “They need her alive and they will try to use
her as bait to get us.” He assured me.
 
Hannah
Headmaster Hannah had taken Richard and Marcus’s bodies back into the hospital
morgue. As much as I didn’t want to be here at Marigold cottage anymore
everyone was free to be who they really were. Leisha, headmaster Tony and
Headmaster Hannah were all agents, my parents part of the resistance, me, I was
a mess, missing and worried about Amelia. It didn’t take long for Marigold
cottage to become a hub of resistance members and agents all focused on getting
Amelia back. I heard a couple of live feeds of Amelia and William talking,
Amelia sound ok but scared. They would make an excuse to get me out of the room
as soon as her voice came up. I made a lot of coffees but at night when most
had gone to bed random people would come into the living room in front of the
fire; I couldn’t sleep so we would talk. The first night it was Headmaster Tony
“You know, I never knew Leisha loved Marcus, Marcus was the least convinced
that the mission was the right thing to do. Jeremiah however was a vicious
monster; he loved it, using and abusing. Marcus turned a blind eye from his
brother and I dare say to stay alive. I can understand how both of them fell in
love with Leisha, she ruled with an iron fist. Leisha’s parents were both
soldiers, not Hunters. They were battle axes those two, Leisha well she was a
splitting image of her parents. Leisha must have been 7 maybe 8 when the
soldiers came for them. Leisha fought beside her parents, with guns and hand to
hand. She was hit in the face with the butt of a gun, knocked her out cold. She
woke up surrounded by her parent’s dead bodies, once they had gotten cold and
she realised she had to move she found the other Orphans. There were only
Orphans no adults were left alive in the whole town. They bowed to her control,
she kept them alive, she was heartless and ruled with an iron fist but it
worked. When Jeremiah and Marcus came to their town she put up an impressive
fight, it wasn’t until they actually caught Leisha that they got control of the
town. Jeremiah managed to convince her to help them control the Orphans, to
become somewhat partners. She still ruled with an iron fist but Marcus seemed
to mellow her, even with Jeremiah telling her he loved her she seem to know it
was Marcus who really wanted her.” The headmaster moved away from the fire
sightly. “I can only imagine the fiery rage Jeremiah lashed on her when she
told him she loved Marcus. Amazing she actually survived. When we found her she
was close to death, she had killed another Hunter, Robert I believe his name
was, on her way out. We recruited her, it was dangerous and she wasn’t stable
but we needed someone to take down the second in command. The only one left in
command of the platoon. Jeremiah was 3rd in command and the commander had
already been killed. His name was Michael, as cold as a rock and just as hard.
Leisha snuck into his house and shot him in the head as he slept. Shot another
Hunter on her way out, Ben was his name. So her count is 5 Hunters including
your brother and she is the same age as Amelia. Hell we have agents with lower
hits then Leisha, but it did something to her.” The headmaster finished his
drink in one mouth full. “Leisha came to the hospital, self-admitted herself to
the psych ward. Then Boss got involved didn’t she, Leisha told Boss everything,
Boss is about as stubborn as Leisha. I’ll never know how Boss convinced Leisha
to come back to the school and the garden thing, well something we will never
know. Boss was set then, she was going to be a psych nurse, I don’t know if she
ever told you that.” I shook my head “I’m pleased really, Leisha didn’t deserve
to live in a prison, she deserves to live out here in the fresh air. Even if
she refused to talk to anyone, probably better she doesn’t anyway.” The
headmaster got up and stretched. “You should get some sleep Mr Mathew’s; this
isn’t going to be an easy couple of days.” I nodded but still I stayed up, I
couldn’t go back to my empty bed. Eventually I fell asleep on the couch. The
next night was Leisha; she sat on the couch across from me as I stared into the
fire. “Mr Mathew’s.” It took me a couple of minutes to realise she was actually
talking. “Yeah Leisha” I replied. “I’m sorry about your brother but he was
going to kill you.” I breathed deep “you shouldn’t be apologising, I should be
thanking you. You saved Amelia’s life, my unborn child and mine.” We fell
silent again as I thought about Amelia I didn’t realize Leisha was searching
for something to say. Eventually she got up to leave “Mr Mathew’s” I looked up
at her but didn’t reply “They will save her.” Then Leisha left. The following
night was my mother; I was starting to think it was a plan until Headmaster
Hannah also came in “I didn’t think anyone else was awake” she commended
standing in the doorway. My mother glared at her, my mother never glares at
anyone but Headmaster Hannah ignored her and sat down anyway. “So your one of
Tony’s teachers.” She asked to break the silence. “Yeah, I teach language.” She
grinned “We only have one language teacher, he’s a grumpy old coot & smells
like barley sugar lollies.” I couldn’t help but smile, remembering telling
Amelia she was lucky I wasn’t some grumpy old guy that smelt like barley sugar.
“So how come Tony didn’t report your arse?” Headmaster Hannah was glaring at me
now as mum huffed at her. “We are in love.” I glared back at her “You’re a
teacher and you slept with a student, if you were at my school I’d have you
before the board before you knew what was going on, if I didn't shoot you
first. Tell me Mr Mathew’s what about next year when Amelia is gone are you
just going to move onto the next student, is that your plan to spread your seed
as far as you can?” Headmaster Hannah started to shout. “How dare you!” My
mother was on her feet. “Amelia isn’t leaving and I'm never moving on, when she
gets back we are getting married this break.” I stopped as my mum turned to
look at me happy tears swam in her eyes. I hadn’t told my parents in all the
drama. “Amelia and I had decided we would come to Portlyn and get married in
the school break as long as that was Ok with you and dad.” I quickly explained
“Oh John” my mum jumped into my arms for a hug. “I told Amelia about your
garden at the back of the house, I even had a photo and that’s where she wants
to have the ceremony and reception. I hope you don’t mind I pretty much told
her she could have whatever she wanted.” Just then my dad and Headmaster Tony
appeared at the door in their pj’s. “What’s going on?” Headmaster Tony demanded
“What’s the shouting for?” Headmaster Hannah headed for the door “It is ok
Tony, just a misunderstanding.” She smiled and then pushed past Headmaster
Tony. He looked at me then my mother and shrugged and went back to bed “Alison,
John what was that about?” my dad asked confused. “Hannah was testing John for
herself.” My mum pursed her lips. “I’m assuming he past then?” my dad
questioned. My mother excitedly discussed details of our wedding with my dad. I
eventually fell asleep thinking about what Amelia would think about all this.
 
Dr Nicky Charles
I was stirring a coffee, unsure how long I had been standing in the kitchen. I
was looking out the window imaging Amelia playing out in the yard with our
baby; it was nice even if it wasn’t real. Headmaster Tony had come looking for
me “You lose those coffee’s Mr Mathew’s?” he asked pulling me out of the day
dream. “It’s ok” he grabbed the kettle and turned it back on. He was about to
say something when Headmaster Hannah came rushing into the room, “Tony, Dr
Nicky Charles has just been reported missing. Her transport driver was knocked
out and the Dr and all the supplies they were carrying have disappeared.” The
Headmasters looked at each other knowingly. “Headmaster, what does that mean?”
I asked trying not to imagine. “Hannah, it’s time we must go tonight.” Hannah
ran out of the room yelling orders at everyone as she moved through the
cottage. Headmaster Tony turned to me “Dr Nicky Charles is a midwife,
specialise in Orphan pregnancy’s. Her transport supply run goes right near
where they are keeping Amelia.” My parents burst into the kitchen as I realised
Amelia must be either in trouble or labour. “Tony is it true?” my mum
questioned him immediately. “I’m afraid so Alison, they have Dr Charles, I bet
it was shock when they found out Dr N. Charles is a woman.” My mum pulled me
into a hug, my dad grabbed my shoulder then took off to prepare. “Alison, I’m
going to need the both of you for this, once we have Amelia and the doctor you
are going to have to get them to the hospital. We aren’t going to know where
the baby will be.” “Bronwyn” I interrupted. Mum and Headmaster Tony looked at
me, “The baby, we have named her Bronwyn Alison Mathews.” My mum smiled
“Bronwyn, good solid name I like it.” Headmaster Tony replied. “Ok if Bronwyn
and Amelia are together we get them and the doctor to you then you leave, head
straight to the hospital. At the hospital security will be waiting, they will
protect you and the hospital. I’ll make sure there are agents there waiting for
you too. Regardless of who we get to you it is important you get to the
hospital straight away, understand?” mum and I nodded. “Good, now get your
stuff together and I’ll get you a car.”
That night Mum and I waited in the van hidden by bushes, we were so nervous, my
hands sweated. I rubbed them on the front of my pants, I didn’t care, it was
the least of my concerns. My mum was in the driver’s seat, I was sitting in the
back on the floor waiting for Amelia to be placed in my arms. “I wish your
father was here.” My mum blurted out all of a sudden. “Why isn’t he?” I asked.
“He wants to catch Hunter Kraven.” My mum growled at his name. “Who is Hunter
Kraven?” I had never heard the name. “Kraven has been hiding behind all the
other hunters, right now he is the strings behind William. We hadn’t moved in
yet because we need to catch him, Kraven is spineless but crafty. Catching
Kraven and then pressuring him we will be able to get a lot of information out
of him. As much as I hate the man we need Kraven and when the first team go in
for Amelia and the doctor Kraven will flee. Your father and others from the
resistance that don’t look like agents are ready and waiting for him to run
away like the dirty rat he is. They’ll catch him running away.” My mum was
holding the steering wheel quite hard as she spoke. We heard shots fired in the
distance, my mum shuffled down in the driver’s seat with a gun in her hand. I
grabbed the rail gun and pointed it at the car door in case it wasn’t Amelia
and the doctor at the door. A couple of minutes later my mum whispered “Someone
is coming.” We sat in silence. “It’s them!” my mum squealed turning the engine
on. I dumped the gun and ripped open the door, Amelia appeared through the
bushes, scratched, bruised and dirty but alive. She was desperately explaining
what had happened to Headmaster Tony when she saw me. “John!” she screamed
almost tripping. I ran to her and scooped her up and ran back to the car. I
slid in with Amelia still in my arms, a woman in a dirty and ripped white coat
climbed in behind me and Headmaster Tony slammed the door shut as my mother put
her foot down. “Amelia” I breathed looking her over for damage in my arms.
“John, I’m ok!” Amelia said, “Where are we going, we should be back there
fighting!” Amelia tried to climb back over me to get to the door. “Headmaster
Tony said we have to get you to the hospital… where is Bronwyn?” I realised
Amelia and the woman in the white coat were covered in dried blood and either
of them had our baby. Amelia looked at her dirty hands and wouldn’t look me in
the face. “John, I’m Dr Nicky Charles, I specialise in Orphan pregnancies. When
Bronwyn was born…” “They took her away” Amelia interrupted with tears in her
eyes. “Who took her?” my heart was beating so hard it hurt but I tried to keep
my voice steady “Hunter Kraven took the baby as soon as I had cut the cord, I
wrapped her in a blanket and then they stormed in and took her.” I started to
shake and my head started to swim, some sick bastard had my baby girl. “John,
the baby wouldn’t have lived long, she wouldn’t have suffered.” I stared at the
doctor as if staring at her would make her go away and make what she was saying
not true. The rest of the trip to the hospital was silent except for Amelia’s
sobs, the rush of security, agents, doctors and nurses just flashed past me.
They demanded we all be checked over even my mum and me. I just let them do
whatever they wanted to me. I was sitting on a hospital bed staring blankly out
the window when my mum walked in “John?” she asked, I looked away from the
window in her general direction. “Oh John.” She burst into tears and pulled me
into a hug, I automatically hugged her back. She finally pulled away and
regained her composure. “John, your father, he was run over while Hunter Kraven
was escaping.” My mum breathed in and wiped her eyes “They didn’t know if he
would make it, he’s been in surgery while we were been assessed. The surgeon
just came and saw me and he said we can go and see him in a couple of minutes,
he was so lucky that Headmaster Tony was there. Tony was able to get him
straight to the hospital and straight into surgery, he is going to be sore and
he’s broken his leg but he’ll be fine.” My mum tried to smile even though fresh
tears were developing in her eyes. I nodded, I wasn’t sure what else to do. An
agent came to my room and escorted us to my dad’s ward, “Your dads a hero” the
agent commended as he ushered us into the ward. He was scratched up really bad,
black eye, cast on his leg. “John, Alison?” He called out to us, “Bruce we are
here” my mum replied running to his side picking up his hand. “I’m so pleased
to see the both of you.” He smiled. We were able to talk to him for a couple of
minutes before they said we had to let him rest. The agent took me back to my
room and my mums to hers. I spent the rest of the time either been escorted to
my dad’s bed and back to my room. The rest of the time I spent staring out the
window wondering what Bronwyn would have been like and how Amelia was. She
hadn’t come to see me and no one was able to tell me how she was. Not even the
doctor from the van reappeared.
 
Going home
After five days on an escorted visits to my dad’s bed he announced we were all
going home to Portlyn, Headmaster Tony was going to meet us there to discuss
the future. My dad was getting airlifted straight from the hospital but we were
able to take a light aircraft. Having no luggage it was easy enough to be ready
go to, an agent met me at the door and escorted me to the lobby. My mum arrived
next then Amelia, “Amelia” I called to her but she just nodded her
acknowledgement of me and stood next to the agent that escorted her down. In
silence we were escorted to a transport and then on to the light air craft. We
took the flight in silence except for been offered drinks and snacks from
various agents aboard. Then we were standing next to each other at the front
door of my parents’ house, that’s when I realised that Amelia and I hadn’t
really spoken since she was taken. I opened the door for her as my mum helped
bring my dad in the back sliding doors with the nurse. “I’ll show you to my
room if you like.” I murmured to Amelia. She looked at me hesitating. “I can
sleep on the couch.” I added too numb and unsure of what was going on. After
three days of my mum fussing over my dad and Amelia hiding in my room, been
uncomfortable and not sleeping well on the couch I finally confronted Amelia. I
stood awkwardly at my bedroom door, I had never knocked on my own door before.
I knocked lightly “Amelia?” I called. “Yes” she answered quietly “Can I come
in?” I checked “I guess it is your room.” I pulled the door open, she was in my
bed and she had been crying. “Amelia what’s wrong?” I asked “nothing” she
replied “I’m just tired.” “Amelia you wouldn’t even look at me, what did you
want me to do shoot the kid?” I don’t know why I was even yelling at her but it
all just fell out “He was going to kill you and I couldn’t save you myself and
I’m sorry about that but I don’t know what to do, I’m not soldier.” I stopped
huffing I still felt empty though. “And our baby, you hate me don’t you.” I was
taken aback “How can I hate you, I can’t hate you for what happened.” I
couldn’t even say Bronwyn’s name. “You couldn’t look at me after the doctor
told you, you didn’t come and see me at the hospital, you couldn’t even touch
me the whole time since we left the hospital. You hate me.” Amelia got up and
started to back her things “Amelia stop.” I grabbed her arms and pulled her to
look at me “I don’t hate you, I don’t even know how to start hating you. I
don’t know how I feel but I do know I love you. Don’t leave please.” I couldn’t
help it as a couple of tears slid down my face, “I didn’t think you wanted to
see me.” I admitted. “Oh John, she was our baby!” Amelia threw her arms around
me and cried. We spent the rest of the day laying in my bed talking, working
out what to do. It was dark outside by the time my mum knocked on the door.
“Hi.” She said with a relieved smile. “Hi” we answered in unison. “Coming down
for dinner? Your dad wants to see you both.” Amelia looked at me and nodded
“Sure mum, we’ll be down in a second.” Amelia was still wearing the clothes she
left the hospital in; she had lost a lot of weight. I offered her some of my
smaller clothes and my bathroom. I grabbed myself a change of clothes and
changed while she was in the shower. It was kinda nice to have her in my
clothes, even if they were too big for her. We walked down the stairs together
holding hands, I kinda felt like I was a teenager again bringing my first
girlfriend home to meet my parents. My dad was already at the table and so was
Headmaster Tony. “Headmaster, I didn’t know you were going to be here?” I was a
little shocked as we sat down at the table. “Well I did say I would be coming
to talk about the future.” “Oh yeah.” I remembered that conversation. “I want
you to come back to the school; we have a couple of changes. Hunter Kraven now
knows who I am; he also knows Amelia, I’m sure he has also worked out who you
are and Leisha. He would have got a good look at your father too, probably
worked out who you are Bruce from Richard.” Headmaster Tony said Richards name
carefully. Amelia slid her hand under the table into mine. “Shouldn’t we go
into hiding?” I suggested “Three people are easy enough to hide but 7, 8 people
if you add Hannah isn’t so easy.” Headmaster Tony accepted a glass from my mum
"Thank you Alison” “Headmaster we can’t hide behind the school and the
students, it’s not right.” I blurted out “It’s not about hiding anymore John;
they know we are the resistance fighters so now we must get ready to fight.”
Amelia squeezed my hand tighter under the table. “I didn’t choose to be a
resistance fighter.” “The moment you picked up that shot gun in my office Mr
Mathew’s you became a resistance fighter.” “I picked it up to protect Amelia.”
"Well now you’re going to have to pick it up to protect Amelia, your students
and your school. We always knew one day our teachers will have to fight for our
schools, I just wished it wasn’t so near.” He was right, I’m a teacher and a
protector, I shot Marcus to protect Leisha. “Headmaster, I hardly know how to
use a gun and there aren’t enough teachers to protect the whole school.” “Very
observant Mr Mathews, but like I said there are a few changes. Amelia has been
accepted as a trainee teacher’s aide at our school. Your job John is still
waiting for you and a new sport is brought into the curriculum.” “A new sport”
I repeated “Yes, clay shooting.” “Moving targets.” Amelia commented
“Precisely.” The headmaster smiled. I remembered what Amelia had said humans
are moving targets. “Headmaster you can’t expect children to fight too.” “No
not children, the older students and all the teachers will be required to pass
a psych test and then be taught to shoot.” “Dare I ask who is going to teach
these classes and what about the infrastructure? I can’t imagine the government
approving all this.” “Well two of the best marksmen of their time have agreed
to teach.” The Headmaster gestured towards my parents. “What!” “John, we had a
life before we had you two boys you know.” My mum casually commented as she
ate. Amelia and I just stared at the both of them. “We were government agents,
we met in the field, your brother was well made in the field.” My dad started
to poke his dinner slightly embarrassed to be talking about sex. “We pretended
to retire and settle here to raise children” my mum continued “we took
contracts on the side to keep the bills covered until after the war. We stayed
hidden, it wasn’t until you had secured your job that we re-joined that world.”
My mum went back to eating “We knew you would be safe John but now…” Mum
trailed off so dad kept going “When Richard went to war his last will was
everything he owned to come to us. He owns more than he did then and for what
Richard did we think it is only fair that money goes to the school. It’s enough
to start the shooting classes with his equipment and to add more accommodation
to take in more students.” My dad was angry with Richard, it was in his voice.
I was just shocked. “John, there is something else you and Amelia must know
before you marry. John, you are also an Orphan. In fact you were the very first
Orphan in this war." Amelia and I just stared open mouthed at my mother. “But
John’s earliest memories are with you” Amelia pointed out. “The truth is
actually classified, that’s why we hadn’t told you before. We have agreed that
you can be trusted and that you deserve to know the truth. Portlyn was actually
a couple of k’s away from here, this was out laying bushland. Portlyn was a
town of military scientists and intelligence agents and their families. The
town was completely run by the military; Richard was old enough to go to
boarding school so we took the security job for Portlyn. We checked everyone
who entered the town and we checked everyone’s reasons for leaving town. I mean
they had no idea we were the security, they just thought we were strange
hippies or something. Your parents were young, brilliant bio scientists, you
were their first child. Anyway Portlyn was the first town the Aliens attacked
and you were the only thing left alive in the town. The military and the
government didn’t want anyone to find out, everything was made classified, even
you. They made you our child and rebuild Portlyn here hidden amongst the
trees.” I had no idea what to say, I just let the information flow over me.
“Amelia, John you can never tell anyone that John is an Orphan too. There is a
lot more at stake than just John’s past, civil war could break out if people
found out but I think you both had the right to know.” I sat stunned at the
table, Amelia’s hand was tight in mine under the table. I was an Orphan. I
didn’t feel like one. Conversation continued around me as I let the fact swirl
in my mind. It wasn’t until Amelia shook me did I realise it was time to leave
the table.
 
Visitor
It was another couple of weeks before we had to return to Killla, so I showed
Amelia around Portlyn. We were out walking when I saw a car pull up outside my
parents house, Amelia and I started to walk a bit quicker. I could see who it
was that stepped out of the car, it was Ashleigh. Amelia ran up the road and
ran straight into Ashleigh's arms, the two of the squealed in delight. Amelia
didn't think she would see Ashleigh again, it was great to see them together
again. "Mr Mathew's!" Ashleigh smiled at me. "You have graduated so it's John
now." I smiled back "OK, John. You and Amelia have some serious explaining to
do what the hell has been happening?" Amelia led Ashleigh inside and showed her
around my parents house. We all ended up back in my room, I let the girls sit
on the bed while I lent on the dresser. "I think it is safe to tell you what's
happened." I got comfortable "Amelia and I are together" I nodded to Amelia.
"Yeah, I figured that." Ashleigh replied sarcastically. "What!" Amelia and I
replied together. "I mean seriously the way Mr... I mean John was always there
for you and the way you looked at each other at the flat, of course something
was going on." Amelia looked at her hands "how many people do you think know?"
I asked petrified "I told Simon and Marg but that's it, I mean I don't want
either of you to get into trouble. Simon and Marg actually thought it was sweet
but it's a dangerous situation, I mean if you get caught its jail time!"
Ashleigh exasperated. "Well there's more, I'm actually 18." Amelia felt a
weight off her shoulders, she hated lying to Ashleigh. Ashleigh listened as
Amelia told her about the pregnancy, about Richard and about everything that
happened. They both cried when Amelia told her about Brownlyn. Once Amelia had
finished Ashleigh thought for a bit. "So do we start planning the wedding now?"
Ashleigh smiled "Well, actually, we have decided to wait until next year. That
way people will think that we didn't start our relationship until I was a
teachers aid rather then a student." Amelia explained. "Oh" Ashleigh replied
"Well I should tell you why I'm here!" Ashleigh's smiled "I got accepted into
the Portlyn Hockey team!" Amelia and Ashleigh started squealing again. "Also I
got a job house sitting!" Ashleigh continued "house sitting, it that a job?"
Amelia asked " of course it is silly!" Ashleigh joked " I'm house sitting here,
Mr and Mrs Mathew's house." Ashleigh's smiled at me. At dinner that night
Amelia and I broke the news to my parents that we are holding off on the
wedding until Amelia has finished her teacher's aid training, then we would
make everything official. My mum was disappointed but had to agree it was for
the best. It was great to have Ashleigh here, Amelia started to go back to her
normal self. She would still cry at night, then again so did I.
 
Amelia's POV
From the Past.
Coming back to school was very strange, not having Ashleigh here and I was in
training as a teacher’s aid. There was still a few students who knew me as a
student but they were pretty excited for me to be training as a teacher’s aid.
I still felt empty, Brownlyn was missing from my heart. Some nights John and I
would talk about her, he didn’t want to upset me but wanted to know everything
possible about her. He agreed to using condoms so I could finish my teacher’s
aid training before we should try for another baby. It was a hard conversation
but reassuring that he did want to try for a baby again. Surprised myself too,
after losing Brownlyn I didn’t know if I could go throught it all again. Things
seemed to be back to normal when the new influx of students came in. I was
mindlessly flicking through my new study material when John came out into the
lougeroom. He was back in his buttoned up shirt and his business pants, he had
a bright red tie on. He did look quite sexy in his teachers get-up, his hair
brushed back would slowly slid back to the front and into his eyes. His shirts
were always a little tight over his chest allowing his muscles to show through
the material, but his eyes were the most senual. They just pulled me in every
time, young but comforting and every now and again playful. He really was
extremely good looking but I doubt he realised it. He fidgeted trying to smooth
out his shirt, nervous about the next round of students. “I’m going to help at
the kitchen, did you want to come?” he asked shoving a piece of toast into his
mouth. “I really have to get these books read before term starts” I gestured to
the stack on the coffee table. “OK” John smiled and kissed me on the forehead
as he shoved the rest of his toast in his mouth and headed for the door. He
stopped before closing the door. “I love you.” He smiled and then disappeared.
Had anyone told me that I would be with that sexy man 12 months ago I would
have told them they were insane. I mean students and teachers just don’t go
there, even if a couple of the girls had love hearts drawn in their note books
with his name in them. The last 12 months really were crazy. After flicking
through another text book I decided I should go and help John in the kitchen so
I packed my books away and sat them in my old room which was now a study, I
grabbed a clean shirt out of our bedroom and pulled it on. I was half way to
the kitchen when a group of new students were been escorted to the showers, one
of them looked my way. “Belle” the voice called out half shocked and half
unbelieving, it was Lars. He had more scars than ever and was dirtier and
scruffier then I had ever seen him but it was Lars. I had already acknowledged
my name by looking his way and he started towards me. “I’m sorry you must have
me confused with someone else” I managed to call out before he was close enough
to hug me. “My name is Amelia, but I’m happy to chat to you later after lunch.”
I spoke loud enough for everyone that was looking to hear. Lars just started at
me. “Meet me at the toilet blocks after you have eaten something.” I whispered
Lars nodded looking at me suspiciously. He headed back to the group he was with
and off to the showers. My heart was beating heavy, if Lars gave me away and
people found out who I was the Headmaster would be in huge trouble. Then again
I have to tell Lars I’m in love with a teacher. How am I going to explain that
to Lars, I know he was like a brother to me but I was much more to him.
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