They take her from the dormitory for more 'testing'. By now, River knows that this isn't a real school. There are too many things that don't add up. And when the other girls get back from their therapy sessions, sometimes they are bleeding.
"Well done, River, your tests have shown you have exceptional potential. Now, I'm going to ask you to do something a little unusual." The man in blue gloves attaches something to her neck.
She knows what's coming next. River thought of an idea, of how to deal with the pain - she will go away, inside her head.
Peacock or Peafowl, common name for three members of the pheasant family. Although these birds are more commonly called peacocks, that name is properly applied only to males; females are called peahens. Two species are Asian: the common or Indian peafowl, and the green peafowl.
The pain starts. It is worse than she could have imagined.
The third species is the Congo peafowl. These Asian peacocks are noted for their resplendent trains of long upper tail coverts, which conceal their relatively short tails, and are raised and spread in strutting displays.
She just needs to wait for Simon to come for her. He'll understand the message she sent, even though no-one else would. He'll save her.
The feathers are generally iridescent green and gold, and are ornamented with eye-like markings of a rich colour, known as peacock blue.
She just needs to wait.
