TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - "GALLOPING FOXLEY"

Want It, Need It

I walked up the stairs to my dorm, keeping my eyes foward emotionlessly. I was still very nervous, as any new girl would be at such an enourmous school. I was completely out of my comfort zone. A few girls who would walk by would look at me and smile, and I would just keep on walking. My shoes made eerie clacking noises as I walked down the hall to my dorm.

When I got to the door, I heard a few voices talking inside. I pressed my ear to the door and listened closely, hoping nobody would know I was there.

"Did you hear about the new girl?" I heard one voice say.

"Yeah, I heard Foxley and his group talking about her. What's her name...Raylynn?"

"No, stupid, It's Rina! And I think Foxley wants her..."

My insides twisted and I felt my cheeks becoming hot. I opened the door slowly and entered, causing all of the other girls to look at me. They all smiled and got up, rushing over and crowding around me. A few of them stayed back against the wall and just stared at me worriedly. Those girls seemed to be afraid of me. Or afraid for me.

"We were just talking about you!" One girl said, smiling widly.

I began to be asked a hoarde of traditional, 'Oh, it's a new girl!' type questions. I felt overwhelmed, I had never had this much attention back at home.

"How old are you?" Another girl said in the crowd.

"What's your name?"

That was the only question I had the desire to answer, at least it was simple. Once the girls calmed down I was finally able to speak.

"My name is Retta...I'm fifteen." My voice was so quiet compared to the other girls'. I smiled faintly and kept my head down, my hair falling clumsily infront of my face.

It seemed that almost all of the girls were entranced by me, and I just wanted to be alone for a while. The incident with Bruce Foxley left me dazed and spinning. I never knew a girl like me could have this much attention. Especially at a place like this.

"She is the girl! Foxley was right!" A blonde one laughed, and the other girls caught on after her. My head shoot up and my eyes went wide.

Why does everybody link me into Foxley?

My face began to burn again, and I looked at all of the other girls.

"Will someone please tell me why Foxley is so interested in me? Everybody has been linking me to him!" I said, still blushing.

The girls just laughed and my heart sank into my stomach. I couldn't believe this! Had Foxley casted his spell on these ones too? Had I been spared or was I next to taste his bitter poison?

"Oh, he just...how do I put this lightly?" The same blonde one said, but she looked to another girl. The girl had the prettiest color of hair out of all the girls, it was a sort of dull auburn color.

She nodded and spoke for the blonde.

"He just- No, I can put it better..." She paused and thought for a moment, then sighed. "Foxley 'takes interest' of centain girls here, he chooses his favorites and..Let's say, 'puts them to work'."

My eyes practically dialated at the last four words she said. 'Puts them to work'?! Is that even legal...? My breath caught in my throat, but I managed to choke out a few words.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice wary.

The same girl who spoke for the blonde sighed. "Foxley has some of us- well, they call it 'fagging'- and Foxley has always had some girls, and some of the younger boys fagging for him."

My fear only rised at her words. "What does 'fagging' mean?"

"Well, the only way I could put it lightly may sound a little dark...I don't want to frighten you."

"Just tell me." I said, clasping my hands together at my waist. Yet another habit when I'm nervous.

The one with auburn hair looked to all the girls in the room and sighed again.

"It's like slavery."

My heart stopped at her words. Foxley has...slaves? Girl slaves. And he's interested in me?!

My hands were visibly shaking, and the same blonde noticed. She came closer to me and put her hand on my shoulder.

"Retta, are you alright? You look pale..." She said as the other girls came closer to me.

I looked up at her and tried my best to smile. "I'm fine..." I said, my voice begining to shake just as much as my hands.

"Do you need to sit down?" The auburn haired one said, comming to my other side.

I took a heavy sigh and nodded. "Yes...that would be nice."

She took my hand and lead my over to a bed, and I sat down. The girls crowded around me, and the auburn headed one sat next to me.

"It'll be alright. Hey, maybe he doesn't want you to be his..." She trailed off and I looked up at her. I knew she was trying not to frighten me.

"His slave..." I finished for her, my eyes going back to my feet.

She sighed and nodded. "Yes...his slave, if you wish to put it that way."

The entire room was silent for a moment...all you could hear were the occasional whispers of the other girls. I just sat there, staring at the floor and thinking about Foxley.

Actually, correction, he was the only think I could think about. I had stopped shaking, and my breathing was returning to normal...but something still wasn't right. I couldn't stop thinking about the way Bruce smirked at me and the way he laughed when I told the Headmaster my age.

"Retta?" I heard the girl sitting next to me say.

I looked up at her and regained myself. Trying to seem okay, even though I really wasn't. "Yes?"

"I don't think I ever told you my name." She just smiled, and I remained emotionless.

I sighed, not trying to be rude. I was entirely disconnected from the world around me, except for my thoughts and Bruce Foxley. I was very tempted to go and find him and confront him, but I couldn't take a risk.

"I'm Bridgette." The girl next to me said, making me look up at her.

I smiled faintly, as hard as it was. "Nice to meet you."

"She's not from here..." A girl in the crowd around me said, I looked up at the crowd and blinked.

Brigette smiled. I looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I'm a transfer student...I'm Irish." She said, smiling wider.

I just blinked and turned away. It was getting harder to concentrate on things and I had no idea how I would make it through the entire school year. Especially having to deal with Foxley.

"What's wrong?" Bridgette said, looking at me worriedly. She's probably the only girl I like here.

I, once again, just looked at her. "Everything."

She sighed again and some of the other girls began to walk away from the crowd back to thier beds to talk with friends. Bridgette remained beside me.

"You're thinking about that Foxley fellow, huh?" She said, her bold accent begining to surfface.

"How did you know?" I laughed hallowly. I wasn't acting myself at all.

Bridgette shrugged her shoulders. "I can tell, I guess. Look, if it's getting down this much, why don't you go talk to him?"

I shook my head. "I'm not taking a risk..."

Bridgette just stared at me, her bright green eyes seeing right through me. "I can tell you want to, Retta. Look, just go talk to him. If he says anything, just excuse yourself and come back up here."

I sat up and looked out the dorm's door. "I don't know where he is..."

"Chances are he's in the boys dorm picking out from the new boys, or he's with Martha's brother." Bridgette said, looking out of the door with me.

"You know Martha?" I asked her, turning around to face her.

She shrugged again. "Snob of a girl, really...I don't prefer to be seen with her."

I smiled and stood up. "I best be going before he gets too comfortable..."

Bridgette stood with me, comming to my side and follwoing me as I walked to the door. "Do you want me to come with you?"

I shook my head. "It's best if I do this alone."

I walked out of the door and Bridgette grabbed my hand. "Retta,"

I turned around to face her. "Yes?"

"Be careful."

The girl's dormatory was three stories tall, and the boys were allowed to come into the parlors on the first floor. I knew that Foxley would more than likely be with Martha and Grace. I secretly hoped he would be, at least he wouldn't do anything to me infront of them.

I walked down the stairs to the parlors, avoiding the many girls who were bumping into me almost every second. I was actually surprised at how crowded this place was. Surely these kids weren't all bad, right?

The stairs seemed endless, even thought it was only two stories. The numerous girls made it worse, and I had wished I just stayed with Bridgette. But, theis needed to be done.

I made it to the parlors and, sure enough, I caught sight of Foxley standing next to Martha and Grace. I wondered if those two girls were two of his little slaves, if they are, he treats them well.

I stayed back a few meters and just watched them from in the crowd, hoping not to be seen. I was able to stay there for a few minutes and just watch Martha and Grace swoon over this monster of a boy named Bruce Foxley. I thought it would be best to just go back up to my dorm.

I was just about to turn around and head for the stairs, but Grace glanced in my direction, of course, and saw me. She smiled and pointed at me, causing Martha and Foxley to look at me. Martha just turned back to Grace to whisper something, while Bruce just stared at me.

I stood there, frozen and trapped in his gaze. Foxley just stood there and smiled at me, and it made my stomach churn. Martha turned back around to look at me.

"Retta!" She called my name playfully, causing me to roll my eyes. "Come over here!"

I really had no choice but to walk over to her. I knew if I didn't they would just follow me back up to my dorm and drag me to Foxley against my will.

I walked hesitantly over to the two girls and my heart beat was increasing the clower I got to Foxley. I had never been so scared of a person. It was completely unlike me, I had always been the strong, unbeatable one back in school.

"Well, well, well...look who it is..." Foxley said, causing me to look up at him. He just smiled at me, and walked closer me. Bruce towered over me immensly, at least by two feet.

I blushed and he took my hand in his.

"Retta, is it?" He asked me, smiling. I heard Martha and Grace giggle from behind him. Bruce glared back at them and they shut up immediately.

"y-Yes..." I stuttered, trying to hide the fear in my voice.

I looked back at Grace and Martha, and they were smirking at me. Chills ran up my spine and it made me shudder. Foxely noticed my shuddering and he smirked at me in a way that truely scared me. I looked up at him and saw that he was holding my hand dangerously close to his lips.

"I see your hair isn't tied up properly...Why is that?" Bruce asked me, making me regain myself. I blushed and just stood still.

I stared at him, and glanced at Grace and Martha. I felt my stomach knot and my courage had vanished. I looked back at Bruce and raised an eyebrow at him. I knew this was his true colors showing, I glared at him and tried to pull my hand away.

"Because, I'm against it. I get nausea if I leave it up too long..." I said, my attitude showing. I knew this would send me to the slaughterhouse, dealing with Bruce especially.

Bruce smirked at me again and I practically felt the color drain from my cheeks.

"Well, school rules say that it must be tied up during school hours. So, I suggest you-"

"I don't care what they say." I cut him off, narrowing my eyes. "I'm not this school's slave."

I heard Grace burst into laughter, and Bruce looked back at her harshly. Martha hit her on the arm and Grace shut up immediatley.

Foxley turned back to me and smiled down at me. "Why don't you come down to my dorm later on...and we'll have some tea? I'm sure you don't have plans later..." He said, finally planting a kiss on my hand. I blushed fiercly and my mind shit down.

He just kissed me?!

My eyes widened and I attempted to pull my hand back even more. I looked back up at him and then back twoards Martha and Grace. They were both smiling like mad and I felt myself sink deeper into this pit of confusion.

I was able to answer his question after a moment. My voice was meek. "I-I..um..I would like to, honestly...but I-"

"It's not nice to refuse an offer for tea, Retta..." Bruce scowled at me and the blush on my cheeks faded instantly.

That scowl sent fear into myself, and I had to give in. "Very well, I come visit you later." I said lowering my head, almost in defeat.

I slightly looked up at him, and I saw him smile again.

"Good. I'll see you around six, then?"

I nodded, keeping my head down. "Yes."

There was another moment of silence between Foxley and I. He reached for my face and cupped my chin in his hands, forcing me to look up at him.

"Look at me, Retta." Foxley commanded.

My eyes met his and my stomach dropped. Blush invaded my cheeks again, and I wanted to look away to hide it. Foxley held me there for another moment before letting me go.

He stared at me and I just stayed still, keeping my head down weakly. I saw him walk away, and when I couldn't see his feet anymore, I raised my head.

Of course, Martha and Grace returned to my sides.

"You know, Retta, six o'clock is only in a few hours..." Grace said, smiling.

Martha chuckled. "You best be enjoying your last few minutes of freedom..."

I looked at both of them questioningly. "Freedom...?"

They both just laughed. I felt a sting of hatred in my veins, and I glared at them.

"Oh, Retta...Haven't you heard?" Grace whispered.

I just stared at both of them like an idiot. My mind was still hazed over from the events that just happened.

"No...?" I answered her, my heart was telling me to just walk away. Oh, but I knew they could find me. I was merely a pawn in Foxley's game.

"Foxley chose you, Retta..." Martha smirked at me and my eyes widened invouluntarily.

I was speechless.

Chosen for what?! His slave...or something else? Something worse?!

"w-What?" I choked out, feeling my pace quicken.

Grace laughed at me again and pointed childishly. "Oh, look, Martha! She's blushing!"

I hadn't noticed, but my cheeks were burning. I just stood there still, staring at Martha and Grace.

"I don't want to..." I muttered, feeling tears in my eyes. It used to take so much to make me cry, but now that Bruce Foxley was involved, I could break like glass under his feet.

Martha shrugged her shoulders. "It's not like you have a choice, Retta..."

My heart was in my throat, and I felt like I would be sick. I couldn't say anything else, I had no words.

Grace pulled on Martha's arm. "We better go, Martha. It looks like she needs some time alone..." She said, I could tell her sympathy was fake.

Martha chuckled again. "You're right...let's go visit Julienne."

They walked away, leaving me alone in the parlor. At that moment, I knew that I wasn't even a pawn in the game anymore. I was merely a speck of dust on Foxley's chess board. I was the lowest amount of low now.

I walked mechanically back to the dorms, dreading the arrival of six o'clock.