Chapter 3 (Hiking Boots and Cigarettes)
Freddy tugged at his leash, trying to break free. He leapt about while Helen leaned against the shed, waiting for the students. "Five minutes, boy, then we go on our own." Freddy whined softly, and pulled towards a bush.
Daisy appeared and Freddy leapt up against her, leaving his paw prints on her purple T-shirt. "Sorry, Daisy," Helen said slowly, toying with her name as though it were a piece of dark chocolate. "Bad dog, Fred." She reprimanded him; her dog looked down and then wagged his tail. "Good thing you wear dark colours." She said.
Daisy brushed herself off, "Is it?"
"I sense some confusion."
"Do you?" Daisy paused. "I…"
"Lay off, man!" Ezra threatened and came around the corner, followed shortly by David.
"You lay off, Frieken."
"I haven't done anything."
Helen shook her head. Boys will be boys. "Guys, quit it. I do have the authority to punish you."
David puffed out his chest. "Is that a threat?"
"Maybe." Helen replied. "Let's go, I can't hold this dog much longer."
"I'll take him for you." Ezra offered.
"Thanks, but…"
"You could never hold him, Romeo." David growled, setting off down the path.
"Enough. A peaceful hike, please. If you guys are going to fight, I'll have to ask you to stay."
"Peaceful." David raised his hands defensively, not looking back.
"Peaceful." Ezra agreed.
The group decided to take a trail along the riverbank. Once they were away from the school, Helen let Freddy go. He rushed after a rabbit into the long grass and returned every few minutes, telling them about his adventures.
The hike took them up a hill, through the forest and up to a cliff overlooking the river. Helen sat down in the long grass, Daisy followed suit and the boys stood a while before taking position, each on one side of Daisy.
"It is so beautiful out here." Helen said, looking out over the mountains, matted by the green pines. She lay back on the grass. "I feel I wasted time before applying to Mt. Horizon."
"Oh, you're not missing much." Daisy said.
"What did you do before you came here?" Ezra asked.
"Well," Helen started, propping herself up on her elbow. Freddy snuffled at her feet and lay down a little way from his owner. "I tutored at my university for a while and helped at a rehab centre for alcoholics. In the beginning of this year, I spent time in London working with rape victims."
"And now Horizon?" Ezra said, then sneezed violently.
"Yes, now a serious job. I suppose we all have to settle down sometime."
"You chose a strange place to settle." Daisy said. "No one seems to stay long as Mt. Horizon, emotional growth school."
"Perhaps you don't understand what I mean by saying settle down."
"Hey, guys look…" Ezra cried pointing at a pair of eagles. The pair seemed to dance through the sky, chasing each other playfully. They disappeared under the cliff. "They must be nesting."
"At this time of the year?" Helen asked. She seemed to have a fascination with the birds. Perhaps nature in general.
"Stranger things have happened." Daisy said, amused.
"I guess so." Helen stood up. "I suppose we should go back. We don't want you guys missing supper."
"Oh, that's alright." Daisy said.
David made retching noises and rolled over in the grass. He looked up. "What do you think the chances are of a pizza delivery service to this dump are?"
Helen laughed. "Minimal. You could always start your own?"
"I doubt David can cook." Ezra snorted. "I can make a magnificent lasagne."
"I burn water." Daisy added.
Helen called Freddy and he got up, sniffing his way down the trail, tail up in the air, wagging from side to side in rhythm with his steps. "Even I will miss the occasional junk food binge." Helen said. "Cafeteria food is better than nothing." She raised her hands. "Don't argue with me. Eat it!"
Once they got back and the students had gone off to their meal, Helen sat down on her sofa. She wondered if the students had the opportunity to cook, would they? She enjoyed cooking, but dinner for one had lost its appeal. It was too late to eat in company. The cafeteria had stopped serving and besides, her age set her apart from the other councillors. She was sure she had a frozen meal in her little bar fridge. Nutritious, I'm sure, tasty too, she though to herself and laughed out loud. What were the chances? Switching on her kettle, she got out a packet of cigarettes and sat down on the porch of her cabin. Nicotine and caffeine, the ideal diet. She chose a corner and nestled in. it was dark, but there was movement from the cafeteria. Dark figures headed towards their rooms. To vomit up the tasteless meal? To have wild orgies in the showers? Respect them, Helen, you have it easy, she scolded herself.
Lighting up the cigarette, she heard a shrill voice. Juliette. Excitable youngster. She could make out the girls slight figure. Shelby followed with Daisy. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but they were talking all the same. Not like schoolgirls, but like adults.
Daisy paused, and a feeling of nausea rose in Helen's stomach. Daisy turned her head towards Helen's cabin. Helen froze and sat motionless, the cigarette hanging between her fingers. Take a drag, take a drag, her brain said, her hands refused to respond. Daisy caught up to her friends, but still nothing. Respond, respond, her hands finally gave in to the commands. She smoked three cigarettes after that and went to bed.