Chapter 20: (November 26)
The chilly November wind struck at the Houses, the sounds echoing throughout the courtyard like the howl of a lonely animal. That, as well as the buzz of her cellphone, awoke Nomi from a deep slumber.
She looked over at her alarm clock and almost jumped when she realized she'd slept in by half an hour.
Pushing her sheets away, she slipped out of bed and threw on her uniform. She was about to stuff the phone in her backpack when she remembered the alert, and opened her messages.
Where TF are u?
Kala txtd me ur not in class
Starts in 10 m. hurry up!
M making rounds today
Confused by Amanita's last sentence, but nonetheless grateful, Nomi shrugged on her jacket and ran down the stairs.
The wind hit her hard and she nearly toppled over in surprise, squinting to lessen the cold burn on her face. There was a light snow covering the cobblestone ground, and boot tracks crossed back and forth. Jogging to the Schoolhouse, she knocked on the door, hoping the security guard would let her in.
"You're almost late, get to your class," the man said, waving her in impatiently with his hand.
Muttering a quick thank you, she ran up the stairs and down the hall to History. The bell rang just as she slid into a desk near Kala. Her teacher raised an eyebrow but said nothing, and began his lecture while he passed out papers to the class.
Nomi had been writing notes diligently for more than half of the class time when the door suddenly opened, and Mr. Matheson entered. The class hushed, and the wind outside was all that could be heard. The Headmaster walked around and nodded to some students.
"Don't worry about me, carry on with your work," he said with a smile, continuing his stroll around the room. He eventually stopped next to Nomi's desk. He turned to the teacher and asked, "May I borrow Marks, here?"
The teacher nodded quickly, and resumed his writing on the chalkboard. All the students stared back at the Headmaster, their eyes widening in curiosity.
As she packed up her binder and slung her backpack on one shoulder, Nomi could sense Kala stiffen nervously at her desk. She sent the girl a reassuring feeling, and then followed the Headmaster out into the hallway.
"Where are we going?" Nomi asked, walking with him down the stairs and into a corridor near the entrance.
"My office, Marks. Just for a little chat." He reached the room, and opened the door for her, gesturing her in. "Ladies first."
Nomi walked into the office, and took a seat in one of the two small chairs placed in front of his desk. The room was very neat and pristine; almost exactly how Nomi had imagined it would look. On his desk were a basket of papers and a small picture frame, facing his direction. The computer she had hacked weeks ago was there too.
"Miss Marks, if I may have your attention."
Nomi turned her head quickly and stared at Matheson. His elbows were resting on the desk, his palms touching each other as if he was in prayer. He watched her, and then said, "It has come to my attention that, several weeks ago, my computer was hacked, and all the information copied from it. Now, I don't know when exactly this was, but, as I've seen from your file, you are-."
"You think I hacked your computer?" Nomi asked, trying her best to sound incredulous.
"I was saying that you, among many other gifted 'computer scientists' here, are a likely candidate."
"I didn't do it. I mean, how could I, anyways? I'm good, but I'm not that good."
"You hacked into the Pentagon at the age of sixteen, Miss Marks. That's in your file as well."
"Well that doesn't mean I hacked into your computer," Nomi muttered. "What would I even need with your files?"
"I'd like to know myself." Matheson swiveled slightly in his high chair, staring Nomi down as though a confession would suddenly write itself on her forehead.
Nomi sat poised in the seat, and looked back at him. After what felt like eternity, Matheson stopped his swiveling, and stood with a long sigh.
"You can go, Miss Marks. But leave your computer, please. It's just going to a check with people in the tech department."
"What gives you the right to go through my personal things?"
"Hacking into the school's mainframe is a very serious thing indeed. Should you have done it, you might be expelled. Or worse."
Nomi nearly shuddered as he said this, but grabbed the laptop out of her backpack instead, and placed it on his desk. Zipping her bag shut, she turned and walked out of the room, trying her best not to slam the door as she did so. Of course he would want to check through her and other students' computers. There was a lot of information about grades and medical history in the database.
But is there another reason? Nomi wondered, loitering around at the base of the stairs so she wouldn't have to go back to class. As the bell rang, a wave of students walked down to the first floor and dispersed to other halls and classes. Kala was among them, and she quickly moved towards Nomi.
"What happened?" she whispered, looking around to make sure no one was watching.
"Matheson thinks I hacked his computer. He wants to keep my laptop and check what's on it."
Kala's eyes widened. "But they'll find the information."
"No way. Kala, I'm not stupid enough to leave that stuff on there. The day after Halloween I deleted all traces of it. It's not like we need it anymore. Anyways, how are things with Myra? It's been almost a month since the card thing."
Kala sighed and shook her head slowly. "There isn't anything to say. She just wanted to help us."
"Yeah. It must be awkward, though."
Kala looked off in the distance behind Nomi, seemingly daydreaming. Finally she smiled and walked down the corridor. Nomi watched her leave, and then left for her own class as well.
/
Sun didn't move as Capheus slid his tray of food next to her, and sat down at the dinner table. She placed her fork down and wiped her mouth on a napkin, setting it aside carefully.
"Did you know today is Thanksgiving in America?" Capheus asked, opening a pack of salad dressing, and pouring it over the vegetables in the small plastic bowl.
"Yes, I did." Sun turned and looked at him calmly, wondering what he wanted to say.
"It is a sort of family tradition, you know, for Americans. Apparently they have a big table, and they have lots of food, and there is the family all there…" Capheus trailed off, lost in thought.
"Capheus. You were saying?" Sun waved her hand in front of him, trying to get his attention.
"Yes, so. Have you talked to your father?"
Sun glanced back at her food, her appetite disappearing. The first month she'd met Capheus, they'd spoken about their homes. Sun had tried to avoid talking about her mother's death, and her father's complete lack of parenting. But it was impossible, of course; Capheus knew exactly what was going through her mind. He could tell her childhood had not been a happy one.
"No. I haven't talked to him since I left. And I'm glad. He always wanted only a son, and he has that now. I don't exist for him."
"I'm sure that's not true. If I could talk to my mother, I would. But I can't until I go back to Nairobi in December."
Sun chose her next words carefully, not sure how it would sound to her friend. "I know. But you love your mother. Your mother loves you, Capheus. I don't want to go back home for the winter. And I don't want to call my father."
Capheus watched as Sun stood and took her tray, throwing away the remaining food and walking out of the Dining Hall.
/
Nomi placed her bag on the sofa in her House's living room, and sat in one of the comfortable leather chairs. She thought about starting her essay for English, but remembered that Mr. Matheson had had her laptop confiscated.
"Great," Nomi murmured to the ceiling, the tapping of rain drowning out her voice. "Not only does he see all my personal stuff, but I can't even do my homework." She heard her phone suddenly buzz from her pocket, and took it out to read the caller ID.
Nomi felt a cold wash over her as she recognized it. There had been no communication between her and her family since August, when she'd received a vague email congratulating her eighteenth birthday.
Sliding her finger across the screen to answer, she held up the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hi, Michael."
"Mom." Nomi stuttered, wondering what to say. "W-we haven't spoken since I came to the Board."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. There's something we need to talk about."
"Is something wrong? Did something happen at home?"
"No, of course not, no. I just realize that, since the end of the semester is getting close, and all of you are leaving in December for vacation…"
Nomi stiffened in her seat, wondering what her mother was getting at. "What are you trying to say? Is this about me again?"
"Michael, honey, I'm sorry. We were kind enough to forgive you after you got your little surgery behind our backs. At 16! And of course that, and all the illegal computer things you were doing. I didn't even recognize you as my son anymore."
"I know that you sent me to the Board because you hate what I did. Who I really am."
"That's not true. We don't hate you. I did what was best for the family and sent your application. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't even know of your existence. I did you a favor."
"Wow. I feel so grateful right now," Nomi replied sarcastically, trying to stop the wavering in her voice.
"As I was saying…"
"You don't want me to come back for Winter Break, is that it?"
"Well, your father and I talked about it. You're eighteen now, you can take care of yourself and-."
"I can't believe this is happening. What does this even mean?" Nomi stood and clasped her hand over her forehead, pacing back and forth across the expensive Persian carpet.
"It means you can't come back for winter break. You can't come back at all. I'm sorry, but it's for the good of the family. I'll send you some money monthly until you find a place after graduation, alright, Michael?"
"I don't believe this. I don't need you and your money. And my name isn't Michael!" Nomi shut her phone and threw it at the sofa, where it bounced off and fell on the floor. She slowly slid down the front of the chair and rubbed her eyes, not realizing that she'd been crying until the hot tears fell on her hands and down her arms.
A sound of the front door opening and closing resonated throughout the House, and Nomi quickly wiped her tears away, hoping none of her dorm-mates would walk in on her emotional moment.
"Nomi, are you there? Riley? Is someone home?"
Amanita walked into the living room a few seconds later, and rushed over to Nomi's side.
"Oh my God, Nomi, what happened?" She sat down next to her, stroking Nomi's hair in an attempt to soothe her.
"My mom just kicked me out of the over the phone. I can't go back. Ever."
Besides shushing her soothingly, Amanita remained quiet. After a few seconds she started laughing, and Nomi pushed herself off the ground to look at her.
"Why are you laughing? This is serious. I have nowhere to live!"
Amanita smiled apologetically and looked up at Nomi. "I know, I'm sorry. But I've never seen you cry before. Your nose gets all red and it's so cute." She laughed again, and Nomi chuckled, wiping her face with the sleeve of her shirt. Amanita stood and hugged Nomi, murmuring into her shoulder, "Listen, you're coming with me to my house in December. Okay?" Nomi started to interrupt, but Amanita patted the girl's back reassuringly. "Not buts. You're also going spend summer vacation with me. I'm here for you; you don't need to cry. Family problems are not fun, I know. But you'll get better. I promise."
Nomi stepped back and smiled, rolling her eyes up and wiping at her face again.
"So," Amanita began, trying to change the conversation. "Have you talked to Will recently?
Nomi shook her head and sat down on the couch. "No. He seems kind of in his own bubble recently. Just studying, going on jogs sometimes. Don't think he's gone to town since Halloween."
Amanita sighed comically and pursed her lips, falling onto the couch next to her. "Well, you know how he is. He has something of a hero complex, I think. Not solving the whole 'where did the teacher go' mystery kind of would do that to him."
"What do we do now? We found out about the tarot cards and the creepy science men. But what's the next step? Is there even a next step?"
Amanita shrugged and stared at the small fire, inviting and warm compared to the chilling weather outside. After a few minutes, she finally spoke. "I want to find out about Matheson. Why would he lie to the police unless he was involved in the kidnapping somehow?"
"The Headmaster?" Nomi scoffed. "No, I saw how he acted. He's not bad; he's just… Annoying. That guy reads Shakespeare for fun. He probably hasn't left the Board since he started working here. Maybe he just lied to keep everyone calm and stuff. I'd do the same if it was me."
"Nah, something is wrong here. I've felt it ever since we hacked into the computer. The guy is definitely off…"
/
Matheson froze as he heard the knock on his door. "Come in," he said, and shifted in his seat.
The door opened and in walked a man, dressed in a dark suit. His coat was slung over an arm, and he slowly moved to one of the chairs.
"Hello. Nothing to say?" The man sat down, his coat making its way to rest on the other chair.
Matheson felt his hands start to shake, and he clasped them together under his desk to hide the fact. "How are you? I hope your trip was safe?"
The opposing looked at him coolly, and tapped his fingers on the chair's arm. "This is a business meeting, you understand. To discuss the two things I called you about."
"Y-yes, yes, of course," Matheson stammered, remembering the recent phone calls.
"So. This girl. You said she was gifted with electronics?"
"Yes. I checked her computer, just as you said. Nothing. I even had my best technician take a run on it, but if she found anything, it's gone."
"Has she been around any other students? Any close bonds, perhaps?"
Matheson laughed, and shook his head. "You know as well as I that all these students are gifted. They either form close bonds, or make no friends at all. It's the unfortunate reality of such precocious children."
The man nodded his head slowly, and turned to look around the office, taking in every detail, including the picture frame on the desk. A sneer seemed to form on his face as he saw this, and he asked, "Feeling sentimental, are we?"
"What else did you need to talk about?" Matheson itched at his forehead to hide the beads of sweat.
"The woman. Did you take care of it?"
"Look, I helped lead everyone in this miserable town- including the police, might I remind you- off the trail of one of my employees. The least you could do is be grateful!" Matheson felt himself grow hot in anger, and he dug his knuckles into his palm to calm himself. He hated the knowing look on the other man's face.
"Oh, you were always the emotional one. 'The least you could do is be grateful,' do you listen to yourself? I rid this place of the sensate teacher that was working here. Can you imagine what would have happened if she had birthed a cluster without my knowledge? More traveling the world, trying to find them, and bringing them back to Iceland. She was already a mess by the time my men caught up with her in Hoyvik. If she'd been smart, she would have left the country immediately. I don't know why she didn't." The fact of not knowing something seemed to bother the man a lot, and he rubbed his chin contemplatively.
"Why must you compel yourself to do this?" Matheson started. "What possible reasoning would you have for kidnapping the woman? I could just turn you over to the police."
"But you won't. And you never will; I know you too well. She's past saving, anyway. Oh don't look at me like that." The man leaned back in his chair and curled his lip in disgust as he saw Matheson turn pale, and then a sick yellow. "It was her fault she held out for so many months. She was keeping something from me, and when the methods of extracting information weren't enough, well…"
Matheson removed his glasses and felt a sour taste at the back of his mouth. "What else? Please, I'd like to cut this meeting short."
The man stood and grabbed his coat from the other chair. "The boy. We agreed that he should come with me for a few months as an internship. With credit from the school, of course. These are the papers."
"I've already talked with the board of education. They've agreed to let him extend his studies over seas until early spring," Matheson signed the papers with an elegant fountain pen, and pushed them back across the desk.
The man smiled, although it seemed cold and not in the least genuine. "Wonderful. Let me call him over." He walked out of the office, and came back in followed by Rajan.
Matheson forced his own smile, and shook hands with Rajan. It was obvious to all that the boy was uncomfortable, although his handshake was firm.
"I'm very glad to be given this opportunity. Thank you." His voice wavered as he stared back and forth between the two adults.
"There is no problem at all," Matheson replied. "Have you packed all your things?"
"Yes, but there's just one person I must talk to before I leave. May I?"
Matheson nodded his head curtly, and Rajan shook his hand again before leaving the office.
The man turned towards the door, but looked back at Matheson one final time. "This isn't a family reunion. Rajan will be safe and well educated, I promise you. Goodbye."
Matheson sighed in relief as the door shut close, and placed his hands over his face. Looking up, his eyes were attracted to the picture in the frame. It was an old black and white photo of a couple, standing in front of a house with two small boys. Shuddering, he took the picture and placed it in a desk drawer, locking it again with a tiny brass key.
A/N: We've reached chapter 20! How exciting! Anyways, here is a longer "Thanksgiving Special" chapter for all of you. I've been reading a lot about Sense8 Season 2 lately. Tina Desai (Kala) said in a Tweet that she was taking kickboxing lessons…hmm. Interesting. A fight involving Kala? Anyways, hope all of you have an awesome weekend!
~C.o.D.