“No, I. I’m a little surprised, that’s all.” I couldn’t help but wonder what his psychic abilities were. After all, my new friends had told me that everyone at Winterhaven had them, even him.
“And you’ve read the code?”
“Yes, sir.” I reached into my back pocket and pulled it out, unfolding the page with damp hands.
“No questions?”
“No, it’s pretty straightforward. A lot of it doesn’t apply to me anyway, since I don’t really have any control over my visions. They just. come.”
“To the contrary, Miss McKenna. I think you will find that your visions can be harnessed, perhaps put to good use. But all in due time.”
A bubble of hope welled in my chest, and I nodded.
“Also, keep in mind that adherence to the code is very important where extracurricular activities are concerned. We want your school experience to be as normal as possible, which is why we allow our teams to participate in the All-Ivy League. When interacting with students from other schools, it is vital that you keep the COPA in mind at all times.”
“Of course,” I said. I got it — don’t let the regular kids see what freaks we were.
“Very well, if you’ve no questions, I’ll take back your copy of the code. You must sign here”—he pushed another piece of paper across the desk toward me—“to acknowledge that you’ve read it and agree to abide by it. A pact, if you will.”
I took the paper and glanced down at it, my eyes quickly scanning the words.
I, Violet Ashton McKenna, do hereby vow that I have read the Code of Paranormal Activity, herewith referred to as the COPA. My signature certifies that I fully understand the COPA and agree to abide by it at all times, at all costs. I also acknowledge that if I fail to abide by the COPA, I may be duly expelled from Winterhaven. Signed in the presence of Dr. Augustus Blackwell, Headmaster of the Winterhaven School, on this third day of October, in the village of Tarrytown, New York.
Beneath it was a blank line for my signature. Dr. Blackwell handed me a pen, and with shaking hands, I scrawled my name.
There, it was done. I stared at my signature, still a little stunned by the absurdity of the situation.
Dr. Blackwell retrieved the page and folded it in thirds before sealing it with an old-fashioned wax seal. “And into the fire it goes,” he said, taking the folded paper along with my copy of the code. He tossed them both into the flames behind him. “Secrecy is a prized thing here at Winterhaven, and we leave no written evidence of that which we wish to keep private. The contract is symbolic — a gentleman’s agreement, if you will.”
I nodded, watching as the flames began to lap at the pages, curling the edges till they at last burst into flames. A full minute later they scattered to the grate below in charred bits.
“You must understand how important strict adherence to the code is to this school’s security, to its very integrity,” he said, swiveling back to face me.
“Yes, sir,” I said, swallowing hard. “I understand.”
“Very well.” He drummed his fingers against his desk, watching me. “Some students choose to learn to block their thoughts, if need be, for privacy’s sake. If you would like to learn, we can assign you a coach.”
“Sure,” I said with a nod. It seemed like everyone else already knew how to do it, so I figured I should learn too. Particularly since Aidan could read minds, and I definitely didn’t want him knowing my thoughts when I was with him.
“I’ll have Mrs. Girard make the arrangements. I suppose our business here is done, then.” He rose from his chair and reached across the desk to shake my hand. “But do not hesitate to return, if any questions arise that Mrs. Girard cannot answer to your satisfaction.”
“Thanks.” Just as before, his hand was cold as ice.
“Can you find your way back to the dormitory?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said, though in reality, I had no clue how to get back.
“Hmmm, perhaps I should send for someone to see you back safely,” he said with a chuckle, reaching for the telephone that sat on his desk.
“I can find it, really,” I said. How hard could it possibly be? Down a hall, up some stairs.
He released the phone with a shrug. “If you’re sure, then. I might remind you that you are to be in your bed by eleven.” His silver eyes were twinkling again. “Good night, my dear. And good luck.” I could still hear him laughing softly as I closed the door and set off.
A quarter hour later, I was ready to admit that I was totally and hopelessly lost. I’d gone down the same hall — the one with the headmasters’ portraits — at least three times, and up the same staircase twice. I was beginning to panic when I spied a door I hadn’t remembered seeing before.
I hurried over, hoping I’d finally found a means of escape. It led outside; I could see the moon in the square panes of glass at the top. For a minute or so I stared at the door, considering my options. I might get just as lost outside, but at least I wouldn’t be wandering these same halls.
Please don’t let it be locked, I thought, giving it a hard push. Thankfully it wasn’t, and I found myself out in the cool, clear night.
With no clue where to go.
A grassy lawn stretched out before me, maybe for a hundred yards. I could make out the faint outline of buildings beyond the grass, but I had no idea which building housed the dorms. I had always traveled indoors between the administration building and the dorms, in connecting corridors of some sort. If I could just find the courtyard, maybe I could find my way from“ Need some help?” a voice called out behind me, and I nearly screamed in fright.
My heart beating wildly, I turned to find Aidan standing there, leaning against the side of the building.
“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I asked, running a hand through my hair. It was the second time in one day that he’d scared the living daylights out of me. Still, I had to admit I was glad to see him — so glad I was almost giddy.
With his hands shoved into his pockets, he walked over to where I stood. “Sorry about that. Happy to see me, huh?” He grinned at me in the moonlight.
It was a good thing it was dark out, because I was sure my face was scarlet. “You’re not allowed to do that, you know,” I scolded. “It’s against the code.”
“What, sneak up on you, or read your mind?”
“Both. I guess I’m going to have to learn how to do that blocking thing.”
“I wish you wouldn’t,” he said. “Your thoughts are pretty interesting.” Suddenly his smile disappeared. “You heard me today, didn’t you?”
My breath came faster, making puffs of smoke in the air. “What do you mean?” I asked, tripping over my tongue.
“You know exactly what I mean, Violet. You heard me. In your head. That makes you telepathic, by the way.”
“Really?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to be telepathic.
“Yeah, but you know what’s really weird?” he asked, taking two steps toward me. I couldn’t answer — I just stood there like an idiot. “What’s really weird,” he continued, “is that no one else can. Hear my thoughts, I mean.”
“That. that can’t be right,” I stammered. “I’m sure other people can. This school is supposedly full of kids who can do stuff like that.”
His gaze pierced mine. “Oh, there’s plenty of kids who can hear telepathically. They just can’t hear me.”
Instinctively I took another step backward. My vision had finally adjusted to the dark, and I could clearly see his face, his eyes. They looked silver now, reflecting the moon. The longer I stared into them, the harder it was to look away.
“You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?” he asked.
I swallowed hard. “Should I be?”
“You tell me.”