“But…” Eva wondered, however she was interrupted before she could even say what was on her mind.
“What about your sudden disappearance?” he asked the exact same question that had been plaguing her since she opened her eyes this morning.
“Yes,” she nodded, calmly.
His tone of voice worked on her. She didn’t feel that initial anxiety anymore. She was almost unafraid. But, she still desperately wanted to know what had happened and when she’d be able to go back home.
“That is quite a story to explain,” he nodded, grinning. “I’d best start from the beginning. You see, we know your parents. That is,” he quickly corrected himself, and she could tell that a facial expression of sadness was trying to overcome him, but he didn’t allow it to remain for too long, “we knew them. They were both good people. The best. But, I need not tell you that. What I can tell you, is something you probably don’t know, and I assure you that your parents kept this from you in your own best interest.”
“Kept what from me?” Eva shuffled in her chair.
“It was already prearranged that you would attend Ridgeview Academy,” he said simply.
“If what you’re saying is true, then why wasn’t I told this?” she snapped, biting her tongue, realizing that she was talking to someone in authority, and no matter what, she was taught better than to talk back.
“We advised your parents that it would be best to keep this from you until it was time for you to switch schools.”
“Why?” she wondered again. “What difference would it make, when I’ve never even heard of this school?”
“That, my dear, is exactly the reason.”
“I don’t understand…”
“Ridgeview Academy has been in existence for almost 500 years, during which we have educated numerous young people, such as yourself, with a background which was sometimes unknown even to them. Now, if we want to keep educating these people, we need secrecy, and we have managed to uphold it successfully so far.”
It took a few seconds for all of this to sink in. Secret school. Unknown background.
“What unknown background are you talking about here?” she finally asked, realizing that instead of answering all of her questions, this answer only raised even more.
“Maybe we should leave this for some other time,” he suddenly suggested. “It’s been quite a journey for you so far, and this might only make it more difficult for you.”
“You said you would answer all my questions, right?” she replied, adamant to get the answers she came for. She wasn’t going to let him get away with this.
“That is true.”
“Then answer my question,” she hissed. “Please.”
He looked at her, as if trying to figure out if she was strong enough to handle the truth. The look in her eyes convinced him she was, that she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“The reason why your grandparents weren’t told about Ridgeview Academy was simple,” he started. “All of our students are, in one way or another, connected to vampires.”
“Vampires?” she repeated, suppressing a bout of laughter.
She expected many explanations, even silly and stupid ones, but this one took the cake.
“Yes, vampires,” he confirmed, with full sincerity.
“You expect me to buy that?” she shook her head in disbelief.
“I have no reason to lie to you,” his voice kept that annoyingly soothing tone.
“Unless you kidnapped me and want to ask my grandparents for ransom money.”
“You know your grandparents,” he told her. “You also know the financial state of your parents. You were well off, but you were by no means wealthy. Now, that your parents died, you do inherit some money, but that happens once you turn twenty-one. Your grandparents own their farm and a few animals, which help them make a living. So, tell me honestly, are you really the ideal kidnap victim?”
Eva swallowed heavily, trying to endure the pressured gaze Principal Rannulf was sending her way. She didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. If someone wanted to kidnap a kid for ransom, she definitely wasn’t that kid.
“I would be happy to continue my story now, if you promise not to interrupt me, until I am done.”