Ms. Ludgit reached me just as my friends disappeared.

“Eri!  Do you know how scared I was when I came back for you and you were gone!” she lectured me.  “Do you understand the horrible things I imagined?”

“I am sorry,” I apologized. “I was scared, tired, and I just wanted to go home.”

“I understand that, but I didn’t know what happened to you.  Luckily a custodial staff saw you leaving of your volition.”

“Yes, I wanted to go home.”

Keeping my eyes lowered, I tried thinking of a way to get out of the situation. 

“I told the principal about what happened, and he wants us to meet with him now.”

“What?”

“A stranger attacked one of our students in our school, Eri.  It is a big deal.  I know it is scary, but we need to deal with it.  The principal just wants to know what happened. I’ll be with you.”

“I don’t know what I can say that will be of help.”

“Don’t worry.  Something is better than nothing. Follow me.”

Leading the way, Ms. Ludgit walked down the small hallway from the entrance.  Entering into the main office, the office assistants smiled at us, greeting us both by name.

“Dr. Benedict is expecting us,” Ms. Ludgit told the main office assistant.

“He is in a meeting right now.  It was a last-minute thing.  I am sure it will be over soon,” the assistant smiled.

“Of course.  We will wait,” Ms. Ludgit nodded.

We sat and waited.  Ms. Ludgit had first-period planning, so she didn’t have a class to go to right away, which was good because we waited through most of the first period.  The office assistants brought us drinks and talked casually with Ms. Ludgit.  After a while, she grew impatient.  I could tell by the tapping and jiggling of her right foot.  As the first period started to wind down, Ms. Ludgit became noticeably annoyed. Finally, Dr. Benedict opened his door and stepped out.

“I am so sorry, ladies,” he said immediately, his skin pale and pebbled with sweat.

Caught off guard, I examined my principal closely.  He seemed uncomfortable and extremely stressed.  He wrung his hands together as if worried and anxious.  Clearing his throat repeatedly as he talked, I wondered if that was a nervous tell too.  Ms. Ludgit stood and shook Dr. Benedict’s hand.

“My meeting was much longer than I expected,” Mr. Benedict continued, wiping his brow on a tissue.

“It is fine, sir, but, as I told you yesterday evening, this is also very important,” Ms. Ludgit said, her voice a little clip.

“I know…I know,” Dr. Benedict bobbed his head, reminding me of a bobblehead. 

Licking his dry lip, Dr. Benedict looked at his watch.  Proceeding to chew his bottom lip, Dr. Benedict thought for a moment.  My gut tightened.  Something was wrong with Dr. Benedict; I just didn’t know what.

“Your first class will start soon, Ms. Ludgit,” he finally said briskly.  “I will talk to Eri myself and get the whole thing down properly.  You should return to your classroom.”

“I really think I should be here.  I found her and I would like to act as her advocate.  She is understandably scared. And since the budget cuts removed all our surveillance…,” Ms. Ludgit protested, shocked.

“I know…I know, but a legal advocate will be here soon, and I won’t push her.  Your students need you.  You can come back during your next break and we will discuss it as a group.  I got your account last night.  I will see you then, Ms. Ludgit.”

The dismal was clear.  Frowning deeply, Ms. Ludgit stood then spun to storm off down the hall.  Staring, the office assistants seemed bemused, but they busied themselves quickly when Dr. Benedict snapped his eyes in their direction. I began to worry about what legal advocate was coming to represent me.  If it was a police officer, they would know that I had been lying about seeing my attacker just by looking at the bruises on my neck.  That would be bad. Gesturing that I should follow him, Dr. Benedict walked back into his office.  Sitting, he heaved a heavy sigh.  Taking one of the chairs opposite him, I sat stiffly.  Nothing was said for a long moment. 

“Sir, I…”  I finally started.

He held up his hand to silence me.

“Ms. Lee,” he began slowly, not looking at me. “I know that you think you are protecting the boy who attacked you, but you are only making things worse.  Please give me his name.”

“What?” I asked surprised.

“I know you know who did it.  I really need you to tell me who it was before they get here.”

“Before who gets here?  The police?”

Still not looking at me, Dr. Benedict checked his watch again. Unease slipped into my gut. 

“Eri, please just tell me.”

“I told Ms. Ludgit I didn’t see my attacker…”

Stubbornly I held on to my lie. Sweating more, Dr. Benedict fixed his gaze on me.

“I am asking you to tell me the truth for your own safety.  I want to be able to give them an answer and not involve you further.”

“My safety?  What are you talking about, sir?”

Opening his mouth, Dr. Benedict appeared as if he was about to say something important when his office phone rang.  Snatching it up, his face paled even more as he listened.

“Yes, sir.  Yes, sir,” he said quickly and politely. “Yes, she is right here.  I don’t…”

A loud click told me that the other person had hung up.  Standing quickly, Dr. Benedict straightened his suit and walked out from behind the desk.  Approaching the door, he reached for the handle.  The door swung open before Dr. Benedict could touch it. Four men strolled in.  Jumping from my seat, I swore loudly, trying to get as much distance between me and the newcomers.

“Eri!” Dr. Benedict gasped at my language. 

Bryan, Ruben, and two men I didn’t know stood in black, decorated uniforms.  Ruben grinned at me like a wild cat.  Bryan maintained a stoic expression. The other two men studied me, one with a disapproving façade and the other amused.  Closing the door, the men turned to Dr. Benedict.  Dr. Benedict bowed and turned an almost green color.

“I did as you have asked,” Dr. Benedict said hastily.  “She sticks to the story that she told Ms. Ludgit. I don’t believe that…”

“We don’t care what you believe,” the man standing at the front of the group said coldly.

The man was in his late fifties with gray hair slicked back.  His clothes were professional and expensive, reminding me of a high priced lawyer.  Sharp hazel eyes flickered between Dr. Benedict and me, his mouth a grim line. The man’s voice was educated and snobby, making me instantly dislike him.

“Ms. Lee,” the man said to me. “Captain Bryan has informed me that you were attacked yesterday by a boy in this school.  Who was it?”

“Why should I tell you?” I said defensively.

“Eri!” Dr. Benedict gasped.

“You should tell me so we can deal with the boy properly.”

“What about the soldiers that have abused me?  Are you going to punish them as well?”

“That is not the issue right now…”

“Well, I think it is.  If you want to deal with the boy who hurt me who isn’t a soldier, you sure as hell deal with the soldiers who hurt me.  I mean, hell, Ruben tried to rape!”

Dr. Benedict looked as if he was going to be sick.  The second new man gave Ruben a raised eyebrow, while the lawyer man stared at me, unmoved.

“Only once,” Ruben chuckled as if it was funny.

“Ms. Lee, you and your family belong to the Reformers.  Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect you from outside forces.  What the soldiers may or may not do is irrelevant.  They have needs for outlets and, from what I understand and see, you are not the most cooperative woman.”

“So, it is abuse if they aren’t a Reformer, but if they are a Reformer, it is an outlet?  That’s totally unfair.”

“It is not about what is fair.  Life is not fair.  Stop wasting our time and give us the name of the boy.  We have other affairs to deal with today.”

Crossing my arms, I refused to speak.  Dr. Benedict wrung his hands and Ruben pretended to clean his nails, though he really watched me.  

“Ms. Lee, please realize we only ask because we are concerned.  You have become very important to our men.”

Still, I said nothing.

“Mr. Bain, it does no good to ask her,” Bryan said somberly. “I told you before she is very stubborn, mostly in a good way.  She could have told Dr. Benedict or her teachers it was us, but she has kept it all a secret. I am sure part of her resistance to telling the truth to the school or police was because of the bruises she has from our men.”

Cocking my head to the side, I pursed my lips.  Was Bryan defending me?

“If she won’t answer of her own free will then we shall discover the truth ourselves. Kukri, I leave it to you.  Captain, let us continue with our duties.  There is a great deal to be done in a short period of time.”

Swiveling, Mr. Bain left with Bryan and Dr. Benedict.  Wanting to object, Dr. Benedict opened his mouth but shut it quickly. Ruben paused before leaving.

“Hey, Kukri, be gentle with Kitty.  I care about her,” Ruben snickered then left, closing the door behind him.

Cracking his knuckles, the man that was left smiled at me.

“My name is Kukri Muert,” he said in a deep, smooth voice. “I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but that would be a lie.”

 Backing away from him farther, I absorbed his massive frame. Kukri stood easily at six feet four inches.  His shoulders and body were broad and heavily muscled.  Kukri’s face was long and broad like his body with narrow black eyes glaring at me under thick, but separate eyebrows.  His flat, wide nose flared as his large mouth pulled into two thin lines.  A sharp scar ran down his left cheek from his eye and seemed to add to the harshness of his features.  His face had day-old stubble and his coal-black hair hung down to his shoulder in loose curls.  Kukri looked like he could play an Aztec warrior in a movie, not really Hispanic but could be cast for the part. 

“What do you want?” I asked, trying to sound brave.

He grinned at me. I placed the principal’s desk between us.

“Only the truth.  Now that can happen two ways.  You can tell me of your volition, or I can take the answer from you,” Kukri explained lazily. “I know which way I prefer, but it's technically up to you.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“I was hoping that would be your answer.”

With impossible speed, he snaked out an arm and grabbed my shirt.  Screaming, I fell backward.  His hold on my shirt kept me from falling. Snapping back his arm, Kukri dragged me across the desk. 

“I have to eat more,” I told myself. “These men drag and throw me around like a doll.”

Lifting me and dropping me onto my feet, Kukri cornered me against the desk.  I posted my arms against his chest to create space.  It seemed that all the Reformers had issues with personal space.

“Let’s begin, Kitty, was it?” he said silkily.

“My name is Eri and let go of me!” I growled.

“I agree.  Kitty doesn’t suit you.  Way your nose twitches in panic and your softy, fluffy hair make you more like a bunny.  A cute little bunny.  Of course, I prefer bunnies in my stews more than as pets.”

“I am not a bunny!  Or a kitty!  I’m a freaking person!”

Grunting, I tried to shove him away.  Kukri didn’t even budge.  Ruben would have slapped me at that point.  Kukri grabbed me by the back of the head and pressed his thumb against a point on my jaw.  Sharp, knee-buckling pain radiated through the side of my head.  Open-mouthed, I went limp.  The pain was terrible. 

“Behave, Bunny.”

His free hand traced the bruises on my neck.  Carefully he examined them with a skilled and critical eye.  Clicking his tongue, Kukri appeared impressed. Placing his fingers perfectly over the bruise marks, he released my head and the pressure point.

“So it was an older boy,” he told me, no doubt in his mind. “Large hands.  Probably close to six feet tall.  He appears left-handed with long nails.  Am I warm?”

Glaring I said nothing, too aware of his hand around my neck.

“I asked you a question.”

Pressing on my bruises, he bore down on me.  Hot needles of pain shot up and down my neck.  Scrunching my face against the new wave of pain, I tried to not make a sound.

“See this boy is skilled because he hit several key pressure points in the neck.  Actually, these are double-purpose pressure points.  They can cause pain or…”

Releasing my neck, Kukri ran a delicate finger down my neck, connecting the points.  Against my will, my body reacted.  My toes curled; my stomach fluttered and heat rushed to my face. Chuckling, Kukri enjoyed my discomfort.

“Don’t worry, Bunny.  I’m just proving my point.  I don’t like little girls.  I like women.”

“I am a woman,” I stupidly said.

“Do you wish for me to reconsider?”

“No!”

“Fine.  You may technically be a woman but I prefer a more mature body.  One that has aged well like a wine, but not yet spoiled to vinegar.”

Not sure what he meant, I said nothing. While I contemplated what Kukri meant, he slipped his hand into my hair and yanked, holding the exact same spot that Ramiro had the day before. Crying out, I closed my eyes and grabbed his hand.  His other hand ripped my shirt off, using a hidden knife to slice it down the middle. Without thinking, I released his hand and covered my chest.  Kukri laughed outright at my efforts for modesty.

“I told you, Bunny,” he guffawed. “I have no interest in your newly developing body. At least it not in a sexual way.”

Tightening his grip on my hair, he stretched my neck out so my body would stretch as well.  He carefully examined my ribs, touching them gently with his free hand as if he were a doctor. 

“Large feet. Further proof he is left-handed. Strong soccer kick. I’m guessing he gave you some sort of order and you opened that saucy mouth and said something of the smartass persuasion, and he kicked you.”

Grumpily I stuck my tongue out at him.  Like he knew everything. Touching a heavily bruised rib, Kukri bared his teeth at me.

“What I don’t get is why this boy went through such effort and risk,” Kukri mused, his fingers finding pressure point after pressure point on my torso. “I also don’t understand why Ruben is giving you so much attention.  His taste in women has usually been more refined.  He prefers age-appropriate women with lots of brains.  I mean I can see why he would want to submit you, but he could have done that by now.”

“Are you asking about Ruben or the boy who attacked me?”

“You are right.  I am losing track of my purpose.  So let’s get back to the topic at hand.  Why would this boy attack you?  Does he like you?  No…hate you?  Maybe…Jealous of the attention you get…Aww…yes…his friend likes you.  Right?”