Chapter 8: Can I Play With Madness?

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Up the Irons! 

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I stared at the looming building before me. Will this work? Will she recognise me? Swallowing the lump of fear creeping up my throat, I walked into the reception.

A plump woman with tight red curls framing her face slumped behind the desk. Her eyes were cast down towards a plastic device she gripped tightly in her hand. She seemed to be fighting tears. But when she noticed me, all her emotion was glazed over with a warm, welcoming smile.

"Hello, young man. Can I help you?" the woman's eyes seeped curiosity and kindness.

This made me wonder at the fresh tears that she brushed away as she spoke. Who could do this to a woman as loving as this?

"Yes ma'am, I wish to attend this school" I said, still analysing her face.

"What is your name, child?"

I had to think quickly. It can't be my real name - I was foolish enough to give it to her. But it must be something I would respond to.

"Daniel" I replied, "Daniel Jackson"

"Huh, like the pop star!" She joked. Not understanding, I just nodded and smiled.

As the woman turned to get something, her curls bounced up and down like she was laughing to herself.

"Here you go Daniel." she handed me a wad of paper.

I took the sheets and sat down at a nearby desk to fill them out.

^^^^^^^

That night, as I lay in bed, I ran through my plans once again.

I would follow Luce to find out which school she attended. Check.  I would enrol there so that I can find out more about her and Emily. Check.

This was about how far ahead I had thought. I panicked again. She will recognise me. She won’t want to be friends with the person that murdered her father. This plan would never work.  I frowned, unable to remove the thoughts from my mind.

I then decided to distract myself. Hauling my tired body out of the study, I went to find the cheese. It should be in the kitchen – taking up the majority of the floor. Only, it wasn’t there.

How could I have lost a giant piece of cheese?

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