The Point of No Return {sequel to The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [teacher]}

The Point of No Return {sequel to The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [teacher]}31

Chapter 31

Unsuspected-“Things were going to be different.”

‘How could I have let this happen? It’s my fault. I haven’t even been here for longer than a month and already children are getting kidnapped, children are getting threatened; you two almost lost your life’s. I’m so, so sorry.’ Mrs Osborne almost sobbed as she shook her head from left to right, letting her hair sway and become glued to her moist face.

I had never seen her this way, it was unnerving.

I looked over at Meghann and tried to catch her gaze but she wouldn’t look at me. But because of how we left it last time, I kind of didn’t expect her to look at me.

I wanted to comfort Mrs Osborne (even though that would have been ironic as it should have been the two of us receiving comfort, not her). But nonetheless I couldn’t as we were seated in Mrs Osborne’s office chairs as we sat across from her. She took a long, steady deep breath as she regained her control and placed her hands, linked, onto the table in front of her.

I was expecting her gaze to be long and hard, as it usually was. But her expression, no, it was soft and somehow motherly.

There was obviously more to this woman than any of us knew.

‘Mrs Osborne, if you haven’t noticed, I tend to get myself into these situations a lot of the time. It wasn’t your fault, it wasn’t Meghann’s fault, it wasn’t anyone’s fault but her stepdad’s, whom, might I add, is mentally insane. And it was nothing we couldn’t handle. You really shouldn’t worry, Ms, we’re still here. That’s all that should matter.’

I think my words struck true for both Meghann and Mrs Osborne as neither chose to speak.

‘Thank you for that, Avery,’ Mrs Osborne finally said. ‘Meghann, if you don’t mind, could I please speak to Avery alone?’ she asked hesitantly.

‘Uh, yeah…sure, sure.’ Meghann managed to get out and before either of us could reply, she had slipped out of the door.

‘She, Jena, was my daughter. I’m, uhh, I’m Jena’s mother.’ Mrs Osborne said extremely quickly, I was surprised I managed to catch any of it.

‘I’m sorry…I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I knew if I sat you down and gradually led onto it, I wouldn’t be able to go through with it… I thought it was best if I simply got it out. I’m so sorry, Avery. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner…I’m sorry I’ve been lying to you.’ Mrs Osborne said as she took in a breath and stood up before putting a hand through her hair and walking to her window, turning her back to me.

I sat, as still as a statue, eyes unfocused but glistening.

And in that moment, an overload of memories hit me and before I knew it, I was on all fours on the ground, chest moving rapidly.

I heard a muffled voice before I realised Mrs Osborne was down on her knees beside me, hands gripping my shoulders. I must have been terrifying her.

When my head finally started to unclog itself, my vision started to clear and my breathing started to regulate; I sat up and inhaled deeply.

‘I’m-I’m sorry, Miss. I, I don’t know what happened. It doesn’t usually happen in public and it hasn’t happened in a few days… I’m sorry.’ I apologised repeatedly.

‘Don’t apologise, it wasn’t your fault. I’m assuming this is a regular thing?’ she said as she stood up and offered me a hand in which I took before I seated myself and she sat on the edge of her table in front of me. ‘We’re going to the hospital, Avery.’