There had been guards at the entrance before, but nothing so overt as now. They'd infiltrated her school like swarms of annoying ants, crawling all over the once pristine grounds and replacing the guards she'd trusted—even Old Charlie. He’d been like a grandfather, if her grandfather had been Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan rolled into one. It sucked.
Lucy ran her hand over the chrome desks as they walked out, thinking back to the rich mahogany wood that had once sat there. Why take out all the nice furniture? The grunts could've at least pretended to fit in.
She had a theory that they needed this set-up to convince themselves they were real men doing a real job. Because holding guns on a school full of kids and teenagers is so brave.
A guard let them out of the building, and bright sunlight blinded her. Two hours of interrogations was two hours too long.
Luke slung his arm over her shoulders. "You hungry?"
"Starved!"
They walked the winding paths to The Hub, a place that had once, not so long ago, been festive and fun. Despite the onslaught of ugly from their new "guests," the cobbled walking paths and perfectly manicured lawns, shrubs and trees refused to give up all of their Oxford-like charm. The cold season had sent its calling card early this year, in light dustings of snow, and the campus looked like a winter wonderland.
Lucy and Sam had loved this season. The campus came alive with lighted Christmas trees, choirs singing and festive decorations that lined walkways.
Lucy didn't think this year would be very jolly.
All the shops in The Hub remained open for business, but with armed guards lining the cobbled sidewalks, it didn't attract as many students as it once had. Still, they needed food, and the cafeteria had closed about halfway into their little chat with the Men in Black.
A bell jingled as they walked into Café Amour—an ironic name given the campus's very un-loving environment—and took a seat by the window. As busy as they'd been with classes and getting used to the change of regime, they hadn't been to the café since before the 'invasion.' It was nice to return to something semi-normal.
They sat at their usual table in the corner. The café boasted a French theme, with black and white photos of the Eiffel Tower lining the coffee colored walls.
"So, did you catch him in any lies?" Luke asked.
They'd been speaking in their made-up language more in the last week than in their entire lives combined, it seemed.
"No. He didn't offer any information, probably so he could avoid lying."
"Luce, you could've asked him a question and watched for signs. You should be a natural, like in that show Lie to Me."
"Ha! I'll work on it. Sucks that they canceled that show."
A skinny blond waitress came over to take their order.
Lucy closed the menu she'd been holding without looking in it. "Where's Amy, the girl who used to work here?" She noticed a new face behind the counter as well. A disturbing thought came to her. "And the rest of the staff?"
The waitress looked up from her pad and Lucy gasped at the vacant, deadened eyes that stared back at her. "They're gone. New management. What can I get you?"
Lucy found her voice and placed her order. "Hot turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes and a Coke, please."
"And I'll have—"
The blond interrupted Luke. "Sorry, we don't have hot turkey sandwiches anymore—or Coke. Read the new menu."
Luke and Lucy both opened their menus, actually reading them for the first time in about a year.
The menu had been redone, and had only three choices:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich $7.99
Cold Turkey Sandwich $9.99
Bottled Water $3.99
Lucy glared at the girl. "What the hell kind of crap is this? You're overcharging us for this?"
The waitress backed away and raised her hands. "Don't blame me. Talk to the people in charge. We can only serve what they give us."
Lucy and Luke shared a glance, then got up and walked out, slamming the door behind them.
Lucy's deliberate steps quickened into an angry run. "I can't believe this crap, what the hell is going on here?"
Luke kept easy pace beside her. "I don't know, but things are going from bad to worse. Whatever trouble Sam and Drake caused by escaping, I think it's just the beginning."
The headmaster's offices sat in the center of campus in a converted mansion that might have graced an early twentieth-century English landscape. It retained its old world dignity despite the slew of guards hovering around the main entrance like bored flies.
The head fly stepped forward as they approached.
"State your business."
Lucy slowed her breathing enough to scowl at the man. "You've got to be kidding me. We need to speak to the headmaster. Duh." She gestured at the building.