Night School: Resistance (Night School 4)

She clung to the younger girl’s hand, shielding her body with her own. Numb, she watched as the nurse returned with Eloise to place a protector carefully around Zoe’s neck. Then she walked alongside as the guards lifted her on to a stretcher and wheeled her up to the infirmary.

After that, she waited for her to wake up. The other students came and went. First Nicole, and Rachel, later Sylvain and Carter. Even Katie came for a while and fussed about, pouring glasses of water Zoe wasn’t awake to drink and that Allie refused to touch.

By ten o’clock, they were all gathered in the infirmary, ignoring the nurse’s muttered complaints (‘Give the child some space …’) and talking quietly as they waited.

The room contained four old-fashioned white iron beds. Zoe lay in the one closest to the window, which had been cracked open just enough to let in a light breeze. Allie sat next to her, still holding her hand.

She was only thirteen. She looked so small beneath the white covers.

The faint smell of antiseptic in the air reminded Allie sickeningly of the two weeks she’d spent up here last Christmas after Nathaniel tried to have her kidnapped.

She wouldn’t leave Zoe alone up here. She knew what that was like.

As time ticked away and Zoe remained unconscious, the others arrayed themselves on the empty beds and talked about the evening’s events. It was then that Allie learned what happened in the minutes after Zoe was hurt.

Sylvain had run out after Jerry but lost him almost immediately. ‘It was as if he disappeared,’ he said bitterly. ‘I was right behind him. I don’t know how he did it.’

‘He had a plan.’ Nicole gave a discouraged shrug. ‘Maybe he planned this long ago.’

The guards launched a search of the grounds before abruptly calling it off. A short while after that, the students heard cars roaring down the school’s long drive.

No one had seen Isabelle, Raj or the other senior Night School instructors since then, and rumours were swirling about where they were and what had happened.

The students had been released from the common room – a sign that the threat was believed to have passed. But everyone was still baffled as to what, exactly, was going on.

Allie absorbed all of this information without releasing her hold on Zoe’s small hand.

The doctor had told her Zoe was fine. Told her it was a concussion and trauma but that her neck and skull were fine. Her reflexes good. Pupils normal. Breathing regular. That she would wake up when she was ready. But Allie didn’t believe it.

She didn’t dare hope. All hope does is make everything hurt that much more when it all goes wrong.

Still, she was glad the others were with her. Their familiar voices wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

‘I can’t believe it’s Jerry,’ Rachel said, repeating the sentiment they’d all found themselves saying.

‘I always hoped it was Zelazny.’ Nicole sighed.

‘Well, I’m glad it wasn’t.’ Sylvain’s voice was gruff. Zelazny had been his Night School mentor, and they were close.

Allie thought of Eloise, no longer nervous, fighting Jerry like a tiger.

‘How’s Eloise?’ she asked. The others looked at her in surprise. She had barely spoken this whole time. ‘She fought Jerry hard.’

‘No one knows,’ Rachel said. ‘She’s disappeared along with Isabelle and Raj. But she seemed fine right after everything happened. Just … really pissed off.’

This wasn’t hugely surprising. Eloise and Jerry had been together for a while, only breaking up after the librarian was accused of being the spy, and he didn’t defend her. She had a lot to be angry about.

‘Do you think she knew before?’ Nicole mused.

‘You mean that he was working for Nathaniel?’ Carter seemed surprised by the question. But Nicole nodded.

‘Especially after what happened when she was accused,’ she said. ‘He let everyone think it was her. She must have had some idea that he wasn’t what he said he was.’

‘Maybe she just thought he was a bastard,’ Sylvain suggested.

They all considered this. It seemed feasible, if unlikely. When you really care about someone, it’s hard to believe they’re capable of something truly bad.

Zoe gave a soft groan and Allie spun back round. She had more colour in her cheeks and, after a second, stirred beneath the white blanket.

‘Is she waking up?’ Rachel asked. The others drew closer to see.

‘What hit me?’ Zoe murmured, one hand flying up to touch her jaw.

‘Jerry.’ Allie pulled the covers up to her shoulders before glancing at the others. ‘Someone go tell the nurse she’s waking up.’

Sylvain ran to the door.

Zoe’s eyes fluttered open, taking in the room and the faces around her.

‘Oh bollocks. It wasn’t a dream.’

Her voice was thick. Someone handed her a glass of water and Allie put an arm around her narrow back so she could sit up to take a sip.

Her shoulders felt as fragile as bird wings beneath her arm.

Zoe blinked up at her. ‘Did he get away?’

A sudden urge to cry made it impossible for Allie to speak. All she could do was nod.

‘’Fraid so, Shortie.’ Carter reached out to pat her wrist.