The Secret Society by Hannah Hopkins

Author:Hannah Hopkins [Hopkins, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MCG
Published: 2018-02-25T22:00:00+00:00

12.

The Silent Observer

Kurt frowned into the mirror, tying a Windsor knot into his emerald green tie as he begrudgingly pulled his dinner jacket over his wrinkled shirt. Leaving his modest apartment on the third floor, he began journeying down to the lobby, his feet dragging as he moved with dread towards the staff meet-up Miss Fortem had organised for the Academy’s teachers, insisting that everyone attend. The thought of the event had left a melancholy cloud over Kurt’s head for the entire duration of the school holidays, and he had tried with desperation to think of any valid excuse that would get him out of going. Much to his dismay, he had been unable to fabricate a justifiable reason, his fear of Miss Fortem’s reaction squashing every idea he had came up with flat.

Feeling sorry for himself, Kurt disembarked from the lift, strolling at a snail’s pace towards “Fabrizzio’s Italian Diner”, which was to be the setting of his despair. He braced himself before entering the restaurant, grimacing as he watched through the window pane at his colleagues chatting and laughing amongst themselves, the strain of the forced interactions evidenced by the over-enthusiastic head nods and awkward body language. Admitting defeat, he pressed his finger to the sensor pad beside the door, pushing it open as slowly as he could muster and placing it back in its frame with care, in order to buy himself more time. Sinking his hands into his pockets, he shuffled over to the buffet table, nodding an uncomfortable greeting in the direction of his fellow teachers as he passed them.

When he reached the food, Kurt took his time browsing the selection, loading assorted items he knew he wouldn’t eat onto the provided paper plate he balanced carefully on his palm. He made sure to keep his eyes downwards, hoping to avoid conversation entirely until his moment of freedom finally arrived. Over the years, he had perfected the art of blending into the background, and he managed to stay inconspicuous for several minutes before anyone noticed him. To his surprise, it was Mr. Mayheim, the mad Technology teacher, that approached him first, his gnarled hands shaking as he backed into the buffet table, his sallow eyes darting wildly around the room.

“Are you alright, Albert?” Kurt asked, watching with the concern as the old man began muttering to himself, running his hands through his dishevelled, grey hair as he spoke.

“What? Oh, yes I’m- I’m fine,” he stuttered, jumping at the sound of Kurt’s voice.

“Are you sure? You don’t look fine to me,” Kurt pressed him, watching as he accidentally sunk his hand into a bowl of crisps, spilling them all over the floor.

“You can’t help me, Kurt, no one can,” Albert spluttered, spittle flying from his mouth as he enunciated the words.

Kurt raised his eyebrows, amused by Albert’s dramatics.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Kurt asked, wondering what in the Universe could have rattled him so badly.

“You won’t believe me,” Albert sighed. “You’ll think I’m insane- just like everybody else does.

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