Throughout the hallways, the sounds of excitement and anticipation flittered in the air. It was whispered around corners, shouted across the yards, and echoed all over the campus of Mount Carmel Boarding School. In every glittering eye and flashing grin was the sign of the impending close of another school year. There were only four weeks left in the school calendar if you counted finals week.

Students in their final year were preparing for the next step in their lives. Either more school at a top class university, traveling abroad or jumping right into a profession. This was the easy part. Sitting through only a few more dull lectures, a few more tests, one more paper, and of course days and days of pre-celebration.

At Mount Carmel, the graduating class arranged a formal party to say good-bye to friends and significant others. An event highly anticipated by every graduating class. A fine gourmet dinner, ballroom dancing, swirling gowns and dashing tuxedos filled the imagination of every female student. It was a night of romance and dreams, so every female student was part of the planning committee.

Cecilia would have given anything to be anywhere else at this moment. The Spring Formal planning meetings held no interest to her. She did not have an eye for decorating nor was she well versed in gourmet food. There really was no obvious reason for her to stay except that she could skip part of her Pre-Calculus class. The problem with living here at Mount Carmel was that you had to be well-bred and social, as well as educated. Cecilia was satisfied with just being extremely educated. Her family could afford the tuition just fine as long as Cecilia did not partake in any extracurricular activities.

Never part of any crowd, Cecilia was lumped together with the commoners who came to the school on scholarship. Her presence here was not taken into account by any of the committee heads or over-seeing teachers. Cecilia sat in a corner finishing what math homework she could over the din of chattering fanatics.

Her concentration was interrupted by a finger jabbing persistently into her shoulder. Brianna wore an expression of desperation and earnestness. With a sigh, Cecilia closed her text book and gave Brianna her full attention.

“What is it?”

“The committee just made a major decision without you,” Brianna whined.

“So? I don’t care what colors we choose for a theme.”

“No, it’s worse. No one can go to the dance without an escort,” Brianna pressed.

“We can still go to the dinner right? I can be your escort if you want to go to the dance so badly,” Cecilia smiled.

Brianna shook her head and took a seat beside Cecilia.

“That won’t work for this event. We can go to the dinner, but for the dance you need a male escort.”

“That’s a dumb rule, who thought of that? For one, there are many more females in our class than boys. Are they allowing outside students in?”

“We should ask that next meeting.”

Cecilia stuffed her textbook into her bag, brushed some of her stray hair from her face, and got to her feet.

“They won’t pay much attention to our concerns. You know it’s the “Nobility” trying to exclude the “Peasants”. We won’t win this game.”

“We have to this year! I’m not about to graduate without attending my Spring Formal. I’ve worked hard for four years. I’ve had to wear this stupid uniform with these god-ugly shoes. I will not take this insult!” Brianna complained vehemently.

Cecilia nodded as she followed behind Brianna to their dorm. Brianna had a point. They did have some ounce of pride to stand for, but Cecilia had a feeling. It was that small voice of common sense reminding her that she did not know any boys, most of them were paired up with their esteemed ladyship already. Cecilia knew she was probably more virgin than the Holy Virgin Mary. She also knew Brianna would never live this down and would fight tooth and nail. Her friend did know a few of the boys and secretly admired several.

As Brianna continued to vent her frustration, Cecilia tried to think of a plan of action to help Brianna. Cecilia did not care to go to the dance that much, but it meant the world to Brianna. What else was there to do but try her damndest to help Brianna achieve her goal. It would be nice to rub it into those “nobles” faces. A mere commoner could ascend into their privileged, exclusive circle and conquer it.

“Cecilia did you hear me?”

“What?”

“I asked you if you finished that paper for Father Andy’s class.”

“Oh, yeah! I finished that sucker days ago. Need help with it?”

“No fair, he likes you.”

“Father Andy likes everyone. I just know the answers.”

“Fine, whatever. I’ll type it up tonight. Wanna go to the library?”

“I have self-defense class in half an hour. I’ll have to meet up with you at dinner. Sorry.”

“Oh, right. It’s Thursday today, I completely forgot. See you at dinner then.”

Cecilia got into her work-out clothes and headed off to her class. The sky was becoming overcast and dark as she headed towards the field house. She muttered in hope that a tornado would touch-down and destroy the Old Mansion, ruining the Noble Committee’s precious party plans. A faint rumble came as a reply. Cecilia walked faster just to make it before the sky emptied itself onto the earth.

I hope the power stays on, Cecilia thought. Or Brianna is screwed.

The grass squelched under her gym shoes as she jogged through the falling rain. It had grown dark quickly especially since the lights had gone out. Occasional flashes of lightning provided her enough to see by. Cecilia could not hide the fact that the storm was making her nervous. The sky seemed to be flashing blue every so often instead of white. The thunder claps shook the foundations of the earth itself.

Cecilia was shaken to the ground after a bolt of lightening struck just outside the iron fence enclosing the property of the school. If she was not terrified before, she was now. She hoped it was not a person that got struck. She tried to convince herself that it was a fallen branch out there and not a body. Cecilia ran into the dorms and charged up the stairs. Her shoes squeaked as she turned the sharp corner from the stairwell to her floor.

She stood with her back against her closed door struggling for breath. The lights were out, but she could still see Brianna silhouetted against the window.

“Look at that, it’s amazing!”

“Are you crazy? You try standing out there.”

Brianna giggled, “Got caught didn’t ya?”

“Understatement of the year. I nearly died in it”.

Cecilia looked down at her mud streaked clothes and messy shoes. Just then the lights flickered back on and the rumbles grew softer.

“Thank God, now I can write my paper. I was getting nervous they wouldn’t turn on the generator.”

“I’m going to take a long shower,” Cecilia groaned. “Got kicked in the kneecap again. Dirty bitches.”

“I’ll get you some ice for when you get back,” Brianna called after her.

“Thanks. You rock.”

Cecilia wadded her wet clothes into the hamper, changed into her robe and gathered her shower supplies.

“We’ll get dinner after my shower. Is that all right?”

“Sure, sure. I’ll see what I can get done on my paper,” Brianna shooed from her computer.

Cecilia smiled and shook her head, “Should have started earlier.”

“Not helping,” Brianna replied in a sing-song voice.

Cecilia left Brianna to her paper and walked down the hallway to the community showers. She listened just inside the shower area. No one was in there now. Cecilia smiled to herself, that meant that the private showers were open.

Behind the privacy of a door, Cecilia felt secure at last. She pulled the handle and waited for the hot water to kick in before stripping down to her flip-flops and stepping in.

Unlike the rain, the water ran warm and comforting down her petite form. She wrung out her red-brown hair to make sure everything got out of it. Cecilia looked at her knee and feet. Her toes were red from the sudden change in temperature. Her knee had seen better days. She could see the beginnings of a lovely greenish brown bruise. She touched it to test its sensitivity.

Her teeth seethed upon contact. It would need ice, but nothing was broken as far as she could tell. She ogled the rest of her body to make sure there were no more hidden bruise. A few welts were appearing on her arms, but that was the extent of the injuries. It probably was not the wisest choice to take the class, but Cecilia believed in defending herself against any attack.

Cecilia glanced downward and sighed. What was the use? This body was not “stacked”. You would never guess she was turning nineteen in the fall. Nope. No one was physically interested. Cecilia turned off the water before she got more depressed. Wrapped in a white robe, Cecilia gathered her toiletries and headed out.

Her eyes were focused on her feet as she thought about what to have for dinner. Suddenly, she started. Was that a voice? Cecilia’s brown eyes shot up to face the voice’s owner and she was not prepared for the sight.

He was sopping wet and streaked with mud. His ruddy hair fell over his flushed face. For a moment the stranger stared at her, then reached out.

At that moment instinct kicked in. Cecilia bellowed and swung her shower basket into the side of his head, knocking him into the wall.

“Get away from me you freak!” she shouted and started to run towards her room.

Her knee was not ready for the quick get away. A shot of pain paralyzed her for a moment, careening her into a door. The stranger caught up easily, his eyes wide and desperate. Cecilia braced herself against the wall.

“Please don’t run. I need you to…”.

He never finished his request. The moment he was in range, Cecilia used her good leg to sweep kick him in the kneecap. She seized his shoulders and threw her bad knee into his gut knocking the wind out of him. The young man’s body went limp and fell to the ground. Cecilia limped quickly back into the room and locked the door.

“Cecilia! Oh my god! Are you all right?” Brianna leapt up from her desk and caught Cecilia before she fell.

“No…no I’m not all right,” Cecilia choked. “It was horrible.”

Brianna tightened her grip, “I got you some ice. What happened?”

“I…I was assaulted. Some creepy guy was lurking in the hallway by the showers and tried to grab me.”

“Oh my god! Is he still here?”

Cecilia nodded and blew her nose, shaking from the shock.

Brianna pressed the ice pack onto Cecilia’s knee.

“We should call security,” Brianna insisted, picking up the phone.

Brianna’s eyes went wide. “The phone’s dead,” she whispered nervously.

“Shit. What about your cell?” Cecilia sniffled, pressing the numbing ice to her bruise.

“I lost it last week,” Brianna twisted the ends of her dark blonde hair.

As Brianna started to look helpless, Cecilia became a little bolder.

“I’m gonna get dressed. We will go to get dinner together. We can protect ourselves better that way. Then will notify security while we’re down there.”

Brianna nodded, looking much more relieved.

Cecilia pulled on some clothes and grabbed her kendo stick, just in case. Cautiously, they opened their door and glanced down the hall. There was no sign of her attacker and every door was closed. The coast was clear. Cecilia walked stiffly on her bad leg, dragging her kendo stick along. Brianna’s eyes darted about her for any sign of movement.

As they drew near the dining hall, they relaxed finally. The hall was packed with students taking shelter from the storm. Brianna and Cecilia grabbed paper bags of food and decided to eat back in the room.

“I told the Hall patrol about it. He said they’d search the dorm for him.”

“Good. This is making me nervous…and I still have to finish that paper. Five pages is ridiculous! He couldn’t make it three like everyone else!” Brianna sighed in exasperation. Cecilia decided not to mention that she had written seven pages.

With the prospect of food and promise of safety, Brianna and Cecilia laughed as they returned up the stairs to their dorm.

“I’m so totally pumped for that movie this weekend. I loved that book!” Brianna squealed.

“It did look cool. I just like the dragons and stuff.”

“What about the fact that Orlando Bloom is in it?”

“You know I don’t care. He can’t act and isn’t that cute…at all.”

“Okay then who do you think is cute?”

“Ugh…nobody. They’re all jerks in real life and you know it.”

“Are you even interested in guys?”

“At this point, no. I’ve got school and that takes up enough of my time. Plus I’m picky…I’m not just going to go with the first pretty face I see,” Cecilia glanced at her feet. ‘I’m not going to be fooled like that again,’ she thought pushing open their door.

“Oh my god!” Brianna screamed, running backwards into Cecilia. “Who is that?”

After Brianna moved, Cecilia saw a body laid out on the lower bunk. It was not the same person she saw earlier. This one was in much worse condition. Blood and burns were scattered all over along with dirt and grim.

“Plez…Plez don’t hurd ‘im”.

Cecilia held her kendo stick at the young man’s throat.

“Get the fuck out of here!,” she threatened.

The young man held his hands up in surrender. In the light he look in far worse condition than Cecilia expected. Perhaps that was partly her own doing.

“We need helb,” the stranger pleaded.

Brianna held Cecilia’s shoulder, “Take it easy, Ceese. Let’s just talk to him.”

“Talk to him? Talk to him? Are we living on the same planet here? He barely sounds intelligent.”

The stranger glowered at her and pointed to her shower basket with all its contents replaced.

“You hid me inna faze,” he muttered, pointing to his swollen cheek.

Brianna picked up the lukewarm icepack, “Put some ice on it. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. He attacked me.”

“You attaged firss” the stranger accused.

“Hold it! Hold it! Cecilia put the stick down. Let’s just talk this out like civilized people.”

“No boys allowed in the women’s dorms,” Cecilia barked.

The stranger raised his eyebrows in bewilderment. Brianna and Cecilia glared at each other, before Cecilia conceded. Cecilia put the sword down and pointed to Brianna’s desk.

“Sit there,” she ordered.

Gingerly the stranger did as told, holding the ice pack against his face.

“First order of business, who are you?” Brianna asked sweetly.

“And what the hell are you doing here?” Cecilia added with a far less sweet voice.

After glaring at Cecilia, the stranger sighed, got to his feet and took a deep breath.

“My ladies, I am Sir Antoine Alain DeRose, knight of the Rose Order and crowned prince of Pravignon.”

“Cut the crap! We’re serious here! Save your drama practice for your plays, theater geek,” Cecilia snapped, gripping her kendo stick.

Antoine clenched his fists. “I do not lie. My brother and I were sent here against our wills. The storm blew us here. Seb…er…Sebastien, my brother here, was struck down. I came here because it was raining and we needed shelter. I heard running water and followed it and then I ran into you,” Antoine pointed at Cecilia accusingly.

“If your story had any ounce of reason to it, I’d totally believe you. Hey, I might even help you out. But as things stand, you’re off your rocker! Nutcase. Go the nurse’s office, they can get your brother emergency help…and maybe you too if you’re lucky,” Cecilia fumed.

She rose to her feet and declared, “You stay here and I will fetch security to escort you to the medical wing.”

As she started towards the door, Brianna blocked her path.

“Brianna,” Cecilia warned.

“Stop it, Cecilia. They need our help.”

“You don’t stop along side the road to help an injured animal. You’ll get bitten. You call a professional. That’s what I’m doing here for Sir Chipmunk here.”

Brianna stood firm, “Let’s just pretend for like five minutes he’s not lying.”

“There’s no such place as Pravignon! The only knights left in the world are gay rock singers! The only princes left are Harry and John…in England!”

“Cecilia…I saw his brother get struck by lightening. From the window over there. I thought it was a tree, but it was him. They’re people, not wild animals.”

“But they’re not princes or knights or whatever else they claim to be. Let me through.”

“Look, if it’s going to be that much of a hindrance to you, then I will take my brother and go elsewhere. Just tell me where we are,” Antoine interrupted.

“You are at Mount Carmel Boarding School in Paris, Indiana in the United States of America,” Brianna answered.

“Could I see a map, perhaps.”

“Sure. Just a sec. Do you want a map of the school or what?” Brianna said, taking her seat at her computer.

“Um…the world if you don’t mind.”

“This is insane. I’m getting the Hall Patrol to help out,” Cecilia stormed out.

“Is she always like that?” Antoine dared to venture, seeing that Brianna was a bit less vicious.

“No, well…just to guys I guess. She has a lot of pent up frustration and anger I think. Anyway, here you go. The map.”

Antoine stared intently at the screen where a 3-D image of a globe spun around.

“Where’s Pravignon?” Brianna asked. “Is it in Europe?”

Antoine shook his head in disbelief, “Are you sure this is accurate?”

“One hundred percent sure.”

“Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this isn’t earth is it?”

“Oh Buddha it is. And I wouldn’t swear like that when Cecilia’s in earshot or she will tear you to pieces,” Brianna warned.

“I don’t understand. I don’t know what’s going on. I…I have a headache,” Antoine whined and sank onto the bed by his brother.

“What’s the last thing you remember before you came here?” Brianna ask.

“Well…”.

“He surprised me when I came out of the showers. He just appeared out of nowhere, claims he’s a knight from some made-up country, and asks for help. You gotta help me out here.”

“So, let me get this straight. Some guy, came into your dorm and started harassing you?”

“Well, basically yeah. They were both injured and…”

“Who? I thought there was only one of them.”

“Oh, sorry no there was two of them. One is unconscious on Brianna’s bunk and the other is the one that came after me.”

“Where’s Brianna?”

“Still in the room, talking to them. Look, I just need someone to come over and pick them up. At least someone who knows first aide.”

“All right, all right. I’ve got the report file here and…”

“You are sending someone right. I can’t deal with these two on my own.”

“Right, right. Wendy here will escort you back and take care of the situation.”

“Thank you so much, Sir. Sorry to bother you.”

Wendy accompanied Cecilia back to the dorm. Neither of them spoke as they marched towards the door.

Brianna sat placidly at her computer, typing feverishly.

“Er…Brianna Torbe? Where are the two gentlemen?” Wendy demanded gruffly.

“Oh, you’re finally here. Sorry, but I was able to call a medical emergency number and they took care of them. Sorry you had to come all the way out, but I couldn’t reach you in time,” Brianna explained with a grin.

“So those two boys, they’re…”

“Going to the emergency room,” Brianna nodded.

“All right. Good. Makes my job a lot easier. Thanks for reporting the incident…hope you sleep well tonight,” Wendy said and left quickly.

“Was that true?” Cecilia asked expectantly.

“They aren’t in the emergency room, per se. But they aren’t in here anymore,” Brianna giggled nervously.

“Where did you stash them?”

“Now, calm down Cecilia, they’re not going to bother you at all. I will take care of this all by myself. I made a bargain with them.”

“What? Brianna…what are you thinking? Are you brain-dead?”

“Sha! I said don’t worry about it. Besides…I got us escorts to the dance.”

“Brianna…”

“hm?”

“I…am…going to KILL YOU!” Cecilia shouted and lunged at Brianna.

Brianna squeaked playfully and dodged.

“Hey, hey hey! Easy. I’m doing you a favor. You need to hang out with a normal crowd every so often. It’ll be good for you.”

“I don’t NEED this. Especially not with those two medieval nut-jobs.”

“Ceese…please. I don’t want to go to the dance without you. And I don’t want to go alone with two dates.”

Cecilia stared angrily and opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Cecilia sank onto the bunk and sighed in defeat.

“I’ll let you take care of it. But I won’t go with that Antoine guy, deal?”

“Deal! They’re twins anyway so it won’t matter.”

“What web of lies did he spin for you?” Cecilia grinned sheepishly.

Brianna shrugged, “I’ll have to tell you later. I’m writing my paper now. It’s due tomorrow.”

Cecilia rolled her eyes, “I told you not to write it last minute.”

“I work best under pressure.”

“Fine…ew…I’ll change your sheets for you. There’s going to be loads of laundry to…Brianna…who’s is this?” Cecilia held up a dirty tunic.

“Sebastien’s. Antoine’s washing him off right now.”

“They’re still in this building?”

“After they’ve cleaned up they won’t be. I’ll do laundry. Just settle down and take a chill pill. You’re really wound up.”

Cecilia dropped the tunic into the hamper and buried her face into her hand.

“What are you planning, Brianna?”

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