My mother and I set out to pack for New York. The fact that Momma was packing for the same weather as Alaska surprised me. Given how far south it was, I would have expected it to be warmer there. I chose to pack two or three great books for the plane ride, which Momma said was extremely lengthy. I rethought my books and added a few more to my carry-on bag because Momma was very serious about it being long. Obviously, my venture envelope was in my rucksack also, which would remain with me on the plane.

Momma gave me many long hugs and kisses after we finished packing. She tucked me in and helped me get ready for bed at last. I was glad she did it, even though she had given up doing it after All Saints Academy. Daddy came in a minute later, gave me a lengthy hug, then kissed me. Finally, he gave me a very close hug, which I knew would trigger a tickle attack. I started screaming loudly and messing up Momma's tuck-in job completely as soon as I realized, and the attack started. I'd realized he wouldn't have the option to hold out excessively lengthy. I squealed with delight—one of the few delights I now experience—because the game was so unique to us.

"Sweetheart, you and your brother are the most precious gift that God has ever bestowed upon us. I am so proud of you and love you so much. When he finally stood up, he said, "I doubt you'll need it, but remember the things I taught you." He gave me a second really close hug, kissed me on the cheek and forehead, and then tucked me back in. I laid down on my pillows and, for some reason, reached up and gave Daddy a kiss on the lips, just like I used to do when I was really young.

I had difficulty falling asleep that night. I was so anxious that I couldn't focus, and I couldn't even hear the voices. I overheard Momma and Daddy wailing because their baby girl was once again going to boarding school and they were worried that something similar might occur. I finally fell asleep at some point, very early in the morning. Obviously, it was after they at long last did. I also had nightmares.

Headmaster Michael and Jessie Trulin were sitting in a nearby motel. What's our arrangement on the off chance that they decline your proposition," she asked, with stress composed all over.

He laughed and said, "They won't." He noticed how intently she looked at him for a moment.

When she learned that it was a boarding school, did you notice the look on her face? It almost seemed like panic. Even though we don't have much information about her, I didn't see anything in her records that would lead you to believe she has attended a boarding school before and may have had a bad time there. Additionally, the parents appeared almost identical at first.

His expression became more serious as he sighed. If they decline, we will follow standard procedure. Claim that the parents are acting against the child's best interests and get the local children's service agency involved. There are some people in this city who will agree with our assessment and will side with us, despite the fact that the initial contact with the state agency was unsuccessful for some reason. In any case, we ought to be able to resolve it to our satisfaction.

She might simply vanish in the event that it comes to it. She stated, "That might be easier than all of these games." She remained uneasy about the situation, as the headmaster could tell.

Head administrator Michael shook his head. " No, their cooperation is always preferable. And the United States, if not theirs. This way, no questions will be asked if the child ever returns. The legal procedure is used to handle everything. However, if none of the other options work, we will use any means necessary to get her. No matter what her parents or these anti-federal hicks in Alaska say, she will help secure this country. And even if she initially resists, she will eventually realize that our actions are correct.

She asked, her doubts creeping into her voice, "Headmaster, you know I’m completely with the program and what it stands for, but do others see us for what we are, and if not, should we continue to work for something that they are unable to appreciate or even see."

"Jessie, there are times when you have to act in someone else's best interest, even if they don't know who you are or what you're doing. He smiled fatherly at her and said, "You even have to continue working for their good when they think you are not working for their good and are against you." He stopped to let that hit home. " We're somewhere in that middle. We would be labeled "evil" and "something to destroy" if our existence were widely known. However, "I guarantee you, they would not let these children out on the streets, and they would further want to control them and their abilities, despite their good intentions," he stated after she had digested his previous statement.

Headmaster, “Are we the bad guys?”

"No, my beloved. The good guys are us. We are doing what everybody needs us to do, yet can't concede that it needs doing. We are demonstrating to all of the children how to put these special abilities to good use for the benefit of our nation in addition to providing them with the necessary education. Do you consider yourself to be a bad guy or evil?

Headmaster, no. I think I'm a good person, but there are times when I can't help but wonder what we do. After all, we force children to join the program by removing them from their homes.

We do, indeed. That is the most difficult part, but we do it for the benefit of everyone, including the children. We hope that the children will be able to accept what we are doing and why by the time they realize what is going on. You completed the program. What do you think of it? When she gave it some thought, she realized that he already knew what she would say.

I have no doubts about the program or the things we're doing. After gazing at him for a while, she said slowly, "I wouldn't be beside you now if I didn't."

"I'm sure you do. Once in a while, you really want a little confirmation of why you make it happen," he expressed, grinning at her affectionately.

"Indeed, I really do require it now and again. Much thanks to you. She responded, truly feeling much better, "I feel better now."

Jessie told the Headmaster, changing the subject and looking lost in thought, "There's something odd about her."

What would that be, then?

As we do with all new recruits, I tried to investigate her. It was difficult to get in, even though her mind is not protected, and touching it hurt her a lot. When I took her hand, she stumbled as a result. I didn't try to find out more about her.

"Very fascinating. When we get her to Oakmont, we'll need to look into that more. His upbeat smile served as a balm for her.

"Go to your room and get some sleep," I suggested. You look worn out. Tomorrow, we'll get up and see some of the easy-to-get sights.

Headmaster, yes. Good evening. She felt tired at once.

"Good evening, dear."

My alarm was not the light of the morning when I opened my eyes. Since I knew I had set it the night before, something wasn't right. Crap!! I planned to arrive late.

I didn't care about my makeup as I raced to my dresser, put on some clothes, and tried to brush my hair quickly. Then, at that point, I dashed to the kitchen, trusting there was all the while something for breakfast. Ben was not present when I arrived, but Momma and Daddy were.

Was it because I got up too early? I had not actually checked the time on the clock to see what it was. I simply could not. Even for September, the sun was too high in the sky. Mom and Daddy didn't seem to care that I was late. I assumed I would have to buy a bowl of cereal since mom wasn't cooking—ugh.

I reached for a bowl when Daddy told me, "Don't do that."

"No difference either way." I was perplexed.

"We're going to have breakfast out."

However, I will be late to school. I was even more lost now.

"You are no longer attending school here, at least not until we determine whether Oakmont will be a good fit for you. So, tell me, what do you want to do today?

I was pleasantly surprised. Might I at any point go to class and bid farewell?" I had to say my goodbyes to Mrs. Hartman and Mrs. Chambers.

"Yes, my love. Nonetheless, I must withdraw you. In any case, is there anything you might want to see or do today, before you leave? According to my conversation with the Headmaster, you will leave as soon as we consent and sign any required documents. We want to have fun with you today, something we didn't do last time. He gave a very sad look to that topic. Worse yet, I was desperately attempting to stop my tears from coming as Daddy was pushing me toward them. Ben should have been kept out of school, too, but we didn't,” he continued, his voice caught.

I began to sweat profusely and breathe deeply as his words began to sink in and I realized I was about to enroll in yet another boarding school. I struggled to concentrate. I felt as though I was falling into a pitch-black abyss. I was helped back to my feet when I felt a hand rub my back.

Why I didn't feel all of these emotions when everything was going on had always baffled me. Gary's touching of me didn't seem out of place at all. He assured me that it would be perfectly acceptable and normal. Only when I lost control of the voices and saw into his mind what he had done to other kids did I become scared. However, he never reacted badly to me. I almost didn't tell anyone back then, but Mrs. Babcock got me to admit it. Other than my parents, she was the only person I had ever told about the voices.

I was able to regain my composure thanks to Daddy's firm hand of comfort. I was aware that I needed to let it go and put it behind me. That, at least, was what my therapist kept telling me, but it wasn't easy.