NAOMI'S POV:

Mr. Davis had a few things to do for the Academy yesterday but instead of doing them in his office, he did everything in his bedroom. For two hours he did everything on his bed. Clearly there is something in there that isn't meant to be seen.

I got lucky last night; I managed to find my way out of what would have been a very dark encounter with Mr. Davis. I can't make the same mistake tonight, My adrenaline has been pumping all day, I was eager to get into that mysterious office and find my file once and for all especially now that I know where the key is kept. He unintentionally revealed its location this morning during breakfast when he placed his car-keys alongside it. All the keys to the house were kept on a rack hidden behind the hallway divider. All I had to do now was remember that it was placed on the third-to-last hook to the right.

"Alright, Chapter 5; Antonio's trip to El Puerto with his family." Mr. Davis swiped his copy from the counter and motioned to the living room.

"It was a short chapter." I twirled my copy in my hands as I tried to get comfortable on the loveseat adjacent to his leather recliner.

I had too mentally prepare myself for today's discussion. Chapter 5 was very relatable in terms of Antonio's extremely short trip; it outlined his inclination to find answers about himself and his family's history. He claimed that finding these answers would be the only way for him to finally decide what his destiny is in life, the feeling was mutual.

I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings with Mr. Davis, as he is normally the one who gives the best advice, but I need to make sure I do not accidentally incriminate myself. Do you think he'd let me plead the fifth?

"Yes, it was a short chapter but I think it was necessary for the author to express the smallness of his world. The book claims it is the only trip he takes, being that it is only ten miles."

I nodded, "Yeah, I can relate."

Placing his elbows on his knees, he leaned forward and rendered a concerned look. "Are you saying that that you believe that will become your life at the Academy?"

"I'm sorry," I instantly replied. "I just mean that it's starting to feel like home and that's bothering me."

"I understand that it can be troubling and even emotionally confusing...but I do not think that escaping the Academy entirely is possible until you are of an age where I can leave you at home for long periods of time."

"It's not about escaping it entirely." I wouldn't want to be rid of the Academy, I would miss Jasper too much. He's the only friend I really have left. "I just miss some of the places and people from home. I miss the things I used to do during summer and winter break."

"What did you use to do for fun?"

I shrugged, "We used to go camping in the summer, we would always take a trip to New York City for Christmas. Those were my favorite. I used to hike with my dad and go to the rollerblade rink on Saturday's."

Nodding, he sat straight and contemplated in our silence. "Look Naomi, I don't want to intrude on your previous life and try to model it to the extent that it becomes emotionally uncomfortable...and the last thing I would want is to make you feel like I am trying to take your parents' place, but if there is anything that you would still like to do or even something new you'd like to try then I am all ears."

"R-really?"

"Of course." He gave me his charming smile. "I want you to continue pursuing the things you had interest in before the Academy; whether that be school extracurriculars, sports, trips, any goals that you still have interest in, please continue to do that. If you enjoy hiking or camping then I would be happy to do that with you, or if there is something new that you'd like to try then I would like you to share that with me." He spread his arms out against the back of his recliner.

"Wow, thanks Mr. Davis." I smiled back, wanting so badly to return the generosity he always shows me. "Would it be okay if I played softball this semester? I've been trying to think of a way to ask you."

"I think that's a great idea, I used to play baseball in high school and most of college so I can help you practice."

Of course he did. Somehow with his style and physic I can see that.

Looking into his eyes, I could immediately feel a slight tension in the room as a compressing force rushed to my chest. Sometimes he's so nice and consider that I almost feel bad for trying to find answers about my parents. Am I selfish or ungrateful, or both, for trying to get away from someone that was working so hard to make my situation as painless as possible? I haven't even considered if this would cause him any pain, not to sound conceited.

Quiet, stay focused. You already messed up once with your small-world comment. I thought to myself. I could feel my face turning red as the pressure began to mount.

"Naomi are you okay?"

*Ding-dong*

Thank God, saved by the bell. I looked up at him, expecting his immediate response to answer as he has a habit of doing in the Academy, but he made no movement.

*Ding-dong*

"There's someone at the door." I pointed behind me.

"Yes I can hear that, they can wait. Are you okay?"

Nodding, "Yes, I'm fine."

"Don't be quick to answer, take a moment to think about it."

"I'm find Mr. Davis, just reminiscing in some past memories is all."

He waited to make sure I was, and I had to stop myself from crying just to convince him.

"Alright, excuse me." He said politely as he made his way across the living room to get to the front door.

I took a deep breath, wiped my eyes and tried to put on a steady face. I have to stay committed to my plan; I owe myself that much at least.

"Sarah!" He exclaimed. "What're you doing here?"

I glanced over my shoulder and saw a women that appeared to be a few years older than him, but she had a much more lively appearance. She was dressed in a bright blue blouse with dark grey pants that shimmered all the way down to her ankles where a metallic pair of black heels finished. Draped over her shoulders was a white blazer that made her dark auburn hair shine against the red lipstick she wore confidently.

"I heard you came back for the weekend and thought I'd stop in." She came inside, looking around at the house before our eyes locked. "Oh, who is this beautiful young woman?"

I stood immediately and had a strange urge to straighten my clothing.

"Sarah this is Naomi, Naomi this is my sister Sarah."

"Hi." I said sheepishly, the prowess of my voice suddenly drained from my lungs.

"Naomi." She smiled at me. "That's a really pretty name. I've heard such great things about you."

"Thanks," I said uneasily, trying to think of any mentioning from Mr. Davis about her. "I like your blouse." I returned instead.

"Thank you," She looked down at it, almost as if she forgot what she was wearing. "I'll have to take you shopping sometime."

"Uh, that would be really fun." I said politely, too afraid to admit that I had some doubt in her offer. It would have to be extremely awkward for us both, maybe even more awkward than I feel right now.

She glanced over at our drinks and open books on the living room table. "Oh, I'm sorry if I intruded. I just wanted to give this to you." She handed a blank envelope to Mr. Davis.

"Right, thank you." He shoved it inside the back of his pants pocket.

Exchanging glances with Mr. Davis, they both stood there mute and tried to grasp some control of the situation though neither of them could.

"Well, it was really nice to meet you. I can't wait to get to know you better but right now I need to get back to work."

"Work? Can I ask what you do?" She dressed like a lawyer, I recognized the similar presence that my dad had when he got dressed in the morning before going to court.

"I am a journalist, a political journalist."

"Oh wow, that sounds really cool. I read this book once called Things We Cannot Say, it was about a journalist."

"Maybe I can tell you more about it sometime." She offered again.

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that."

She gave me a confident nod, then said her final goodbyes and went about her way as Mr. Davis kissed her cheek goodbye and showed her out.

After closing the front door, he turned back to where I stood perfectly still and smiled. "Sorry about that, she usually calls before coming over. She must have spoken with Mr. Patry."

"They talk?"

"Yes, she's always had something for him." He smiled and looked down to me for my reaction.

"How could anyone have a thing for Mr. Patry?" Was my only response.

He laughed, "He's much nicer than he seems."

"Yeah, maybe compared to a bear."

"Oh." He laughed.

_________________________________________________

"Goodnight Naomi." Mr. Davis made an entrance into my doorframe. "I hope you sleep well."

"Thanks," I said already tucked under my covers. "I hope you sleep well too. Goodnight."

I've been waiting all day for this. Thankfully Mr. Davis snores like the second coming. I would know from sleeping on his office sofa in the Academy, he would fall asleep in his armchair beside me. All I have to do is wait for his snore and then I can finally execute my plan.

"Leave the door open please." I said as he went to grab the knob.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes sir, I just am feeling a little hot."

"Are you getting sick?" He came forward, stretching his arm out to feel my forehead with the back of his hand.

"No, I don't feel sick..." I said quickly, trying to get myself out of the hole I accidentally dug myself in. "probably just because I'm still not used to being here."

He contemplated but then seemed convinced. "Alright well, I'll be right across the hall if you need anything."

"Okay. Goodnight."

He smiled, seeming a little suspicious but then turned and exited the room.

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MR. DAVIS' POV:

I really need to get some sleep tonight, otherwise I won't be able to handle the minutiae of balancing the budgets tomorrow when we return to the Academy. This is why I don't come home very often; I sleep soundly at the Office but there are too many painful memories here to haunt me both in my intermediate sleep and consciousness.

"I guess I have no choice." I said quietly to myself as I stumbled to the cabinet in the corner and popped a very large sleeping pill into my mouth.

Stretching my arms over my head and pulling on my elbow one at a time, I chugged the entire glass of my bedside water and collapsed onto my side of the bed.

______________________________________________

NAOMI'S POV:

It took almost an hour, but I finally heard the echoed snoring coming form his room. Alright, this is it. Make it count. Don't look back, don't hesitate.

Slowly unraveling my covers, I put on my socks to squash any possibility of a pitter-patterned sound coming from my bare feet. Thankfully Mr. Davis' house only had a traditional look and most of the wood and furniture was new, aside from the floors but I should be able to make my way down the stairs and into the kitchen with very little sound. My time at the Academy equipped me with the necessary skills to do that.

Keeping my breath consistently long and silent, I managed to slide myself downstairs and then move slowly to the kitchen, keeping my steps along the wall. Most people do not know that the wood closest to the wall will make the least amount of noise since it is the section rarely walked on. This kept the wood from suppressing a loud creak and allowed me to move quickly to the tiled floor in the kitchen, parallel to the opening wall where the office key laid.

Pressing tightly on the middle of the rack to prevent it from falling, I forced my shaking hand to carefully grip the key and unhook it without making a jingle from the others. Luckily the door was only a few feet away and there was only one lock. I slowly cracked the door open, just enough to give me the room required to slide in, and kept the key inside the knob in case I needed to make a quick getaway. Heading straight for his desk, I kept the lights off and instead turned on the flashlight feature on my phone. Thank God for technology.

At first glance, there was almost nothing in here. There was a desk with a filing cabinet to the right and a covered table immediately beside the door. On the walls were some bulletin boards and a few pictures, but they were cleared off. I guess I'll start with the desk.

Opening the bottom drawer, I quietly shuffled through the neatly organized folders to see if I could get even a clue that would affirm or deny his story about my parents. Most of the papers I saw were merely blank statements, there were some student folders but nothing pertaining to me. Moving drawers, I began unraveling the folders much quicker as my anxiousness switched on. Again nothing.

I opened the first drawer to the filing cabinet but it was empty, as was all the others. This doesn't seem right. I never came to Mr. Davis' house before and we've only discussed it once, if there was any physical evidence it would have to be here. Becoming desperate, I began looking under the desk and on the window seal for another sign of a paper trail somewhere.

"Come on!" I whispered to myself.

To the left was a giant sheet pinned from the top and at the corner left, I was afraid to remove it completely, so I crawled underneath and shined my flashlight on my phone. There was an overwhelming amount of newspaper clippings and medical papers, they almost overshadowed the several pictures of Mr. Davis and his wife. Posted on the board and on the table were scattered clippings of her obituary and the report of her death. Isolated to the far end of the table were a stack of clean, almost untouched papers with a doctor's letterhead. It was a negative pregnancy test report.

Date of death: November 14, 2021. That was only a few weeks before I came to the Academy. Seven to be exact.

I gasped almost immediately when I looked down to the middle of the table and saw photos of her body at the scene of the accident from the coroner. She was covered in bruises that laid under heaps of blood. I always thought that death would look like a person sleeping, that they were merely just lost in their own world after we move on...but this didn't look anything like that.

By the time I processed that I was still here, still secretly invading Mr. Davis' personal life, I realized that there was nothing here for me. If I were to find any answers, I would have to look elsewhere. You would expect me to feel disappointed, but all I can feel now is sympathy for Mr. Davis. No wonder he never wanted to talk about her.

Carefully exposing myself to the hallway, I gently placed his keys on the far left hook, fourth to the last then I began crawling upstairs. Literally crawling.

I heard his snoring come to a stop and then a bit of weight shift on the wooden floor, causing a creek to shimmy. Looking to my right and, without thinking, I ran into the bathroom and turned on the sink faucet. Shoving my phone into my underwear, I ran my hands under the cold water and splashed some on my face.

"Naomi? Are you ok?" He asked from the hallway, peering at me through the gap I left between the door and wall.

"Yeah, I'm fine..." I dried my eyes with my wrists and turned to find him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I just needed to run some cold water over my face. I'm a little hot."

"Would you like me to go get you some water?" He took a step closer and felt my forehead with the back of his hand.

"No thank you, it was just a crazy dream." I said shakily, his politeness causing my insides to boil with guilt.

"Alright, well go back to bed then." He patted my shoulder and waited for me to completely exit the bathroom before entering it himself and closing the door.