Here's the end of this one, but be on the lookout for the sequel!
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Mr.Masters dragged Maria down the hallway.She was still naked.The hallways of the Academy seemed unusually cold. The only sound was Mr.Master's shoes clicking on the ground and Maria's heavy breathing as she struggled to keep up with the big man's pace.He pulled her towards the D101 classroom (which still had a large portion of the wall missing.) untill they came to one of the doors near the end of the hall.Maria, of course, hadnt really noticed the door before.She had never been herded through it, so she had never really contemplated the reason for it's existance.Only now that she was next to it could she read the stiff black lettering in the lower right corner that read:Administrative Office,Miss Birch.
Maria had never seen Miss Birch in person.She had thought that she wasnt actually at the Academy, which in retrospect, was a foolish notion.After seeing the interview on the news, the prospect of meeting the Academy's director was not one Maria looked forward to.All hope of avoiding her vanished, however, when Mr.Masters twisted the doorknob, swung the door open and pushed Maria roughly inside.He then followed her, closing the door firmly behind him with a smirk.
Maria had expected to find herself in some sort of dungeon or torture room, but her imagination was dissapointed.Instead she stood in a room that looked like an ordinary principal's office.It was neat and tidy, with metal filling cabnets and plush carpeted flooring.The only thing that seemed out of place was the art on the walls.It was just like the art in the reception room, abstract and disturbing.With a start, Maria realized it must be Miss Birch's painting.The architect of Maria's misery sat behind a desk in the back of the room, preserved just as Maria remembered from the news interview.As she watched, Miss Birch gestured with a clawlike hand, and Mr.Masters grabbed ahold of her slender shoulders and steered her into a chair on the other side of the desk from Miss Birch.
Once she'd sat down, Mr.Masters removed the ball gag and stepped out of the room, leaving Maria alone with Miss Birch.Nothing held her down but Miss Birch's focused glare.After a moment, the director spoke up. "My nephew has gone missing." she said shortly.Maria nodded, not sure how she was supposed to respond.Miss Birch narrowed her eyes. "I know he's been visiting you.I allowed it because it kept him content and away from my work." Maria wondered to herself how this could be work. "After the fire incedent, however, I was forced to confine him to his room.Everything was going well, untill a few nights ago when he mysteriously dissapeared." Maria nodded again, not liking where this was going. "Ever since, ive been sure he was still here, trying to gather evedince to take to the police against me and my Academy.Of course I couldnt allow this.I believe he's still here.And I believe You know where he's hiding."
"I dont!" Maria protested. "I havent seen him in a week." Miss Birch glared at her. 'You are lying young lady." she hissed. "I do not tolerate lying in my school." Her hand flew across the desk, weilding one of the instructor's shock sticks.It hit Maria on the cheek, making the entire right side of her face flare in pain, then go numb. "Now, do you want to tell me the truth?" maria looked up at her defiantly. "Imb noot lyin!" she said, her face still numb.Miss Birch sighed. "Very well then..."
***
It had been hours since the interrogation began.All over Maria's body, numbness lingered from the shock stick.Tracks ran down her face from crying.Her throat was dry from protesting.Miss Birch looked calm, and as fresh as she had when Maria had first been shoved in.Se was determined to get Maria to answer her with what she wanted to hear.The problem, of course, was that Maria didnt know.She couldnt give answers when she had no idea herself.Miss Birch simply wouldnt believe it though.She was absolutely certain Maria knew something about Jared's location.
As she raised the stick threatiningly again, a knock came from the door.Miss Birch glared at it for a second before shouting irately "I'm busy!" Then a familiar voice called out from the other side. "I think you'll want to make time." Miss Birch's eyes widened, then narrowed.Maria's feelings clashed between joy and fear as she wondered if Jared had any sort of plan, and hoped he wasnt going to get himself into trouble to save her. "Jared dear!" Miss Birch said sweetly. "Good to hear you!Do come in, your girlfriend is already waiting." She gave Maria a gloating smirk, to which Maria gave her a middle finger.Apparently, she was too preocupied to dispense discipline for the gesture.
When Jared responed a few seconds later, he sounded calm. "Door's locked aunty......" Miss Birch rose from behind the desk and grabbed her shock stick. "Well let me come open it for you." Maria wanted to shout a warning, but fear gripped her and her voice wouldnt obey her.Miss Birch crept over to the door.The look on her face said she was already planning how to punish Jared.
Slowly, she turned the lock on the door.It clicked softly, breaking the heavy silence that hung over the room.She slowly turned the handle, licked her lips in anticipation, and in one fluid motion, swung the door open and brought the stick down.Both she and Maria gasped as her wrist was gripped,not by Jared, but by.............a uniformed police officer!In the doorway stood three people.In the middle was a smirking Jared.To either side of him was a serious-looking police officer.As they pulled Miss Birch out and gave her her rights, Jared stepped in and grinned widely.He pulled her out of the chair and handed her a wad of clothes.She eyed the police officers and quickly slipped into them:A matching set of bra and panties, along with some jeans and a teeshirt.It felt almost strange to wear more than the DA uniform, but she was gratefull for it.Looking behind Jared, she could see girls being escorted out of the building by officers, also clothed, while other officers arrested intructors and took pictures of the Academy.
Even with everything going on around her, her eyes found thier way to Jared. "You did it." she said softly.He blushed a deep red, the only time she'd ever seen him embarassed.It was cute. "Well, I promised." he replied.They stood there a few minutes, and then she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.As thier lips met, she finally felt it was over.She could go home.She wouldve been content to stay there, in that moment for an eternity, but all too soon Jared pulled away.
"I have to go help the police finish this." he said.She tried not to look dissapointed, but it mustve showed. "Dont worry, ill find you again as soon as im done." he assured her quickly.Maria looked up at him playfully. "You promise?" she asked.He grinned, showing a row of white teeth. "Of course." She nodded, and allowed him to lead her to an officer who escorted her out of the doors of the Academy.She breathed in the air.The sun was just rising.And it wasnt just in the sky.
***
Maria was in bed at home.Not cuffed to it, and still fully clothed.She had watched the whole thing on TV.All of the Academy's instructors were convicted, along with Miss Birch.Mr.Masters, who's name really was Micheal Masters, had escaped, but it did little to dampen Maria's spirits.All the girls were returned home, and it was agreed that with a little tutoring, they would progress to the next grade as they should have.With Jared's testemony and the pictures from the Academy, Miss Birch would be in prison for a long time.
What was more, Maria's mother was giving her pretty much whatever she wanted.And as another added bonus, it turned out that Maddie and Cissa lived within three blocks of her.The only thing that Maria had to worry about was Jared.It had been nearly a week since the trial, and she hadnt seen any sign of him.She knew he would come though.He always did.
She clicked off the lamp beside her bed and rolled over to sleep.Just before she did though, a gloved hand brushed her cheek,sending tingles down her spine, and a soft voice whispered; "Miss me?" Maria rolled over.In the darkness she couldnt see him, but she knew where he was.Right where she wanted him.Right next to her. "You're late." she whispered.He brushed her cheek again. "I have a question." he said ruefully.Maria arched an eyebrow. "Uh-huh?" it was a second before he asked. "Would you marry me?" she laughed. "Im fourteen Jared!" she giggled.He contemplated it a moment, then said "Alright then, would you be my fiancee untill we can get married?" she leaned into him and whispered,so softly that she could barely hear herself. "I promise."
THE END!
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