Hollow Hearts (The Harkwright Trilogy)

“It has its own private hospital so there will be no outside visits or mad rushes to the emergency room. You will only see people who are staffed by us and no matter what happens, there will never be a call to a police station. Even a death wouldn’t break that cardinal rule.”

I can barely swallow over the lump that is firmly lodged within my throat, what kind of place is this?

“What’s the worst thing that has happened at the Academy?” My voice is a quivering mess and I can’t bring myself to give a shit right now.

“People have died, been scarred horrifically and even institutionalized. Some have even taken to a life of crime but those numbers are few and far between. You seem to forget that if you make it to the final year, you will never have to worry about money or finding an ‘okay’ job again. You will have the career of your dreams and if you have a good head on you, then you should be able to live in the lap of luxury for the rest of your life. Which brings me to the other matter at hand, money,” she drums her fingertips together as she slightly purses her lips. Is there anything that doesn’t look stoic and terrifying on this woman?

“I’d like the family payments to go straight to the hospital if possible, to ensure that my sister will get a better standard of care while I am away and so I know that she will be okay,” my voice is cracking and my eyes are starting to tear up, this is ridiculous.

“That is admirable but unnecessary, due to your special circumstances you will fit into a different payment category. Harkwright is keen on making sure that nothing will take your attention away from the Academy, therefore your sister’s hospital bills will be covered for the duration of your stay, but only at the price that is currently being charged. If there is an increase, then your mother will have to make up the rest. Your mother will still receive the thousand dollar a month stipend without fail to help avoid any disruptions that could occur during your absence.” She sighs and shakes her head before looking down at her watch. “I would be grateful if I were you Miss Carter, this offer is not made easily, and it does not come lightly either. No matter what occurs within those three years, you will not try to drop out and you will attend all your lessons without fail and apply yourself a thousand percent. You must also not talk about this offer to anyone, even those you will be sharing a home with. Those are the stipulations, make sure you take the time to consider your acceptance.”

“Does this mean I’m in?”

“Oh my no, this is simply an offer based on the contingency of the men selecting you. If you get chosen, then this will take full affect. Now, before you see the doctor and take the lie detector test, do you have any questions? And do not waste my time with meaningless ones, I do have other things I need to take care of today,” she sounds so bored, but is it with me, the situation or just her job in general?

“I only have two. One, what would happen if I was kicked out of the Academy and two, what would happen if I did decide to leave?” I bet I could cut the tension with a knife if I decided to attempt such a thing.

“Your line of questioning is worrying, but also predictable, boringly so. If you are removed from the Academy, then every payment made to the hospital and to your mother must be paid back in full and with immediate effect. The moment you step across the threshold, the money must be back within our accounts. The same goes for if you are told to leave, but it may not be the only punishment to befall you.”

“Will I be leaving with my life intact?” I

ask slowly and she smirks at me, hell in a hand basket, she’s a freak.

“Of course, everyone who leaves the premises is always breathing when they do so,” she sounds like a stepford wife.

“Will I make it home?” I can’t hide my hesitancy, I’m scared to hear her reply. My pulse is thundering away and I feel sick.

“Well, that all depends on who is holding the door open when you leave.”

3

Preparation is Key

I am never having another physical exam for the rest of my life; I don’t care what the advice is. It is never happening, and that’s final. The lie detector was easy and I have thoroughly proven that I cannot tell even the slightest fib, my whole face gives me away and it matches with whatever answer was showing up on the screen.

“Thank you for taking the time to see me Ms. Vanderbilt and for fitting me into your busy schedule,” I say as I hold my hand out to her and she gives my hand a cursory look before shaking her head and walking down the hall.

“Follow,” she demands over her shoulder, without even looking back and it’s degrading as all get out, but I will do it. What choice do I have?

“D-did I do s-s-something wrong?” Why did the stuttering have to happen now? I was doing so well.

“We have three boutiques to visit before I can dismiss you and move on to more important things,” she still won’t look at me, she is so conceited just like everyone else in this town.

“Why bother?” It snaps out of me and my hand is too late to keep the words inside my mouth as I press hard against it, with my eyes growing wide.

“I beg your pardon?” Her eyes are drilling into me, but she doesn’t look as bored now.

“I don’t fit the image and you made your mind up about me long before I turned up today. I’m sorry I called at the last minute but why give a deadline if you expect everyone to call straight away. Just put that in the letter next time.”

Why is my voice rising and why am I still talking? I’m horrified with myself, I shouldn’t be speaking to her like this, not only does she hold my future in her hands but she’s my elder. I have to show her respect, even if - in my opinion at least - she doesn’t deserve it.

“I guess you do have a spine underneath all that stuttering and virginal innocence that you wear so blatantly. Listen child, I can tell them to ignore your file and put my opinion across but you’ve already garnered the attention of two of the young men who will be in attendance for the next few years. Maybe their curiosity will be appeased once they see you in person or maybe they’ll invite you to attend, I don’t know. All I know is that I have three boutiques to visit and then I can be done with this ridiculous charade of hospitality and helping the less fortunate.”

She storms away and I have to hurry to follow her, I don’t move well in kitten heels at any time, let alone having to jog in them. We walk out of the Harkwright office building and she leads me down the street where I met that stuck-up bitch earlier, it already feels like a lifetime ago. How time flies when you’re having fun.

“I will select your required attire for the first year and then each year as and when it is required, you have already mentioned your clothing size on the application form so as long as that is accurate there isn’t anything you need to do.”

“Okay then do you want me to wait outside?” I am so confused, why can’t I just go home if she’s going to insist on dressing me up like a doll?