Chapter 10
Resignation
“Stephan!” The voice thundered, despite not being louder than conversational. Stephan found himself on his knees again, praying for himself. It was Sunday, after all. He was in his office, shades drawn and only one dim light on, catching up on his work. The voice seemed to come from everywhere, and only after being on his knees for several pounding heartbeats did Mr. Johansen realize it was just the speaker phone. Ignore the fact that it didn’t ring, and he didn’t pick it up. It was just the phone.
“Yes, my liege!” he replied automatically, his thoughts racing. What have I done? I haven’t done anything! Was I supposed to? Maybe I was going to be commended for working on Sunday?
“Report on the Rightad boy,” the voice inquired casually.
Mr. Johansen swallowed so strongly his feathered hair swooped around his eyes. He carefully smoothed it back into place. “All orders executed, sir. His teachers have all been instructed, with severe censure if they so much as...”
He was cut off. “And how is he doing, with this special attention?” The voice was a glacier, cold and undeniable.
“Uh, he, um, there have been no complaints.” Ice and fire exploded in his guts, and a cold sweat trickled out down Stephan’s spine.
“And the girl, she has successfully reintegrated after her suspension?” The voice paused, but just long enough for Stephan to realize it had been stringing him along the whole time. “But you haven’t checked, have you?”
Stephan’s mouth was too dry to do more than start to stammer. Excuses, even legitimate ones that had him working again on Sunday, would only make things worse.
“The fact is that they have moved.” The last word was an iceberg dropped into Stephan’s bay. “Capricious, but what did I expect. You will go and find them, and not let them out of your sight until I tell you.”
Stephan felt a moment of relief, then utter panic. “Find them? Of course, I will make immediate inquiries, discretely, of course...”
“You will go personally and immediately. They should be easy to find. The girl has a powerful magic item on her.”
Who would give that horrible child such an item? What item? It must be tremendous if He wants to get his hands on it! But to leave! Despite the risks, and knowing the outcome, Stephan still tried to deflect the glacier. He stood. “Certainly! I can take a short leave, find them and report, and not get too far behind on my important work here. The School Board counts on me, you know.”
The glacier ground on, uncaring. “Leave, yes. But you will not return. With your connections, I am sure you can find a job at one of the schools there. They are always looking for good janitorial staff. You will need a cover, anyway. Here is what you must do when you find them.”
As Stephen listened to the King's plan, part of his brain was screaming in denial. Once finished, he tried again. “But the Board meetings...” His eyes involuntarily flitted to his computer monitor as the windows changed. He watched as his email opened, and a message popped up.
“The school Board has accepted your resignation,” the voice said. “I trust you can get your things packed up tonight.”
Stephan barely registered it, still staring at his computer. He edged a bit back from it, looked around with wild eyes, and bowed to the phone. “Of course, my king. Tonight. I shall start immediately. It will take some time, clearing out my computer files, copying email, it will take a good amount of time. I can do tonight, but perhaps next week would be more prudent?”
There was no response. He looked at the phone but it had hung up by itself. He crumpled into his chair, and spent ten bone-chilling minutes looking through his computer files, sent email, archived folders, and secret hidden folders to which only he had access. There was nothing. They had all been wiped, as if they didn't exist. He opened his file cabinet. His files were gone. The pile of administrative memos he was saving to sign had vanished while he was looking through the computer. Stephan looked around again, and shivered uncontrollably. It was as if he had never been here, had never lived!
His eyes landed on the wall. He jumped up, grabbed his framed credentials off the wall and peered at them closely. Intact! All of this nasty work was for a good cause, just like his education. He hugged the two frames, grabbed whatever else could fit in his pockets and ran out. The bright sunshine was blinding. He was starting his car when he remembered he forgot to lock the office door. The thought did not affect his slamming his foot on the gas to speed out of the parking lot.