Free Strictland Academy by Breanna Hayse, Carolyn Faulkner Page B

  Now she risked being sent (or
sold) to some stranger as payment for the stupid crimes of a selfish, spoiled
and senseless girl.
    The
bell rang, announcing the commencement of study time, and Molly spotted
Attendant Hazel at the door with Attendant Angela at her side.   Reluctantly accepting the wisdom that it
would not serve any purpose to delay the inevitable, Molly boldly presented
herself to them with April dragging fearfully behind.   They were taken into the shower room,
where they both were stripped and told to bend over and touch their toes.
    “ I
would prefer that that these two have a more lenient time of it than that wench
Franklin.   I heard that Dr. Wells
rescued her from Patience yesterday and is guarding her in the infirmary."
    "He
can't watch her forever.   Eventually, she will be the one paying for his interference,"
Attendant Angela commented, cracking her knuckles.
    "He
is going to be a problem.   These two
probably think he will rescue them, like they were damsels in distress, but
they are in for a rude awakening — as is he.   But for now, I do
believe that Petry has earned a reward for being the only one to come forward
and confess her misdeed.   I would
say, six strokes?"
    "That
sounds appropriate," Attendant Angela said.   "And the standard twelve for
Compton.   At least she did not
require being dragged in here."
    "Agreed.   Take care not to break skin.   I have heard that His Highness will be
inspecting these girls for excessive abuse, and I don't trust him to be on
board with Strictland's policies just yet.   We don't want to chance him finding a way to contact the State."
    "Oh,
trust me, I can easily get my point across without drawing blood.   Very easily," Attendant Angela
snickered, producing a thick, leather paddle.   Attendant Hazel returned the grin,
displaying one of the same.
    The
vigorous punishment commenced immediately.   The shower room was strategically chosen because of the acoustics,
allowing everything said or done in it to echo loud and clear throughout the
dormitory area.   It also housed a
viewing chamber, permitting those within to watch the girls conduct their daily
hygiene and toileting, as well as any 'special shows' of discipline.   It required herculean effort on Molly
and April ’ s
part to remain quiet and defer future discipline, yet soft groans and muffled
cries still managed to bounce back against the dank yellow tiles.
    Panting
and covered with sweat, the two girls leaned against one another as they
struggled to walk back to their bunks.   April confided to Molly in a raspy whisper how desperate she was to go
to the bathroom and that she would not be able to make it until bedtime.   Molly said nothing, reaching only to rub
April's shoulder comfortingly.
    Not
long before lights out, Molly looked up from the Handbook of Declarations to
see April creeping towards the bathrooms.   She was physically blocked by Attendant Hazel.
    “ What
do you want, Compton?   Haven't you
gotten into enough trouble already today?"
    April
was unable to resist the urge to cross and uncross her legs, and begged for
permission to relieve herself.   "I'm so sorry, Attendant Hazel, but I need to go.   I truly can't hold it anymore.   After all that water I had to drink
earlier ..."
    “ Oh,
you need to go, do you?   Do you
think you should go ahead of all of the other girls who follow the rules?"
    “ No,
ma ’ am, Attendant, but ... ”
    “ But
what?   Do you think we should coddle
you because you're new?   Because
you're pretty?   Because your mother
allowed you to do whatever you wanted to do all your life?   Well, you'll not find that kind of
indulgent treatment here, Missy.   You'll go when everyone else goes, and not before.   Don't look so stricken, child.   I'm not going to punish you for your
prideful request, but I am going to make sure you're at the end of the
line this evening, just so you'll learn that you're no better than any other
girl here.