The headmistresses didn’t do much the next few days. Or, not much I could see. I went to my boring weird classes and tried to keep an eye on them, but they mostly walked around the school, punishing anyone they could.

I didn’t see Liam much. I wanted to talk to him, he was so much fun.

One day, during a break, I was sitting on my bed when Molly came over to me, her eyes bright with excitement.

“Hi, Molly.” I said.

“Hiiiiii, Nat!” She said.

“What’s up?” I asked, suspicious of her bubbly attitude.

“I saw you with your boyfriend! I knew you would have a date!” Molly squealed.

“What?”
“I saw you guys at the dance!” Molly nodded.

“What? I don’t-oh, you mean Liam.”
“Is that his name? I was thinking he looked more of a Jonathan or Jameson.”

“No, no, no. He is not my boyfriend.” I corrected. “We’re just friends.”

“Oh, riiiight.” Molly giggled. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” 

“But we’re not-”
“I should go!” Molly waved. “See you laterrrrr!” She bounced away. I shook my head, imagining Liam’s reaction when I told him about this.

I walked to Miss. Cadell’s class next. I glanced out a window and I could’ve sworn I saw some kind of large, green animal, but I think I’m hallucinating. I haven’t been sleeping well.

“Good morning, Miss. Cadell.” I said. Miss Cadell looked up from her planner.
“Hello, Nat!” She said. I sat in my usual spot and waited for the lesson to begin. 

“Okay, class, we have a special lesson today.” Miss Cadell said. “The heads of school asked me to teach this lesson specifically to this class. Why? I don’t know. But we are doing it because they said so.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay, today’s lesson is, ‘Punishments for Students Who Sneak Out and/or Betray This School.’ Sorry, it’s a long one.”
My eyes widened at the title. Could the headmistresses know? That Liam and I snuck out? I didn’t even listen as the lesson began, I was too busy worrying. 

◈   ◈   ◈

“Liam! You’ll never believe what Miss. Cadell had to teach us!” I exclaimed at lunch. 

“Let me guess; you learned about what punishments are given to students who betray the school.” Liam said boredly.

“How’d you know?” I asked.
“We were taught the same thing.” Liam looked straight at me. “They only taught my class and your class that. Do you think they know?”
“They can’t.” I said. 

“I’ve been thinking . . .” Liam said. “Maybe we should leave.”
“Did you not hear the punishment part?” I asked, bewildered at this random idea.
“Well, we have to see what they’re up to!” Liam said. “Okay, let’s go!”
“What? Wait!” Liam started to get up. “Now?”
“Yeah. Okay, let’s go now.”

“What? No, Liam! We can’t just go! It’s the middle of winter and we’re a hundred miles from home! And miles from any civilization! And why leave now?”

“We should see my grandpa about our powers and maybe stop the heads.” Liam said vaguely.

“But-”

“Come on!”

“Liam! What aren’t you telling me?” I demanded. Liam didn’t look me in the eye.

“Um, just a random question . . . how long were you following me? In the lab?” Liam asked.
“The whole time!” Liam turned pale.

“Oh, well, um, heh, actually that hologram thing you saw-”

“Oh my God. Was that an actual monster?” I gasped.

“Um, yes, it’s possible-”

“God, Liam! There’s an actual monster on the loose!” 

“Possibly. I don’t think it’s fully formed yet, though. I was supposed to leave it in the tube thing longer.” Liam shrugged.

“I saw it leaping around outside!” I realized. “So you want to leave to escape it?”

“No!” Liam said. “I need a weapon to kill it!” 

“But you have powers!” 

“Yeah, well, I made it so it’s really hard to destroy.” Liam said quietly.

“Why would you do that?!” I yelled. A few people at the lunch table looked at us.

“Because it was supposed to kick out the heads.” Liam said.

“How did you know about the lab?” I asked. 

“Oh, I’ve been going there for a while, learning about this ancient monster that supposedly almost destroyed the gods. I think it’s a myth, but I created it.”

I couldn’t believe it.

“Evil headmistresses and a monster!?” I moaned. I looked at Liam, who quickly switched his proud face for a sad face. “Are you seriously proud of yourself?”

“I mean, a little . . .”

“Oh, God, okay so we need to get to your grandfather.” I said.

“But-”
“I’m making the decisions because it seems like you have made some pretty bad ones recently!” I said.

“Yes, ma’am.” Liam said sarcastically.
“Starting with no more sarcasm when we’re about to die!” I decided.