When I was satisfied with Nikki's efforts, I brushed her away and zipped up my pants. I turned to log out of the computer and grab my coat and the few paper files I'd brought with me. It had been a long day, and after all the excitement of playing with Nikki, I was ready to go home and put my feet up.
I was halfway to the classroom door when Nikki said, "A-are you just going to leave me here??"
I sighed. No, she was right. I hadn't really considered what she would do, but if she wasn't going to go anywhere on her own, then leaving her in the classroom would be quite disruptive when students came back in the morning.
"Fine. Grab your clothes and follow me. No, don't put then on, just come on."
The girl held her clothing to her chest as we walked the halls. Her face was a deep red of humiliation and shame, despite there being very few people still in the building.
She didn't say another word as I took her to the block of administrative offices where my own office was located. It was a suite of several small but comfortable offices hidden behind a single door. Besides my own office, the block was home to the offices of the principal and superintendent. There was a reception desk, a small lounge room that doubled as a conference meeting room, an unassigned office sometimes used by visiting school board members or similar, and private bathrooms.
The blinds on all the windows were shut and the door was locked when I tried it. Both were highly unusual at this time of day. But I had a key, so I opened the door and ushered the blushing Nikki inside. She went quickly without complaint.
"Sit." I pointed at a padded chair near the door, and went to my office to finish a few items that needed my attention before heading home. It didn't take long, and then I was on my way back out.
Passing the door to the principal's office, I paused. The name on the door read Andrea Blackburn. I'd known her for years, and she was a remarkable educator, deeply committed to her role. The door was shut, the blinds on the narrow window beside the door also closed.
Something strange was going on. I looked around the space. Nikki had pulled her clothes back on, looking very rumpled, but otherwise there wasn't a soul to be seen. These offices were usually active. At least somebody should be here. Reception, Principal Blackburn, somebody.
Curious, I tried the door. Locked. Perhaps she'd gone home early, but that wasn't like her. I knocked. "Andrea? Are you in there?"
A soft noise on the other side of the door indicated that someone was in there, but whoever it was didn't answer. "I can hear you in there. Are you hurt? Do you need something?" Silence.
Well, whatever her reason for hiding in her office, I was sure it had nothing to do with me. She'd have spoken up if she needed or wanted anything from me. "I'm on my way out but just as a heads up, I'm leaving a student here. She..." I realized I wasn't sure what to say about the incident. I hadn't fully understood it, myself. "She changed, and it caused a disruption. I took care of it, but she's here now until someone comes to get her."
A rustling sound was followed by the soft click of the door being unlocked. It opened a crack, and I looked into the face of a thing that used to be Principal Blackburn. Just like Nikki.
"Oh."
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