Page 25 of The Bleak Beginning

My heart thumps as I stumble back from the window, nearly knocking over Dolores in my haste. I catch her pot just in time, steadying her. My hands shake as I draw my own curtains closed, blocking out Bishop’s building.

I collapse onto my bed, my face hot and my thoughts spinning around in my head. Between Sutton’s cryptic warnings and my unsettling reaction to Bishop just now, I feel like I’ve stepped into some kind of twisted game. And apparently, I’m a player whether I want to be or not.

“What am I going to do, Dolores?” I whisper to my leafy roommate. As expected, she offers no advice, just stays quietly nestled in her corner.

I really wish Altair would stop with the unexpected surprises. But something deep down tells me that this is only the beginning.

Chapter 5

Alex

“What do you mean it’s not stamped correctly?”

Gah! I just want to send a stupid letter to my sister, since they seem to have forgotten we live in the stupid twenty-first century at this stupid school.

The student on the other side of the counter sighs, clearly exasperated. “Look,” she says, tapping the envelope with a pointed nail. “You’ve put the stamp in the bottom left corner. It needs to be in the top right.”

What difference does it make? It’s there, isn’t it? Besides, my only exposure to sending mail was through TV shows andmovies. All of my communication thus far in life has been through email, text, or phone calls. I could have searched for proper mailing procedures if I had my phone, but this university insists on not allowing students that convenience.

I slide the envelope, back in her direction, gritting my teeth. “I’m just trying to get this out by tonight. Alright?”

She shoves it back. “I can't send it out if it's not properly labeled.”

“How else would you suggest I reach out then? Maybe, carrier pigeon?” I respond. My words landed like a sack of flour in the room, their weight and dryness filling the space between us.

“Look, I already gave you that stamp as a favor, even though it's against the rules. You'll have to fix it if you want it sent out.”

“I just need you to take this and for it to be dropped off at the address on the label,” I insist, waving the envelope at the bored-looking student behind the counter. “Can’t you just take it this one time?”

The student exhales, pushing her glasses up her nose. “I’ve told you three times already. The postage is wrong. I can’t accept it.”

I was about to launch into another argument when a figure swoops in front of me, cutting into my personal space.

“Excuse me,” the newcomer drawls, flashing a brilliant smile at the mail room attendant. “I have an urgent piece of mail to send.”

“Of course, Camden,” the girl gushes, her earlier scowl replaced by a simpering smile. “I’d be happy to take care of that for you, right away.”

My jaw drops, watching the student eagerly accept the Legacy’s letter, not even glancing at the postage. The pompous jerk hadn’t even bothered to stamp it.

“Are you kidding me?” I sputtered, gesturing wildly at the counter. “I’ve been trying to send this for ten minutes!”

Camden turns, fixing me with an empty stare. “Some of us have important business to attend to.” He smirks, running a hand through his artfully tousled hair. “You understand, don’t you?”

“Hey!” I protest at the worker. “What about my letter? I was here first!”

“Having trouble with the big words, or did you forget how to spell your name?” Camden taunts while the employee finishes up with his. Was his addressed to Japan?

My jaw clenches. Of course, a Legacy had to show up. My day was going just fine before.

“As I was saying, you need to come back when your envelope is filled out correctly.” Her eyes raise behind me. “You’re causing a line.”

Camden gives me a little finger wave, his eyes gleaming at my dismissal.

I have a finger for you, jerk face.

I storm away from the counter. Spinning, I nearly collide with a lanky guy standing entirely too close.

“Whoa there! Hi, I’m Alfie,” he says with an awkward grin, running a hand through his unruly red hair. “Looked like you were having some trouble. Everything okay?”

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