Page 20 of Satan's Spawn

“You from around here?”

“Unfortunately.”

Well, that’s not promising.

“Alright everyone!” Archer resumes addressing us. “Now that we’re all partnered up, let's start with making our way to Dembridge Hall, which houses the dining quarters and entrance to the gym.”

Archer offers me a lopsided grin, right before he turns and starts striding down the long corridor like he owns the place.

“To the right, as you can see, are hallways that lead to the female dormitory buildings. We will be visiting those after the main office where each of you will retrieve your room and board paperwork.”

Everyone stays quiet as he goes through his commentaries on each area we visit, and I take down as many notes as I can to make sure I don’t get lost in this gothic museum of a building.

From the dining hall to the gym, classrooms to the outdoor football field, Archer hasn’t come up for air with both the sentiment and history within every crevice of this campus.

By the time we get a break to eat, I’m in desperate need of bladder relief, and can’t remember for the life of me where the bathrooms are since I was too busy jotting down details of crown moldings.Dang it.

Of course neither Hendrix nor our moms remember either, so I sit here about to combust as I watch everyone else’s initial angst melt away with the heat of the day.

The entire tour crowd is spread around a bunch of round tables outside the gated football field, where I also notice a parking lot to the right.

There aren’t many cars parked, but from what I can see they’re all no less than luxury.

Mom made friend’s with Hendrix’s mother June, and the both of them are off a few feet away in conversation as my new acquaintance and I sit next to each other eating granola bars we got from some vending machines.

“So, what brings you to Riverside?” Hendrix picks at the chocolate chips.

“I moved here from La Jolla, California. My stepdad is opening up his own art gallery not far from here.”

She tosses a small piece of chocolate in her mouth. “Rich stepdad sounds miserable.”

“He’s not too bad.”

She shrugs. “I dig it, then I guess. I was happy being in public schools, though.”

No argument here.

“I get that. This atmosphere is definitelyuniquecompared to the broken lockers and old desks at my other school.”

A huff this time. “I’d take old desks over Mom’s new money any day.”

“New money?” I inquire.

“Yup, lotto to be exact. Who knew it was actually possible to win?”

“What’s up ladies?” Archer grins as he appears over us, effectively blocking the sunlight beaming down on me.

“Hey, how’s it going?” I offer him a welcoming smile. “I’m Bex, this is Hendrix.” I hike a thumb next to me, where she’s examining her silver nails.

“Howdy.”

Yup, that’s all she gives him.

“How do you girls like the school so far?” Archer asks, attention fully on me and I don’t blame him.

“It’s beautiful, albeit a bit intimidating.”

“Ahhh,” he waves me off. “You’ll get used to it in no time. Just stick by my side, I gotchu.”