"Please take a seat," West Valley Academy headmaster Stephen Krutz said to the young woman standing in the doorway of his office. The tall brunette was dressed in her school uniform, a plaid skirt that landed mid-thigh and a white buttoned-down shirt, the top button undone. Her make up looked professionally done, as usual, and her short hair was perfectly straight. The young woman entered the office and sat in one of the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk, crossing her legs at her ankles.
"You wanted to see me," Brittany Daniels said coolly.
"Yes, I thought after the past several days, we should talk," Krutz replied.
"I don't think I have anything to say to you except 'go to hell'," said the young woman. Brittany had spent the last two days, along with her friends Kylie and Susan, being tortured by this man. She knew he was capable of inflicting much more pain on her, but she was in no mood to listen to anything he had to say.
Krutz frowned. "I am not sure how to get through to you, Miss Daniels. I thought there was an understanding you would not discuss what happened over winter break. I thought you understood the situation you and your friends are in. Yet you seem to be incapable of following directions and you are constantly inserting yourself in situations that are none of your business," the headmaster said.
"I disagree," Brittany replied. "First, Susan already knew about the boat trip. Second, I didn't tell her anything that I was told not to reveal. And Susan is my best friend and what you are doing to her is absolutely my business. I will do anything to help her."
"Hmm. You didn't do much to help her over the holidays. You seemed to enjoy drinking and sunning yourself on that private yacht," Krutz retorted. Brittany stared at the man but knew he was right. She had planned to tell her father everything that happened at West Valley since the school year had begun, but after being kidnapped and taken to the yacht by Marcus Torres, Susan's stepfather, Brittany knew she had chickened out. "I guess as long as you are having fun, Susan doesn't matter?"
Brittany took her time before replying, "I was wrong there. I should have gone to my dad over break. I should have told him everything, no matter what happened to me."
"And so we have our problem," the headmaster replied. Brittany looked at him and nodded affirmatively. The pair sat in silence for a few minutes staring at each other until Krutz spoke again. "I have a question for you, one perhaps your dear friend Susan can help you answer. How much do you think I could get for your friend Kylie? Or your other friends?"