Hope snuck down the hallway leading to the headmaster’s office, sure there was no one behind her. Everyone was at the twins’ party, including Dr. Saltzman who had been acting suspiciously all day. Now that Hope had a clearer head and hindsight in her pocket, she noticed the way he had quickly shut his office door, locking it behind him like he’d never bothered to do in her ten years at the school. She pulled his keys out of her pocket, just about to put them in the door when she heard footsteps behind her.

“Don’t you have a party to get to?” Dr. Saltzman asked, crossing his arms. 

“Don’t you?” Hope eyed his pajamas and raised an eyebrow. “You’re their father.”

“Yeah, well … this is a Sweet Sixteen, and dads aren’t invited. Besides -” He sighed. “- I have bigger things to worry about.”

Hope crossed her arms. “Bigger than your daughters turning sixteen?”

“Yeah, actually.”

“Must be life or death.”

“It’s life and death, actually.” 

Hope stuck her chin in the air. “Then you should tell me.”

“Absolutely not. Now get to the party.” 

Hope sighed and started back down the hallway the way she’d come.

“And give me back my keys.” Alaric stuck out his hand as she passed, and she dropped the keys in his outstretched palm without looking at him.