Hollow Hearts (The Harkwright Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  “Of course, it’s the truth,” I say simply and yet again, her facial features do not change in the slightest.

  “You will be required to see the doctor after this appointment, she will ensure that your hymen is still intact and then you will sit down with a lie detector whilst we ask you a few basic questions. Refuse either of these tests and you will be escorted from the premises and your application will not go any further,” her eyes stay on mine a little longer than necessary, does she want me to walk away?

  “The doctor one sounds terrifying, but I am willing to sit any and all tests you deem necessary.”

  “Before we go any further, I am going to explain a few things to you. You are too innocent for this place, I can tell by looking at you that you have led a rather sheltered lifestyle and there is no way you could survive a place like the academy and come out the same way that you went in. A hundred girls will be selected, half of those will be pure and untouched and the other half may not be. If selected you will be in the untouched category but it will not stay that way for you.” She folds her hands together and leans forward ever so slightly, I want to move away but I can’t. “One hundred and fifty made it to this stage and we have already rejected forty-nine of them. The last place will either go to her or you,” she purses her lips and gives me once over, and I feel somewhat lacking. “Now, it is at this point usually, that we will go through the rest of your form but I don’t see the point in it, however I do have to tell you all that the Academy entails. This is your last chance before you lose the option to even discuss this part of the process.”

  “I’m not just going to walk away Ms. Vanderbilt, if I’m not selected that’s fine, but I’d rather be rejected than run away in fear,” my voice isn’t even shaking and that’s astounding me right now.

  “Have it your way, this here is an NDA, it stands for Non-Disclosure Agreement. Read through it carefully and sign if you agree to the terms.” She slides something across the desk to me and I pick it up with shaking hands. No doubt she has seen it. “I should inform you that this is watertight and not a loophole to be found. If you were found to break it, then you will have the full force of Harkwright and all that he has upon you. Do not break it,” her words are fierce and putting the fear of God into me. Guess I better get reading.

  She's right, everything is covered in this one document. I am not allowed to discuss anything that has happened or will happen within this office building to anyone who is not a member of the Harkwright corporation family. I’m scared to think what will happen if I open my mouth, but I’ve come this far. What's one more signature?

  I slide the signed document back over to the terrifying woman and she gives me a once over before slipping it inside a file with my name stamped atop it.

  “As I said previously, your virgin status will be a thing of the past if you enter these walls. There are a lot of benefits to joining the academy and usually we highlight those before getting down to the nitty gritty but I’m going to do things a little differently with you.” I really don’t understand what her problem is, why is she trying to scare me away?

  “Why break protocol for me?” I really need to speak up, I’m showing my fear and that can’t be good in a place like this.

  “You waited until the last minute to ring for this appointment, for whatever excuses you chose to make. That wasn’t proper and I don’t see why I should extend the courtesy to you. You won’t make it Miss Carter, you don’t have the right stuff to come out on the other side. You already have a sister in the hospital. Are you sure you want to put your mother through whatever you will become should you be allowed in?”

  Her words must be designed to cut me, because they feel sharper than any knife. The thing is, I’m doing this for my family and there’s isn’t anything I wouldn’t do or a single thing I wouldn’t give up for them.

  “I’m ready to know,” I fold my hands in my lap and look her straight on. I hate maintaining eye contact at the best of times so this is plain torture, but she needs to know I’m not a frightened little bunny.

  “Fine, have it your way. There will be fifteen young men in attendance and for all purposes they will be your bosses and there isn’t a single thing you can refuse them. Their word is law and they could end you if you displease them, for the duration of your three-year stay, you and the rest of the girls are basically high end hookers who are paid in education. Yes you’ll get money but that will only come to fruition once you graduate.” She’s staring at me and all I can do is nod my head for her to continue.

  “It has its own private hospital so there will be no outside visits or mad rushes to the emergency room. You will only see people who are staffed by us and no matter what happens, there will never be a call to a police station. Even a death wouldn’t break that cardinal rule.”

  I can barely swallow over the lump that is firmly lodged within my throat, what kind of place is this?

  “What’s the worst thing that has happened at the Academy?” My voice is a quivering mess and I can’t bring myself to give a shit right now.

  “People have died, been scarred horrifically and even institutionalized. Some have even taken to a life of crime but those numbers are few and far between. You seem to forget that if you make it to the final year, you will never have to worry about money or finding an ‘okay’ job again. You will have the career of your dreams and if you have a good head on you, then you should be able to live in the lap of luxury for the rest of your life. Which brings me to the other matter at hand, money,” she drums her fingertips together as she slightly purses her lips. Is there anything that doesn’t look stoic and terrifying on this woman?

  “I’d like the family payments to go straight to the hospital if possible, to ensure that my sister will get a better standard of care while I am away and so I know that she will be okay,” my voice is cracking and my eyes are starting to tear up, this is ridiculous.

  “That is admirable but unnecessary, due to your special circumstances you will fit into a different payment category. Harkwright is keen on making sure that nothing will take your attention away from the Academy, therefore your sister’s hospital bills will be covered for the duration of your stay, but only at the price that is currently being charged. If there is an increase, then your mother will have to make up the rest. Your mother will still receive the thousand dollar a month stipend without fail to help avoid any disruptions that could occur during your absence.” She sighs and shakes her head before looking down at her watch. “I would be grateful if I were you Miss Carter, this offer is not made easily, and it does not come lightly either. No matter what occurs within those three years, you will not try to drop out and you will attend all your lessons without fail and apply yourself a thousand percent. You must also not talk about this offer to anyone, even those you will be sharing a home with. Those are the stipulations, make sure you take the time to consider your acceptance.”

  “Does this mean I’m in?”

  “Oh my no, this is simply an offer based on the contingency of the men selecting you. If you get chosen, then this will take full affect. Now, before you see the doctor and take the lie detector test, do you have any questions? And do not waste my time with meaningless ones, I do have other things I need to take care of today,” she sounds so bored, but is it with me, the situation or just her job in general?

  “I only have two. One, what would happen if I was kicked out of the Academy and two, what would happen if I did decide to leave?” I bet I could cut the tension with a knife if I decided to attempt such a thing.

  “Your line of questioning is worrying, but also predictable, boringly so. If you are removed from the Academy, then every payment made to the hospital and to your mother must be paid back in full and with immediate effect. The moment you step across the threshold, the money must be back within our accounts. The same goes for if you are told to leave, but it may not be the only punishment to befall you.”

  “Will I be leaving with my life intact?” I
ask slowly and she smirks at me, hell in a hand basket, she’s a freak.

  “Of course, everyone who leaves the premises is always breathing when they do so,” she sounds like a stepford wife.

  “Will I make it home?” I can’t hide my hesitancy, I’m scared to hear her reply. My pulse is thundering away and I feel sick.

  “Well, that all depends on who is holding the door open when you leave.”

  3

  Preparation is Key

  I am never having another physical exam for the rest of my life; I don’t care what the advice is. It is never happening, and that’s final. The lie detector was easy and I have thoroughly proven that I cannot tell even the slightest fib, my whole face gives me away and it matches with whatever answer was showing up on the screen.

  “Thank you for taking the time to see me Ms. Vanderbilt and for fitting me into your busy schedule,” I say as I hold my hand out to her and she gives my hand a cursory look before shaking her head and walking down the hall.

  “Follow,” she demands over her shoulder, without even looking back and it’s degrading as all get out, but I will do it. What choice do I have?

  “D-did I do s-s-something wrong?” Why did the stuttering have to happen now? I was doing so well.

  “We have three boutiques to visit before I can dismiss you and move on to more important things,” she still won’t look at me, she is so conceited just like everyone else in this town.

  “Why bother?” It snaps out of me and my hand is too late to keep the words inside my mouth as I press hard against it, with my eyes growing wide.

  “I beg your pardon?” Her eyes are drilling into me, but she doesn’t look as bored now.

  “I don’t fit the image and you made your mind up about me long before I turned up today. I’m sorry I called at the last minute but why give a deadline if you expect everyone to call straight away. Just put that in the letter next time.”

  Why is my voice rising and why am I still talking? I’m horrified with myself, I shouldn’t be speaking to her like this, not only does she hold my future in her hands but she’s my elder. I have to show her respect, even if - in my opinion at least - she doesn’t deserve it.

  “I guess you do have a spine underneath all that stuttering and virginal innocence that you wear so blatantly. Listen child, I can tell them to ignore your file and put my opinion across but you’ve already garnered the attention of two of the young men who will be in attendance for the next few years. Maybe their curiosity will be appeased once they see you in person or maybe they’ll invite you to attend, I don’t know. All I know is that I have three boutiques to visit and then I can be done with this ridiculous charade of hospitality and helping the less fortunate.”

  She storms away and I have to hurry to follow her, I don’t move well in kitten heels at any time, let alone having to jog in them. We walk out of the Harkwright office building and she leads me down the street where I met that stuck-up bitch earlier, it already feels like a lifetime ago. How time flies when you’re having fun.

  “I will select your required attire for the first year and then each year as and when it is required, you have already mentioned your clothing size on the application form so as long as that is accurate there isn’t anything you need to do.”

  “Okay then do you want me to wait outside?” I am so confused, why can’t I just go home if she’s going to insist on dressing me up like a doll?

  “You will have very little freedom once you step foot inside your - could be - new home, so we allow you to select two items of footwear, including one pair of slippers. Six items of clothing, two bras and seven panties that you will feel comfortable in and two items of bed wear. We only permit these if you have any downtime, where you will remain within your room. If you have not been called on by one of the men and you do not have any lessons to attend. However, should a Harkwright man require you to service their needs then you will change into something more fitting for an Academy girl. There will be a full itinerary and a list of what you should and should not wear in your room. I will have no say in what you choose so pick it and take it to the register. The stores will be closed to the public until our business inside is complete,” wow her power is ridiculous.

  We step inside and my eyes are bugging out at the styles of dresses they have on show, slut.com anyone!? I find a pair of cut-off jeans that could be comfortable but there's no price tag on them, is that because of me?

  “Where is the price tag?” I ask quietly, not expecting an actual answer.

  I can hear the woman behind the register snickering but one look from Ms Vanderbilt has her choking it back down.

  “Listen Luna and after the past two hours I think I am more than permitted to use your first name. None of the boutiques on this street use price tags. If you’re shopping here, then you don’t need to know the cost. If you can’t afford to purchase without adding up the total, then you're in the wrong place,” she looks me up and down, as if I didn’t already know that I don’t belong in a place like this.

  She walks off to collect ‘my clothes’ and I’m pretty much left to my own devices. I guess it’s the clothing first, but I don’t know what I want. None of these clothes are me, I don’t really wear dresses although there are a couple smart ones that keep drawing my eye. I really like the white blouse with a leather knee-length skirt but I don’t have the confidence for something like that.

  “You don’t belong here,” my head snaps up and my heart hurts at the words as my eyes fall on a girl around my age; sporting a name tag.

  “I know, I’m thinking that’s true of me no matter where I go,” it comes out low and I’m scuffing the toe of my shoe against the black tiled floor.

  “Hey, I just meant this section. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure you could pull it off but none of it says you,” I go to cut her off, but she holds her hands up in front and I stay silent. “I know I don’t know you but I’m a personal shopper and it’s my job to know what clothes will suit a person. Follow me and I’ll help you find some clothes that you will love,” she smiles gently, and she feels so out of place to me. I guess she belongs here as much as I do, that or she’s just a lot nicer than the rest of them.

  She leads me to a back wall that has my name written all over it, if I was loaded and never questioned the value of a dollar. That being said, these clothes were made for me, surely. Boy shorts, boyfriend jeans, oversized sweatshirts and jumper dresses. There are even a pair of grey leggings that are thick enough to keep any light from revealing my panties underneath.

  “How many extra items are you allowed to select?” She has the kindest eyes, I wonder if any of the other girls will be remotely friendly or will they all be out for themselves.

  “S-s-six,” I push the words out but all I see is understanding, she doesn’t even roll her eyes at me.

  “It’s okay, I stutter sometimes when I’m nervous too. Just take a deep breath and count to ten if it feels like a bad one, but okay, six we can work with that.”

  “I would go for a pair of shorts, at least one of the jumper dresses. You scream sweatshirt so we’ll grab one of those and I would say a pair of jeans and leggings, that leaves you with one last thing to pick. What’s calling to you?” Such an innocent question and my eyes instantly get drawn in the direction of the leather skirt dress, but I shake it off as a flight of fancy and look through the rest of the clothes in front of me.

  “That isn’t your thing hon, but I have an idea. It’s a little out there compared to this stuff, but low key enough that you shouldn’t feel too uncomfortable. I’ll be right back,” she says with a smile, before bouncing away and I can see the glares she’s receiving from her boss from here.

  I guess she doesn’t like her fraternizing with me, what does she think will happen? Being a loner isn’t catching, I’m not about to contaminate her or anything.

  “Okay, here we go,” she comes rushing with a dress draped over her arm. She picks it up and holds it flush against herself and I�
��m not sure what to make of it, it’s stunning but I don’t think it’s really me.

  It has a white ruche top with sleeves that come off the shoulders with a faux leather skirt - at least I think it’s faux -ankle length with a knee length slit traveling up one side. It isn’t ridiculously sexy or showing everything off, but definitely more than I would usually show.

  “If you say no it won’t offend me, but I think it would do wonders for you. You just have to see yourself in a way that doesn’t scream frightened bunny rabbit,” she winks at me and I smile in return, but I'm sure it looks more like a grimace. I’m just glad she doesn’t take offense before she skips off and I take a couple of moments before I follow her and lay the dress she picked down on the counter with the rest of my pile.

  Ms. Vanderbilt joins back up with me with the pile she has selected and I don’t even get to have a quick look before she’s sweeping me out of there and into the next store. By the time we’re finished I choose some modest underwear, made for comfort and nothing more. My bed wear is a tank top and shorts that will sit higher than I’d usually choose but it's definitely the most modest of the options, and my footwear is a pair of black Doc Martens and a pair of sneakers.

  She leads me out one last time and we stand on the street with nothing but the clacking of heels of women who pass us by filling the silence. There are no cars driving by or people discussing, well anything. How can a town be so quiet at this time?

  “We’re done here, the next selection is made through a telephone call but seeing as you don’t have a phone,” she pulls a box out of her oversized handbag and passes me a cell. “Call it a loan, if you get in you can keep it,” she glances at her watch before turning around and starts to leave me on the sidewalk.

  “Ms. Vanderbilt,” I call out, and she stops in her tracks but she doesn't turn back around. “Why buy me the clothes if I’m not in yet. What If I don’t get picked?” Maybe she can hear the worry in my voice over the fear that I’ll have to pay back the cost, my palms are growing sweaty just thinking about it. She glances back at me before sighing and turning around fully.