#I'l proof read this later

[theblerdbox]

Innocent. (Holes AU x Nevermore Academy)

TW: Physical Abuse, Corporal Punishment

"Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Nevermore Academy for Impressionable Young Women and Camp Green Lake crossed paths once in history - Valentine's Day 1979.

Fifteen-year-old Eva tugged at the hem of her shrunken plaid skirt. She pulled it beyond her knees and it sprung into position upon release. "You're making it worse," Elle groaned, "I've been telling you it's time to size up -"

"I'm not sizing up," Eva snapped, "I refuse to gain weight in this place. She was getting nervous. A Nevermore Girl never breaks the dress code: Sunday skirts are to fall right at the knee, no lower and certainly no higher.

"It's your funeral," Elle said flatly.

The bus ride to Camp Green Lake was 12 hours of silence. They had only heard the rumors about Camp Green Lake before - The dust, the heat, the yellow spotted lizard. While lumber duty, the girls would challenge each assumption with the swing of an axe.

"Poor little babies. It must be sooooo hard digging ONE hole for the day."

"We risk our lives out here on those climbs."

"I can count on two hands how many times I've almost been clipped by a rogue branch!"

"Did you hear about that senior who can't walk anymore? She can't walk AT ALL!"

"And they just have to dig a hole - Some punishment."

"I heard Headmaster Walker and his sister have a bet," Claire bit her lip, itching to share what she'd overheard during quiet hour through the walls, "He thinks her camp is bullshit. Headmaster Walker made a bet with his sister, that if her camp is any better than his, he'll finally gift the camp with a fat check."

"And if she loses?"

"He takes the land and she's out on the street."

Valentine's Day 1979 was simply a house check. Simon, Professor Clarice Thompkins, guidance counselor, and Nevermore's 10 best students made their way to what was formerly known as Green Lake, TX - Simon's hometown.

The girls filed off the bus one by one, perfectly groomed, matching from head to two. It disturbed Mr. Sir how the girls looked exactly alike. The girls remained silent and held their chins high enough to be aware but locking eyes with no one.

"Well trained," Mr. Pendanski assessed, "You didn't tell us your brother was military.

Lou Walker took the last toke of her cigarette and tossed it to the side, ignoring the assumption of her colleague. She recognized the clenched jaws, fidgeting fingers, and dry glances through the orange jumpsuit-wearing boys who called out to them. "Those girls are scared to death."

She met her brother and pulled him into a warm hug, "Welcome home, Simon!"

Simon huffed and reluctantly returned the embrace before shrugging his sister off, "You know how I am about touch." Despite the heat, Simon was elaborately draped in his favorite black cape. Underneath he dawned a three-piece black suit and a solid-colored bowtie.

"Mother always did say you were a diva," The Warden teased.

"Mother was always right," Simon sang under his breath before addressing the ladies in plaid skirts awaiting his command, "Lou, these are some of my best students. I hope that their testimony may be of inspiration for some of your - inmates."

He hissed the word inmates with distaste and the girls acknowledged the Camp Green Lake Staff with a slight choreographed nod. Mr. Sir eyed them with overt suspicion.

"Honestly sister," he continued with a condescending giggle, "You could at least put them inside a building. These poor young men have been sleeping in tents? No wonder you have trouble taming them."

"Teenagers are hard to manage." While Lou took her brother on a Camp Green Lake grounds tour, The girls set up the Wreck Room for the Valentine's Dance they'd planned. The girls wrote each camper a valentine, signed with a heart.

The Nevermore Academy/Camp Green Lake pen pal program was three years old, organized by the camps' guidance counselors Mr. Pendanski and Miss Leo. The two were excited to meet each other after writing for so long. In their letters, they'd share their worst desk salad recipes. For the visit, Pendanski took it upon himself to prepare his best. He thought it was cute how she covered her mouth while she ate. "It's so far out," she took a sip of cola, "that I finally get to sit here with you and have the best sad desk salad."

"Oh, don't you just love love!?" Ellie danced around with the pink streamers she was assigned to hang, "God, I hope they're cute. Are any of them cute?"

"Cute as a python," Claire scoffed, "These boys are doing jail time."

"Hey, now, we're here because we messed up too," an older girl called from atop the ladder, gesturing for Ellie to pass on the work.

"We're reformed. They're wasting space. I heard there's on in for murder."

The others gasped and shook their heads in disbelief.

Ellie gazed out the window at the first set of boys returning from a day's work, "I think we all deserve to be loved, don't you, Eva?"

Eva quietly placed the finishing touches on her valentine by the pool table. It was a sketch of her and, Mitch, her pen pal of 8 months. He was in for shoplifting, like her.

As long as I have you, I don't need to steal anything, he wrote.

Ellie had been writing with his bunkie, Spider. Eva fantasized about the day the four of them would get to double date after they finish their sentences - free. She snapped the valentine shut as she felt Ellie hover over her shoulder, "I think love is a privilege. Not a right."

The Wreck Room door flew open and the first set of boys piled in, smelling like fresh soap. Eva caught her breath, masking the nerves that budded at the thought that Mitch could be in the same room. She tugged on her skirt and stood to her feet. The shift's waistband was pulled to her growing hips. An older girl lent Eva a sweater to wrap around her waist, "It happens to the best of us."

From a distance, she heard Mr. Pendanski address a tall boy of A-Tent, as Mitchell. Eva and Mitchell locked eyes from across the room, recognizing each other immediately. Ellie crept up behind Eva and slowly pushed her friend forward, whispering into her ear, "Jackpot!"

They were having the night of their lives. Mitch and Eva caught up and chatted the whole night. It was like they'd always known each other. They stood to make another trip to the punch bowl and Eva forgot to tug on her skirt. She thought nothing of it until an hour later.

Simon sauntered into the Wreck Room, Lou after him. He sniffed the air and frowned at the cheap decorations. His eyes landed on Eva and he swiftly clapped his hands, a signal for Miss Leo to cut the music for a very important announcement.

Simon, ever the Drama King, waited for complete silence before speaking, "Well, I am glad you are all enjoying the visit. It's a real party in here tonight!" He kept his eyes on Eva and her stomach dropped.

"What's with this guy?" Mitch whispered. Recognizing the seriousness in The Headmaster's tone, Eva shook her head, her eyes pleading with Mitch not to say more.

"Take Eva for example," The Headmaster held out a hand, gesturing for Eva to step forward into the room's center he created with a terrifying aura. Her knees quivered with each step and she suddenly wished she took a bathroom break from catching up with Mitch.

"Don't be scared," The Headmaster hissed, "I don't bite."

Once Eva reached him, Simon placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. She jumped as he started talking again and in her peripheral, she caught his sister doing the same. "Gentlemen, this is Eva. One of our brightest stars and youngest graduates. She's made quite the progress - Haven't you, Eva?"

Eva gulped and cleared her throat. The Headmaster repeated himself with a shout that made all the room's occupants jump, including Mr. Sir, whose hand rested readily on the pistol holstered to his waistband.

"I'm almost done with my tenure," Eva's voice cracked with embarrassment.

"Then how would you explain this?" Simon tugged on the hem of Eva's shrinking plaid skirt and she whimpered. "Is this what Nevermore has taught you?" He screamed at her, "To show out for the boys?"

Spider, Mitch, and the rest of A-Tent stepped forward at the ready, but Mr. Sir intercepted them with a strong arm and a warning, "Gentlemen."

In actuality, Mr. Sir wanted to step in. He didn't know how. But seeing Lou Walker's eyes well up with guilt as she watched her brother humiliate that girl was something worth killing to never see again.

Simon continued, saying in a sweet sinister undertone, "Now, darling, you must know I'm not mad. I'm just thoroughly disappointed. Nevermore Academy," The Headmaster addressed the girls only, as if the dozens of boys in orange jumpsuits disappeared, "What is the punishment appropriate for a violation of the dress code? Anyone? Call it out, ladies. You know this!"

"40 lashes," called a voice from the back of the room.

"Very good!" Simon removed his cape and jacket, piling both into Miss Leo's empty arms. She removed his cuff links, with care, and rolled up his sleeves.

He removed his belt and returned his attention to a now crying Eva. She bowed her head and prayed. That was the only thing that could save her now. She chanted to herself the words her abuela made her memorize in the fifth grade, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies."

Simon continued with afternoon trivia, "And what is the punishment associated with misrepresenting the Nevermore Academy brand?"

"Simon, stop this," Lou begged, "The girl gets it. We get it."

Simon repeated his answer with a scream and was met with an answer from a pale girl in front.

"50 lashes."

Mr. Sir pushed through the crowd with authority "That's enough! You stop this right now -"

Simon fearlessly looked the gun-toting cowboy in the eyes and stepped towards him, "I don't know who you are," he spoke slowly, "But, I know you're making a big mistake."

Mr. Sir looked to Lou who shrugged her shoulders in defeat.

"I -" Eva started to speak and the room went quiet again. She spoke through tears, "I didn't mean to do anything wrong."

Simon stopped in front of the girl and placed both hands on her shoulders, slowly pushing her down onto the chair waiting behind her. He rolled up her skirt, exposing her thighs to the onlooking campers, "This is what you wanted, isn't it?"

She bow her head and began to pray again, "Thou anointest my head with oil."

CRACK!

"My cup runneth over."

CRACK!

"Surely goodness and mercy -"

CRACK!

"- follow me all the days -"

CRACK!

"- of my life -"

CRACK!

Eva looked up through her tears, riddled with strength as each lash landed against her exposed thighs. Bloody welts formed and all she could see was Mitch. He held her gaze, nodding for her to hold strong.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

"And I will dwell -"

CRACK!

"I shall dwell -"

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

"I shall dwell in the house of the Lord!" She cried out with a roar.

CRACK! CRACK!

"Forever."

Eva passed out shortly after. The other girls silently surrounded her, covering her lifeless, exposed body with their own sweaters and blankets. Yes, she messed up, but she was their sister.

"Back on the bus, all of you. We're done here." Simon hissed at Nevermore students and staff, shaken and bewildered by the scene. He repeated himself with a scream as he stormed out the Wreck Room door. The boys parted like the Red Sea for him. That cursed man was nothing to play with. Simon was met by his sister, blocking the exit with crossed arms and a scowl.

"It goes without saying that we won't be back."

"You're not welcome back. You're a monster. And I'll see to it your establishment ends in ruin."

"Now, that's a sight that I'd like to see," Simon glowed with dark sarcasm before pushing his way through The Warden and onto the awaiting coach bus. The girls followed behind him, carrying an unconscious Eva in their arms like a martyr.

Mitch, torn apart with grief tried to chase after them, but Pandanski and Mr. Sir held him back with the help of A-Tent. A medic eventually had to sedate him. Mitch was never the same after that day. He wrote Eva a letter every day, hoping for a response, but he never for one. None of the boys heard from the Nevermore Girls again. It was like they disappeared into thin air.

For months, the air of Camp Green Lake took a turn. The boys were softer with one another. Never again would they complain about having to dig a hole; bitch about the hot sun; or dread the possible sighting of the cursed yellow spotted lizard. Nothing was more jarring than experiencing another run-in with Simon Walker, Headmaster of Nevermore Academy for Impressionable Young Women.

That's episode 2! I hope it was a fun read. I promise I'll go back to Wicked Games after this. I just needed the warm-up.

Now, I want to hear from the readers, would you rather dig a hole a day in the hot sun for 8 months or chop down trees in the forest for 8 months? Comment below. (Jail is not an option!)

@ceruleanmusings

@ocfairygodmother