CHAPTER SIX
“You’d think this would at least earn us a get out of jail free pass or something,” Jared complained to no one in particular. “Forcing us to go to class is pointless. The teachers will be so worried about upsetting us so they won’t make us do work or anything.”
“We could have group all day if you’d rather?” Andrew suggested, taking a seat next to Jared at the table.
“Do you think we’re crazy?” Jared asked. “No one in their right mind would ever volunteer to have extra group.”
“So you’ll be in class?” Andrew asked.
“May as well,” Jared sighed, “but I just might be too upset to do any work.”
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Meredith caught up with Andrew and Cat as they headed out of the dining hall towards the school building. “I’ve asked someone else to take over your classes for the next few days so that you can be available at all times for your students,” she told them. “I think it would be a good idea if the two of you took a few hours alone together to consider about how the events of the past few days have affected your group and you personally as well as thinking about how you plan to help your students deal with Beth’s death. But that’s going to have to wait. I just got a call that someone found Janika sleeping on the beach. I’d like to see her when you three are done talking. I’ll be in my office.”
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“My actions were inexcusable and I’ll make sure that it never happens again,” Jason told Meredith he made his way out of her office. “I’ll be more careful about securing the boats in the future.”
“It’s been a pretty intense week,” Meredith reminded him. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. With the stress of the past few days we’ve all overlooked things that we would have normally been more careful about.” With all of the search teams, the beach had been pretty chaotic and the staff had been focussed more on helping the searchers and keeping the students occupied than on strictly enforcing the rules. “Let’s just be grateful that Janika fell asleep instead of trying to canoe across to the mainland in the dark.”
“Even I know better than that,” Janika pointed out as she made her way up the walk towards the office door, half a step ahead of her counsellors. “If I hadn’t been so exhausted from all the hiking you guys made up do, I would have been off into the woods long before anyone found me. But I would have never taken a boat out in the dark.”
“I’d best get back to the beach. Things are still pretty disorganized down there,” Jason commented as he walked away, relieved to have gotten off so easily. An unsecured boat was a valuable asset to any student on the run, and would normally have been dealt with far more severely.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” Meredith told Janika as she ushered the three of them into her office. “I’ll debrief with you two after the staff meeting tonight,” she told Cat and Andrew. “Try and make good use of your time until then.”
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Ryan surveyed the rows of distracted students sitting in front of him as he expounded on the importance of studying classic English literature. “I guess that’s enough for today,” he finally announced. “I’ll see everyone in class tomorrow, ready to learn.”
“Finding your way around?” Melanie asked Kaida as they made their way down the hall towards their next class. “It can be kind of overwhelming when you’re new, but you’ll get used to this place pretty soon.”
“It’s actually not that bad,” Kaida told her. “It’s pretty much impossible to get lost in a school this size, and I haven’t had to worry about the rest of campus since there’s always other people heading the same way I am.”
“Aside from directions, how are you settling in?”
“Now that we’re not hiking anymore, I don’t mind it here. Classes aren’t that big of a deal, the food’s great, and we’re always busy. I think I could get used to this.”
“You’re not out of the woods yet,” Melanie warned her. “We’ll be back on the trail soon enough, and the classes aren’t usually this easy. The teachers are just giving us a break because of everything that’s happened. Wait a few weeks and then see what you think.”
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“Couldn’t even go a whole day without getting caught, could you?” Jared taunted as he slid into a seat across from Janika’s.
“Leave her alone,” Melanie requested. “There’s enough going on right now without you making trouble.”
Jared glared at her before turning his attention back to his lunch. “Aren’t you going to eat that?” Kaida asked as Janika continued pushing the food around her plate.
“I don’t really feel like eating right now,” Janika mumbled. “I think I’m getting a cold.”
“Pass it here,” Kaida suggested. “I’ll eat it.”
Janika eagerly handed her plate across the table, only to be met by Melanie’s disproving gaze. “I’m really not hungry,” she repeated.
Melanie frowned, but finally nodded. “Just this once. Don’t make a habit of it. You’ll be in a lot of trouble if someone catches you. No one’s really paying attention today, but if you keep this up...”
“Just until I’m feeling better,” Janika promised.
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“Why do they insist that everyone finishes their own food?” Kaida asked as she followed Christina to their next class. “As long as we’re not wasting it, why do they care?”
“Officially? We’ve got to keep up our energy for all of the expeditions and activities that we do. It’s easier to keep track when everyone is held to the same standards. The staff are usually pretty good at supervising meals, but everyone’s a little distracted this week.”
“Still, it seems kind of silly to make someone eat if they’re sick.”
“If you’re sick enough to be in the infirmary, meals are organized on an individual basis. Otherwise, you’ve just got to suck it up and eat what you’re given.”
“I don’t think the food’s that bad. I’m not complaining, it just didn’t seem fair to force Janika to eat when she’s not feeling well.”
“There are reasons behind everything that they make us do here. The rules do have a purpose, we just don’t always get told what that purpose is. You do start to figure things out after a while though.”
“Like what?”
“Like the ‘eat all of your own food or else’ rule...it’s not just about having enough energy. Some of the students are here because of eating disorders, and you don’t always know who they are, so it’s just easier to make sure that everyone eats. Or the rule about always being in a group if you’re outside after dark, and not leaving your dorm after lights out... the animals don’t usually come too close where there are people around, but occasionally they do and those are the ones that you have to be careful around. In case they have rabies or something. If one of them surprised you in the dark, you could be in trouble.”
“No one said anything about dangerous animals.”
“As long as you follow the rules, you should be fine. They don’t want to scare us too much, so they keep a lot of things to themselves, but there have been bobcat and wolf sightings on the island in the past few years.”
“Wolves! They make us spend days hiking in the middle of nowhere when there are wolves around!”
“I take it you didn’t get the standard welcome speech?”
“Meredith said we’d do all the official check-in stuff after the hike, but I haven’t seen her since we got back.”
“They’ll remember you eventually. It’s nothing too important. There’s a whole list of things that you’re not allowed to have, but someone will have looked through your bags already. Basically, as long as you’re on time for everything and don’t run off, you’ll be fine. And stay away from any animals, just in case.”
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“I know it’s way too early to realistically think about moving on completely, but for everyone’s sake, we need to try and get our daily routine back to normal,” Meredith told the counsellors gathered around her in the office. “We’ll be holding a school-wide memorial service for Elizabeth tomorrow evening. Anyone who wishes to have a part in the service may do so, provided that their involvement is appropriate. I’d like you all to announce the service in your groups this evening and give your students a chance to talk about what happened. If anyone wishes time to prepare some kind of tribute for Elizabeth, I think it would be appropriate to excuse them from afternoon classes tomorrow.” Meredith looked around the room, catching the look of sheer exhaustion on many faces that she knew was likely mirrored in her own. The search had taken a toll on all of them. “Unless there’s something urgent that need addressing, I think we’ll leave the rest of the business for next week,” she decided.
As everyone filed out of the room, Meredith caught Andrew’s arm. Leading him back to where Cat was still sitting, she asked quietly, “How are you doing?”
“Fine,” they both responded automatically.
Meredith sighed. “I know you must be tired of everyone asking, but you need to look out for yourselves as well as your students. How are you really doing?”
“I’ve been pretty busy watching out for the kids,” Cat replied. “When I do have a few minutes to myself, I completely zone out. I know I should be trying to work through things for myself so that I can better help the students deal with their reactions, but thinking takes too much energy. If something isn’t absolutely necessary, I just can’t be bothered right now.”
In the silence that followed, both women turned to Andrew, who stared back at them defiantly. “It’s been a rough week,” he finally admitted. “But I’ll get through it.”
“We’ll get through it,” Cat reminded him. “We’re in this together.”
"We’re all here for you, both of you,” Meredith added. After a moment she continued, “Michelle’s waiting for you two in the chapel. She’d like to go over the plans for the memorial service with you before group. I know it’s really soon, and I don’t want to rush things, but we have paperwork to fill out over the next few days. I’ll catch up with you guys after the service and we’ll take care of the details. If you need anything in the meantime, or just want to talk, you know where to find me.”
As they walked off together towards Michelle’s office, Meredith studied them carefully. Beth’s death was difficult for everyone, and that was understandable. Meredith had had the misfortune of seeing too many wonderful counsellors burn out after a serious incident when they focussed too much on their students’ recovery and not enough on their own. She could only pray that the same thing wouldn’t happen to these two.
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“This past weekend, I watched as many off-duty searchers, and worried students gathered here in the chapel to pray for Elizabeth’s safe return and for the safety of the rescue teams. I watched as you supported each other, friend and stranger alike through those difficult hours, brought together by your common prayer.
At first we entertained hope that Elizabeth would arrive back on campus, safely guided by members of the search team. As the hours passed, and we waited for word, some still clung to hope while others began the process of accepting what we would soon all be forced to recognize as truth: that Elizabeth was not coming back.
When the announcement finally came, it was hard on all of us. Elizabeth was such a delight to be with, and always seemed to make the day brighter, no matter what else was going on around us. Her joyful spirit and enthusiastic attitude will always be remembered. As we struggle to come to terms with her death may we remember that she is happier now than she could ever have been here on earth.
May Elizabeth’s joy and excitement for life continue to shine across this campus, as we celebrate our memories of her life. May her genuine care for others be your guide as we work together to recover from this tragedy. May God sustain you and comfort you in the coming days.”
As Michelle took her seat, Meredith stepped up to speak. “Elizabeth will be greatly missed. She was nearly ready to graduate and was very excited to be heading off to college in the fall. Beth worked very hard to overcome the obstacles in her life, and was dedicated to keeping a positive attitude regardless of her circumstances. Her continued optimism in the face of extreme adversity, is a testament to the power of God in her life, as she wasn’t shy to admit.
Her burden for helping others in situations similar to her own was a major factor in her decision to return here as a counsellor after college. We will be establishing a scholarship in her honour at the college she was planning to attend, as well as starting a scholarship to assist students who need the kind of help we provide here at Arrow Ridge but cannot afford to come here.
Is there anyone else who would like to say a few words before we conclude the service this evening?”
For a moment no one moved, then Janika made her way slowly to the microphone. “Beth was my best friend. We arrived here within weeks of each other and we’ve been pretty much inseparable ever since. It was impossible to stay angry or sad when she was around. Beth always knew just what to say to make me feel better, and I’m really going to miss her. I find myself looking for her in the dining hall, and waiting for her to ask to be my lab partner. I can’t believe she’s gone.” Her voice shook and she turned away in a futile attempt to control herself. Melanie made her way quickly across the stage, pulling Christina into a tight hug before leading her quietly back to her seat. Behind them a long line of students waited for their turn to speak. Beth had impacted so many people without even realizing it. Her memory would live on in those she had helped.
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As the students made their way to the dorms at the conclusion of the service, Kaida found herself walking beside Jared. “I wish I could have met Beth,” Kaida commented quietly. “She sounds like a wonderful person. I can tell she’s really going to be missed around here”
“She was a little too perky for me most days,” Jared responded. “Being happy has its place, but her constant Pollyanna attitude really got on my nerves. Some times there’s just nothing to be happy or excited about. She always acted like everything was perfect when we all knew it wasn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“She had her issues, like the rest of us or she wouldn’t have been here but no matter how bad things got she never stopped smiling.”
“Maybe she knew that eventually everything would work out.”
“Look around. This isn’t a normal high school. The sorts of problems we have don’t just go away. It’d sure be nice if they did, but it’s not that simple. With everything she’s been through, Beth knows that life isn’t all sunshine and roses but she still acts like life is great.”
“From what I’ve heard it sounded like she had a pretty good life. What brought her here?” Kaida asked.
“We all have our own stories to tell,” he replied. “It’s not my place to share hers.”
“Why not? She can’t share it herself and it’s not like I’m asking for all the details. I’m just curious.”
“What’s said in group stays in group. We have to respect that or no one would ever share. I can’t tell you anything.” As they passed the boys dorm Jared stopped, “Don’t go asking too many personal questions if you want people to like you,” he cautioned. “People will share when they’re ready. Don’t push them.” Ducking through the open door, he waved at her as he disappeared.
Kaida stared after him until the noise of other students walking towards the dorms brought her back to reality. Who would have thought that Jared of all people would care about respecting someone’s privacy.
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