She stopped breathing as he entered the room. Trying hard to suppress everything she had under gone. Everything she had become. There in all his subterfuge was the man for her. She tried to slow her heart as she spoke. "Mr. Attwood. Glad you could join us." She turned her back to begin the presentation. As her lips moved and she used the laser pointer on each slide her mind melted away. Like the person he made her become deep inside fell at his feet. Was he watching? Would he notice?

How long it had been since her training? Was it only a month? Was it the whole summer break? Her body didn't care anymore. She was a puppet, his puppet. The strings over her will stronger then the chains of the pit. Here she wore flats. Here she wore clothes. It was becoming hard to breathe. Stopping her presentation for questions she turned to face the staff. Never looking up while he was siting there. 

"Very good, Ms. Walker." He stood at the end of the table. Her heart felt like it would burst. "Now I would like us all to remember that we are professionals. Everyday as we shape the minds of the next generation of world leaders. We are to leave this world better then it was when we got it. Have an productive school year!" 

As he walked out they gave a brief applause. She could breathe again. Her heart slowed its sprint pace and eased into a gallop. Her eyes darted from left to right. No one noticed. The few eyes on her weren't anywhere near her face. As they stood and filed out of the conference room she stood there. Her hands on her hips. The bell for first period rang through the halls as she made it to the door and turned the lock.