Instantly reacting, Georgia had just looked to where Serefina and had seen the snarl on her face and she knew at that moment that her sister was the perpetrator and the nasty smile on her face indicated that she had somehow left Georgia in a mess that she was soon about to find out.
With scrutinized supervision, the guards searched each and every student seated in the hall while the other guards stood watching to make sure there was minimal, restricted movement among the remaining students.
After a careful, vigorous search among the students, nothing incriminating was found on any of them and the guard proceeded to searching the environs of the hall, trying to find anything that could be substantiated.
Whoever done it had known their onions and had planned this well. They had known when the principal left their office and none of the attending staffs were absent. They had also put in note the rotating shift of the officers which only allowed a sixty second window. The only mistake was leaving the papers on the table and the office was unintentionally left unlocked.
Whoever had did it had done what they wanted in the span of the thirty five seconds and had left without even not much as a paper trace but hadn't obviously didn't put into account that the question papers were counted.
After searching the student and the environs of their seats, not finding anything, the guards resorted to searching the students' bags, knowing fully well what smart wolverine teenagers could be capable of in their early years.
They ordered to go pick their bags from the stacks and stand by it, bringing it to the searching officer one by one. They did as instructed and emptied their bags in front of the officer who checked if there was anything left in the bag before searching the contents of the floor for any missing thing. They searched and when it was Georgia's turn, she did as instructed only for a folded piece of paper to fall out when she emptied her bag.
The guard unfolded the paper and found the missing question, much to the amazement of everyone in the class. Right from the very first day she joined the school, Georgia had been known as an amazingly bright student, had even represented the school in competitions both at the local and at the national level.
Some of the members of staffs agreed instantly that she had been framed while some other teachers, who had been jealous of her wits and brains were quick to point out how imperfect and flawed she could be.
Without hesitation, the principal put the exam on hold and immediately called an investigating counsel on Georgia, putting her in the deepest abyss of shame she had ever been.
Popularly called "The Academic Slaughterhouse" by students, the senate building was the place where cases that could result to expulsion were reviewed and final decisions were made. Now standing in the cavernous insides of the building, Georgia quivered with shame and embarrassment; she was being crucified for something she knew absolutely nothing about.
She had been with the librarian all day long but she prayed with all her heart if that would really matter.
The disciplinary committee, consisting of the school's principal, the dean of faculties and some other honorary members of staff sat in a round table, with Georgia at the center ready to fire her some questions. When a part of them hoped she would scale through, some others hoped that she would be expelled, describing her as too bright.
Georgia knew fully well that no matter the outcome of the senate hearing of the disciplinary committee, she was not coming back without a dent in her ego, without a scar etched on her mentality.
The principal started first, "Georgia Brooke, what led you to this shameful act of yours?"
"I swear, I didn't do it," she claimed, amidst sobs.
"All evidences point to you in the other way. How would you wash your fur clean from this?"
"All day, I've been at the library reading and revising what I have learnt. I didn't know there were questions in printed form."
"You could have someone hired to do the dirty job for you, since you're so perfect," the economics teacher, a man who had always detested her snarled.
Georgia didn't even know how to reply to his allegation. This was something so serious, an allegation so heinous. She battled with the tears from coming but it won, pouring out in large torrents but that didn't stop the committee from arriving at a ruling.
After the meeting, a suspension ban was placed on Georgia indefinitely and her parents were invited but they didn't show up, claiming they were too busy with work.
She could remember the scornful eyes that looked at her when she was ordered to go get her bag and the accusations that followed on her social media pages, some people alleging that she had been so bright at school because she cheated.
She got home that dejected and was already contemplating suicide if not for Anna's call that came in at that time. She attended a different school, a school more elitist than hers and had heard what happened, using an excuse to skip school and rush over to Georgia's place.
She had comforted her in the best way possible and assured her that she was going to get her father to register Georgia in the school she attended and also pay her bills because Georgia's parent had already threatened not to register her in another school.
Later that day, at the normal closing time, Serefina came home, taunting and mocking Georgia and actually blaming her for the cancelation of the exams with the announcement that the questions were to be changed.
Her parents had did worse when they got back, beating her until she was scarred and had to run out of the house. By and by, Anna fulfilled her promise and took her to the new school which sparked another jealousy in Serefina but she decided not to go to that path at all, even in her memory lane.
As she reflected over what had happen in the expanse of five years that she had left, she decided she was better off not seeing them than being around them, especially with this her triplets.
She knew that her father and General Hades were council members and he was sure to pass a hint that the daughter is around if he came home. She waited earnestly for the day, knowing she might have cut her trip more shorter than she anticipated.
She glanced at the lively sitting room, noting how her memory flashes were increasing in frequency. She was getting more and more of them more frequently now and it threatened to drive her to the edge of insanity. Maybe she needed therapy like Anna had recommended?
She looked to the far side of the sitting room, the sudden sweet and savory aroma of pancakes wafting through the air, filling the sitting room with an irresistible scent. It was if the pancakes were announcing their presence, beckoning everyone to come and indulge, its magic cxatching the attention of everyone present including the triplets.
As the aroma spreads, Riya dishes out some pancakes on the dining table plates, the sight of fluffy, golden – brown pancakes, stacked high on a platter of individual plates. She dotted the pancakes with melted butter, syrup and fresh fruit, creating a colorful and appetizing display.
As they approached the dining table with voracious appetite, the sizzling sound of bacon or sausage cooking in the kitchen adds to the sensory experience, making their mouth water in anticipation.
The warm light of the mid – morning sin streamed in through the windows highlights the tempting plates, making the pancakes seem even more appealing. The sight and aroma of the pancakes transform the sitting room into a cozy breakfast nook, where they were going to gather for a delicious meal.
They all took their place at the dining table, ready to feast on the pre – breakfast meal that Riya had prepared, even Anna took her glasses and came to the beckoning meal.
The first bite of the pancakes was like a symphony of flavors on Anna's tongue. The initial sweetness of the pancake batter gave way to a subtle tanginess, followed by a rich, buttery flavor that melted in the mouth. The syrup added a deep, velvety smoothness with hints of caramel and a slight nutty undertone.
As they dug in further into the pancakes, the door to the sitting room opened in a full swing and an old man with a stocky build came walking in. His aura commanded authority and respect, despite the grey hairs on his head and the flags pinned to his chest spelled out the years of honorary service he had dedicated to his country.
Anna looked at the man and yelled out in surprise. General Hades was back.