Matt turned off the television. The automated tracking system was impressive in the way it kept track of Kelli's location and displayed the nearest camera view for him. One of the guys in the surveillance center had called when she was registered in the computer and available for him to monitor. From now on he could see where she was any time day or night.

He had been unprepared for Kelli's request. It was so unexpected he hadn't been sure how to respond. The school served a worthwhile purpose, one in which he was proud to participate. When he had accepted the offer to be a warden the possibility of Kelli being one of the students had never occurred to him. Matt was the type who tried to anticipate situations and prepare a carefully thought out response if and when it was needed. He had not planned on her sitting in one of those cells, shackled hand and foot.

When she asked to be transferred he had no idea how to handle it. His first inclination had been to refuse out of hand. She had done nothing to justify being subjected to the unforgiving discipline inflicted on the women who were brought to the school under duress. But he gave her the opportunity to present her side before deciding, something he had promised her as part of their living arrangement.

She had been persuasive, presenting her reasons in clear terms he couldn't easily dismiss. She had answers for all the questions and credible responses to his objections. The more Matt heard the less he was willing to say no. In the end he had told her he would consider it and give her an answer in a few days.

By the end of the next day he still didn't want to do it but had to admit his reasons were mostly selfish ones. Matt knew what awaited her on the other side, conditions unlike anything she had ever experienced before. How she would react he couldn't predict, and that was the single biggest objection he could muster. The problem was her reason for going was precisely to find out if she could handle it. Was it right for him to deprive her of a chance to prove to her own satisfaction that she could become the woman she idealized?

As much as he would miss her he had to do what he felt best served her well-being. Reluctantly he had called the Director's office and made inquiries. No, he was told, she couldn't volunteer on her own but that was a technicality. Since he was employed as a warden if he asked she would be enrolled immediately and without question. Knowing he might have cause to regret the moment later on he filed the request for the next evening.

Matt thought about telling her what he had done but decided against it. It wouldn't be fair to her if she got any special treatment. Like everyone else she would be taken at an unexpected moment, by force if necessary, without any warning. It was part of the process, the psychological effect of suddenly losing control of her life to the unknown.

He knew from working as a warden that he would be kept informed of her progress constantly. His access to reports would be unrestricted, and he could see her through the camera system when she was in class or the dorm area. What he couldn't do is ask for changes in her program or obtain any type of special treatment for her. Nor would he see her in the normal course of his work. The central office would coordinate his activity to ensure they didn't meet.

When the knock on the door came, he almost didn't answer it. Watching the wardens as they efficiently restrained her was almost more than he could bear. He had done the same thing countless times as part of his job, but never had he imagined Kelli would be the one being put in chains and taken away. She didn't resist but he could tell from her expression she was afraid. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be all right, but he couldn't. It was not going to be all right, not for some time to come.

Sitting alone on the couch he stared at the dark screen on their TV set. Next to him on the seat cushion was the book she had been reading, still in the same place where she had put it down after hearing that fateful knock. He picked it up and read the back cover. A romantic mystery-adventure, her favorite genre, one where the tall dark stranger who wins the heroine's heart turns out to be a sophisticated rogue driven to crime by the evil older brother. Making sure her bookmark didn't fall out he placed it on the end table. It would be ready for her when she came back. No matter how long it takes , Matt promised.