Upheaval: Day 13

Word Count: 78,022

Summary of Events:

Leon managed to escape to the library to look up Lavrinti Soshnikov, but found little more on him than he'd found on his grandmother.  At ballet class Leon was paired with classmate Penelope for a pas de deux and they stunned everyone — even themselves — with how well they danced together. After class Miss Corrine took him into her office to ask him about the bruises he'd received from his mom that morning . . .

Excerpt of the Day:
Miss Corrine looked at Leon sceptically. "I don't think you're going to quite collapse from a toxic combination of opioids and liquor again, but I think there's something up here."
"It's fine," Leon replied. "I can handle it."
"I don't believe you Leon," Miss Corrine said. "And I'm frightfully sorry to say so too."
"I can still dance," Leon said. "And that's what matters, right?"
"More than your dancing ability matters Leon," Miss Corrine said. "You matter. Your safety matters. If you aren't safe there's no guarantee your dancing abilities — or you even — will remain."
"I am safe," Leon said.
"I don't think you are," Miss Corrine said. "Is this the work of bullies?"
"No," Leon replied; it was true, he'd never thought of Mama or Yuri as bullies, even if he hadn't liked Yuri.
Miss Corrine stared at him for a long time. Leon felt frightfully uncomfortable. He wished she'd stop staring at him, and that she'd close the window; in fact, if he could just move on to find some supper and get to the Toronto Centre would be nice.
"Is your mother doing this to you?" Miss Corrine asked. "Or a boyfriend of hers?"
"No," Leon replied. "Mama doesn't have boyfriends."
"Then is it her?" Miss Corrine asked.
"No," Leon lied.
"Is it a teacher?" Miss Corrine asked.
"No," Leon replied.
"Did you get mugged?" Miss Corrine asked.
"No," Leon replied.
"Are they beating you at that contest?" Miss Corrine asked.
"No," Leon replied; that was true too: they weren't beating him, there'd just been an attempt on his life.
"Leon, why won't you tell me?" Miss Corrine asked. "Don't you trust me?"
"Yeah," Leon replied.
"So then why won't you tell me?" Miss Corrine asked.
"It's okay," Leon said. "I'll be fine."
"I don't think you will Leon," Miss Corrine whispered. "I really don't."
"I can take care of myself," Leon said.
"You're making me think about that really sad song," Miss Corrine said. "The one where the little girl tells her dad that her friend at school lies about being abused at home and then the friend ends up being killed. I'm paranoid one day you're not going to show up for class and I'm going to get word from the police that you were found beaten to death at home."
Leon's stomach twisted. Mama wouldn't do that . . . would she? He sure hoped not. He knew Denis and Polina wouldn't harm him, but nothing said Mama wouldn't, and Leon suddenly felt scared.
"Who's hurting you?" Miss Corrine asked.
Despite the fear that chilled him, Leon couldn't make his jaw move, he couldn't make himself say the words. He couldn't tell her. What would happen to him if he did? What would happen to Mama?
He saw tears filling Miss Corrine's eyes. "Who is it Leon?"
Leon shook his head subtly before getting to his feet and leaving the room. He couldn't tell her. He didn't dare tell her.