Darrowwood Part Nine

9.

     “Welcome, welcome,” said a short man in the center of the crowd.  “Just sign your name and take a chair around the room here.”  Warehouse lighting shone on his dark hair, the only visible part of him.

     Monica approached the podium and its old leather book.  Her finger throbbed as she took the fountain pen, glanced over her shoulder, and then signed her name in red ink.  It glistened briefly on the page.

     “Come, come, we don’t have all day” The short man stepped on a boxy stage, his dark curls bouncing.  Monica took a seat on one of several high-backed chairs in front of a standing row of uniformed students, seats which seemed to be reserved, for the time being, for prospective students like her.  “My name is Alendro Sinclair, and I am the Headmaster and Founder of Darrowwood Preparatory.  I am pleased to see your lovely faces looking back at me at last.”

     Monica glanced around at the other students.  The blonde boy on her left appeared just slightly interested in the founder’s introduction.  On the right the girl with the piggy nose and a nose stud chatted animatedly with a friend.

     “We have many opportunities to expand your talents at Darrowwood,” Alendro said, “but first I should like to go over some rules.”

     Jenny entered the building then and swiftly made her way to a chair on the wall behind Alendro.  Monica saw that her big toe, wrapped in a gauze bandage, was poking out of her purple tennis shoes.  She waved at her, but Jenny did not see her, or was focused on making as little of an entrance as possible.

     Uniforms were to be worn at all times.  There was a set for exercising, seven regular ones – one for every day of the week – and several dressing gowns for sleeping, which would be found in their dresser-drawers.  The founder would always be known by his first name, but all other instructors were to be addressed as either “Sir” or “Madam”.  Each room and its occupants would have a chore to do every other day which they would be responsible for completing.  All meals would be taken together in the cafeteria.  All assignments were to be written out on paper.

     One computer existed on campus with internet access, but it would be used for research purposes only, and only with written permission.  Cell phones, unfortunately, had unpredictable service at the school, so their use was widely discouraged.  There were no detentions, no curfews, and only punishment for severe cases.  Alendro would not say what those were.  In addition, students could go anywhere within the borders of the forest, even by themselves.

     The meeting closed after Alendro asked them all to put on their red cloaks and sing the school anthem.  Monica only tried to listen, but she could not follow through the high, unidentifiable buzzing in the air. She was glad when Alendro said,"I hope you find your stay here enjoyable,” and dismissed them.
     Monica tried to follow Jenny out of the door, but found her way blocked by a huddle of hooded upperclassmen.
    "Where are you going?" one of them sneered. He had brilliant red hair and freckles.
     "I'm trying to find my friend."
     "Your friend?" He advanced one step towards her. "I'm your friend, now."
     "Leave her alone, Jeebs." Jenny suddenly appeared at Monica's shoulder.
     "Of course," His feigned contriteness only fooled Jenny. His pals took him outside of the hall.
     "Do you know that guy?" Monica asked Jenny. The transition from the cold scullery to the almost boiling outside hit her a bit breathless.
     "No, not really, but I feel like I do." She rushed ahead forward. "I'll see you at dinner!"
     Monica had no choice but to try to find her room and get in a quick nap.

Read Part 10