Freak High

"Welcome to Freak High," said a voice behind me.

I jumped. I had just been staring uncomprehendingly at the large, gray stone building as soon as I stepped into the spiked black gate and barbed wire fence. I hadn't realized anyone was behind me, and as I turned I saw who it was who had startled me.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," said a girl who looked about my age. She had fire red hair and amber eyes framed by dark blue glasses. She wore a light blue shirt that looked two sizes too big for her, a pair of faded blue jeans, and a huge smile. "So, what's your name?" she asked me.

"Oh, I'm, um, I'm Terra, " I replied, still a little startled.

"I'm Alacris," she said, holding her hand out. She must have seen the look on my face when I took her hand to shake it, because she explained, "It's Latin, like your name." Right. I should've figured that out.

Alacris walked me to the building. "So, where are you from?" she asked me.

"Chicago," I replied. "What about you?"

"Here," she said. She sounded a little… sad when she said it, but I could have just been imagining it. "Do you know why you had to come here? I mean, anyone can't come here. There's always a special reason."

I shook my head. "I just know my parents wanted to send me here. They said something about this being the only 'safe place' for me. I have no clue what they meant by that, though."

Alacris nodded thoughtfully. "Well, I guess you'll be able to find out soon enough."

I was kind of confused, but I didn't bother with questions. We had entered the building anyways, and teachers and staff were starting to greet me. One, a woman who looked to be in about her fifties, came up to me.

"You're Terra Wingfield, aren't you?" she said. I nodded. "Wonderful. I'm Laura Goodwin. I'm the dean of students here at Zodiac Preparatory School. Come with me, and before we get started, I'll show you your room. "

Alacris whispered a quick "See you later" and dashed off as I followed Mrs. Goodwin to my room.