Cragen Academy

Chapter Three

The sun had been just a faint glow on the horizon as the bus pulled up to the mechanical gate. Through the window was the usual formation of intimidating soldiers, each clutching a rifle to their chest. Tight security seemed to be the only similarity Marian could find between the two districts.

She watched in relief as a guard waved the driver through, her joints aching from being in the same position for too long. She wasn't certain of the time but was sure they'd been driving for at least ten hours with only two rest stops along the way. The bus continued the steady crawl forward, swaying with all the twists and turns of the valley. A final moan came from the brakes as it came to a slow halt a few yards from the gigantic glass dome.

The driver stood at the front of the aisle, holding a brown clipboard in his hands. He called out the names of six individuals, Marian Wendall being one of them.

As the trail of footfalls thudded down the stairwell, Marian bent her neck and peered up at the magnificent structure. The steel beams that held it in place were as long and wide as some of the tree trunks that grew around Wayland District, with each glass panel reflecting the endless blue skies. Gravel crunched beneath her shoes as she stepped onto the roadway. Beside them, the white vehicles emitted their usual stench as the engines hummed loudly, and flecks of dust danced through the beaming headlights.

"Is that everyone?"

Marian turned at the voice, but it hadn't been speaking to her. A woman, also wearing a driver's uniform, was switching places with the man who had driven them from Wayland District. Marian hadn't noticed that he'd also gotten off the bus, but quickly thought back to his remark about driving no further than this route. She guessed the students who remained behind would be delivered to the other academies. It made her a tad envious that they'd get a glimpse of the other districts.

The students weren't provided instructions of where to go because the line of soldiers, each standing a few feet from the next, made it impossible to stray in the wrong direction. Their presence was the boundary you didn't cross.

Her feet followed behind the bodies marching west, headed towards the setting sun and wall of mountains. At the end of the road was a brick path tucked under a canopy of lush shade trees. Her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting as they trekked through the woods, keeping pace with the silhouette in front of her. Up ahead, they could see an open doorway. That's when Marian, along with many others, realized why they hadn't seen the school from the bus. They had all but assumed it was hidden out of view by the forest and mountain range, but no, the academy was inside the mountain. 

Marian glanced up as she passed through the steel door frame, shivering as the cool air crept over her bare skin. It was a surprise to find that the room was similar to any other building she'd been in. It had paneled walls, a ceiling of fluorescent lighting, and flooring covered in a sleek marble— it looked similar to the financial institution. The only major difference was the air. It was much cooler in here, as if it were winter in June.

Up ahead, the students split off into two lines. The girls were going through a door to the left of the room and the boys going through the door across from it. She stood behind Alya, raising herself on tippy-toes to count how many people were in front of her. An educationalist was checking identification badges and comparing the names to a list on her handheld tablet. She wore the mandated uniform—a full-length gown with a stole draped over her shoulders. Hers gown was black with a red stole, the colors of Cragen Academy. The only difference is that the gowns here were long sleeved. Marian hoped her uniform would be long sleeved as well. Otherwise, she might freeze to death.

The woman swept over the tablet with her index finger, a low hum in her throat. "Ah, yes. Marian Wendall. Your bunk will be -" The woman gave two quick blinks and looked up at her. Her eyes were black, the pupils almost indistinguishable from the irises.