Diamond Fires

PROLOGUE

This was by far one of the most difficult situations she'd ever been put in.

Who knew that it would get this far? Not Miri Hale. But, let's backtrack a few weeks.

The rosy sky was slowly darkening as the stark winter sun sank behind the mountains. A few stray, silver-painted clouds floated in the cold Saturday evening breeze. Burdened by the many bags she was carrying, she made her way down the wide paved walkway. She jumped at the clang of the large iron gates closing behind her and turned just in time to see her taxi driving off. Now, she was truly alone. She shook her head, removing the dramatic thoughts that were bound to leave her in a worse condition and took out her earphones. Get a grip, Miri.

She turned back, running one hand through her messy tresses and dragged her heavy suitcase farther forward. There it stood, only a few metres away. Glen Academy.

The magnificent structure stood proudly before her, and all her fears of a school for idiots and sad cases were momentarily washed away. It was a gigantic castle-like institute with circular towers and finely crafted arches. It was once white, but age and weather had dulled it down from the grandeur that she was sure it must have once been, giving it an ancient aura that she absolutely loved. She stopped for a minute to admire the building and it's surroundings. A shallow forest of oak trees stood to her left and to her right was the largest garden she had ever seen. Beds meant for all kinds of exotic flowers and neatly trimmed grass surrounding a beautiful pond reflecting the darkening sky, couldn't distract her quite enough. Nerves and fear were churning in her insides and left her feeling quite sick.

I'm fine. Everything's just peachy. She took a breath to try to calm herself.

Oh, who am I kidding?

Miri pulled her attention away from her inner predicament to the arched doors that loomed before her. She rested her small hand on the oddly-shaped door knocker and attempted to push it. It was old and rusty, bringing back an onslaught of doubts, but she finally managed to hit the polished wood and a loud resonate sound vibrated across her arm. She abandoned any thoughts of 'getting the hell out this place' when the door opened immediately and taking one last look at the iron gates that seemed to look -oh- so much like prison bars, entered the building.

The brunette stepped into a grand, granite-floored foyer but saw no sign of the force that had opened the door. Suddenly, she saw a blur of silver flash across the foyer and up a huge staircase in the centre of the room, then forking to the right wing. She was startled and jumped back, nearly dropping her messenger bag. Despite the fact that she should have been panicking at this point, she felt an odd sense of peace and tranquillity in her mind and body fighting an undercurrent of apprehension. This place isn't normal. She was slowly starting to doubt her judgement, what was this strange school? She laughed nervously, what exactly had they signed her up for? But there was no turning back now, nothing could be worse than the place that she had left.

Pulling her suitcase forward, she adjusted the bag on her shoulder and headed for the staircase. Sucking in her breath and some courage, she called out, "Hello? Professor Marlo?" This was the only name that she had been told of, her foster parents had obviously not thought ahead of leaving her at the doorstep and out of their hands. Once again, she marvelled at the absolute magnitude of her predicament. There was no reply but the echo of her familiar voice. She reached the platform that divided the main, marble staircase into two and contemplated her choices. She had no idea where she was supposed to enroll for administration.

For the second time in the past few minutes, she jumped, but this time at the sound of faint shouts. Her trained ears distinguished the sound from the left staircase and leaving her baggage on the platform, she dashed towards the sound. The pure instinct that someone was in danger carried her toward and further down the left corridor.