Through the Doorway...

Enrolling

"Ok, look out there and tell me that's not an ice-cream castle."

For a minute, I thought that Lee had lost her mind, but when I looked, I saw that she was right. There, in the distance, was a completely white castle. It blended right in with the landscape. Ala turned to me.

"It's probably our best bet. If I were Viv, that's where I would go."

I agreed. We started heading that way and, in a couple of hours, we made it. The castle loomed in front of us. Lee, ever-bold, stepped up and knocked loudly on the gate. After a few minutes, a man in a white suit opened it up.

"Welcome to the Literate Institute for the Very Elite. Are you here to register?"

"Um, actually, we're here looking for a friend. Has anyone recently 'registered' here?" I asked, trying to put as much authority into my voice as I could.

The little man thought for a moment.

"Yes. I short girl with long black hair just registered a couple hours ago."

I shot Ala a smile. "Could we speak with her?"

"I'm afraid not. Only students are allowed on the campus and the students are not allowed off."

"Thanks." I said and turned away.

I motioned for Ala and Lee to follow me. After we had gone a little ways down the path, I looked at Ala.

"What should we do. We could enroll and talk to Viv that way, but then we'd have to stay until the end of the semester."

Ala thought for a moment before responding. "I think it's worth a shot."

Lee muttered "Yes!" under her breath. She always did like adventures. Anywho, the three of us turned back toward the gate. The little man was still there.

"Hello again, sir. Actually, we would like to register."

"Excellent! Follow me."

He walked through the main door and turned into an office just beyond.

"Mr. Sorenson, I have new students!"

Behind a huge desk, was a small man. He had brown hair and nice warm eyes. His smile lit up the room. I relaxed just a tad.

"Again. Great. Here are your schedules. Bunk them with the other. Then we'll have a full room, Mr. Wit."

Mr. Wit led us down the hall and up three flights of stairs. Then he stopped outside a door and knocked. A sleepy voice said "Come in, it's unlocked."

Mr. Wit opened the door and ushered us inside. Viv was laying on the center bed. Her look of surprise was priceless.

"How did you find me?!"

"We followed your footprints. It was pretty easy. Also, if you're trying to hide, don't choose the only place for miles around. Bad idea."

Viv pouted in the corner. The Ala, Lee and I claimed our beds. I chose the one in the left hand corner. I like to see the whole room before I sleep. Then we dusted the room until it looked brand spankin' new. The sun started to set out the window. I opened the dresser to find changes of clothes. There were pj's and uniforms (seriously? You're a school in another dimension. Why must you have uniforms/ Why?!). We each grabbed a pair of pj's and quickly changed. The cloth was nice and thick. On the upper left-hand side, below the shoulder, LIVE was monogrammed into the fabric. I curled into bed as Ala turned off the lights. I closed my eyes and before I knew it, I was asleep.

* * * *

"Four new recruits in one day. We are making serious progress, Mr.Wit."

Mr. Sorenson smile. "Just think. We could be finished by May, in two months.

Mr. Wit also smiled, not wanting to disrupt Henry's good mood.

"For years, I've planned and waited. Finally it is time to reap what I have sown. I will have power and all will bow before me."