Happy Birthday, You're A Freak

03 : McGregor's Private Institute

Three days. It took us three days to reach the school. The Headmaster didn’t say a word the entire time. His eyes darted left and right and his eyes were constantly changing. Gold, Silver, Bronze.

I wondered what his abilities were.

We slept in a motel room where he continued to stand silently as the rest of us slept. Well, while Conner and Jayden slept. I mostly lay in bed, watching the headmaster.

Right now we were pulling through a set of heavy wrought iron gates into what I presume to be the school.

On a green plaque the words ‘McGregor’s Private School’ was written in a steely grey.

The gates shuck noiselessly behind us and the car drove for another few minutes before it pulled into an underground parking lot.

Conner motioned for me to get out of the car so I did. The trunk was opened, Jayden, Conner and myself each grabbed a bag or two of mine and followed the headmaster into the school.

He finally started talking now and his voice was deep and gravelly.

‘Welcome to The Institute. Here is where you will learn how to control your abilities and learn how to use them properly.

We have rules Ms. Roosevelt and expect you to abide by them just like the rest of your classmates. This is the learning Hall.’ he gestured to the building we were now entering after just having climbed a wide stone staircase.

‘The cafeteria is to your left, and the training centers to your right. You Raeanne, are of your own, unique, but you will be able to choose which ability house you want to stay in. Fire, water, earth or air. I’ll give you a few moments.’ He said and immediately stopped talking and stared at me.

I noticed my mouth was slightly open so I closed it and turned towards Conner and Jayden.

‘Erm, I uh, don’t have a clue…’ I trailed off.

Jayden, just rolled his eyes and Conner actually being helpful spoke.

‘Us waters are pretty laid back, and there aren’t as many of us as wind and earth, so those rooms will be crowded. Fire is about as common as water, but they have some,’ he glanced nervously at Jayden whose expression had turned somewhat fierce. ‘ermm…’

‘I see.’ I said and turned back towards the Headmaster. ‘I guess I’ll stay with the other water elements.’ I noticed how my voice sounded slightly uncertain.

For the first time I saw him smile. It was wide and showed white perfectly straight teeth.

‘perfect. Conner, please show Raeanne to the elements village and to the water houses.’ Then he turned on his heel and walked away.

We all just stood there so I looked towards Conner.

‘oh yeah. I’ve got to show you the village. Come on Jayden, Raeanne.’

‘Rae.’ I corrected.

He smiled. ‘Rae.’ I noticed Jayden making a puking gesture behind Conner.

I just shook my head and awkwardly started after the two.

We were going down the stone stairs again and through an arch I hadn’t noticed before into a damp tunnel with oil lamps strung here and there.

We were walking for 10 minutes before the ground started slanting upwards and we were soon above ground in a small clearing in a forest.

There were Four Houses. Two were considerably larger than the others.