Red Mountain Chronicles: The Illusionist

Chapter 7

     I was dreading having to travel such a far distance in order to reach the main building. However during that small eternity, I was able to observe the campus. Despite the towering buildings surrounding me, nature still found a way to make itself present, from the domesticated trees and flowers in the courtyard, to the mountains surrounding the school. The warm rays of the sun was paired with a refreshing breeze, which carried the aroma of pines and morning dew.
Since it was still early, there was little to no people outside. Despite this, the campus was filled with life. Birds were chirping, bathing themselves in the fountains, all of them with crystal clear water streaming out of them. Rabbits were rustling about in the bushes, skittering away at the sound of my footsteps. I was able to observe this all during my trip without ever straying from my path.
     Once I reached the first floor of the Commons, I climbed the stairs that lead to the third floor. During the tour, I was too busy pondering the purpose of the multiple entrances forward that I failed to notice the other staircase that lead to another balcony on the right hand side of the enormous room. Me and Mary climbed this staircase while she was helping me get situated. And if I remembered correctly, they lead us to the Admissions office to receive our class schedules.
     Climbing the stairs, I tried to think of all the possible reasons they would call me out. Nobody was called on the intercom this morning so my mind was running wild with possibilities.
Were they coming to tell me that they made a mistake on my class schedule? What if they were calling me up to pay my fees? As I kept climbing, I was becoming more and more paranoid. Were they going to tell me I wasn't a witch after all? What will they do to me if I really wasn't one? I quickly realized how absurd this prediction was. If that were the case I would have been coughing up blood at Mary's dorm according to her.... Unless the side affects didn't kick in until a while later. Realizing my unhealthy paranoia, I quickly shook the thought out of my mind.
     When I got on the landing, low and behold, the door that lead to Admissions was there. I reached for the handle and suddenly the door swung open. Startled, I reeled in my outstretched arm, wide eyed. Behind the door, a lady with short corkscrew curls and glasses was there to greet me.
     "Elena?" Her voice was mousy, which seemed to fit her small frame.
     I nodded. It felt like she was going to escort me to the doctor's office or something. Without reason, I suddenly got butterflies in my stomach.
     "This way please," she then turned and entered the same way we came. I followed her in to the office. Keeping quiet, she lead me to another door at the far end of the room and opened it.
      I walked through the door, and turned to wait for her to follow. She closed the door behind her. I then turned around to see the inside of a white stone tower. Light was streaming from the tall windows which were abundant throughout the structure. We were on a landing of  a spiral staircase made of white marble which paired nicely with the black, iron forged railings. I couldn't see where the stairs ended up above. Well, this wasn't covered in the tour.
     "So, we are going to take this staircase until the last floor. Follow me." She then started to climb the steps, creating a soft, rhythmic echo which resonated  in the air. Once she had created some distance, I then proceeded after her.
     After spending thirty seconds in complete silence, I asked, "so where are we going?"
"To the headmaster's office," she curtly replied.
Oh. I knew that there had to be someone in charge, but the thought never crossed my mind.
"So..." I pondered, "why does the headmaster want to see me?"
"I don't know. He just ordered me to escort you to him to speak with you in private."
"Does the headmaster talk to a lot of students privately?"
"No. Only on a few occasions."
"What does he usually talk about?"
She was silent, then replied. "It's hard to say, but the few that I know of are usually about suspension or expulsion."
For some reason, my heart sank. Why was I scared? I have not even been in this world all that long. Why was I afraid to leave? Perhaps it was because I have never been expelled before... or ever gotten in trouble, really.
"Don't worry," she said. "School hasn't even started so I doubt that's the reason."
I let out a nervous laugh. She was right. It would not make sense if I was expelled before school even began. Unless,
"Unless you faked your application or snuck in."
I gulped. That was definitely a possibility. I never applied for this school. The only evidence that contradicts this is the phone call my mother had. And even then, I still do not know who was on he other end.
"Here we are." I then snapped my attention back to her. We were coming up on a landing, which was also where the stairs ended. On the landing there was an arched door made of pre-fogged glass with metal framing it as well as covering the door itself with intricate designs. I looked outside the windows. The campus grounds below looked small, which was hard for me to imagine before.
She opened the door for me, gesturing me to enter first. I obeyed and was met with a huge room which had two pairs of french windows on both sides of the room, (or should I say front and back, since we seemed to be entering from the side of the room). Unlike the tower, the room was abundant with darkly stained wooden furnishings, making the atmosphere more cozy. There was a carpet that covered a majority of the floor, which was made of tile. On our right hand side, there was a large mahogany desk with two chairs in front of it. However there was no one sitting behind the desk.
Nonetheless, the lady announced me. "Professor Ambrose, you wished to see Miss Elena Vega."
Beyond the light streaming from the windows a slender, six foot tall man, reading a book, turned around. He was wearing slacks and a green vest. The sleeves on his grey, striped button down shirt were rolled up. Besides his greying hair, he looked like he was in his late twenties or early thirties. I was surprised I did not notice his presence earlier. "Yes," he replied. "Thank you, Lily."
She nodded, then exited the room silently closing the door behind her.
The man looked up from his book and took off his glasses (probably made for reading). "Go ahead and take a seat," he suggested in a friendly tone while waving his glasses in small motions. I made my way to the middle of the room and sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"I apologize for calling you up here without providing you an explanation as to the purpose of this visit. I just felt like it was best to keep this conversation between us for now. I hope you understand." He the closed his book and made his way toward his desk, where he set it down along with his spectacles. Before sitting down, he hesitated. "Oh. My apologies. I haven't even introduced myself. I am Professor Ambrose, the headmaster of Red Mountain Academy." He then reached his hand out for me to shake. When I finally did, he added. "But, I bet you knew that already." He then sat down. "So, you must be wondering why I called you up here."
Well yeah. I nodded.
"Now, let me assure you, you are not in trouble," he said. "I called you up here to discuss some personal matters with you. I am fully aware of your situation."
"Situation...?"
« Yes. I know that you are very new to all of this. I can only imagine how scary and confusing it must be to walk into a completely different realm with little to no information about where you are. It must be a big shock to you. »
You have no idea. It's enough of a miracle that I haven't been seen as crazy and put in a straight Jacket or something.
« I also understand that things take time. Which is why I am here to offer any help or guidance you may need."
He paused, as if offering time for me to speak, but I had nothing to say. I was too filled with questions, I did not know where to start. He continued. "Your mother has also asked me personally to 'keep an eye on you' because of your situation. So I am just informing you that if you need anything, let me know. Also, to ensure your safety, you may be supervised by staff members when you are off campus."
"Off campus?"
"Yes. If i am not mistaken you still need school supplies. She even requested to have you under my supervision, especially. If at all possible."
Finally getting some grasp on my thoughts, I asked the most immediate question to this statement. "Why would I need supervision?"
He paused, shocked at my quick rebuttal. With an airy chuckle, he tried to play off as prepared. « Well, when one is new to a place, they may get lost. »
Seeing my unamused state, he exhaled the rest of his laughing-air and, wiping his smile off his face, cleared his throat. Lowering his voice, he spoke again. "You must be very well aware that your world, the world you lived in, is not in any means perfect."
I nodded in agreement. It does have a lot of issues. He continued.
"Well," he said, adjusting himself in his seat to straighten up. He then leaned over to rest his elbows on the desk. "Like the human world, this place isn't perfect either. In fact, in some cases it may be safe to say this world is more dangerous than the human world."
Dangerous how? I argued in my head. Wouldn't a world filled with magical creatures and beings lower crime? Wouldn't it be hard to commit crime if everyone had their own unique capabilities?
"Erm," I started timidly. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand."
He sighed, as if my dissatisfaction of his response was expected. "It's complicated. I can't explain everything to you now- you only know so much." He must have realized my worried look and wanted to reassure me. "It will all make sense later."
I was confused. If he was correct, then why would my mother send me here? I cleared my throat. "Headmaster-"
"Miss Vega, you have no need to be so formal. You can call me Professor, or Mr. Ambrose."
"Professor, please excuse my curt manner. But if my mom was concerned about my safety, then why did she send me here?"
He was silent, as if trying to decide how to answer me. "That, I'm afraid, I can't say."
My head dropped. It was all coming at once. All of the feelings I didn't feel before: abandoned, stranded, lost... hurt. My eyes were beginning to water. Just as I was coming to an answer. Just as soon as I thought that I would understand her intentions, this happens. I then felt another emotion wash over me: betrayal. Not because she didn't tell me about magic. Not because she put me into an environment I had no knowledge of, and no one to seek comfort. No. I felt betrayed she did all of these things, and failed to tell me why. And what is worse, I discovered that she intentionally kept this information from me. That is what hurt the most.
   Just as my vision became blurred by my hot tears, I heard the professor get up out of his chair, and offered me a cup of tea. I didn't respond because I could not care less whether or not I had a cup of tea.      
     Nonetheless, a moment later, he handed me a cup of freshly brewed tea. Without looking up, I took the cup from him, and stared directly at it. Then, as I began to pick up the aroma of the tea, I felt something wash over me. My anger and frustration was wiped clean, and was replaced by a sense of peace. I felt completely calm. Professor Ambrose proceeded.
"I know it's frustrating. You want answers. I know. But some things are better left unknown. For now, at least."
     But why? I wanted answers now. Why was it so imperative that I didn't know?
"I may not be able to tell you why your mother brought you here," he said. "But I can tell you with absolute certainty that she does love you, and cares for you. Do you understand?"
Noticing my vision clearing up, I looked up at the headmaster. It still bothered me why I was no longer angry. But for some reason, it was impossible for me to be upset.
    "Good," he said, sounding relieved. "Now, I don't have much time. But, I will let you know that I am willing to talk. Just let the office know. Also, orientation is coming up. That is when you will receive your list of school supplies. We will go into town then."
Nodding once more, I slowly got up.
"Until then." He stood up and reached across the table. Once we shook hands, he made one last exclamation, his amber eyes looking into mine with nothing but sincerity. "I expect nothing but great things from you."
The sentence sent shivers down my spine. How could he be so sure of himself? What is it he is expecting of me? I let go, smiling nervously at the comment, then walked out of the room and closed the door behind me.