Instincts ✔️ [COMPLETED]

Chapter 2

The next seven days are a blur, and they pass by quickly. I remember doing chores, chasing Tiffy around, and praying with my mom and dad that I get in.

I now look into my closet. I wouldn't call it a closet though, because it's old and broken. There are loose boards everywhere; the doors don't slide anymore and hang, always ready to come loose and fall out, yet they never do.

I grab the few shirts I have in my closet and put them in a well-worn backpack so that Tiffy doesn't scratch them. The one I'm wearing right now is filthy, with mud stains and cat hair all over it.

"Kate!" my mom yells.

I quickly get up and run, just to see my mom holding an envelope. It's yellow, outlined with a golden border, with a big "A" imprinted on the front.

I grab it excitedly, and open it.

Dear Kate Rayson,

You have been accepted into Alkrok High School. This might be very exciting for you, as well as it should be. Here is a list on the necessary things you will need to bring:

A backpack

Clothes

5 Notebooks

Pencils, pens, and highlighters

A small object that you love

Now, you may overlook the last item, but it is vital. You will NEED to bring it. You will start as a freshman on August 10th, NG 215. When you arrive, your dorm leader will accompany you to your room. I hope you have a wonderful year here, Kate Rayson. You may find your year a little...overwhelming and entrancing.

Good luck,

Principal Jay Birdsong

I look at my mom, a little confused by the letter. Bring a small object you love? What did that mean?

"Honey, I'm sure it's some bizzare school tradition. All you have to focus on now is packing up."

I slowly nod and walk to my room, clutching the note closely. When I get in, I see Tiffy scampering up, her eyes wide and swelling with sadness.

"Tiffy, I'm not going away forever, just for ten months. I'll see you and mom and dad during the breaks schools usually gives us. So don't be sad, okay?" I say as I pet her fluffy gray fur. The strands of fur between my fingers calm me, as I hug her tight.

I release, then go to my closet once more. I pick up my old boots, worn out by working in mud. I decide not to take them and find my clean pair of sneakers in the very back of the closet.

I got them working for one of the high-classed families. The high families are allowed to pull peasants roaming the streets and make them work. Because so many complained about it, the mayor of my gloomy town announced that the peasants be rewarded with something small.

I put my sneakers on, admiring their beauty. They have silver shoelaces with a golden sole. The design is yellow with black spots on it, similar to a cheetah's coat. I feel light as air as I walk around in them, almost feeling that I can run like a cheetah.

My mom comes in, looking at me.

"Now, now, Kate, pack those and the rest of your clothes, we still have a lot of preparing and packing to do."

I take off my sneakers swiftly, and put them in my backpack. I almost forgot that it was August 8th today. I'm supposed to be at Alkrok on the 10th.

I quickly pack the rest of my things.

The next day, my mom buys me the rest of the materials I need.

"But mom, we need the little money we have to buy food. Do not starve yourself or dad for my sake. Keep it," I urge, handing her the small bronze coins she gave me to buy notebooks.

"No Kate, you need this more than me or your dad do. We can never hope to become rich by doing dirty work for the high families. Our only hope is you, Kate. If you get excellent schooling, then perhaps you might have a chance to find a better job or marry a rich man," she says, emptying the little coins back into my hands.

"Fine," I mutter, walking down the street. I quickly buy the five notebooks, along with some pencils with the extra money that was leftover.

I pack everything into my backpack, and check everything except... the small precious item. I look around, trying to find something. Then, I find it. Of course, my sneakers!

They are something I love, and pretty small, too. With that, I check off the final thing. Just after that, I hear a loud beep beep noise. I walk out, looking through the dusty window.

Out on a filthy, typical, village road, a limo stands. It has a black, shiny coat, with gold-rimmed windows. A driver comes out, finely dressed in a black tuxedo with his hair slicked back with gel.

"Miss Kate Rayson? Does she live here, young maiden?" he asks, pointing at me.

"Oh...uh, I am Kate Rayson, you see," I start to explain, but he snaps his fingers, not once, but twice. Right behind him, two men swiftly charge into my house. I was about to turn around and chase them, when the driver grabs my arm.

"Do not fear, Kate, for these two men will grab your luggage and put them in the limo. Oh by the way, my name's Derek, and I'll be your personal assistant. If you need anything, just tell me, and I'll do it," he says, pointing to the limo.

"Now hop on in, I'm your ride to Alkrok High School."