Sparrow's Society

The Start

A reporter broadcasts on the rising company owner, Dr. Sparrow. Her eyes light up and she smiles wide. It's contagious, the whole country smiles in excitement with her.

"Dr. Sparrow never ceases to impress us. That man grew up in a little town with a big dream. He was going to change the world." The reporter speaks like she knows the man, at the very least she's very fond of him.
"Sparrow Industries have risen to a new level. They've just announced they'll be building a school. A boarding school to be precise. Much to our disappointment, it will be private and by invitation. So don't expect your average joe to get in. We already know he plans to name it Sparrow Academy, after himself, like all his other projects, but also that it'll be a Junior High School. Grade's seven to nine. It's almost like he knows we don't have enough schools for those ages."
The reporter laughs at herself before handing the mic over to the weather guy.

The same woman appears on screen again, one year later.

"It's now been one year since Sparrow Academy opened, and Dr. Sparrow himself has announced the building of a new school. Aken's Academy, named after his right hand man, General Adam Aken. This too will be private and a Junior High School." The screen transitions to a clip of Dr. Sparrow standing beside his best friend. He smiles at the crowd, and then announces the school.

"Aken's was just opened last week and Sparrow has already announced another school. J.LAB, is all this one's being named. Apparently the letters are first initials of some of his Academy's top students. His third year students will be assisting in the building." The reporter smiles, but this time there's hints of confusion.

"J.LAB is opening and excepting first year students." The news has barely started when that same reporter pops back on screen to share the news.
"Dr Sparrow has fallen ill, so general Aken has pleasured in announcing the next four schools. Yes that's right folks, I said four. Frischland High, hurray for Sparrow's first High School, Redland's school for Boys, Savanna's School for Girls and Grand Rock Elementary. ­­­We are also pleased to inform you that Sparrow's First round of graduates have graduated and they all plan to work for Dr. Sparrow. General Aken has said they feel they can do more good for society, so they intend to stick around." She frowns at the fact that the man is sick... but four new schools will be a bonus.

The reporter returns. She hasn't been seen in a while. There are lines around her eyes but her smile still makes the news watchers grin in delight. This woman always brings good news.
"Two years have passed and all four schools are finally open. Aken's has contributed two grades of graduates to Sparrow's Industries and SSA (Shepstone's Academy) is on their third batch. This year we'll have J.LAB's first and in two we'll have some academically achieving Frischland high grads. In three years we'll get the gender specific school grads. The demand for kids to be sent to a Sparrow school has grown. Parents are now writing many, many letters, hoping for their energetic, smart, witty twelve year old to get in. Except now, because of Grand Rock Elementary, first graders have a chance."

It's not long before the woman appears again. This time just a flash of her picture, she's been hired by Dr. Sparrow to report all of his news for him. She's never been so happy. People are jealous, but their favourite news woman is happy, so ultimately, they're happy too. They know her name now. Samantha De Reid.

"We've had two rounds from J.LAB now, one from the Highschool on it's way. All of the graduates have come together to announce the opening of three more schools. Cape Coral High, South Fork Technical School and Académie du Nouveau Monde, a French immersion school. Sparrow has stepped up his game. I have never seen anybody obsess over school building but Sparrow seems to have an addiction." She doesn't say this in a negative way. Instead she seems to report it without emotion. The bags under her eyes don't go unnoticed either.

Two years later...

"Grand Rock Elementary has tragically shut down after a student went missing two Fridays ago. Grand Rock reported it that day but didn't find the body until eight days later. It was in the woods, a bad cut across the chest. Sparrow's Guard suspects a bear had found the child and the kid being weak and hungry had tried to scare it off but failed. Christopher's body was returned to his grieving parents who knew of their kid's homesickness. However they hadn't thought he would run away. Dr. Sparrow has promised parents to build a gate around his nine remaining schools to keep these tragic accidents from occurring."
Samantha speaks fast, like she's nervous about being on the screen. Her time is short, and many are disappointed by the toothpaste commercial that interrupts.

She appears on the news again two weeks later beside two other regular reporters. She sits far away from them. Everybody is too busy with the strange news to see her wringing her hands.
"Media is asking questions after three family's claim their child was not returned to them. Grand Rock was shut down last month and all children were supposed to be returned but three have disappeared. Sparrow says it's possible they were moved to a higher up program and he will look for their names. He urges parents not to worry. "If you're child was not returned, it is likely that he or she has qualified for an Elite program and they are fulfilling their potential" He promises to have their locations specified by next week."

Samantha's face flashes across the screen before it's switched to just her voice and an image of Dr. Sparrow walking through cameras.
"One of the earlier thought missing children's parents were just found murdered in their home. Sparrow's Guard is investigating and Dr. Sparrow himself was horrified. "Any family in the Sparrow Society is important. But Mrs. and Mr. Henderson were special. This is personal for me, and I will get to the bottom of it.""

"Sparrow's Guard has gotten to the bottom of the Double murder Case. A next door neighbor had gotten in a fight with them and killed them that night in cold blood. He and her husband were arrested by the SPG last night. Both family's had kids at J.LAB." This time there is no reporter. A regular man from the station says it, as a bold headline scrolls across the top of the TV.

Samantha De Reid's face flashes on screens around the country in an emergency report, the Sparrow news reporter is pale and sweaty. Her eyes are watery and she blinks too much as she speaks. The woman is terrified. Something is wrong.

"The eldest Henderson boy has just escaped from J.LAB with his entire grade. They were supposed to graduate next week. Sparrow has declared the event a National Emergency and his Elite Guard is searching as we speak. Teachers at J.LAB warn us not to approach any of them. They were all apparently greatly disturbed at the news of Jeffery's parents' murder and have become dangerous. If you spot any of them, please speed dial SPEG immediately..."

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