Permafrost Academy

Prologue

"Miss Snowflake, you have a visitor."

Miss Snowflake glanced up from her desk and adjusted her glasses. "Send them in."

As she waited, she arranged her pencils to be straight. An unfamiliar face poked through the door nervously. She smiled coldly.

"G...good morning, miss Snowflake. My...my name is Penny. I own an orphanage. We have a resident...a boy named Fleck...who has caused much trouble. He's...not what we want at the orphanage anymore. We were wondering if you have a place for him next season at the Academy." 

Miss Snowflake avoided her request. "How did you find Permafrost Academy?"

Penny stared at the pencils on her desk. "It's a long story. I was off to collect an orphan at a town far from mine. The town was in lockdown, so the roads were off limits. I didn't wish to get arrested, but I also didn't want to waste time waiting. I decided to travel across the hills. It was a long ride on horseback, but it was worth it, for I found what looked like the most regal, majestic, and towering Academy I had ever seen. However, when I went to the gates, I wasn't allowed in. The person at the gate said nobody enters Permafrost Academy. I thought if this was an academy, and it was far enough away from our orphanage, it was the perfect home for Fleck."

Miss Snowflake listened patiently. "I must tell you how the Academy works. Every year, we accept a new bundle of students. They can be of any age twelve or over. However, once they are accepted, they won't have the option to leave until next year. Yes, we have room for Fleck. This year, we have a giant addition of students. We're always welcoming."

Penny grinned. "What must I do to get Fleck to attend? Any paperwork?"

Miss Snowflake's eyes were shining brightly. "None at all. We just need the boy."

"Great, because I have him here. Fleck, you may come in!"

Miss Snowflake had the feeling that this year, Permafrost Academy would be much, much more interesting.