Fruition// A Dark Academia Murder Mystery

Welcome to Paradise

As the Thad family pulled into the school grounds, up to a large metal gate blocked on both sides by tall, firm hedges, it truly hit Genie just how much her life was changing in that very moment. Her father , hung his head out the window and began to talk to the security intercom and within seconds they were walking up the brief cobblestone path to the grand entrance. 

The grand entrance was just that indeed. Dark oak floors with a deep red runner draped over them, high columned ceilings that led to a bright domed window and massive oak doors on either side made Genie feel as if she were in some ancient castle, or a fancy school from TV ; yet she pushed those feelings away as she knew she was headed into a dreary existence of imprisonment. Her parents and sister soon departed, without saying goodbye at all  ; they didn't want to catch her sickness. 

She stood for a moment in her uniform, dark green sweater over a green button up with a black tie and a black and green plaid skirt down just below the knee. Then she set off up the corridor in front of her which led to Principle Westbrook's office and listened to the sharp click of her black heels against the polished floor.

She figured class must be in session because no children riddled the halls and no talking, no sound even, could be heard. When she finally made it to the door reading Master Mathias Westbrook she paused to tie her course black hair into a knot on the back of her head before knocking for entrance.

"You may come in, Ms. Thad." 

His office was quite well kept, she noted. There were large oak bookshelves lining the walls the and a giant mahogany desk he sat at was quite orderly. She was more interested in him than the room however. He was a stoat man of about 70 who was balding at the top of his head but had gray hair littering the sides and a bushy mustache. He was dressed like he was going to a funeral and he had a demeanor to match. It gave her an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Please take a seat."

She walked over to one of the stiff red leather chairs in fount of the desk and sat down, trying to keep her back straight and her appearance reasonably presentable.

" So I understand that you are here for our educational rehabilitation program?"

No 'Welcome to school', no ' How are you today?', no 'Are you feeling nervous?' : no pleasantries, just cutting right to the chase. It wasn't s if Genie liked pleasantries, she was particularly unfond of conversation for conversations sake. If you were to talk, you ought have something important to say. It is one thing to be friendly and another to be ignorantly spewing sweet nothings more than hard facts.

"Yes, sir"

"Very well, Miss. You will hand over your bags for checking and then make your may to dormitory 3B room 12. This" He slid a small pamphlet across the desk, " Is your class schedule, rule guide, treatment regimen and a map to your boarding room. You will need to meet with your guide at 11 sharp, tardiness is not looked up upon at this establishment, in the lunchroom. Her name is Lilac."

"Thank you, sir"

'So this was a load of poppycock' She thought to herself as she smiled politely and shook Mr. Westbrook's hand. The 'treatment' he was referring to was not treatment at all, but rather conversion therapy to drag the 'sinful demon' out of her'. In other words, it was to 'cure' her of being a lesbian.

Something she, as a reasonable individual believed was impossible.

But alas, she would have to play along and suffer through it so she could get out of this wretched place as soon as possible.

She walked, posture perfect, through the corridors with the small map in hand. Yet again she noticed that students were still bare from the halls. Once she finally found the common room for dorm 3B she silently swung open the door and immediately noticed that this must be where all the students were hiding. The round room's walls were adorned in black wallpaper and the floors were made yet again of polished wood, this time grey, a dozen doors were littered around . There was a large black couch and two chairs and a love-seat to match, with a glass coffee table to match, all placed meticulously in a half circle formation around a marble fireplace ; various teenagers were slumped on every one of these pieces but the last , most looking content but glum at the same time.

Feeling as if she were intruding, she knocked gently on the door-frame and was instantly met by several heads turning in her direction. One of the students actually jumped up from her place on the love-seat and lunge in her direction.

"Look, guys! We got someone new!" she said, pointing.

Genie was pretty sure that the others had noticed her presence by now, and announcing it was quite unnecessary, but she didn't voice this. As much as she disliked human interaction, it would be nice to have some people to show her how this little 'academy' was run.

Another girl bounded up so quickly at the first girls remark that Genie thought she might pull a muscle.

" Hi! My names Athena and that's my brother Apollo!" She pointed toward one of the few students who didn't glance her way after she made herself known, the people Genie was silently grateful for. The boy, Apollo, was slumped sideways in one of the chairs by the fire, totally immersed while reading a copy of a cover-less book in his hands.

"Oh, dear! I'm sorry! My name is Meghan."

For a moment it looked as if she was going to go in for a hug, but then she quickly changed course and reached her hand out for a shake after noticing Genie's eyes widen in protest. Reluctantly she shook the hand and then excused herself to walk up to her dormitory.

"Twelve" She muttered to herself as she traced the little yellow line that was leading her to her destination, she headed through a door to her left and climbed a large wooden staircase with paved stone walls. Despite having a rather dark atmosphere the school still seemed to manage to be classy, eloquent even; Genie noticed this even in her short time since being dropped off.

Once she reached the top of the stairs she was met with another door, which she assumed led to her room. Upon opening the door, she was met with a room of rough stone walls and thin green carpet, much like one would find in an elementary school. That in and of itself was not ideal, but it would do. There were four metal bed-frames with little twin mattresses atop adorned in various different linens and four dark wooden desk in a row against the wall to her right.

It was quite an unfamiliar arrangement, but Genie would adapt, she must.