“Welcome to The Vale, Miss Stark.” The headmaster welcomes me with a polite smile.

As if.

Yeah, mom was true to her words and brought to The Vale. Dad has no say in the matter because no one thought I'd sneak out and return drunk the day I got my final warning. They know me better than that, it would take a lot more than warning and fancy reform school to keep me in line but at it seems, this is where I would be spending the rest of my school year. The Vale isn't technically a reform school as oppose to the rumors. It's actually a boarding school for troubled kids and it isn't a haunted school as I've previously thought.

I can't stop looking at the Headmaster because of his smile. He assures my parents I'm in safe hands but I haven't vet the school to know if I'm safe here.  I shouldn't be here but I know why I'm here. My actions lead me here and pleading for mercy is way out of my character. I was so sure Dad wouldn't let me come but when we gathered in the dining room the following morning after the sneaking out incident, Mom brought it and I couldn't stop looking at dad because I knew no matter what, he wouldn't send me here. He'd always have my back or so I thought. Dad didn't make eye contact or even react when mom said, "I've agreed to send her to the school."

I couldn't even fight her on it because I knew the matter is out of my hand and I'd just be wasting my breath. Her mind was made up. At least now they won't have to deal with the child that isn't theirs.

Dad keeps asking how I am on our way here. I tell him I'm fine because it's not as if he can do anything to change it. It's my punishment and I accept it but I’m giving myself a week before leaving this hellhole. I know I will. I’m not much of a team player and definitely not a rule follower.

I was awake all night tossing around my bed. Mom already informed me that today is the day. I'm not an earlier riser but today I was up before anyone else, just waiting for them to come for me.

The school is in the middle of the woods. Middle of nowhere. There is an enormous gate covering the buildings. Four buildings inside a compound, a building should at least have nearly sixty rooms in four levels. The dorm and the school. The building is modern and I think it hasn’t been around for a long time or they keep up with the renovation at least every five years. To be honest, I was expecting an old castle, but here I am in Wayne Manor, and there is a fountain too. It's like a little community here.

“Here we are!” my mother squealed when we drove through a stone gate and onto campus. I'd never seen her so excited for me like she was today. 

I notice clusters of people dressed head to toe in what I can assume is The Vale Academy sports gear. The size of the campus is intimidating, but hopefully I get through the week causing no trouble, but I highly doubt that, trouble is my middle name.

The headmaster was waiting for our arrival. He welcomed me and exchanged pleasantries with my parents before walking us to his office. They’re good friends, and I know the reason I never see him around. This place is too big for just one man to run. I wonder if the students are here on their own or their overprotective and demanding Moms forced them.

Standing behind my parents while they talk to the headmaster makes me remember how the atmosphere was whenever I do something stupid and Principal Harris would call my Mom. But this is different. The headmaster seems nice, or at least that’s what I think. He talks to my parents about basic things like uniforms and allergies. 

Dad pulls me into a tight hug after the meeting, knowing it’s time for them to go. “You have your phone with you. Call me if you need anything, Okay?” He whispers to me as he rubs circles on my back. His voice is low because he’s seconds away from crying.

Since I moved in with them at five, we’ve never spent days apart. I sneak out, but I never spend the night outside. The reason they don’t allow me to go on school trips or camps is because they don’t enjoy spending time away from me. How ironic that has become now?

“I will, Dad.” I hug him back. I don’t know how much the both of us spend standing and whispering 'I love you' to each other until Mom clears her throat, and I know it’s time for them to go. I pull away from him reluctantly and clear my throat to keep the sob from breaking.

As much as I hate to admit it, I will miss my Dad. I left everything, my home, my school, my friends. And for what? Short skirts and ridiculous blazer. Fuck me.

I stand in front of Mom, not sure what’s going on in her mind. I don’t think my relationship with Mom will ever be okay after this, but telling the headmaster to keep a close eye on me because I’m a handful is heartbreaking. She looks like she wants to say something, but she’s keeping herself from saying it. I raise my hand, giving her a small wave. That’s the best I can. She gives me a forced smile in return, but I don’t return it, there's no use. She wanted to get rid of me and here I am in the worse kind of prison.

Dad wraps his arms around her after saying our last goodbye. I watch as they both walk away until they fade from my sight. Yep, there goes my parents. So this is really happening. It didn't feel real until now.

I slam the door shut to show my feelings before turning to face the headmaster. His medium length brunette hair is styled in a slight wave curl. He looks mature in the suit but trust me this guy is a fucking kid, I’m talking late thirties kid. Way younger than Principal Harris. 

He's already sitting on his seat when I entered. He leans closer to his desk and places his forearm on his desk. “My name is Dean Wallace, I'm the Headmaster of this school and I'd like to welcome again to The Vale.”

I roll my eyes and sit on the chair my Dad just vacated. “I heard the first time you said it, and does it look like I give a shit?” 

This man looks like he's smart and a smart man should know this isn't for me. He should get the hint and leave me the fuck alone. The car ride is four hours and I’m obviously car-lagged, if that’s a thing.

He chuckles before his face turns serious again. “Camille, your Dad told me about your gifts.” He cut to chase, making me blink in confusion. 

“My gifts? What do you mean?” 

First of all, Dad didn’t give me any gifts or wait a sec... Did he see the weed I packed? Oh my God! He found it but even if he did, he wouldn't consider that a gift.

Mr. Dean removes his hand from his desk and reclines on his chair. “This is a place to help you, you don’t have to be afraid, everyone in here is special." There he goes, giving me the 'you're special in your own psychotic way' speech. I’m almost forgot that this was a school for troubled kids and his way of welcoming me is telling me I'm fucking special.

“I don’t understand what you mean." I hate it when people best around the bush. Give me what I want instead of prolonging the conversation.

“Camille, I know what you are. I knew immediately your car passed the gate. I felt it as you passed through the school magic defense system.”

Whoa, hold up. Did he just say...?

“Magic defense system?” 

Fuck! He's not just troubled, he’s fucking nuts. Magic defense system? What is this, a joke?

“I know how it sounds, you’re probably thinking that I’m crazy and talking nonsense,” he eyes me like he's trying to read me or something. “You’ll get the hang of it eventually.”

“Get the hang of what? And don’t fucking say magic defense system!” I snap. This shit is too much for me to handle. Maybe this is my first lesson. Test how troubled she is in order to proceed to the next phase. I've never been to a school for troubled kids, so I don't know how it works.

I tighten my grip on the chair and look around the room, trying to find anything that looks weird but everything looks normal and in place to me. The office is modern that look way too fancy for a Boarding school Headmaster, then again I've never been inside a Headmaster's office.

The first that caught my eyes when we arrived was the painting of a woman riding a dragon, everything about that art is eye catching but I don't think that's why he hung it there. The painting is the only thing hanging on the wall behind his desk. The whole room is painted white but the sub section behind his desk is painted stony brown. He's sitting comfortably on a brown leather swivel chair. His forearms resting on a mahogany desk that's contains a desktop, laptop and table lamps. I'm sitting on one of the two seats opposite him. At the other end of the room is a coffee table with scattered files on it, four accent chairs at either side of the coffee table, two on each sides. There's a floor to ceiling bookshelf, the upper part is filled with weird objects that I can't even begin to describe, while the lower part is all books and files. 

It's a sight.

“What exactly is this place?” I demand. “Is this even a school?”

Mr. Wallace ignores my question and proceeds with his talk. “Your Dad told me you’ve been experiencing some things, having a mental battle with yourself. You destroy stuff when you sleep without knowing, you don’t know what you are experiencing because you can’t control it, your parents made the right decision bringing you here.”

Now I’m positive this man has gone loco. “What are you trying to do here? I know this is a school for troubled kids, but you don’t have to make up stories to create my files. Yes, I have nightmares and things get destroyed when I scream but that doesn’t mean it’s me doing it.”

“But it is you doing it. It is all you, Camille." He tells me.

"Don't. Say. My name like that." I grit out.

It's not every day some fucking weirdo in suit tells you you're going crazy. I've began doing therapy since I was six and I know it's supposed to shape me into becoming someone I'm not today because frankly no one likes this version of me but I don't mind. I stopped therapy at eleven when my therapist realized I wasn't making any progress. To me, I knew there was nothing wrong with me but as time went on the believe changed. I'm different in everything and way. I tried going to therapy once after Mom forced, I was already making name for myself at the sheriff's station. The therapist would constantly tell me, 'this is all about you, Camille', 'are you ready to talk to me, Camille', 'Camille this', 'Camille that.'

Hearing the Headmaster say my name like that just brings back memories, some that I'd love to keep buried.

I shake my head, not ready to accept what he’s saying. I have no explanation for my dreams and what normally happens with it, but I’m fine and what has been happening has nothing to do with me. My dad had no right to talk to him about me. What if this determines what kind of treatment level they put me on? What if this place is actually a facade for super secret operation where they find–

What am I even thinking about?

“I know it’s not a coincidence that things get destroyed when I wake up screaming, but it doesn’t mean I’m crazy. If this is some kind of Asylum, I swear—” He cut me off before I can finish voicing out my opinion. 

“It’s not an Asylum, Camille." He says with a small laugh like the slight idea of this being an asylum is funny. "Calm down, it’s a school for supernaturals."

Okay, now I know I'm not the one that needs help.

I look at him to see him staring at me curiously, like he's waiting for me to say something. And I've got plenty of things to say about that, starting with, “Are you fucking with me?”

He frowns, his forehead creases. “We don’t tolerate the use of such language in our school, and no, I’m not joking.” He answers.

A supernatural school? As in school for the supernaturals. Wow and here I thought I've seen and heard everything.

“What you’re telling me now is that I’m in a supernatural school?” I mean this is bit of a shocker.

He nods. “I know this is a lot to take in right now, but don’t worry, you’ll know everything soon.” He informs me and claps his hand.

I turn my head at the sound of his office door opens, revealing two girls in vintage plaid patterned mini skirt. The deep blue blazer is standing out over the gray sweater. A lace trimmed collar makes their Gemini designed necklace stand out. Another thing that reminds me that I'm not longer home. They both appear to be the same height. When my eyes roam down, I notice the baby flats. Their hair is styled and colored differently. One has a pink bow on her strawberry blonde hair while the other one has a bobby pin pinning her brunette hair to the side.

“Camille, these are your tour guide, girls take care of her." I look away from the girls to him. Seriously? it's like he can't wait to get rid of me.

"Don't worry, Headmaster Wallace." They assure him, speaking at the same time in a voice I could have sworn is the same.

And that's my cue.

I get up and go meet up with the girls. One of them open the door and they both look at me, I frown and stare at the both of them. Shrugging, I walk out and wait for them to join me. The close the door and stand in front of me with their arms crossed above their chest, wearing the same facial expression. I’m certain that they’re twins.

I clear my throat. 

What now? What do I do? Do I introduce myself or what? I don’t know how this works.

“I’m Ari." The brunette introduces herself in a very polite and cool way. I like her voice.

“And I’m Brie,” The other one says in a not so polite way. Definitely not a fan.

How did I ever think they have the same voice?

“Short for Brianna and Ariana." Ari adds me and before I can tell her I already know, the second one picks up where she left off.

“In case you were wondering. Yes, we are twins. Don’t mind the hair,” Brie says as they both raise their hands to adjust the collar of their shirt. This isn't a calculated movement, it's like they are mirroring each other's lives. And they are to show me around the entire school. This is going to be an endless day.

“Come on, let’s go.” 

Oh great. Let the tour begins. I can't wait to see what wonders this school has to show.