Chapter 2
Jared, Annika, and Bette both entered a large and grand school foyer made entirely of mahogany wood. It had a large staircase in front with two different staircases splitting up mid-way. There were hallways to the left and right and students walking all over and wearing uniforms. It also had a 19th century décor all over
"This here is the school foyer." Bette said to Jared. It's where students can just hang out sometimes and as you can see it's very old."
"How long as this school been around anyway?" Annika questioned, curiously.
"Since 1813. It's been remodeled a few times but much of it remains the same. Hence the 19th century look." Bette pointed out.
"1813… that's two hundred years ago!" Jared realized. "Almost as old as some fairy tales, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess it is!" Bette exclaimed, realizing that he was right. Then she resumed showing Jared around "Anyway, some classrooms are on the first floor and some are on the second, the Gym on the other side of it."
"What about the third floor?" Jared asked, curiously.
Bette then looked nervous. "Oh that! That… that floor is uh… kind of forbidden," she said
Annika was confused. "Forbidden? Why?" she questioned
"Well… it's complicated. Just don't go up there, ok?" Bette told him. "Come on, let's continue the tour.
Jared and Annika nodded though they continued to look upward at the stairs curiously before walking off and following her. Bette then began to show Jared and Annika all different parts of the school including some of the classrooms, the school library a place they greatly enjoyed seeing as well as the Gymnasium, where they along with all the new freshman would be asked to go to for a little assembly to meet the school's headmaster and headmistress.
Sooner than later Jared and Annika, along with Perdita and several other new students, were all seated on the bleachers of the school Gymnasium, all of them were chatting amongst themselves. Jared took the seat at Perdita who turned away from him to hide her blush. Annika took the seat in front of Perdita. Then a thirty-six year old British woman named Gladys Glover enters the room.
Gladys had chin length brown hair and eyes and a scowl on her face that unnerved some students. She wore sharp black glasses, a navy blue vest over a navy blue blouse, a pink pendent on the collar, a long navy blue skirt, dark brown tights and black high heels.
She faced the bleacher's where all the new students were sitting and claps her hands to get their attention. "Silence children!" she bellowed. The crowd becomes quiet. "Thank you. Remember; when I speak, you listen. Now… Good morning my name is Gladys Glover I am your headmistress here at Oldtown Academy. Me and my partner Headmaster Gramlich will…"
Gladys stops and looked around expecting someone to be there but she sees no one. She looks greatly annoyed and upset.
" Oh where is that scatter brained fool!?" Gladys asked, greatly annoyed, before shouting. "GRAMLICH!"
A German man with Einstein styled dark gray hair and green eyes entered the room. He maroon coat with some patches, an orange vest, an loose green ascot, glasses and brown shoes, with a pair of long brown socks. He seemed to be struggling with all the books he was carrying in his arms.
"Coming Gladys…"
Griswald accidently tripped and ended up dropping all the books, causing all the new students to laugh.
"SILENCE!" Gladys shouted, after which the laughter immediately died down. She turned to Griswald. "Get it together Gramlich, time is wasting here."
"Huh, Gladys Glover and Griswald Gramlich. What are the chances of that, huh?" Jared remarked to Perdita.
"Yes… that sure is something alright…" Perdita agreed, nervously.
After Gramlich managed to gather all the books he laid them out on a table nearby and stood before the crowd of the students alongside Glover.
"Hello there students! My name is Griswald Gramlich, Co-Headmaster of Oldtown Academy," he said with a bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you all and might I say you are the best and brightest students I've ever seen!"
The crowd claps and cheers. They obviously preferred him over Gladys.
"Now each of you will receive a handbook that will detail all the rules we have here at Oldtown Academy." Gladys said. "For example; there will be no leaving class without a teacher's permission, the school computers are for research purposes only and most importantly no one and I mean no one can go up to the third floor. Understood?"
"Yes, Headmistress Glover." The Freshman all said in unison.
"Good. Now, you may all come down to receive your handbook on your way out in an orderly fashion. Is that clear?" Gladys questioned them once again.
"Yes, Headmistress Glover." Once again said all together at the same time.
Griswald smiled "Well then, come on down kids!"
The kids proceeded down the steps of the bleachers and walked in a line to pick up their handbooks.
Eventually Jared, Annika, and Perdita grabbed their handbooks as well but before he left with the others Jared and Annika approached Headmaster Gramlich and Perdita gave Jared one last look before leaving.
"Uh… excuse me? Headmaster Gramlich?" Jared asked.
"Well hello there, children!" Gramlich said, cheerfully. "What're your names?"
"Jared Prince and Annika Prince, sir." The nine-year-old boy answered.
Griswald nodded. "Very good. So, what is your question Jared Prince and Annika Prince?" he asked.
"Well… we were kinda wondering…why is it that the third floor is forbidden?" Annika questioned. "What happened up there?"
Gramlich's eyes widened. "Ah! That place!" he said, nostalgically. He leaned close and puts a hand on the boy's shoulder. "That place is filled with wondrous secrets my boy, you have no idea! But the last time a student went up there… she was never heard or seen ever again…"
Jared paused before asking. "How?"
Before Gramlich could answer Glover suddenly appeared, loaming over them.
She cleared her throat. "Ahem!"
Griswald immediately stood up and turned to her. "Oh! Headmistress Glover!" he said, startled.
"Gramlich, what were you telling our newest students?" Gladys questioned. She narrowed her eyes at Jared and Annika, like a predator staring at its prey. "And why have they not left with the rest of his peers?"
Gramlich smiled. "Oh nothing Headmistress Glover, just chatting with the young kids," he responded, but Glover didn't look convinced by his answer. She turned to Jared again.
"What're your names, newbies?" she asked.
"Jared. Jared Prince." The boy replied.
"I'm his twin sister, Annika Prince," The girl replied.
"Well Mister and Miss Prince I suggest you had better stop talking and get to class! Have I made myself clear?" The headmistress demanded.
Jared and Annika nodded. "Yes, ma'am," they said as they began to walk away.
"Fare-thee well young scholars! Until we meet again!" Headmaster Gramlich called out as he waved to Jared and Annika.
Jared and Annika turned and gave Gramlich smiles and waves before leaving. Gladys continued to watch Jared and Annika go with a suspicious look in her eye.
Voices
Daran Norris as Headmaster Gramlich
Valerie Arem as Headmistress Glover
