Copyright: This is MY story with MY ideas. No one is allowed to use it unless they ask me first.
Chapter 2
The bulky taxi pulled outside up to a high black gate, and I squinted to try and get a better look at the school in the darkness. It was first off, surrounded by a high wrought iron fence that seemed to extend back much farther than I could see. The front of the building mirrored that of a large cathedral or church, minus the religious artifacts. Its steeple reached high into the night sky, with the Moonlight Prep symbol at the very top. A huge half circle drive brought you to the front, where two large wooden double doors were lit up by a faint porch light. There were two people standing, a man and woman, under the faint light watching their approaching taxi eagerly.
A startling handsome man came to open the door of the taxi, and of course me being the awkward individual that I am, I flung the door open before he could reach it, way too embarrassed to have someone who looked like a male model helping me out. He looked… perfect. Like one of the almost real life Ken Doll manikins you would see out at malls and places. He still smiled at me though, and I suddenly felt a strange sense of relief that he was in fact, not a manikin. As usual, my feet tended to lead me places before my mind really processed why I was going there. The school grounds seemed to extend back endlessly. There was a gray stone trail that lead all the way around, and a gorgeous lake that shimmered in the moonlight beneath a large oak tree. It was stunning.
"Admiring the view?" My eyes shot up to see a young man, who looked no older than I was, eyeing me with a suspiciously amused look. His devilish blue eyes twinkled as he glanced down at me, making me feel self conscious. I didn't recall him standing out there when we first pulled up, he must have come out when I was looking around.
"Something like that." I mumbled and walked back to where her mother stood before he could say anything else.
"And this is my daughter Raine"
I murmured her hello, finding it hard to understand why my mom introduced me like I was something to be proud of. But she only continued to smile at me, the kind of smile you would be giving to a kid who was going to turn out to be the next child prodigy. I couldn't get the egging feeling out of my head and glanced up to see the blue eyed boy still eyeing me with the same amused look. It was getting on my nerves.
"Welcome Raine, we are so happy to finally have you here at Moonlight Prep. My name is Helina, I am the Dean of students here and will be helping you get yourself situated. This, is my husband Gregory. He will be your Anatomy professor." Helina introduced while motioning toward the manikin looking man from earlier. Helina looked a lot like my mother in an odd way. They both stood tall and fair, with golden hair that fell down to their waste. Where my mother's features were more gentle, Helina's seemed to be striking and fierce. As I studied her face, trying to get a sense of what kind of person she was… and it seemed she was someone serious, but with a kind heart. I couldn't overcome the nagging feeling that something was off though.
Wait anatomy? What? There were science classes here? Gross.
"If you want to come inside, we can take you into the Gelenda." Gregory said while opening one of the large wood doors for them.
What was a Gelenda? I shot her mother a questioning look, but her mom only smiled encouragingly as motioned for her to go inside ahead of her. The door opened into a large white lobby. It seemed that they were at the tip of a V shape, as there were long narrow hallways extending back on either side. In front of the stood 2 sets of double doors, one pair was wide open and you could visibly see circular tables set up all around. The other set of doors was closed.
"That is the Commons." Helina explained. "Meals are served three times a day, and no more. Once at 8pm, once at 12am, and finally at 4am. Classes are in session from 9pm until 3 am. As you can see the students are all in uniform" I looked up at my mother in panic. I hadn't packed a uniform. "Yours will be waiting for you in your room" Helina continued as though she could read my thoughts. "You will notice the different colors they are wearing. Those in the first cycle where red, second green, third blue, and finally those in their final year of the cycle where the signature royal purple of our emblem." As I stared at the students I could definitely tell that they gradually became more beautiful looking as they got older. Those in the dark blue and purple were all stunning. I wondered if I would ever look like that.
Helina began walking, leading us toward a room as she continued talking. "Since students are constantly coming in as the school year progress' we do not place students in classes according to their years. Different cycles of students will intermingle in the classrooms. This is the Galenda." She motioned into a room, and I gasped as I looked inside. It was a completely empty room apart from the stone basin that stood in the middle of the room. From a distant look it just resembled a bird bath, but when you looked closer it was decorated with extensive jewels, and delicate symbols of the ancient vampires. I recognized the one shaped like an arrow, that represented knowledge. The room was dark except for the blue light that seemed to be radiating from the basin up into the coned cieling. It sent reflections on the light grey walls and floor that looked like water rippling, but when I looked inside of it what I saw did not look like water. It was moving, but it looked more like air then water to me.
"We will need a drop of your blood to fall into the basin" Helina explained. I know there was a stupid look on my face, i could tell by the way the blue eyes boy was smirking at me. I felt a sense of anger rising, why was here anyways? To mock the new students? "This is a very ancient practice… since the beginnings of this school's early days. You will find the other Prep schools around the world have them. This is how we know where to place you. From one drop of your blood the Galenda knows everything about you, and will be able to place you accordingly. It is out of our hands."
I stared into it curiously. I wondered what it was going to find about me. Was it possible to get turned away from the school for being too ordinary? A nervous spasm went up my chest that came out in a hysterical giggle. I clamped a hand over my mouth and looked up at the three adult faces staring expectantly at me. "Am I supposed to do it now?' I asked unsurely.
Gregory looked down at his watch. "12:15 right? Well it is 12:13 now. We must wait two minutes. Gelenda will not work until your blood is the age of 18" It was curious how he spoke of it as if it were a person. When he said 12:15 he was referring to my actual birth time… It had to be right on if it was going to work out.
I stared at it, and finally noticed the swirls inside were made up of different colors. There was a silver, gold, pink, light green, and light blue. "What do the colors mean?" I found myself asking.
Helina also stared into the basin, with much wisdom in her blue eyes. "Each color represents a different gift. Silver is knowledge, gold bravery, the light blue is kindness, and the light green friendship."
"What about the pink?"
"The pink means you will hold a remarkable talent. It is rare for a student to receive it but it does happen. There are a handful of students here who possess them I believe" It was my mother who answered. I looked up at her face, the swirls were reflecting off of her, casting a glow that made her even more beautiful then she already was. Her eyes shifted to Helina, who nodded in agreement. "Yes there are students here who have received gifts from the light." She said. "Gelenda has been generous at Moonlight"
Well I wouldn't have to worry about that. I was more worried if I would receive any of the colors. With my luck I would end up being the epic failure who happened to receive nothing, and was sent home.
"It is time" Gregory said.
I could feel panic rising in my chest. What if my blood dropped in and nothing happened? What if I didn't get anything? Oh no… I looked up and saw my mother extending a small pin to me. I stared at it like it was a knife for a moment, and then took it from her slender fingers. As I stood over the basin, I sent a silent prayer up to my dad. Please let me get at least one color, I begged.
I looked up, and saw them all staring down at me. My mother's smile was warm, Gregory stood with no emotion on his face but kindness in his eyes, the blue eyes boy no longer looked amused, rather completely serious and Helina simply looked curious. I took a deep breath and poked my finger tip with the pin. I squeezed it a little, waiting for the blood to culminate a little, and then held it over the basin. It dropped in slow motion into the basin, and the instant it hit it, the swirls began racing. With wide eyes wonder I stared into the basin, and suddenly it shot into the air a stream of silver, gold, light blue, light green, and finally sure enough, a stream of pink. All I could do was stare into it incredulously. This thing had to be broken.
"Amazing" Helina breathed, I glanced sideways at her but only for a moment before I leaned over the basin again. I couldn't seem to tear myself away from it. It was almost as if it was calling me, my name ringing softly in my ears but not from a voice I knew.
My head cocked to the side as I stared curiously, the swirls began spinning erratically until suddenly they formed a shade of lilac purple. It felt as though it shot strait into my eyes. The light was blinding as I stumbled backwards and suddenly heard a very high pitched sound that made my ears scream. I covered them quickly, and squeezed my eyes shut, but the sudden explosion or shrill noise and sensation that ensued caused me to suddenly be forced violently back, and then everything went dark.
"Honey? What has happened to her?" I could hear my mom's frantic voice but I couldn't bring myself to open my mouth and relieve her of her worry. My head was throbbing, and i could tell someone was supporting me. Oh no! I thought suddenly frantic. The explosion! Surely I must have broken it. I knew it! I was going to ruin it! I silently cursed myself. Struggling to open my eyes, I shifted a little but the brightness didn't change no matter what way I turned. My eye lashes fluttered as I forced myself to grow accustomed to the light. "Honey? Oh Darling!" My mom exclaimed and I could feel her throw her arms around me, as I was dragged away from whoever was supporting me, and turned to see the blue eyes boy being my rescuer. Figures. I think I would have rather gone crashing to the floor in some dramatic style.
I found myself staring at the curious faces of Gregory and Helina. Their eyes immediately widened and Helina gasped in shock. I looked at her in confusion, and my mom moved away with a confused look but she too gasped when she looked at me.
"What? What is wrong?" I asked frantically. What had that thing DONE to me! I heard a commotion from the doorway and looked over to see a group of students huddled there, gawking at me. My cheeks flushed as I tried to move away from my mom and stand up on my own. Whoa, Bad idea. I fell sideways, a little dizzy, and I felt strong hands steady me. Blue eyes boy was steadying me with a sly grin.
"It is truly extraordinary" He commented and turned. I followed his gaze, and turned to see the Galenda instead of radiating a light blue, now radiating a light lilac into the room. The same color I had seen shoot into my eyes.
I looked at my mom, sure my face was full of confusion and awkward embarrassment. "Did I break it?" I asked simply. She burst into relieved laughter, and hugged me tightly. "Oh darling, I always knew you were special" She said with her warm motherly smile she had only for me.
