Operation #1: Sea Travel

I shifted the bag on my shoulder. I only had a few supplies, my novels and makeup. I sighed, looking over the edge of the boat, leaning on the railing. The island was approaching quickly. If I had to guess we had about five minutes till we arrived.
"Who the hell let you on this boat?" I looked over my shoulder to see a boy around my age. His black hair was in a buzz cut. His accent was obviously,
"Frenchie, do tell me why I shouldn't?" He bit his tongue in disbelief. He wasn't anything unattractive nor the other. The only thing that stood out was the scar under his right eye. What was a little unsettling about the scar, was that it looked fresh.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" I looked him up and down. His clothes were the same as mine, VILE brand.
"Can't say that I do, but by that, it means I wouldn't give a damn who you are." He furrowed his brows and I moved my backpack from my side to my back. I stared him down. I was playing another role. Even if I couldn't actually beat him in a fight I had to stand my ground, small dogs could get larger ones to back down if they interpret it as more trouble than it's worth. He stepped closer to me, not even breaking his eye contact to blink. I felt my heart tighten, speeding up in fear but I made all effort to not let it show. I kept my eyes open but I really wanted to blink.

"Oi c***s, break it up!" We both looked to our right. A girl with coppery red hair, who appeared to have cut it herself, was approaching us. Unlike either of us, she had no bag. The only person item she had was on her right wrist, a simple tight silver and pearl bracelet. She had ripped the sleeves off her shirt showing muscular arms. "Don't make me knock you both off this ship before we get to the Island." Her eyes were dark grey, as if devoid of energy, a complete opposite of her actions and threats. I watched as Frenchie took a step back in fear, whoever she was he evidently knew her.
"The Red Roo!" She grinned, evidently bemused.
"Shiela, thank you." I had barely realised her accent until now. Australian, that and the realisation she swore in addressing us.

"Now, do we have any problems? Lost a goon bag?" She looked to Frenchie who shook his head.
"You, eyeliner?" I looked her in the eye. Just from her actions, I could tell it wasn't a quip to anger me. She just honestly didn't know my name. I smiled.
"No," I outstretched my hand. "Damian Walsh." She looked down at my hand, hesitant for a moment. She slowly clasped my hand. I had to hold back a whimper as she crushed my palm.
"Alyssa Smith, but most call me Shiela." I laughed, unaware that Frenchie had walked away.

"Why Shiela?"
"I have an infamous reputation in Australasia," she replied. "I primarily work as a runner, moving goods and messages by hand." I nodded.
"I'm assuming you are fast on your feet."
"And never failed a job." She spoke with such confidence I couldn't tell if she was lying to me or herself. There was no way she had always been that good. Together we watched as the ship pulled up the final approach to the Island dock.

VILE island was beautiful, and ecologically diverse paradise. Just from our arrival, I could see an abundance of various plants and flowers. No plants were near to the main feature, a large industrial modern building, my home for the next few years. I could only guess it would most likely be built into the island itself, probably multiple layers.

Two people were waiting by the pier, they both wore janitorial clothing. The Captain stopped the boat and we all hopped off. I followed behind Shiela. All forty of us stood there.
"Do you have any idea what happens next?" I asked aloud, Alyssa shrugged.
"I don't know but a little mole is watching us." I turned to look at her before following her eyes. A small girl, had to be around twelve was watching us from a rocky cliff in the distance. She was already turning and running away when I looked
"Who do you think that is?" I asked, more a thought than a question I wanted answered.
"No idea," Alyssa replied before dragging me after the group which had started walking towards the school.

We all walked into the entrance lobby. Five people stood at the top of the stairs. One of which I recognised.
"Welcome, to VILE." The first one spoke. She had short green hair atop a large muscular body in a designer track hoodie. "We are the Faculty, us five make the rules. My name is Coach Brunt, I teach self-defence and combat." She took a step back as Madame Cleo took a step forward. Much like when I had seen her in England she had her hair tied back in a single plaited ponytail, her mascara, eye shadow and liner were perfect.
"I'm Countless Cleo, I teach thievery etiquette and social infiltration. I will not accept slackers or those who don't listen." She took a step back but for one moment, I think she looked in my direction with a slight smile.
"Dr Bellum," an Indian woman stepped forward with a massive beehive hairdo and a lab coat that was way too big for her small frame. If I had to take a guess, it was loaded with multiple inventions, notepads and pens. "I will show you the tools and equipment we offer our students here at VILE. I will also teach hacking and tech, if you wish to, as an elective." Before she took her step back, she gestured to the middle-aged man with a pointed nose wearing a suit jacket atop a plain white shirt. "Professor Maelstrom."
"Thank you, Doctor Bellum." He didn't step forward, but stead raised his nose as to look down on us from atop the stairs. "I'll teach you tricks of the trade and psychological manipulation. These are skills essential for any thief."
"I will be teaching Stealth & Pickpocketing." This man did step forward. He wore literal Japanese attire which complimented his features. His medium-length hair was spiked up and back to stay away from his eyes.

"Which do you think looks the most stuck up?" Shiela asked to me. All five of them had seemed very much rule makers, none seemed to want to become slack, as expected from a crime school.
"If I had to take a guess, the guy who didn't say-"
"Thank you Shadowsan," Cleo spoke aloud. "Classes will begin tomorrow at 8 am sharp, you will be up at 7 am to have dinner in the mess hall." I followed her arm as she raised it to gesture at the janitors. "The cleaners will accompany you all for a week, ensuring you're all become familiar with the layout of the Academy."
"Also," Coach Brunt took a step forward. "All electronic communication devices are banned. If you have any on you, give it to the cleaners." I watched as around just under a half of the aspiring students produced tablets, phones and one even had a laptop. They were all placed into a satchel bag held by one of the cleaners.
"Let's make your time here, productive." I looked to Professor Maelstrom, he almost was jeering as he looked over us.

I looked to Shiela who only gave a weird somewhat inspiring smile. I wonder what this journey would have for us?