Chapter 20
Monday, May 14th
Case 2: Day 1
Atman Academy for Gentlemen and Ladies
Atman Academy for Gentlemen and Ladies rests on six acres of fresh cut green grass, with a lake in the back and a couple of huge trees that littered the schoolyard. The school has a total of five floors, half a basement where all the generators, heating and cooling systems are plus the janitor's storage closets and the main maintenance office is. Three towers in the east, west, and south. Two watch towers at the main entrance gate of the school and two three floor student and staff dorms which were located behind the school near the forest edge close to the lake. The boy's dorms are on the left and the female dorms are on the right. Each having a stone walkway that led to the dorm doors to the side of the school gate that brought you into the courtyard.
The East tower has two buildings attached to it by the servant's way: the cafeteria and the Cafe. Attached to the Cafe by a doorway that leads into a hallway is the 'Hotel' that holds all of the guests. The South tower has two sets of stairways. One leading up that held the old school bell that rings every morning at eight in the morning starting the school day, then again at noon, and one in the evening at ten at night telling the students that its curfew. The stairway leading down about ten yards then fifty yards straight then thirty paces up leads to a door that brought you inside a small building that was really a classroom for the ecopsychology class, and outside of the classroom is the forest edge where they work and study. And the West tower leads down to the Archives, or the Headmasters study room they call it. Lizzy couldn't take me since she didn't have permission but I know whats down there since it wasn't that long ago that I ran down there and found that secret passageway. Lizzy said when she was down there for a school project and had to use one of the old books, she said that the door is always locked. But it wasn't locked when I went.
The main floor of the building had two grand staircases on each side in a half-circle that connected at the top on the second floor. Hanging from the two-story high ceiling entrance way was an old iron chandelier that used to hold candles, but now held candle tip light bulbs. Walking near it made me feel just a bit tired and weak at the same time, but most of the school had a lot of iron in it so it wasn't new to me. On the right side was the archway that when entered on the right led to the Cafe then passed the semi-circled wall which was the East tower on the left was the doorways to the cafeteria. On the left side of me was was another archway that had a hallway and held the Nurses Office, the Attendance Office, Treasury Office, Guidance Office, Main Office and at the end of the many offices was the Headmasters office and across from that was the door that led down to the Archives, and the secret passageway.
Straight ahead right under the opening under the two grand staircases was another much larger hallway, held three different rooms, each was a conference room, two on the right and one on the left. Then the hallway split going in both directions; right and left. On the left side held the Art and music rooms, and the Gymnasium. On the right side held the Biology, Physics Lab rooms, and three chemistry Lab rooms. One for the Advance, Honors and AP students. Lizzy said they learn different things in each level, so they need three different labs. Across the AP chemistry lap was a door that led to the south tower. I asked if we could go up and take a look over the lake and forest since you could see everything up there, But Lizzy said we would go after we are done the tour. So we continued our journey...
Each level and each building I went into I wrote down what-is-what in my journal and then on the map/blueprints, plus highlighting. I also took pictures of what I thought was important to know...Overall the school is very well done for an ancient castle that might have or might not have been own by Dracula himself or his servant. All I know is that I'm positive that this Academy is hunted. After finishing the main floor we took the stairs up to the second, passing some students coming down after getting extra help or helping a teacher. Many of them waved and said hello to Lizzy and some towards the both of us.
The second floor went in both directions too. With doors on both sides of the walls. The east wing was for all the History classes and the west wing was for all the English classes, The third floor was the same; east for all Math and west for different Language's (Spanish, Latin, French, Italian, and German) The fourth floor was the 'Study Rooms' which consisted of our base called The Red Room, The Computer Room, and the huge ass library! Along with the three classrooms for Home Economics. And the last floor which is the fifth floor was all for the teaching of the Butler and Maidens.
Once we were done I basically jumped down Lizzy's back about showing me the south tower, so she took me with a sigh and a smile. We went back down to the main floor and down the science wing. While walking to the door of the tower I realized that I not once saw Naru...I saw our cameras in each of the hallways...but no Naru. I wonder what he is doing. Lizzy opened the door and walked in.
"The towers are pretty cool to be in, but creepy if your alone and at night." The tower was lit with a medium size dim lights, that were attached to the wall every 10 steps we went. I stepped on the floor and my breath was taken away. The sun was about to set in about a half hour to an hour. The view was amazing, and Lizzy was right when she said you could see everything. The dorms, the lake that was glistening with the setting sun rays, the forest so vast and beautiful. Lizzy walked to the center near the edge of the railing. I walked over to where she was and sat down my bag.
"It's beautiful up here!" I was so amazed by the scenery, Lizzy giggled
"I know. It's my favorite spot to come when I need to be by myself" she looked off into the distance "This is my boyfriend and I had our very first kiss….and the same spot where he told me he loved me for the first time"
"So it's special to you huh"
"Yeah, it is. I'm a little sad to be graduating at the end of the month. For four years this has been my home"
"But now you'll be able to make a new home at university. Make new friends and memories" Lizzy sighed and smiled
"I know. Are you graduating this spring as well? Or is it different in Japan" she asked
"Sorta. Graduation in Japan happens in March after final exams, since the new school year begins in April. But I was behind with all the time I missed due to work. But my principal knows my situation and as long as I pass all my makeup work I'll be able to get my diploma before this month ends." Remembering all the work I still need to complete when I get home
"Will you be going to university?" I sighed and looked at the setting sun
"To be honest, I'm not really sure anymore. I was going to. My mom uses to work at a university and they offered me free tuition for as long as I'm there. Just have to pass the entrance exam. The offer doesn't have an exportation date, which is nice to give me some time."
"What changed your mind?" I looked towards Lizzy
"This" I waved my hand over my body "I changed, and now I need answers. I need to understand who I am before I put my focus into school again."
"It has something to do with your eyes" Lizzy looked away "I'm sorry I was so freaked out. I told you I was interested in the supernatural...that's because I always believed it was all made up."
"Don't be sorry. Trust me I did too at one point. I never believed in any of it. Then I started to work for Naru-"
"Naru?" I laughed forgetting only we know him by that nickname
"Oliver, we call him Naru...short for narcissist" she laughed
"So then what are you exactly….not to be rude or anything, its just no normal human can do what you did"
"That's because I'm not. I am still human so I'm not some freak from space." I paused. Contemplating telling her the truth. Kat said I shouldn't trust anyone "An easy way to explain is that I am a witch"
"Like the spells and broom type?" I couldn't help but belly laugh. Her face was in deep confusion
"I-I'm sorry" I controlled my laughter "No, well kinda? We don't fly. But we harness our power from nature. There is light and dark magic, and its true that some people associate us with black magic but not entirely true."
"So witches are real" she was dumbfounded "That's amazing" I shrugged my shoulders and continued to look across the forest
"I guess. I just found out who I really am. So I am still adjusting -" as I was talking to her, my eyes trailed past the lake when I saw it. How come I didn't notice before. In the middle of the vast forest was a smallish black stone looking building. Four walls, no windows it seems and no chimney either, just a black box "Hey Lizzy what is that?" I pointed to the building
"I don't know. I wondered the same thing. Students are not allowed into the forest past the gate."
"A gate? In the forest?" This caught my attention immediately
"Yeah, Its about maybe 10 meters into the forest. I can take you, its where the ecopsychology students have their class." she started to gather her things and so did I.
"Yea that would be great. Let me just take a picture." I took out my phone and took a picture. After I was done we both headed back down the South Tower.
We walked out the door of the south tower and came into the ecopsychology classroom. It had a long wooden table running down the middle of it with matching stoles on the sides. The classroom walls were all glass, and have wooded shelves lined up along them with pots, soil, and other gardening tools.
"This way," Lizzy motioned for me to follow. We walked out the door and into the sunlight...or what's left of it anyway. You could hear the ripples of the water from the nearby forest stream and you could see the forest edge. "The ecopsychology class uses the forest and a forest stream that connects to the lake. But the lake is fenced off so you can get to it"
We walked through the forest and all around you could see many different plants growing and vegetables, many flowers, and trees. Ayako would love it here, even I could feel the life of each plant.
"Lizzy, I don't want to sound stupid or anything, but what is ecopsychology?"
"Don't worry about it. Many people don't know what it is, I didn't even know what it was till I started taking the class." She walked around most of the plants and looked over them "Its the study of the relationship between human beings and the natural world through ecological and psychological principles. Well, that's what my textbook tells me. But its really about how to use nature to help people in healing, and learning the way of nature itself."
"Sounds pretty fun."
"It is, but patience is a key really." Lizzy stood up and came over to me "Mai, you're a witch right?"
I looked at her "Yeah." We started walking in more
"Well you said that you harness your power from nature its self, they help it and use it. So maybe you have a talent for it." Lizzy was right, in a way.
"Maybe, you could be right. I'll look into it." We came to the stream and it was beautiful, The current was ruff, but a more peaceful ruff. The water was crystal clear you could see small fish play. Rocks in all sizes littered the body of water that they sorta made a makeshift bridge that you could leap your way to the other side. You couldn't go far since the gate was on the other side about 20 feet away.
"Can I look over there?" I asked Lizzy, she smiled and nodded.
"I'll help you get over." She walked on the first rock and made her way to the second. Once there she stretched her hand out for me to take, which I did so and in about five minutes of little yups and laughter we made it over to the other side in one piece and not wet. Note to self, never were heels when crossing a stream over rocks.
"The black building is north of this gate, if you look behind you, you can see the south tower." I looked and she was right
"Why didn't we see the stream from there?"
"The forest trees are so big, you can only hear the water." she sat down on the soft grass and started splashing gently with her feet "We should hurry, the sun is going down real fast, and it is not safe to be out here at night."
"Just a sec." I walked towards the gate. The other side was calling to me. In the mist of the cool breeze, I could hear whispers. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but I needed to go over the gate. I took off my heels and flung them over the chain link fence.
"Mai what are you doing?!" Lizzy rushed towards me, "We are not allowed to go over the gate!" she watched as I started to climb to get over
"No, you're not allowed, I on the other hand am just doing my job." I reached the top and twisting my legs so they were in front of me. The fence wasn't high above the ground, but sitting on the top of a ten-foot fence made me little nerves to jump down. But I did, I landed on the hard ground and stumbled trying to get my balance back
"Mai this is crazy. Get back over here" Lizzy was looking around for any students or teachers that might be out this way
"I can't." I looked towards the forest ahead of me "There is something calling to me out here.
"Okay, that's cool and all but it's getting dark and being out here is giving me the creeps," she said. I pulled out my phone to call Naru.
No service. Great. I turned back to her. Knowing all to well I shouldn't do this without the team
"Mai!" I looked at her "Your eyes. They are doing that thing again" I was puzzled. Kat said over time I will be able to tell, but I couldn't feel anything flowing through me. I turned on the camera of my phone and looked. Surely enough my eyes had a glowing white halo around my brown irises. The veins were not present and my white's were not black either. The whispers became louder in my ears, rusting came behind me
There was something out here. The wind stopped. And little bluish orbs started to fill my side of the forest. I heard Lizzy gasp. Spirits all around me. Hundreds of them, then they started to move all in one direction deeper into the forest.
I followed