Title: Chimerical Solitude
CS Admin - October 2, 2007 12:25 AM (GMT)
"A lobster in the lobby just makes sense, doesn't it? I'm clearly a very sensible man, you know."
St. Francis's Academy had been closed down for several years, and quite suddenly at that. It was rumored that the headmaster, Mr. Felix Amentis, had somehow been unfortunate enough to get into an accident causing severe head trauma. Some in the neighbouring town thought that he must have died for the school to be closed for such a long period. Then, one night in August- the lights in the windows went on once more. The school had re-opened once more, without warning and with Mr. Amentis as head again.
Before it had been closed, the academy had been heralded as one of the most prestigious boarding schools in the country. It's students were among the most clever and skilled in all of England, and the teachers were well known for their brillance. Naturally, upon the re-opening there were many, many applicants. The odd thing was- that even the genuises and scholars might not get in, while a C+ averaged child could. The puzzled parents were astonished.
Soon, it was recognized that your child was likely to have no real hope of attending unless they were visited by one of three teachers that somewhat commanded and ran the school. These three teachers, a Ms. Diana Hewitt, Mr. Randall Melrose and the headmaster himself, Mr. Felix Amentis seemed to only permit students in that had been fortunate enough to be interviewed by one of the teachers themselves. Naturally the persistent parents that wanted their students in there begged through mail- and nothing was ever sent back in response.
In fact, their selections seemed to be so utterly random that those who had children that didn't even apply might get a visit from one of the teachers. Those who paid attention might have noticed a pattern- Diana Hewitt only allowed in and bothered to interview those she noted were strong- either physically or willed, and those with a very good sense of logic, sensibility and wit. Randy Melrose took the time to visit those with a certain bloodline. If their grandparents or parents had gone to St. Francis, the child might have been visited. And on other occasions, he cared to interview those who were a little...odd. That found themselves getting slightly ill once a month, that perhaps had noticed a growing difference in their day to day activity.
Mr. Amentis, now being recognized as more than a little bit on the nuttier side of things, seemed to be completely random in his selections, as they were so few and rare. It was rumored that his head trauma had gotten to his brain, had caused what seemed to be a mild case of insanity. Naturally, the question arose to why a lunatic was in the headmaster position but like most questions addressed to the school- they were ignored. Even Ms. Hewitt and Mr. Melrose have never found any real reasoning to his choices, and in response he has always answered, "I'm the headmaster, aren't I? I'm allowed to select any student I like." Though he has sometimes mentioned that there is a method to the madness, not much else has ever been revealed from him.
So, when St. Francis finally allowed students to come within the walls once more, things were relatively well. Many students were eager and excited, though perhaps a little confused, to stand on the steps and find a home within the ancient boarding school's walls. Of course...certain pecularities were noticed immediately. And not just with the loopy headmaster
For instance, every student to enter the school had to take a blood test. What for was never revealed, naturally. Besides that, for one night every month, teachers were everywhere in the school. Not one dorm, nor hall, nor room unguarded. Much to their displeasure, students soon also found out that punishment for leaving their dorms that night was always extremely severe. Even if they were in pairs, as the rules proclaimed. And then there was a building, just south of the boarding school. It seemed to be well maintained, but occasionally, one heard cries from within it's walls. This was rare. Most students took good care to fall asleep on that night without complaint.
But most strangely, there seemed to be a strange illness going about. Students began to feel admittedly ill, their joints aching and those mentioned students getting a little bit irritable. Understandably. None of the teachers could deny a student's request to go to the nurse for it, but she hurriedly offered a couple painkillers and sent them away. The teachers were always jumpy and evasive when asked anything about any of the oddities. About the headmaster's injury, about why the school closed down...the building south of St. Francis, even the security for just one night a month.
At some point, the teachers won't be able to be evasive much longer.
The dark past of St. Francis is slowly surfacing and making itself known to the students. Some are persistent while some students would much prefer to fade into the woodwork. Either way- they won't be able to escape the dawning reality of the school's true nature, and solitude is a thing of yesterday. With the illness floating about, and a strange string of deaths in town that seem to become more and more relevant to the students- St. Francis is shaken, and the students are beginning to get suspicious. Not even loneliness seems to be real any longer, with sides being taken and tiny groups of like-minded people more and more prominent among the students and teachers.
Now any student alone is only something of a Chimerical Solitude.