Auburn Academy

#1 EMMA “You excited, pumpkin?” Dad ruffled my hair, his smile warm and bright under the morning sun. “Ecstatic, Dad,” I muttered, though my voice sounded hollow even to my own ears. I forced a smile, taking deep, measured breaths to calm the storm inside me. My knuckles turned white around the handle of my luggage as I waited with the other students in the clearing near the forest. Their laughter and chatter sounded distant, muffled by the pulse of dread in my chest. I was anything but happy to be going to Auburn Academy—the school that had outlawed Emotion Fairies. The place that had hunted them, captured them…even my mother. My fingers tightened around my bag. The only reason I was here was to learn control, to hide what I was, to survive. The ferry arrived with a low, groaning whistle, and the students filed off the vehicles with eager goodbyes. Parents hugged their children, lingering with smiles and waves, oblivious to the secret burdens some of their kids carried. My turn came. I wrapped Dad in a stiff embrace, memorizing the curve of his shoulders, the rough warmth of his hands, the faint scent of cedar and soap he always wore. “I’ll be fine, Dad,” I whispered, more to convince myself than him. “I know you will, pumpkin. Just…remember who you are, no matter what they say,” he murmured, eyes flicking briefly with worry before forcing another smile. I let go, shoulders heavy, and stepped onto the ferry. The boards creaked beneath my feet as I took my first step into a world that wanted to erase me. Around me, the other students’ laughter floated in the morning air, light and carefree, and I felt the weight of isolation settle on my shoulders. Auburn Academy was beautiful from the outside—tall spires reaching into the sky, gardens that shimmered with unnatural bloom—but I knew better. Beauty could hide monsters. I found a seat near the railing, my luggage beside me. The ferry started to glide across the water, leaving the dock and my father behind. Each ripple of the lake seemed to echo the doubts in my mind. What if I couldn’t control my powers? What if they discovered me? What if I lost myself in this place, just like they had…my mother. The wind picked up, tugging at my hair and clothes. I pressed my hands against my knees and stared at the distant shore, forcing myself to breathe. Control. Hide. Survive. Over and over like a mantra. I didn’t notice when a group of students from the Academy boarded the ferry, chattering and laughing, the sounds scraping against my nerves. I kept my head down, my presence small. If anyone asked, I was just another girl, another freshman with a hope too big for her own good. Somewhere deep inside, a spark of fear mingled with something else—something that looked dangerously like excitement. Maybe, just maybe, I could survive this place. LAVENDER “Are you sure this is the right place?” I asked, glancing around nervously. “Yes, I’m sure. Now step on in—we’re already late,” she groaned, steering the car with a reckless confidence that made me grip the seat. I sighed and sat tight, my fingers fidgeting with the strap of my bag. Rosy, my sister, drove like a storm, weaving through the forest path until we reached a clearing. A crowd of students, all clutching their luggage, were gathering in front of a massive ferry waiting to carry us deeper into the woods. “See? I told you this was the place,” Rosy said, a triumphant smile on her face. I leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “Thanks, Rosy,” I murmured, feeling a pang in my chest at the thought of leaving her behind. With a deep breath, I hoisted my luggage and joined the stream of students, following them onto the ferry. The sound of the water lapping against the hull and the rustling of luggage around me made my heart beat faster. Somewhere in the mix of chatter and laughter, I felt the first tremors of the fear I’d been trying to ignore. Auburn Academy wasn’t just a school—it was a place that had taken everything from my family. And yet, here I was, stepping onto its ferry, my life about to change forever. CARTER I stare at the mirror, running my fingers through the gel and smoothing down the stubborn strands that refused to cooperate. Today had to be perfect. Auburn High had been my dream forever, and every year I’d faced rejection—but this year, somehow, I made it. “You do know we actually have to leave the house to get to the pickup center, right?” My overachieving brother, Calvin, spoke from the doorway, his tone sharp. He’d graduated from Auburn Academy with honors and now worked on the Peace Board—a council made up of representatives from every race and kind, tasked with keeping balance in the world. Big deal, right? “Whatever.” I slick my hair back one more time, masking the nervous flutter in my chest, and hoist my bags to follow him to the car. The drive is quiet, the air between us thick with unspoken words and old grudges. Calvin doesn’t look at me, and I don’t ask him to. I step out of the car, hefting my luggage, and make my way toward the ferry waiting in the clearing. The line of students stretches ahead, each of us buzzing with the same mix of excitement and fear. I board the ferry, my heart thudding in my chest, and for the first time in a long while, I don’t look back. THEODORE I jumped out of the window, landing softly on my bags. “You good?” Dahlia whispered, practically yelling. “I’m good,” I waved at her and then tiptoed out of the compound. When I told my folks I was applying to Auburn High, mom freaked out and forbade Lia and me from ever talking about that school again. So the only way I was going to get in was to sneak out—and that’s exactly what I was doing. The acceptance letter said there would be a ferry waiting in the middle of the forest. Yes, a forest. I had to ride there on my skateboard. I was sure I’d be late—and sure enough, I was the last one to step onto what was apparently the final ferry ride to Auburn. Glad I caught it. I felt a pang of guilt leaving Dahlia behind with mom and dad, but she had made me promise to go and give it my best. That’s exactly what I planned to do. EMMA The ride to Auburn was anything but smooth. I battled motion sickness the entire way, unable to socialize, so I just sat still, watching everyone else move around effortlessly. Every turn made my stomach twist, and I clutched my bag tighter, silently willing the ride to end. Finally, the ferry slowed and came to a stop. We were instructed to disembark, and I stepped onto solid ground, my legs wobbly from the journey. Before us stretched the vast, untamed land of Auburn Academy. Hidden deep within a forest untouched by time, the school rose like a vision from an ancient legend. Before one could even glimpse its magnificent halls, they had to cross the Whispering Meadow—a sprawling field of golden grass and wildflowers that swayed and murmured softly whenever the wind passed through. The air carried the delicate scents of honeyed lilac and mountain mint, and occasionally, ghostly silhouettes of deer-shaped spirits could be seen grazing gracefully among the blooms. At the far edge of the meadow the land curves into a polished stoned path that leads to the main campus-six towering buildings, each with its own identity, each house representing a different house of learning in the academy. The buildings form semi circles around a central plaza with a glowing crystal Obelisk known as the Heart spire, which pulses with magical energy. Each building has its own flag raised high fluttering proudly in the wind: Ignis hall: the house of flame and courage which belonged to the Elemental fairies of fire. The flag was a crimson banner with a golden phoenix rising from ash. Aeris Spire: The house of Wind and Wisdom which belonged to the Elemental fairies of air. The flag was a sky-blue banner adorned with a silver falcon in flight. Terran Forge: The House of earth and strength which belonged to the Elemental fairies of Earth. The flag was a green banner with a black mountain and crossed axes. Aqualis Haven: The house of water and Insight which belongs to the Elemental fairies of water. The flag was a shimmering seafoam banner with a white serpent curling into a spiral. Luminara Sanctum: The House of light and healing which belonged to the potion fairies. The flag was a radiant gold banner with a sun and crescent moon intertwined. Umbra Vault: The house of shadow and secrets which belongs to the last existing emotion fairies, the emotion fairies of Anguish. The flag was a violent banner with a black raven clutching a key And the last Elarion’s Veil: The house of passion and feelings which belonged to the Emotion fairies. The flag was torn off and the building was abandoned covered in moldy algae and shadows. I bit my lip almost drawing blood from it whilst looking at the Elarion’s Veil building. A woman on red with the most outrageous ginger hair ever approached us “Welcome to The Auburn Academy of Fairies young ones",she looked at the crowd of young students befire her. Auburn Academy as you should already know grooms the finest, the best and only the best. Those who have come before you have accomplished remarkable things and we hope you do the same, you’re all going to learn how to control and harness your power. To let it grow and manifest in ways that will amaze you”, she took a pause before continuing “Here your houses will choose you and you can start your training imediately after you've been appointed by your house”, she points at a shallow bowl made with stone. She led us to the front of the stoned path beyond the whispering meadows. We all stood in a line, one by one placing their palms in the bowl and a flag from the seven buildings lit up choosing the student. When chosen a mark appears on the back of your palm. I stared as students one by one place their hands in the bowl, all getting their mark and I panicked. If I placed my hand in that bowl the mark of an Emotion fairy would show and I’d be doomed. I looked around frantically looking for a way out of this but there were none and the line kept moving, soon enough it as turn. I took a deep breath looked at the ginger haired woman and placed my hand in the bowl. A mark appeared on my hand and I moved to her to read it. “Anguish Fairy”, she yelled and the flag at Umbra Vault lit up. I stared at my hand in confusion whilst walking over to the house that chose me.