Katie Smith

Pultney Academy

Both Katie and Sarah had fallen asleep on the long drive to the boarding school.  Katie just woke up when the car made a sharp right through the first set of gates and onto the the long driveway of Pultney Academy.  She nudged Sarah awake and told her that they were nearly there. 

Sarah groggily looked out the window at the passing trees. "Where are we?" she asked.

"We are almost at Pultney Academy" Katie answered, "We are still in Scotland.  The academy is in a beautiful location, I have no idea how many acres are enclosed by the first gate, but there's a loch and the woods. The nearest town is several hours drive away." 

"Oh, ok"

The car passed through another gate and the ground beneath the car changed from the smooth surface of the previous road to gravel. The driveway opened out to a parking area.  Sarah could see the large exercise field to her right and beyond that she could see a building that looked like a church and to her left was Pultney Academy.  It was an old stone building, with pillars at the main entrance.  There were a few cars parked in the parking area.  Their car drove past these and stopped right in front of the main door. The driver jumped out and ran around the car to open Katie's door.

Katie took Sarah's hand and smiled kindly, "You ready" she said giving Sarah's hand a squeeze.  Sarah anxiously smiled back as she slid closer to Katie getting ready to get out via the same door.

The door opened and Katie stepped out. The gravel crunched under her black high-heel shoes.  Sarah slid further up the back seat and followed her. Sarah looked at the impressive entrance of the building that would become her home for the next few years.  She could feel the anxiety building.

They walked up the stone steps, past the pillars towards the archway. The double wooden doors were propped open. Inside, the white marble floor led to an old fashioned checking-in counter.  To the right was a grand staircase.  Behind the counter was a small, plump woman with curly grey hair.

Katie greeted her, "Hello, Matron".  The woman smiled broadly as she recognised her. 

"Oh, hello Katie and who do we have here, is this your wee sister?"

"No, she is a newly turned". 

Matron covered her initial shocked look quickly, but not fast enough for Sarah not to have noticed.  She busied herself looking down at the check-in book. "Welcome my dear" she finally said, "Well, I think dorm 6 will do nicely. No other girls assigned there yet, should give you plenty of privacy."  She handed a key over to Katie, before adding, "You will be coming back to us as staff for a while then Miss Smith".

"Yes Matron, is my room still free?".

"Yes dear". Matron open a drawer and produced another key. This key had a wooden key ring charm attached with the initials KS etched in.

Katie lead Sarah up the grand staircase.  They took the right side when the stair case split. At the top of the staircase there were several doors.  They went through the first door which led to an internal corridor. The corridor had several doors, eventually they came to one door with a large 6. Katie opened the door revealing a small but typical dorm room. There were two sets of bunk beds, four bedside cabinets, a writing desk, two wardrobes, a sink and a window with a cushioned box seat.

"You can choose any bed" Katie said, "This room will be all yours this year unless we get another newly turned who is your age. I'll go get your linen and then let you settle in a bit."

Katie left and Sarah sat down on the nearest lower bunk. She bit her lip. She was debating whether to ask why Matron was shocked.  

Katie reappeared with bed sheets and towels. Sarah took a deep breath and blurted out.  "Why was that lady shocked when you told her I was newly turned?"

Katie sat down and patted Sarah's hand.  "It is very rare for someone to be turned at your age. It is against the law and doesn't happen very often. I am sorry, but you will face this reaction and worse for a while. Now, try to rest.  I will come get you when it's dinner time."