From Here Madness Unfolds

Chapter 4

It is 6:30 in the morning. Normally we would have an extra hour and a half in bed but we have all been called into the Grand Hall for some announcement. What for I sure as hell don’t know and neither does anyone else. I am walking on my own at the moment as my dorm is on the second floor and Cass is on the fourth floor. As for Eddie he is on the other side of the school.

I am pretty early as there is next to no-one about. Walking down the corridors of ANON is quite relaxing; you feel a sense of pride wash over you. I love the way sunlight pours through the windows leaving no creepy shadows or dark corners. I have reached the Grand Hall and can hear the clanging of plates and the low murmur of tired voices. I take a plate and have decided on two rounds of jam on toast this morning. I take my usual place look up as I start to eat my breakfast. Cass and Eddie are now here and walking this way. I see Cass has been sensible and chosen cereal whereas Eddie well… I can tell you now he is going to throw up after first period. Eddie is having way too much sugar this early in a morning and more than possible to consume I’m sure.

"Hey Ash" Eddie just about murmurs followed by a long yawn.

“Morning Eddie” I reply.

“Hi” Cass mumbles her eyes half closed. She is definitely not a morning person.

“Ash do you have any idea what this is about?” Eddie asks like I have the answers to everything.

“No I doubt anybody does.”

Everyone is here now and suddenly gone quiet.

“Good morning students I am sorry you have to be out of bed this early but I have an announcement I would like to make” comes a loud, clear voice filled with authority easily carrying throughout the room. This would be why everyone has gone silent. The headmistresses just walked in. She is about 5’10, has toned muscles, an open oval face, a button nose, big round green eyes and hair as dark as a raven pulled back into a bun with a few strands of hair escaping framing her face.

“Right now that I have your attention I would like to introduce you to our new student. A transfer student.”

That’s a new one. We have never in the history of ANON had a transfer student before.

“So I expect you to treat him with the same level of courtesy and respect you show your other fellow students. Make him feel welcome and at home. Make your school proud. That is all.” The headmistress turns around and promptly leaves the Grand Hall.

“Wow  a transfer student.”

“What do you think he is going to be like?”

Everyone is whispering about the new transfer student. I am looking at the boy coming this way. He must be the transfer student. He is smiling at me so I smile back. He looks familiar like we have met before. My eyes seem to recognize him but…

“Hi Ash it’s been a while.”

That voice. There is something about that voice. Click. I remember everything falls into place now. I recognize him because we have met before.