Many elite families sent their kids to St. Berdadine, many outstanding commoners also enrolled and were offered scholarships. They were not like any other elite school. They taught their students that all people were equal, no one was above another and punished anyone who broke the rules. With no regards to status, wealth or connections.However St. Berdadine also had it"s dark side. Not all teachers were n.o.ble of heart, not all students believed that everyone was equal and justice was never delivered to the ones suffering in silence. Eve and Emmeline had no idea there were secret rules when attending St. Berdadine.
So when they walked into cla.s.s, after morning a.s.sembly the students were pulled out and told they were going on a tour.
"Eevee, I don"t like dis. Only da first graders are out." Emmeline said as she grabbed her sister"s hand. Eve looked at Emmeline and sensed something wrong too. "It"s otay Emmy I will keep my eye open. Dis eye, so you know dis side is wudged." Eve whispered as she pointed to her left eye.
"Otay, I wudge dis side." Emmeline said as she pointed to right. "If somefing bad happens we run togeder." Eevee said as she tightened her grip. Emmeline nodded her head but she refused to.let down her guard.
Their volunteer tour guide showed the kids every part of the school. Emmeline was looking around while Eve kept an eye out for strange things. Nothing happened and they were now moving to the cafeteria. "Eevee look." Emmeline said as she stopped walking and stared. There was a young boy looking at them from his deask. They looked up and saw the room plate then back to the boy.
"Must be nine. He"s in grade twee... Wait do we know him?" Eve asked as she closely looked at the boy. "Maybe, not shure but Eevee, he twhying to say somefing." Emmeline said as she stared at the boy"s mouth. Eve focused on his lips. He repeatedly mouthed something but she couldn"t understand. "Mr. Galvin, eyes up front!" The teacher yelled as she stomped towards the door,
She was about to close the door but stopped when she spotted the girls. The teacher looked so nice with her golden hair and smiling face but her voice was mean and harsh. "Get back to the tour girls. You have lots to learn." She said as she slammed the door shut. Emmeline stared at the door while Eve trembled. "He"s untle Gabin"s boy, Daybe... Eevee we need to be careful... Dayby acted weird. I think we need to tock to mom and dad when we get home." Emmeline said as she turned to Eve.
"Otay." Eve said as her eyes watered. "Is otay Eevee. Your fine. Less go." Emmeline sighed as she patted Eve"s head. Eve nodded her head and they walked back to the group. The teacher watched as they left. "So this is the cafeteria." The volunteer said as he walked the cla.s.s into the cafeteria.
"Your parents already paid for your meal plans ahead of time. All you have to do is show them your student ID and they scan it. Anything you pick up that is not part of your meal plan will be taken off your tray. So no sneaking in chocolate pudding if your not allowed to have it." The volunteer said. The kids laughed except for the twins.
"Well that"s the school. Any questions?" He asked as he turned his cheery face towards the kids. Emmeline"s hand shot straight up. "Yes?" The volunteer said as he pointed to Emmeline. "Why do we need to wun fom you?" Emmeline asked bluntly. "Oh, that"s so funny! Are you trying to play a mean trick on me? I don"t think that"s very nice." The volunteer said with an overly dramatic pout.
The other kids tried to console their volunteer with gentle pats and nice words. "Thank you little ones." The volunteer said sweetly as he patted their heads. "We were told to wun fom you." Emmeline said loudly. The volunteer flinched.
"Really?" The volunteer said with a dark smile. The kids took a few steps back while Emmeline stood her ground and glared at the man. "Now look what you"ve done. All your little friends are scared. Little girl what"s your name?" He asked as he took a step forward.
The kids all took two more steps back as they hugged one another. "I"m a Goodfellow." Emmeline said proudly as she slipped her hand into her kilt"s pocket. "A Goodfellow... interesting. Well Miss Goodfellow I was going to play this little charade a little longer but now you"ve upset me." The volunteer said as he pulled out a walkie talkie. "Seal the doors." He said and suddenly the cafeteria doors slammed shut.
The kids screamed but Emmeline didn"t flinch. "Shut it!" The man yelled as he slicked back his ebony hair. The kids silenced instantly from his powerful voice and cold glare, to afraid to even cry.
"Let me intorduce myself. I"m Uncle Monty. I am someone special to this school and today I need to tell you about some very special rules about this school. See Uncle Monty is a very strong man that runs this school. I"m the boss and no one can say no to me and I don"t just run this school I am even the boss at some of your mommy"s and daddy"s companies." Monty said as he looked towards Emmeline.
"Well there are some that won"t let me be the boss, some parents are so mean. It makes Uncle Monty a little sad. So to help Uncle Monty be happy I ask all good little boys and girls to give me gifts regularly. I like nice things and money, sometimes your secrets help my mood too but if I get nothing... Well my temper goes wild and you get punished." Monty said as he kicked over the closest table.
"Kids, if you want a happy life here or at home you have to make Uncle Monty happy. So bring me something good once a week and hand your gifts to your teachers. They will pa.s.s along my gifts. If I get no gifts, well you go on my naughty list." Monty said as his men stepped into the light and surrounded the children.