The Night Marchers

Chapter 2

Needing to know the days so she could keep everything in track, she asked the woman for a calendar. She arrived on Tuesday, September 12. The girl desperately needed a journal and a schedule book. Today was Saturday; she had been there for four days.

What she didn't know was the about of chatter about her. People heard about the school taking her in after being chased by some men. They didn't know who was after her or anything about her except her name. Tall tales were sprouting like weeds throughout the school. Additionally, the Special Ops were moved into the school and posted at her door at all times.

Questions erupted outside of her door from the many curious students. Was she dangerous? Did she have a deadly disease? Was she wanted by the government? Was a serial killer after her or a gang? Did she endanger the rest of the school?

The last question she wondered about hit her hard. She couldn't get close to anyone or they might harm people. Even though it was hard for her not to interact, she couldn't take the risk. Even though she was curious about the environment and American society, it was for naught.

She should only talk to someone when it was absolutely necessary. Plus, harboring all emotions was a good idea. If she wasn't responsive, nobody would want to get closer to her.

In the middle of her rambling thoughts, the math teacher waltzed with a piece of paper, backpack, and bag. "I was wondering if you were ready to begin school Monday? It's a short day, so you'll have shorter classes. You've already done all the make-up work." She seemed eager for the young girl's reply as she lounged in the cushion wooden seat.

For the past week, Layla went over the material that was on the pre-tests she took Friday. They wanted to check how much she knew and what special classes they needed to put her in. Personally she thought special classes meant the redo classes. The tests were seriously a hassle and headache but they were easy enough for her.

"I got your schedule set by the way," she handed me paper then a packet of a hundred or so sheets. "The packet is a course description booklet. As you can see, there are two slots open. Usually you're only allowed to have one study hall, but I think giving you two free periods is for the better; it will probably take you awhile to get used to this place. Not to mention do other things besides school since coming here wasn't your original purpose." A twinkle in her had Layla twitching nervously. Could she know something about her?

She brought her gaze down to check the sheet of paper.

First period: Precal. H. Teacher: Gwendolyn Abney. Classroom: F312

Second period: Adv. Lit. Teacher: Phillip Grant. Classroom: B123

Third period: Adv. Chemistry. Teacher: Abbey Stilton. Classroom: A222

Fourth period: German. Teacher: Hailey Laterman. Classroom: C321

Fifth period: Water Medium. Teacher: Charles Isles. Classroom: D207

Sixth period: Adv. U.S. History. Teacher: Alisha Wood. Classroom: H211

Seventh and Eighth: Study Hall

"There are normally 8 classes per day. For your tests you took earlier, we had you take pretests from required classes. You passed health, biology, math until Precal, English, and art. You see, to graduate, you need two art credits. Mrs. Halaway was very aggravated because you passed her art final with a hundred percent."

Then why was she angry? The woman Layla know knew as Mrs. Abney explained. "Ah, she wanted to have you in her class. She admits that at least someone out there in the world besides herself knew how to teach the arts. In our school, if you pass the pretest, you don't need to take the final. The final is just the same questions in a different order by the way. I'm surprised with how knowledgeable you are! Most of the classes you're taking are for third years, which are juniors by the way. We put you in Chemistry since you already know Anatomy; though, you can change it if that is your wish. Same with German. You already know half of our language classes and this one had the least amount of people."