The Wall of Secrets

Chapter One

One foot dangled aimlessly outside the car door. My fingers grasped the door frame as I stared in awe at the looming castle before me.

It truly was spectacular.

"Come on, hon. You'll be late."

"Wha?..."

Mum's voice snaps me back to reality.

"Right. See you soon, I guess. Bye Mum. Love you." And without a second thought, I slipped out from the car and shut the door. Mum pulled down the window and blew me a kiss.

"I love you, too, honey! Be safe!"

And with that, she zoomed off. "Some goodbye" I muttered.

Smoothing my hair through the crisp autumn wind, I stepped up to the deep red double French doors and gently placed a hand on the handle. The door opened smoothly, without a sound.
Nervously tucking a stray strand of hair from my face, I entered the grand castle, glancing around as I did so.

The castle is bustling with noises, students rushing around, scrambling to find their lessons in this fantastically new foreign place.

I glimpsed down at the cold, hard marble floor, each tile was chosen with a specific taste in mind. There's a set of double staircases, one on the left, and another on the right. Gently nibbling my bottom lip, I approached the left staircase, congested with students, each scurrying up or down, in a confused manner. The railing of the staircase is exquisitely engraved with flowers and vines, never a one to be the same.

I tentatively walked up the stairs, my shoes clicking against the marble, attracting far too much noise than I would have liked. Although no one looked my way, all too engrossed in their own problems. 

Gaining more confidence with each step I take, I reached the top of the level, another stairwell spiraling up higher into the castle. Luckily, I wouldn't have the joy of climbing up even higher than I already was.

Bring!

The bell rang, signaling the start of class. I groaned. "It's the first day and I'm already late. Good going, Eva. At this rate, you'll be late this entire year. Again." Slapping a hand to my head, I hurried my pace, not wanting to be later than I already was.

"... and this is a very difficult subject so I want the best of your attention during class. So no slacking off."

As I slid into the classroom, a woman, an old woman, mind you, greeted me. Her hair was held back in a taut bun, gray hairs sprinkling the roots. She was like the mean, strict teacher that jumped out from one of my
books.

"Nice of you to join us...?"

"Eva. Eva Winters."

"Miss Winters. Now. I do not tolerate tardiness, no I do not. Those of you to do so will be severely punished."

Taking this to be my signal to take a seat, I took a quick scan of the room and spotted an empty seat in the back, where I would be sitting, alone. Curious eyes looked my way, and I could feel my cheeks warming. I hurriedly made my way to the back, my head held down so to cover my bright pink face.

Yay me. First day and I made a bad impression and to a cranky old woman. Great. And on top of that, I'm sitting all the way in the back, all by myself. Typical.

"I take this class very seriously and I expect for you to also do. And now, take out your copy of The Mind: Success to Control, and turn to page 10. Please read the guidelines needed to be a successful sorcerer.

"I expect for you to be able to follow all these steps without confusion. Get along."
Grabbing my bag, I pulled out The Mind: Success to Control and flipped open to page 10, grinning in spite of myself, at the refreshing sounds of the crisp pages turning.