Chapter 2: Welcome to Wonderland───── ❝R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V❞ ────As if thousand of needles pricked my throat, I woke up startled. My breathing came into my consciousness and it sounded like I just suddenly emerged from a tidal wave. I automatically sat up as alertness from sleeping in open spaces kicked in. But a quick roam of my eyes told me I wasn't in the same cold, crimson place earlier- the academy's gate.I blinked my eyes a couple of times, feeling more awake now that I was out of the confined space of my nightmares. I could feel the coldness of the room seeping through my clothes, but I ignored it, instead I focused on my surroundings.If I remembered it right, I was just in the forest, just outside the academy's gates. But now, the place I am lurking was undeniably far from what I had expected.The bed where I lay was soft and warm, clean velvet walls surrounded me. From the ceiling, several crystal chandeliers dangled above the rectangular room with intricate car

Chapter 4: "The Offer,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────I was panting heavily as I reached the Headmistress' office, barely able to keep up with the vast space of the whole vicinity. As soon as I took a fair glance of the sign that told me I was in for my right destination, I begrudgingly opened the doors, only to be greeted by an ominous feeling that I could not explain. The space I was standing shrouded in a deathly silence, and the only thing that could be heard was the sound of my own panted breaths.As I entered her office, I could feel the eerie feeling starting to fill the room. It was like it was trying to trap me and to hold me captive in the darkest dungeons ─ obviously a feeling that is far from being safe and sound in the bounds of this place.The office itself is quite large, with a high ceiling, giving it a feeling of intimidation. The windows are all boarded up, as if to keep out any and all light, and the only illumination comes from a single, frail light b

Chapter 6: "Sink or Swim?" ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── "Cards & Rings of Honors..." The weird girl uttered those words as we take the dark passage through an unknown trail. Though I had no idea what those meant, something in her voice, something deep and ancient that spoke of long-forgotten secrets, filled me with a sense of trepidation. I knew there was something more she was going to blabber, but what? When I didn't budge nor respond even a tiny bit and decided to just listen to her, she stopped in the midway, facing me before continuing, "The thing on your hand, that's what it's called." She said, gesturing the little card and velvet box to perk my attention. I peered down at it, and swiftly put the ring on my finger as the dull orange glow of burning embers was guiding our way forward in the dark passage. It had been placed there with a mysterious weight, a sense of divinity in its touch that left me feeling simultaneously drawn in and repelled. "Oh, yeah? Th

Chapter 8: "The Stonemasker's Hall,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────A hazy fog blanketed the darkness, its mysterious tendrils whisp-ing past me as I stood in the doorway of the infirmary. Yet, as my mind was dancing in it's own reverie, the nurse's voice seemed to cut through the thick air, signaling the next step of my journey. "Keep that path straight ahead, and you'll soon reach your destination," she said, her words both ominous and inviting.My thoughts were scattered as she spoke so it took me a good damn moment to comprehend her directions. As I digested her words, it quickly became clear that she was referring to the Stonemaskers Hall — the place that would be my lodgings for the remainder of my stay here to the academy. Squinting my eyes through the tinted doorframe of the room I am in, I was able to see what she was pointing at. The path that she cautions for me was a way of darkness and cold haze, lined with shadows and tall trees that seemed to creaked and

Chapter 10: "Chair of Fate,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 01 - 2027 ║ Friday ║ 1st Midnight ║ "Strange to say, but our uniform seemed to suit you better." Staring myself in front of the mirror, I heard Serene voiced out beside me with a feminine smile etched on her face. With her words, I unconsciously touched the midnight-lavender fabric cautiously and observed my reflection. Cocking my head side to side, I sighed as I realize she was right. The fabrics of this Institution's uniform, from its long sleeves, skirts, and vests, draped around my frame in a way that the clothing I normally chose could not — or would not — match. I ran my fingers along the embroidered insignia, tracing the intricate patterns and stitching of what I now wore. The uniform felt and fit me perfectly, like a second skin, as it's raggedly stitched seams and unbearably heavy fabric became the sign of where I now stand in this place, a sign of my new home. These cl