“Straight across are the dorms. It’s difficult to see them from here. I’ll show you once we get farther in.” We walk through the arching purple blooms. Bees whir overhead. “It can get pretty confusing once you enter because all the buildings are exactly the same, but each one has its own distinct entrance into the Court. I have a map of the buildings that I’ll give to you. But I don’t have one of the Court. It changes a little all the time; there isn’t an accurate map.”
I’m about to ask what she means when we emerge on the other side of the wisteria tunnel, only to walk into a small forest of birch trees. This is weird.
“Is this some kind of maze?”
“They call it ‘an intricate architectural landscape,’ but essentially, yes, it’s—”
“Fucked up.”
I spin around, and hidden within the spotted white trunks is a girl sitting on a framed white swing. The kind that belongs on a front porch in a cute town, not in a tiny forest of birch trees.
“Ashton!” Sophia scolds her.
“Aw. Did I scare you?” Ashton asks with a Cheshire smile. A cloud of smoke seeps out and around her full lips. She takes another hit from the vape dangling from her fingers. She looks like she belongs in a rock magazine in her leather pants and neon pink bandeau, lounging casually on the swing with one leg dangling, an arm draped over the back. The bare feet are a little strange though. “I’m Ashton.” She smiles again, her attention focused on me. “Is Sophia being the perfect tour guide?”
“We just started,” I tell her.
“Oh, good.” She hops up from her perch, leaving the swing rocking in her wake and weaving between the trees to join us. “There’s still time.”
“For what?” I ask, finally getting a good look at the odd girl. Her sapphire blue eyes inspect me in return. Chestnut hair falls in thick, wavy layers over her shoulders. She’s stunning and could easily be a model with her long legs wrapped in skin-tight leather. She’s practically an Amazon next to me, even in bare feet.
“Let me translate for you,” Ashton offers, unable to suppress the drug-induced grin.
“I speak English,” I tell her with an amused laugh. This girl must be seriously high.
“Not for you.” Ashton looks to Sophia. “For you, because someone needs to tell her how it really is around here. Not the propaganda of lies the administration makes you memorize.”
Sophia’s mouth opens in offense.
“Don’t get all pissy.” Ashton half-heartedly pacifies her. “It’s not your fault you try to paint a positive coat of bullshit over everything. I blame your parents for demanding perfection. And since my parents are narcissistic asshats who don’t give a fuck, I’m … me. The complete opposite of you. Which is why I’m the translator.” Ashton looks to me. “Ready?”
“Translate away.” Everything she just said sounded like a distorted riddle. This should be entertaining.
Sophia huffs in annoyance but doesn’t stop Ashton from joining us when we begin walking again.
“So what’s with this place?” I ask. I’m hoping one of them reveals something about this school that will help me understand why the hell I’m here. My bet is on Ashton. Sophia seems wound too tight and may snap if forced to break from her script.
“The Court or the school?” Ashton clarifies.
“Both.”
“What do you already know?” She spins around in front of us, brushing her hands along the branches of the willow tree that drape over the path.
“Only what I was told when I arrived. No phones. No computers. That they do random check-ins. All to make sure we’re safe and being our best selves. Whatever that’s supposed to mean.”
Ashton chuckles. “Oh, you had the Dr. Kendall welcome package. Nice.”
“It’s not a bad message,” Sophia says, in an attempt to defend … the school? Dr. Kendall? Seriously? If Sophia’s proper and reserved self is the example of “transformed” then I’m all set.
“The school is an elite institution that helps us reach our best potential. With an education at Blackwood, students become some of the most sought after collegiate candidates,” Sophia explains as if reciting from a teleprompter that I can’t see.
“Translation,” Ashton interjects before Sophia can continue. “We’re here because our parents failed at being parents and needed someone else to step in and take over. Every single one of us is at Blackwood because no one else wanted us.” Sophia opens her mouth as if to argue, but Ashton stops her with, “Even your parents couldn’t handle the pressure.” This shuts Sophia’s mouth with an irritated snap.
Ashton turns to me. “Privacy’s a big deal around here. No one will ask who your parents are, or why you’re here. At least most won’t. You can tell us if you want. But we get it if you don’t. Whatever you did, it doesn’t matter. Not to us.”
As much as I appreciate her candor, Ashton still isn’t making complete sense. Obviously this isn’t a typical boarding school. I guess I never thought it would be.
“Okay,” I reply in contemplation, taking it in as best as I can without prying even though I want to. “So explain the Court. How the hell do they expect people to get around without getting lost?”
I’ve already lost my way. We’ve passed three different gardens. One featuring a fountain with a mermaid shooting water out of her mouth. Another with a white wooden gazebo in the center of a patch of daisies. And another with hammocks hung within caves of hedges. It’s like I’ve tripped into Wonderland. And I’m apparently surrounded by its main characters. Just waiting for the Mad Hatter to make an appearance, but I suspect there’s plenty of crazy to go around this place.
“Look toward the building you want to get to, and don’t lose track of it as you follow the paths that will take you there,” Sophia instructs. “And watch for the little signs posted along the way in case you get turned around.”
“The dumbasses who designed this didn’t make a circular path along the perimeter that connects all of the buildings. Not on the Court side anyway. But walking around the drive on the outside takes forever. It’s like they want us to get lost. Sick fucks.”
“You shouldn’t walk in here by yourself until you get used to it,” Sophia advises.
“And never alone after dark,” Ashton adds dramatically, her brows raised in emphasis.
“Why?” I practically scoff at her ominous tone. Everyone is seriously overreacting with this staying safe bullshit. We’re in a garden, granted it’s a twisted and messed up garden. But it’s not like we’re in Detroit.
“It’s just easy to lose your way.” Sophia dismisses Ashton’s words with a pleasant smile.
Ashton continues as if Sophia hasn’t spoken. “Things happen in the dark. Some good, but mostly bad. So don’t wander alone. Newbies get lost out here all the time. You can hear their cries in the dark. Super creepy.”
“Are you trying to freak her out?” Sophia scolds, blinking at me nervously. “Don’t listen to her.” Now I can’t help but be a little freaked out. “The path is paved with luminescent stones, so if you stay on it, you’ll find your way.”