Chapter One by Chris
Characters:Luce
Arriane
Cam
Daniel
Roland
Places:Sword & Cross school
Memorable Quotes:1. "So remember it's meds, beds and reds." - Attendant at Sword & Cross - page 9
2. "If it makes you feel any better, you're far from the worst case here" - Attendant page 19
3. "Trevor was gone, his body burned beyond recognition and Luce was...was she...guilty? - Luce page 24
Summary: Luce shows up late to her first day at Sword & Cross reform school, she is beginning her senior year. She interrupts the attendant appearing to give a tour and instructions. At this school, you are allowed no privacy, all along the school 'reds' are set up. Reds being camera's meant to watch everyone move you make. Also, right off the bat each new student has to dispose of any prohibited materials, and at a school with bad kids, this includes knives, box cutters, spray paint, and matches. Luce is shocked to see that cell phones had to be turned in as well, and that she is only allowed one phone call a week. Luce is only connected to her best friend Callie and her parents through her cell, and now she has to give up that as well as her freedom. She is really hating the fact that she has to attend this school...
Luce soon discovered the dark dingy dorm rooms of the school, and how the place has a very 'un-welcoming' presence, her real home in Savannah is only 30 minutes away but she feels so far away now. The conditions at this school seem more like a maximum security prison, with all the camera's keeping constant view and all the rules, not to mention the crazy dangerous students that attend there. Luce tries to convince herself for the hundredth time that she doesn't belong there, but she can't help but relive those memories of last summer, the summer that changed her life. She knew that something terrible had happened in the cabin with Trevor, but she just didn't know exactly how it all occurred. So not being able to answer the questions of the police and doctors, she feels guilty, like somehow it is all her fault...
Luce meets Arriane, a wild out-spoken student. Right of the bat, you tell that this girl definitely deserves to be here, and of course she is picked to show Luce around the school. Arriane immediately wants the scoop from Luce, about how she landed herself in 'prison'. Luce can't reveal her secrets, because it's not just a normal story about reckless behavior or being a bad kid...her story is much worse. She recalls how she felt that tragic night, and how the shadows appeared and then Trevor was gone, completely burned up. How can she explain that some eerie feeling came over her and the same dark shadows came and poof the boy is dead? So she just can't tell anyone what happened, only that she has no idea how he died and that she had no part in it. (which no one really believes) These shadows have always been around Luce, when she was younger she voiced her visions and was immediately told she is seeing things. Well after getting older and still claiming the somethings about shadows and feelings, she had to be put on medications; anti-psychotics. Luce also spent a lot of time in therapy, but over time she learned to ignore the visions and act 'normal...this behavior got her off the meds and less time with the Doctors.
Arriane convinces Luce to chop her hair off, just like the style Luce has now. After some small talk, they both start to head off for their first classes. Luce's sees all the other students waiting outside as well, these are the students that have been attending Sword & Cross. She spots cliques, she sees some of her high school here; like the gang of bad girls, the overly-sexed couple making out, and a group of preppier cool guys hanging out. A boy stands out among the rest with his bright red scarf (a dress-code violation), he gives off a tough energy...and she takes notice. He is gorgeous, with dark skin and golden hair, just radiating off confidence. She begins to stare finding herself attracted to this unknown make, Arriane see's her ogling and informs her that the boy is Daniel Grigori. After a few moments, Daniel meets her stare and for a brief moment they lock eyes, Luce can't help but feel a warmth spreading through her...until he smiles beautifully and gives her the finger....
Questions for consideration:
1. What do you think about this reform school, is it overly extreme? Why do you think it's that bad?
2. What do to this boy Trevor? Also, why would Luce being seeing shadows, what does that mean?
3. Why would a perfect stranger flip someone off? Reading that for the first time, what do you think the motivations are behind the rude act?
Author