Excerpt: Winchester Hall

“If I may ask…what IS our greatest work then?” Alexa asked, cocking her head slightly in an attempt to understand what Jonas was saying.

“Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to say what that is just yet. I will speak with Tomas Guillero and see if he agrees to bringing you into the fold before your time here at the school is complete. But as of right now, keep a close eye on Kendall Williams. That child has proven to be troublesome since she first arrived.”

Alexa nodded and said, “I remember when she arrived, sir. I was helping in the nursery when the social worker brought her to us. An orphan if I remember correctly.”

“You are correct. Kendall’s parents died in an automobile accident when she was an infant and she was taken to the local hospital to make sure that she was alright. One of our graduates was working at that hospital and decided to do some bloodwork on her and discovered that she carried the marker, so our graduate contacted us to let us know,” Jonas explained.

“But I thought that the entrance age wasn’t until three years, when the child is old enough to actually be able to learn something,” Alexa replied, trying to understand.

“That is also correct, Alexa, but orphans, especially those who are orphaned in infancy, are special cases. If they carry the marker, then we will accept them, and they are kept in the nursery until age three, when they then join the Premies. We did this with Kendall, but even in infancy, she proved to be a difficult child, never wanting to do as she was told. She had to be punished several times during her stay in the nursery and even more once she joined the Premie class. I will be speaking with Alex about her later this afternoon. Now you had better hurry off to class, Alexa. I shall write you a note, excusing your tardiness,” Jonas replied, pulling out a notepad and quickly scribbling a note before tearing it off and handing it to Alexa. “I will speak with Tomas soon as well, Alexa. I will let you know of our decision.”

Alexa nodded and then stood up and left the office. During her short walk to class, she replayed the conversation in her mind, wondering what the League’s greatest work was as well as what a child had to do with it. I do wonder if Kendall is that child… She has always been difficult, and I doubt that things will change now. In fact, things will probably only get worse as she gets older… Alexa thought as she pulled open the classroom door and handed her teacher the note before taking her seat.