School of Deaths by Christopher Mannino

past the hood of his robe. Behind him, a shaky hand had written the name “Professor Stevens” on the chalkboard.
    The class dragged on but Suzie stopped paying attention. She drifted into her own thoughts, picturing her friends and her mom. She dreamed of women, of wonderful women like her mother. Of comforting women like Gingerbread Nurse Cherwell. Of respected women like her grandmother, or the First Lady. Of her girlfriends at school. There were none here now, no other women in the entire world.
    Deaths rose on either side of her and she realized class must be over. She gathered her books. Luc walked behind her and shoved her, making the books fall on the floor. He left the room, laughing. Professor Stevens hadn’t even looked up.
    She walked with her head down through the corridors and back toward Lower Hall. She didn’t want to encounter more Deaths protesting her existence. They didn’t want her. Didn’t they realize she didn’t want to be here either?
    The crowds turned right, and she turned left, trying to catch her breath. She tossed her backpack down in an empty courtyard. A sundial stood in the middle of a grassy lawn, surrounded by stone walls with arched windows. High overhead, a screech pierced the sky. An eagle soared down, plucking a mouse from the lawn. It perched on the sundial and devoured the rodent, while staring at Suzie.
    Suddenly the walls of the courtyard turned red. The ground seemed to shake beneath her.
    Fire . Everywhere burning . Flames .
    Two green eyes stared at her from the inferno.
    The eagle turned its head, and Suzie heard the distinct sound of a baby crying for its mother.
    Flames .
    A single word formed her in mind: a plea, an appeal, a name.
    Suzie .
    Suzie’s skin burned for a moment, before the sensation faded. The courtyard faded from red flame to white stone. The eagle finished its meal and flew away. Suzie grasped the side of the stones to steady herself.
    “Suzie? Are you okay?” asked Frank.
    She turned to him. “I’m fine,” she said.
    “Billy and I’ve been looking for you. It’s lunch now. What are you doing here?”
    “I wanted a breather away from the crowds.”
    “Are you sure you’re all right?” Frank gave her a piercing look. “You seem pale.”
    “It’s been a long day. The kids were rough, and my theory teacher was absolutely horrible to me.”
    “I’m sorry. Can I give you a hug?”
    She nodded and he wrapped his arms around her. She felt hot again, but not from flames or strange visions.
    “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get to the hall and grab some lunch.”
    “Suzie?” She heard Billy’s voice.
    “We’re here,” said Frank, letting her go.
    “Hey guys,” said Billy. “What are you doing here?”
    “We were going to lunch,” said Frank.
    Billy gave him a puzzled look but the three left the courtyard and returned to the Hall.
    “How were your classes, Suzie?” asked Billy.
    “My history class was boring; the teacher’s didn’t even realize class had started. A few jerks in that class too. Theory’s even worse. The teacher himself spent the class making me feel like dirt.”
    “I’m sorry.” Billy sighed. “It will get better after this week. Soon everyone will be wrapped up in their work, they won’t even pay attention to you. You’re new, but they’ll get used to having you around.”
    “Will they?” she asked.
    “Look,” said Billy, pointing to the top of the staircase leading to the Lower Hall. No Deaths stood to block her way and none stared at her. She climbed the stairs one at a time, afraid of what waited for her in the Hall, but the area seemed normal. If anything here was normal.
    Deaths sat around the tables served by bizarre creatures. Billy, Frank, and Suzie sat where they had eaten breakfast.
    Jason looked up. “How bad?” he asked.
    “The teacher was boring, and one of the kids picked on me, but it wasn’t like Theory. I’m hungry.”
    A servant brought her a plate with a plain-looking