Strictland Academy by Breanna Hayse, Carolyn Faulkner Page A

their
selective agenda.   The only one here
who seems to be worth anything is Doc Wells. ”
    He's
a looker, too," another girl piped in.   "I wouldn't mind being examined by
that man."
    "Yeah,
he got here about two weeks ago.   Supposedly, the State is requiring that this hellhole keep a resident
psychiatrist to monitor our progress; otherwise they are going to close us down
and send us to the state prison.   You already know the reputation that place has," a third voice
added.
    "I
heard he's related to the headmaster.   Is that true?" Molly asked, her thoughts drifting to Patricia.
    "Yeah,
some sort of distant cousin.   I
guess that is how he got in here.   We also know that the same judge that insisted this to be the best place
for us is in cahoots with the headmaster.   They are brothers."
    "We
were hoping that Doc Wells would help us.   Maybe like he is helping your friend."
    Silence
filled the room, the gloom filling the darkness.
    "This
place is pure evil.   There is no
hope for any of us.   We might as
well accept that," a low, sad voice echoed, followed by murmurs of
agreement.   "We were all lied
to and made to believe this ‘ special
training ’ would make us more eligible to be selected by better men.   The ones who have left here have never
been heard from again, so we can only believe them to have been ... threatened
... or eliminated."
    "Who
exactly are those people in the rooms above us?   There always seem to be several watching
everything." Molly asked.
    The
other girls were silent for a while.   "We believe they are Refused who have been recruited by the
headmaster to purchase a permit to marry us.   At least, some of us," one of the
older girls said, somberly.   "We have seen the really young, more attractive girls get
'transferred'   to what they call a
specialized unit during certain times of the year, and then we hear nothing
about where they go off to.   We all
think they are put in a block to be sold to the highest bidder. We don ’ t think that the State
even knows this is being done."
    “ How
do they justify the absences? ” Molly ’ s voice shook with
fear. "You said the State investigates this place.   How can they hide what is happening
here?" Molly asked, tentatively.  
    “ They
probably either present forged documents that announce the girl ’ s demise or a fake
marriage permit.   Whatever they do,
it has been enough to keep the State off their backs. ”
    Her
words confirmed Molly's deepest fears.   She had been correct; Strictland Academy was simply a ruse to hide where
the Headmaster and the judge made their real money!
    "And
why hasn't Dr. Wells reported this?   Does he know?"
    "He
is new, and the attendants loathe him, so they are going to keep him in the
dark as long as possible.   None of
us has been left alone with him to tell him anything, either."
    "Plus
there are no phones and no way out of here.   This compound is literally in the middle
of nowhere, and there are no real roads or houses for miles," another
voice added.
    "As
for the State investigations, the headmaster set up a convenient little clause
that allows them two weeks notice prior to a visit.   That is just enough time to allow any
major bruises to heal and to put some meat on us.   But don't get your hopes up," a
voice answered near her head, "these wardens know how to punish and not
leave any visible evidence.   They
are not going to risk being accused of unnecessary violence and get sent to the
State pen.   Hell, if any of the
inmates there found out who and what these bitches are … it would be their
death sentence."
    "Believe
it or not, you came at a good time," another girl piped in.   "There should be an inspection
scheduled any day now."
    "I
just can't understand what they hope to achieve by this constant punishment
thing," Molly said, feeling anger rise.   "Why hasn't anyone fought
back?   The odds are like twenty to
one."
    Once
again, the room was silent.