Free The Unlocked (Charlie Hartley Series Book 1) by J.D. Stonebridge Page B

no tragedies
because we survive.
    We know of no
boundaries because we overcome.
    We know of no limits
because we outlast.
    We vow to develop and
hone our gifts.
    Above all, we vow to
use our abilities for the benefit of mankind.
    Amanda was all business.
    “As you may already know, ANDREI’s goal is simple: improve
your talents in the hopes of making you especially functional members of
society,” Amanda explained. “Make the most out of the time you spend here at
ANDREI so when it’s time to release you back into the world, you’ll be ready to
face all adversities that come your way. It’s now half-hour before the next
class. That’s about the time to get you oriented about the school. We should
get moving.”
    Charlie nodded in reply and all three of them started out
the door.
    “Hi,” Hilary smiled warmly, speaking for the first time.
Charlie only managed to smile back. Reaching her destination hadn’t sunk in
yet, and she was glad Hilary was sensitive enough to provide her with a wide
berth. They made their way down, and Hilary and Amanda opened the twin doors.
Charlie couldn’t believe what she the sight before her eyes: inside were
students, about her age, displaying various acts unfathomable to nature. A
blonde muscular boy lifted a twelve-seat table on two fingers. A girl with long
brunette hair fiddled with a stalk that grew upon her command. Another muscular
boy with Russian features hung in the air, a few feet below the ceiling, while
reading his book. A heavy-set black girl sang in a high pitched voice, causing
the entire wall to vibrate.
    With mouth agape, Charlie was startled when Amanda and
Hilary said in unison: “Welcome to ANDREI.”
    The students went about their business until Amanda
commanded their attention. She didn’t even have to raise her voice.
    “Students, you have a new schoolmate,” Amanda announced and
motioned Charlie to move a step forward. “Please introduce yourself.”
    She did as she was told. “Hi, I’m Charlie. Charlie Hartley.”
Silence pervaded the room. Not a single one acknowledged her.
    Some scowls turned into smirks, some breathed sighs of
relief. Charlie was rattled with the mixed body language displayed, but she
went along, smiling and looking eager. She squeezed her right thumb with her
left hand, trying to calm herself down.
    They’re just like me , Charlie chanted in her head. What
could possibly go wrong? Sadly, there were some things Charlie had never
learned, like taunting fate and being too optimistic. Almost always positive,
she couldn’t help herself in negative situations. But tonight, it was as if the
universe heard her question and replied when everything took a turn for the
worse.
    “Ms. Pitt, when can I see my---” Charlie couldn’t bring
herself to say it. Instead she coughed out the word in a staccato manner, as if
choking on the word. “S-sister?”
    Amanda whipped back and studied Charlie closely. “Jeanne is
not available."
    “Will she be available tomorrow?” Charlie asked, anxiety and
excitement bubbling inside her.
    “I’m afraid not, Charlie. The only way for you to have
access to the facility is when you become qualified for the program that Jeanne
is currently in.”
    Charlie’s heart sank. “What? I thought you had connections,”
she whispered.
    “Do not worry, if you’re anything like your sister, ANDREI
will be a breeze for you. You’ll be with Jeanne in no time,” Amanda said.
    Charlie thought she was teasing, but she took it as
motivation to achieve whatever her twin achieved. If it meant seeing Jeanne,
she was willing to do everything.
    Except ANDREI wasn’t a normal school, and Charlie was about
to find out exactly what that meant.
    Proceeding to the next attraction, Charlie felt like she was
in a museum, except that its statues were humans moving and performing ‘magic
tricks’ on the spot. The glass windows provided an unobstructed outdoor view,
although there was nothing much to see except a green field