Free School of Deaths by Christopher Mannino Page B

teacher.
    “Well, Susan? You can read, can’t you?”
    Some of the boys snickered.
    “The World of Deaths,” she read, “is a male world, and always will be. Females have no place here. Deaths are obtained through contracting living boys. Only one female Death ever lived, the evil witch Lovethar. Females are useless.” She trailed off.
    “Continue please,” said Dr. James.
    “Females are useless. They are lazy and spend their time distracting the true Deaths. They are too weak to wield a scythe, and too stupid to use them. A deficiency in arm muscles renders the female body unable to perform the responsibilities of a Death. The Polton Hypothesis, later upheld by Decrion’s Law, decrees females will never be allowed in this world.”
    “Thank you, Susan.” Dr. James grinned.
    “Sir,” she said, rising. “May I say something?”
    “No, come to me before class tomorrow if you have a concern.”
    Suzie sat again, fuming.
    The class continued for another hour, as Dr. James continued to point out that females were unwanted. The class ended and Suzie ran into the hall, choking back tears.
    “Suzie, are you all right?” asked Jason.
    “Are you joking? Our teacher spent the whole class telling us girls are useless.”
    “He’s probably trying to scare you, maybe the rest of the week will get better. I mean we can’t focus on girls for every class, and we did half of that chapter in the book today.”
    “I don’t want any more of this. I want to go home.”
    “It’ll be okay,” said Jason.
    “I have to go,” said Suzie.
    “We only have a year and then we can leave. What’s your next class?”
    “No, I have to go . To the bathroom. Do I have time to return to Eagle Two?”
    Jason shrugged. “Remember what Billy said about being on time.”
    “I’m not asking Dr. James if there’s a bathroom. He’s a total jerk.”
    “He’s our teacher, but yes, you’re right,” said Jason. “What do you have next?”
    “History, what about you?”
    “I have History too. Are you in Room 17?” He looked at his schedule.
    “No, Room 86. We must be in different classes.”
    “I guess I’ll see you at lunch. There’s a bathroom down the hall. I can guard the entrance for you.”
    “Thanks, Jason. I’m glad I have friends like you here.”
    They walked to the bathroom, which had rows of urinals and three stalls. Jason stood outside the door, and Suzie heard several Deaths asking him why they couldn’t come in.
    She emerged a few minutes later.
    “You can’t hog the bathroom,” shouted one boy.
    “Yeah, get your own,” said another.
    “Let her go to class,” said Jason.
    He gave Suzie a smile and walked away. She hurried down the hall and to the staircase, pulling out her map.
    * * * *
    Suzie was the last one into her History class. The teacher droned on without turning to her, but the class turned their eyes on her while she hurried to a seat in the back. When would the day end?
    “To learn your names,” continued the old Death in the front of the class. “You, Susan, since you were late, why don’t you go first.”
    “I’m sorry, what was the question?”
    The class giggled.
    “Your name, Susan. Stand and tell the class your name, and where you lived before coming to the World of the Dead.”
    “I’m Suzie, Suzie Sarnio. I lived in Damascus, Maryland.” She sat quickly.
    Each Death rose and did the same. Boys had come from every country around the world, yet somehow she understood them. Did they all speak English? Or was this a world beyond language?
    “I’m Luc,” said a lanky boy with dark black hair, dark skin, and thick eyebrows. “I’m from Bordeaux, and I’m one of the only Deaths whose brother is here too. I’d like to add that I hate girls.”
    A few boys turned to Suzie but the teacher didn’t seem to notice. He wore thick glasses and slouched over his desk, pressing his nose deep into a stack of papers. He perched on top of a tall stool, and his long white hair fell down