Beyond the horizon a few fragile sunbeams made their way towards the sky announcing a new Sunday at Northwind Residential School. It was the last holiday before the 814th school year of the prestigious school for supernatural powers was about to start. Many students have already arrived over the past week while some stragglers were expected to come in today. And before noon an introduction ceremony was set for all freshmen.

A car stopped in front of the school complex and three people got out. One of them was 16 year old Sayuri, for whom a new chapter started this day. With hands on her hips she stood in front of the big, open gate waiting for it to devour her forever.

Sayuri: "I don't want to go inside … I don't want any of this …" She turned towards her parents, but they just looked at her. "If I go there now, there's no turning back, right?" Her expression turned plaintive.

Sayuri's Mom: "Well, darling, I wouldn't say that …" She tried to smile. "But, you know, this is the only place right now, where you can get some help."

Sayuri: "Yeah, right. Help. I need help. Because I'm a freak! And you knew it all along, but didn't feel the need to tell me, before I figured it out myself!" Her arms were crossing.

Sayuri's Mom: "Sayuri …"

Sayuri's Dad: "Now listen, young lady. We did not choose this, either! Neither what you are, nor what we are not! Nothing pointed to you being gifted!"

Sayuri: "Gifted you say? I'm seeing ghosts! Maybe I've got a psychic disorder and you put me in a mental hospital now! I–"

Sayuri's Dad: "Sayuri! It's enough now!" His pointing finger was raised intimidatingly.

Sayuri's Mom: "Sayu darling, don't you trust us anymore? I know, that's some hard pill to swallow. We thought, you'd never have to do with any of this. We wanted you to live a normal life …"

Two month ago Sayuri's life was turned upside down. She was just looking for some old photos in the attic and now she had strange visions from ghosts or whatever beings they were. If she just didn't open that stupid box! In fact she knew that her parents only wanted the best for her. But why have they never told her before? Right now her head was clouded with loads of information about supernatural powers, clans, councils and other weird stuff. We may as well expect the worst.

Sayuri: "I-Im sorry. It's just … I'm so troubled and confused ..."

Sayuri's Mom: "And that's totally fine! No one's mad at you. So please don't be mad at us. Come let me hug you!"

You didn't have to tell her twice.
It was unusual for them to get into a fight. But the last weeks were an acid test to their bond.

Sayuri's Dad: "You know, you can always call us! Just try it. In case of doubt, we will take you home. But you should really go now. We can't take you to the office and you do not know how long you will need to find it."

Sayuri: "Yeah, I know …" Her orientation was worse than from a rotten potato. She waved her parents goodbye as they drove away, after promising her mom, she'd message them soon. Now there really was no going back. Unless she walked 300km home.

She fished out the position plan that was sent to her in advance from her bag. All of her luggage should already be in her room. She read the gold shimmering sign right next to the entrance: "Northwind – Private Residential School for Extraordinary Humans". Maybe it was a mental hospital after all? Sayuri took her courage in both hands and passed the entrance. A harsh breeze let her hair float, she held the plan tight and turned around panicky. The gate wasn't closed. At least no prison yet.

Not surprising that the inner yard was emptied completely at 7am. Sayuri tried to find the way on her own. How hard could it be?

Seemingly very hard. After forever she still couldn't find the secretary's office. Did she run in circles? Why were there so few signs for orientation? On her map was a corridor, but it didn't exist where it should have been! How should this ever work out, if she wasn't even able to check herself in? Frustrated she crumpled up her stupid plan and threw it backwards.

???: "Well, … the school year didn't even start and somebody's already going on a rampage." Someone laughed.

Startled Sayuri turned around. A brunette boy with bright blue headphones around his neck unfolded the piece of paper, next to him a short blonde girl.

Girl: "How dare you throw a piece of trash against Toki's head?" 

Sayuri: //Great! That's how I make friends ...//