Chapter 1: Checkpoint

1. The Gates

Theo rested his cheek against the cool window glass. Outside, empty fields stretched beneath the evening sun, the grass already losing its summer green. 

Theo’s mom, Tanya, drummed her fingers against the steering wheel. When the radio cracked into static, she flipped through the stations quickly, switching it off when there was nothing.

Theo’s younger sister, Tabitha was strapped into a booster seat.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“We’re almost there,” Tanya glanced at the online map on her phone, then back at the rearview mirror. “It’s your brother’s new school.”

Tabi clutched onto her one-eared bunny plush until it released a soft squeak.

“Why all the way out here?”

“It’s complicated,” Theo said, almost lazily.

Tabi puffed out her cheeks. “I hate it when you use that word on me.”

Tanya shook her head, smiling as the lines around her mouth deepened.

“Theo,” Tabi’s voice grew quieter this time. “Why do you have to switch schools?”

He didn’t give an answer. What was he supposed to say? That he messed up? That this school was the only place that would take him now?

Before the silence stretched any longer, Tanya spoke. 

“This school will take better care of him.”

“But Grandma can take care of us,” Tabi replied.

“Grandma’s getting old.”

Theo stared at the dirty sole marks on the dashboard.

“Sorry, Theo.” Tabi’s voice came muffled, followed by the soft squeak of her plush.

“Me too,” he murmured.

A road sign ahead pointed to BLT Academy in a few miles. Theo hadn’t asked what BLT stood for. He didn't want to hear it. 

The tires rolled onto gravel, the seatbelt tugging tighter across his chest.

“Whoa,” Tabi marvelled. 

A building loomed behind tall, black iron gates, the spears cutting into the clouds. Maybe the gates were meant to keep something out, or in. Theo wasn't sure. 

Nothing back in the city had shit like this though.

A plaque beside the gate was etched in polished engravings: ‘Better Lives for Teens Academy — A Second Chance.’ When Theo looked closer, the letter ‘E’ in ‘Better’ was scratched to an ‘I’ instead.

Brick walls stretched in both directions, too high to see over. Tanya peered through the windshield and saw a surveillance camera blinking above her window, its casing worn by the weather.

“Where are the guards?” she murmured, honking twice.

After a minute, security came out to open the gates. 

Tanya rolled her window down.

“New student?”  The guard switched on his flashlight despite the daylight, landing it on Theo’s face. 

Theo squinted back before turning away, annoyed.

“Bruce, they're here.” The guard spoke into his shoulder mic before waving them in.

Tanya shifted gears. 

As they crossed the gate, Theo kept his eyes on the building. Up close, it wasn’t nearly as impressive. The brickwork was crumbling, vines threading through the cracks like they were the only things holding it together.

Tanya parked the car in front of limestone stairs. 

Two figures stood at the top. A broad-shouldered adult wore an off-white dress shirt and suspenders. Beside him, a student wore a uniform of a navy-blue vest over white long-sleeves, matching trousers, and a red tie. His blond hair stood out against the dark doors behind them.

Theo couldn’t tell if he was being welcomed or watched.

Warm air rushed against his face when he exited the car. The hedges and foliage around the driveway were better maintained than the building itself.

Tanya moved in hurried bursts—engine off, trunk open, bags out, Tabi unbuckled. She didn’t stop long enough to let Theo help.

The blond student stayed behind while the adult descended the school steps. He approached slowly, like he was making an assessment. Theo straightened when he stood in front of him. 

A badge hung loosely from his chest, ‘Miller’ engraved across it. 

Miller held a clipboard with thick hands, his knuckles scabbed over. His smile came rehearsed, the kind that only had bad news to tell.

“You must be the Medinas. Welcome to BLT Academy.”  Miller’s tone had that strange, bureaucratic calm. “I’m Bruce Miller, the Disciplinary Administrator here.” 

Theo caught a whiff of tobacco, the smell drying his throat.

“Hi.” He didn't meet Miller’s eyes when he said it.

“Can we look inside?” Tabi asked.

Miller bent down slightly. “Apologies, little miss. This school is for boys only, just like your brother here.”

Tabi buried her nose into her plush and retreated behind Tanya’s skirt.

“The school will take care of my son’s food and bed, right?” Tanya asked.

“He’ll find what he is meant to find here,” Miller replied, his fingers tapping on the clipboard.

It wasn’t “He will be taken care of,” or “He’ll be safe.” It was just that. 

Tanya seemed too distracted to notice though. 

“Give me a moment,” she said, stepping aside with Theo and Tabi.

Theo tried to reach for the duffel bag strap in her palm.

“Did we forget anything?” she said, holding onto it. 

“I got it, Mom. You can go now.”

Tanya dropped the bag on the gravel, pulling Theo into a hug instead.

“I love you.”

Her long, straight dark hair fell over Theo’s face. She smelled of herbs and cloves, just like Grandma’s cooking.

He couldn’t return it. Maybe because Miller was standing there or saying it back would make leaving them real.

When he bent to pick up the duffel bag, he saw Tabi tugging at Tanya’s skirt, her fingers twisting the fabric.

Her wide eyes caught him, his grip tightening on the bag strap.

Miller glanced at his watch. “We can take it from here, Ma’am. Have a safe trip home.”

"Bye, Theo," Tabi said, giving a small wave.

Theo nodded as they got into the car.

Tanya gave him one last look through the windshield before pulling away. Tabi didn’t peel away from him until they circled the roundabout,

Theo’s smile disappeared when they passed through the gates.