Star Runners (7 page)

"Can you tell me a little about the campus?"

"Of course. The campus is located about forty-five minutes south, southwest of Savannah on a secure property that spans several hundred acres."

"Is there anything there, like, a city or something?"

Nubern stared at Austin without blinking. "You are asking if there is anything to do on campus. I assure you; you will not have idle time. Your courses and training will keep you busy." He leaned back. "But if you are asking about the community, the school is self-sufficient and does not require the assistance of the outside world. There is no city or town. The school campus is surrounded on all sides by forests and swampland. We feel it is important to create your world view and focus on your potential. To do that, there must be no distractions."

It did sound like a military school. "You said there were other schools in your program out there. Would I be able to transfer to another school if I wanted?"

"I am going to be up front with you, Mr. Stone. The openings at our schools are extremely limited. We only allow a very few into the program and even less remain in the program past the probationary semester. With that being said, transferring to another school is not an event we see happen."

Austin nodded.

Nubern looked at him. "I think we have gone over everything I have come here to present. I am driving back to Tizona tonight. Please call the number on my card if you have any questions. I am leaving this packet for your use, but you would be able to complete all of the registration online. Since this is a full scholarship, registration will be relatively easy and you will not have any financial aid entanglements. We will need to hear back from you by next week in order to secure your spot for the upcoming school year."

Mom blinked. "So soon?"

"It is common during a late recruitment such as this."

"Well alright then."

They stood and shook hands.

Thoughts of being at a new school and in a different life in two weeks fluttered around Austin's mind.

"Thank you for coming all this way to speak with us," Mom said.

"It has been a pleasure, Eileen."

"Thank you, Mr. Nubern."

Nubern stood in the front doorway and faced Austin. "I meant what I said, Austin. You call me if you have any questions. Tizona wants you, and I believe you would benefit from our school. Please think about it. Ma'am, have a wonderful evening. I look forward to hearing from you."

*****

"There's just something off about this whole thing."

Austin listened and leaned back into couch. A few butter cookies remained on the table. Coffee turned a milky brown in cooling mugs. The light outside the living room windows transitioned from gold to indigo. Nubern's packet remained on the table where he had left it, his business card still on top.

"It's the only way I'll go to college this year. Maybe ever," Austin said, looking out the front window.

Mom sighed. "But did you hear what he said? It sounded like a military school. No visitors and you would only be allowed to leave at designated times. The physical requirements. I don't know how I feel about that. I don't know how you would feel about that."

Austin stood and moved over by the window. "But what if this is a chance that won't come again. It's a free scholarship, Mom. It's not like other schools are lining up to take me."

"But Roxanne said Josh's school was one of these schools of excellence and look what happened to him."

Austin glared at her. "You've talked to Mrs. Morris about this?"

Mom looked at her hands. "I asked her what the Lobera school experience had been like for her and her family, but you said yourself Josh was different."

"And you said college makes people act differently sometimes. That's all this is."

Mom stood, her dress swaying as she paced the floor in front of the coffee table like a politician waiting on election results. "I just think we shouldn't rush this. You should wait for a school that you want to go to and not one that simply happened to come find you. What if you hate it?"

He stepped toward her. "Mom, if I hate it I'll come home. Mr. Nubern said there would be no charge if it didn't work out the first semester and I'll be home by Christmas. I can even ask Mr. Snell to hold my job open until we decide if I can stay at the school or not. There's nothing to lose."

"You want this so bad," she whispered, touching his face.

Austin nodded. "I do. I always have. I have to do this."

"What if you don't come back? What if you disappear like Josh did? Roxanne said he was supposed to come home several times this summer and never did."

Austin smiled and reached for her hands. "You know that won't happen. I'm doing this for us. If I don't try it, I'm going to regret it. And Dad would have wanted me to go."

She tilted her head. "That's not fair bringing your father into this, but you're right. He would have been so proud of you."

Shrugging her shoulders, Mom shuffled over to the book case displaying photos of their lives. Her gaze lingered on a photo of Austin as a baby, his father guiding him as he crawled across the living room floor. Austin looked down at the same beige carpet and thought of the times he had chatted with Dad about baseball, video games and school.

"My little boy had to grow up sometime, I guess." Her brow crinkled, her lips pursed. "This is hard for me, but you know how proud I am of you, don't you?"

Austin swayed his head. "I know. It'll be fine."

"Well," she said, rubbing her hands together, "I guess we've got some work to do if we're going to have you ready by next week."

He leaned forward. "So I can go then?"

"Of course you can."

"We take this exit and then go a few miles."

Austin studied the map. He designated the Tizona School of Excellence by highlighting in a bright yellow circle the land south of Interstate 16 near Savannah. After completing his registration online and the other necessary documents, he received an email with an address and general directions. A little further digging online revealed the school’s land had once been owned by a local family and leased for a hunting camp before it had been purchased by the school several decades ago.

He glanced at his two bags and box of personal items in the back seat.

"Don't worry," Mom said, "I'm sure you haven't forgotten anything. Even if you have, it's not like you can't come back home."

Austin rolled his eyes and looked out the window. "Come on, Mom, you know you'll see me again."

"I know. It doesn't hurt to remind you every chance I get."

The car rolled to a stop at the exit ramp. Mom waited as a logging truck rumbled past on the two-lane highway: A big difference from the congestion and construction of Atlanta. Ever since they had driven through Macon, the interstate traffic and the gas stations became sparse. Vast land stretched for miles on either side of the highway, dotted by cows and abandoned, decaying homes. The view didn’t change as they continued on this smaller state highway. They passed more empty land comprised of rolling hills, fields and ponds.

"It sure is different down here," she said as the car crested another hill. "Very open."

"And we're only about four hours from home," he said.

Austin looked back at the map. The school should be about fifteen miles from I-16. The email instructions said the property had a silver statue of a sword on either side of a two-path road near the main highway.

They passed a gas station with a crooked closed sign inside of a cracked window pane. Rusted pumps stood in front of the station like ancient sentries frozen at their posts. Weeds punched through concrete in places cars once parked on their way to Florida in the days before interstate highways.

"We should be close," he said, squinting in the midday sun. He pulled down the sun visor. Through the dirty windshield, about a mile away at the crest of hill, two silver swords flanked a small two-path road on the left side of the highway. "There it is!"

His stomach flipped and a lump formed in his throat. The day he had waited for had arrived, and a wave of nerves washed over him. Mom activated the turn signal and slowed the car.

The two-path road looked straight out of the poetry he read in American Literature. A single greenish-brown line of grass stretched down the center of the road flanked by two strips of well-worn dirt. Once past the swords guarding the entrance, the grass and weeds on either side of the road reached to the car door. Tall trees lined the path as their car rolled off pavement and onto the dirt. The tree branches and tall weeds created a tunnel effect as they traveled in silence toward the unseen school. 

The unpaved road swayed to the left, right, and the tree canopy opened to pristine grass fields immaculately cut like a golf course fairway. Ahead, the road came to a wide cul-de-sac and a long, one-story building. Behind the structure, thick vegetation blocked the view beyond.

"Here we are," Mom said as she turned down the radio.

Austin nodded. As they neared the lone building at the end of the road, a man in a dark blue suit stood on the porch lined with thick, white columns. He wore a simple hat, and a single, silver sword logo glistened on his breast pocket.

Austin fidgeted with his personal bag, checking for his toothbrush and deodorant. The car rolled to a stop. Mom touched his hand.

"It's alright," she said and then repeated, much softer as if he were a younger child once again, "It's alright."

He looked into her eyes for the first time since the car ventured down the long, dirt road.

"You've prepared for this," she said after a pause. "You are ready. I am so proud of you."

Austin nodded and hugged her.

He jumped out of the car. The muggy heat engulfed him. Taking a labored deep breath, Austin stretched and felt his back pop.

"Welcome to Tizona," the man called from the porch.

Austin used his hand as a visor in the afternoon sunlight. "Thank you."

"You must be Austin Stone," he said, strolling toward the car with his hands in his pockets. "I am Security Chief Javin Sharkey. I'm in charge of the safety and order here at the school."  

Austin shook his hand, felt the vice-like grip. "Nice to meet you, sir." He turned to Mom, who stepped out of the car. "This is Mom."

Sharkey nodded. "Ma'am. Welcome to Tizona. Would you both please follow me?"

The man was built like a catcher; on the shorter side with broad muscular shoulders and forearms thick as slabs of meat. As they stepped onto the porch, Sharkey gestured to two other staff members dressed in the same simple, blue suits. They disappeared behind white doors labeled "Employees Only."

"This is our main gate office," Sharkey said, holding the door open. "All traffic entering the Tizona School must pass through this building. We have security checks and metal detectors."

The marble floor, alternated black and white squares. It shined enough to reflect light. The crown molding twisted and turned in organic shapes. In the center of the room stood a sculpture of a man bearing a sword toward the horizon. Water surrounded the sculpture and trickled down the sides.

"It's like the Parthenon," Austin whispered.

"We think it's better."

Austin grinned. "Yes, sir."

"Now, Ms. Stone." Sharkey pushed open a large white door to the left of the room, "this is where you will wait for your son if you ever come to visit. As you know, no one but faculty, staff and students are allowed on the campus."

"Yes, Mr. Nubern explained that to me."

The room had no windows. Bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling. Several dark leather couches and chairs surrounded polished tables. A thick brown rug covered the floor. The tall grandfather clock chimed from the corner announcing the time was four in the afternoon.

"No windows?" Austin asked.

Sharkey shook his head. "Negative. This room was once utilized for study hall and still can be, but rarely is. Notice the books and the study areas? Yes, well, parents waiting for their students are often dismayed by the amount of time it takes to summon their children. Instructional time here at Tizona is very time consuming and intense. We try not to interrupt whenever possible."

"I see," Mom said. She slid her fingers across the back of the closest leather chair. "Well, I guess this is it."

Sharkey lowered his head. "Yes, ma'am. Your son is our last arrival for the semester. Usually there are many other parents saying their farewells, but Recruit Stone here had the honor of being our final selection for the semester. I am at your service to help you bring your personals to the main dormitory when you are ready."

The security chief left the room, leaving only the sound of the ticking clock.

Austin shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I have to go, Mom."

She nodded. "I'm going to miss you."

They embraced.

"Will you email me when you can? Let me know when I could come visit or take you out to Savannah?"

"I will."

Mom sniffled. "Let's get your stuff. I don't want it weird for you since you are the last one here."

Austin thought of the times they had to move when he was in elementary school. Dad got transferred every few years, and they always moved at Christmas time. He started school in a new place in January, all of the other students staring at him as they wondered where the "new kid" came from.

"You know I'm used to being the new kid," he said with a smile.

She laughed for the first time since the car had turned off the highway onto the road leading to the school. She touched his face. "Take care of you."

*****

The dampness of his mother's tears remained on his neck as the golf cart powered away from the main gate. Sharkey said nothing as he loaded the silver golf cart with Austin's two bags. Instead, Sharkey's attention focused on the ear piece, muttering sentences filled with numbers and strange code words into the radio.

Austin leaned in the seat, ignoring the hot, thick air. The golf cart traveled down the two-path road splitting through vibrant green grass surrounding the main gate. At the edge of the circle, thick vegetation blocked his view. The path wound through a tree canopy.

Minutes passed as the golf cart bounced over the rough path. Austin braced himself by grabbing the bottom of his seat to prevent falling out. He gazed through the trees. After more time passed jostling around the front of the golf cart, Austin snorted.

"How large is this campus?"

Sharkey's eyes remained fixed on the path. "Several hundred acres. We are almost to the main campus."

The path veered to the right and the incline increased. As the cart reached the top of the incline, a wooden bridge wide enough for one cart stretched over murky swamp water. Stumps of trees peppered the water like stepping stones. A thick green scum covered large portions of the water's glass-like surface. The trees blocked out the sunlight, and darkness fell over the bridge.

"I didn't know the campus was in a swamp?"

"It's not, exactly. You'll see."

The bridge rattled as the cart bounced across the uneven surface. It reminded Austin of a train passing over a bridge.
Rat tat ta tat ta tat tat
. He stared at the water so black he wondered if something stared back. Alligators attacked people in the swamps this close to Florida. He remembered reading about kids using a rope swing into the water somewhere in south Georgia and one guy surfaced with one of his hands missing, taken by an alligator.

"Any wildlife in this swamp?"

Sharkey grinned. "Thinking of taking a swim?"

"Yeah," Austin said.

With one last groan of the wooden planks, the cart bounced into a small puddle at the base of the bridge. Austin leaned forward to brace himself, grabbing the dashboard. Sharkey said nothing. He stepped on the gas as it went up another incline. The trees opened to another grass field. Bright sunlight beamed through the opening like it had been set free, rays of golden light shooting in all directions.

"Not much farther," Sharkey said.

"Sounds great," he replied through clinched teeth.

The cart burst into the sunlight. Austin shielded his eyes with his hand. Closely cut green grass stretched for a hundred yards toward the tree line. The dirt path transitioned to white, crushed gravel crackling and popping under the cart's wheels.

As they passed a four-foot marble statue of a sword, Sharkey cleared his throat. "You are now officially on the main campus."

Austin nodded. His eyes adjusted to the light. A four-story stone building, decorated with intricate carvings along the trim, towered like a beacon over the rest of the campus. A stone figure with a sword pointed toward the sky stood at the crest of a steeple in the center of the building.

"That tall building you see there is the primary building on campus known as the Terminus Building," Sharkey said, the tone of his voice transforming into a tour guide.  "All pathways on the campus lead to this building. Most of your instruction will take place there, as will other campus events or group study hall. These smaller buildings have various uses as well, some for instruction, others for lab and a few are for tools to keep the grounds clean."

The architecture looked like stone structures built in medieval Europe. The Terminus Building was a castle without the moat. The smaller buildings surrounding Terminus were also built from stone. They passed a flat building with a stone carving of a sword adjacent to the front door.

"Behind the main building around this path, you'll find the main dormitory," Sharkey said as the path came to a fork. He brought the cart to the left. "We are heading there now so you can get situated."

The Terminus Building loomed over the courtyard. The paths encircled the large patch of uninterrupted grass. At the top of a stone staircase, a guard stood by the door of the main building. Austin gazed at the statue at the top of Terminus, the silhouette clear against the cloudless blue sky. He looked at the windows, the bright sunlight reflecting the green of the grass and the brilliant blue of the sky.

The path led around the side of Terminus toward two smaller buildings. "You said these are used for classrooms as well?"

"Yes, for the most part. Some are for gardening and maintenance tools, but most buildings are reserved for different classes." He gestured forward. "The main campus consists of a circle that spans about three-hundred acres. Behind the dormitory, there are fields for the physical aspect of your education."

Austin frowned. "Fields for the physical aspect" did not sound encouraging. He knew from Nubern's first meeting the physical requirements of enrollment with the Tizona School, but he thought they meant a P.E. class like high school. The dormitory came into view as the cart rounded the massive Terminus Building. The dormitory was a simple two-story building with a slanted roof and stucco siding. Wooden staircases led to the second floor of the dormitory.