Prisoners of the Masquerade: Prime Youth, #1

By E.E. Cooley

The start of the Prime Youth series by E.E. Cooley.

 

Scholarships are always good, right? That's what Calvin thought when he and six other kids received a scholarship to a prestigious university for the summer. While attending Calvin becomes concerned about the legitimacy of the school, though no one else believes him. Is Calvin overreacting, or will he be able to convince the others before disaster strikes? Find out in the first novel of the Prime Youth series.

 

"This book definitely kept me turning the pages! The main character definitely does not just go along with the crowd but chooses the high ground and helps his friends along the way as well. Well written details, suspenseful and ends on a cliff hanger! Can't wait to read the next book in this series!" -Pam

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ethan Cooley
• Release date: May 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798986041322

Book preview

75

Have you ever had a really vivid and clear dream, one that isn’t foggy? I had one last night where I was on a sailboat in the middle of the sea. It was storming, and the waves were violently rocking the boat. I noticed that the inside of the boat never got wet. No matter how many waves crashed up and around me, the inside stayed perfectly dry.

75

Hi, my name is Calvin Fritz. I’m different, but I embrace being different. I’m not that different from you, though. I try to be cool, stay up late doing homework, play video games, and daydream in class too much. Now, that may sound pretty normal, but have you ever had your life upended? Actually, that may have happened to some of you. OK, have you ever been on an adventure? Well, for some of you, looking through your fridge is an adventure.

OK, let’s say my life has been crazy, crazier than most people on their craziest day. I’ve gone through a lot, and I’ve had a lot happen to me, and I think it’s time to tell that story.

Oh yeah, one more thing. You may notice things that look like misprints throughout this story, but they aren’t. Those are just some quirks people in this story have. I’ll even tell you my quirk—I stutter. It’s not a bad stutter, most of the time. If I do stutter, I repeat a word, or I get stuck in the middle of a word and repeat that part. Worst case, I may repeat a word or phrase three or four times. I’m not someone who repeats the word twenty times.

But that’s too much backstory. You guys need more bang-bangs and pew-pews, with less blah-blah-blah. So let’s begin where I realized I was in for more than I had signed up for.

***

I was daydreaming about my dream on the boat when I realized a flight attendant was talking to me.

Excuse me, sir.

Sorry, ma’am, I said, sitting up. What can I do for you?

I was wondering where your parent is. It’s almost time for liftoff. She pointed to the empty seat to my left.

I’m not flying with my parents today.

They’re not flying with you? How old are you?

Fourteen.

What will you be doing in Rhode Island?

I won a scholarship. So did my friend Thomas, I pointed to the same empty seat she had.

What kind of scholarship? I haven’t heard of one where you fly off alone halfway across the country.

Indiana to Rhode Island isn’t quite halfway across the country. It was advertised as a scholarship, but it’s more like a study abroad, but domestic. I’m not sure of the proper term. But we get to go to a school there for the summer and earn college credit.

That sounds interesting. I’m guessing this is a rich kids’ kind of scholarship, seeing as you’re in first class?

I wouldn’t say we’re rich, but we didn’t pay for this. It was included in the scholarship.

Really? The flight attendant leaned against the chair in front of me. Where did you sign up for it? I’d like my son and daughter to apply when they’re old enough.

Now, that’s the cool part, I said, smiling and pushing my glasses up. I didn’t apply for it. I showed up to school one day and was told I had won. I was told I possess a set of very specific skills, which I assume are my grades and whatever else the school keeps track of.

Interesting. The flight attendant stood back up. Well, enjoy your trip, and I hope your friend makes it in time.

Thank you. I gave her a nod as she walked down the aisle.

Thomas had been right behind me when we went through security, but he was pulled aside when they checked his bags. They said it was a random check, which I didn’t know they could do. I really hoped they didn’t keep him from making the flight.

It felt like I checked my watch every five seconds. I had a feeling he wasn’t going to make it, but I hoped he would. Then a flight attendant closed the door and twisted the lock.

75

I couldn’t believe Thomas was held up by security and missed the flight. He wasn’t going to be happy about that. Not much I could do about it, though. I pulled out the safety pamphlet as the flight attendant started reading through it. On the inside flap was a piece of paper that read,

Don’t trust the school.

Don’t trust the school? I closed the pamphlet and looked around. No one was looking my way, and I didn’t remember anyone noticing me before. I had been sitting in my seat since I boarded the plane, so the note had to have been placed here before I sat down.

I looked at the note again and pulled it off the pamphlet, turning it over. There was nothing on the back. I stuck it in my notebook and looked through the rest of the pamphlet. There was nothing else out of the ordinary.

The flight attendant finished reading the script, and I put the pamphlet away. I had brought a book to read, but that was the last thing I wanted to do now. I glanced around the first-class passengers again but didn’t know where to begin searching for who could have planted the note. I’m not some spy who can pick out distinct body language. I didn’t really know what to do. Was this note even meant for me? Was it a prank? Did I need to be concerned at all? Thomas not showing up suddenly piqued my interest. Was it a coincidence he had missed the flight, or did this note have some backing?

For the rest of the long flight, I kept my eyes and ears wide open for anything that could give me a clue, but nothing came.

75

I had been instructed to meet a man who would be driving a red sedan once I arrived in Rhode Island. As I waited in the pickup area, I saw several red sedans pass, but none of them stopped when I waved. Finally, a bright red sedan pulled up and stopped in front of me. The trunk opened as the driver stepped out.

Mr. Fritz, said the driver. Let me take your bags.

Thank you. I handed him my duffel bag and my suit bag but kept my backpack on. The driver insisted on taking it, but I told him I could handle it. He opened the back door before dropping my bags in the trunk. I was surprised he didn’t let me sit up front. I set my backpack next to me as the driver got back inside, and we headed off.

The sun was shining and the skies were clear as we got on the highway. The driver didn’t say a word, and I chose not to talk to him. It made for a very silent ride. As we got off the highway, we made our way toward the ocean. The closer we got, the better I could see a bridge that led to an island. As we crossed the bridge, all I could see was ocean to my right. It went on forever. The sun sparkled on the ocean as boats drove across and kicked up waves. We drove across the island and crossed another bridge leading to another island. As we drove through the coastal town, I noticed it stopped all of a sudden, like the people building the town had just quit or run out of materials. The town suddenly turned into a forest as far as I could see.

We drove along winding roads as we made our way away from the coast. Through the trees, I would see a big building every now and then. Some had menacing spike-topped fences surrounding them, while others had no fences at all. As we passed the gate to a grand three-story building, the driver pressed a button on the dashboard. Up ahead, a smaller gate opened and we pulled in. The building was made of tan-colored stone and had a red roof with more than one chimney. My view was briefly obstructed as we drove along a part of the road lined with trees. We pulled into a circle drive with a raised platform in the center with a stand of more trees. We stopped by a small alcove with a door.

I stepped out of the red sedan and stared up at the tree-covered driveway. The sun shone in slits between their leaves. I could hear and smell the sea from beyond the trees that were blocking my view.

Your bags, Mr. Fritz, the driver said.

Thank you, I said as I grabbed my neon green duffel bag and suit bag. I draped the bag over my duffel and grabbed my backpack from the back seat, hanging it on my free arm.

The driveway connected to what looked like a back door patio. One of the doors opened, and a boy about my age walked out.

Mr. Fritz, welcome! How was your trip?

I can’t argue with first class. We shook hands.

Well, get used to it. That’s the only way we do it here. Let me take your bags. He grabbed my duffel bag and tried to grab my backpack, but I stopped him.

I’ll carry this.

You sure?

Yes, but thank you.

He held the door open as we made our way into the building, and I thanked him again.

So, um, what’s your name? I asked as we walked down a narrow hallway, light beaming in from the wall of windows to the outside.

Edward.

Nice to meet you, Edward.

Nice to meet you, too.

At the end of the hallway, Edward jumped in front of me to open another door. When I stepped through, I stared wide-eyed, taking in the massive room. In the center was a grand staircase with red carpet going down the center and spilling out onto the floor in front of it.

Wow, I said, staring up at the three-story ceiling.

You’ll get used to it, said Edward. Follow me.

Our steps echoed on the marble floor, disturbing the complete silence of the room.

Where is everyone? I asked.

They just started lunch. I’ll take you to the dining hall after I show you your room.

We headed to the right of the grand staircase, coming to a narrow staircase that led down to a lower floor. At the bottom was a concrete hallway with two wooden doors. Edward opened the one on the right. Inside, he turned on a lamp that illuminated a very lush bedroom. Wood panels lined the floor, with a giant fur rug in the center. The same wood paneling continued halfway up the wall, with the upper half white-painted concrete. Beds lined the walls all the way around the room. Each one had a wooden headboard and footboard, built-in storage underneath the bed, and a nightstand with a small lamp. There were eight beds total.

You’re the first to arrive, said Edward, so you get your choice of beds.

I chose a bed on the left side of the room next to a window. Edward dropped my bags on the bed. I opened the blinds and was greeted by a concrete wall.

Why is there a fake window?

We wanted to make it feel more comfortable than four concrete walls. But don’t worry, this room is only temporary. Some kids will be leaving during the summer, and you’ll be moved to one of the vacant rooms.

When will that be?

We don’t know. They haven’t told us exactly when they’ll leave. They just told us they will.

So when does everyone else get here? I sat down on my bed, taking my glasses case from my backpack and setting it on my nightstand.

They’ll be arriving throughout the week. Your friend will be here by the end of the day.

I see our new recruit has arrived. A tall girl stood in the doorway.

Calvin, this is Paige, said Edward.

Hi. I waved, and she waved back.

Are you excited for the summer? asked Paige.

I am. I can’t, um, I guess I can’t wait for what’s in store.

We do a lot of crazy things here, so don’t freak out.

What kind of crazy things?

Well, that would ruin the surprise, said Edward

Some things might be better spoiled so he doesn’t run off, said Paige.

He won’t run off. Edward slapped my arm.

I’ll do my best.

I know you will, Paige replied. See you at lunch. She walked off. Her comment felt weird, as though she knew me intimately.

Come on, said Edward. We don’t want to miss lunch.

Sounds good, I said. How much longer will lunch be served?

If you want to meet everyone else, Edward looked down at his watch, twenty-seven minutes.

Let’s go.

We traveled back the way we had come, turning right at the bottom of the grand staircase. We continued to a set of double doors opposite where we had first come in. Edward held the door open as I walked through, and massive applause broke out. In the middle of the tall and long rectangular room, a tableful of kids was standing and applauding, some hooting and hollering. I looked behind me to see who they were clapping for.

They’re applauding you, said Edward as he stepped up next to me, also clapping.

Why are they applauding me? I asked.

Like Paige said, we do things differently around here.

Edward motioned me toward a pair of empty high-backed chairs. The kids on either side of the chairs pulled them out. Edward and I sat down across from Paige as some doors at the end of the room burst open and chefs rolled out trays of food. They all wore white, and some even wore those tall chef’s hats.

They stepped behind Edward and I, put napkins on our laps, and set out silverware, putting an extra spoon at the top of my placemat. They served me a glass of water and a bowl of potato soup. One of the chefs grated a block of parmesan over the soup. The steam rose over the chunky goodness as two dishes with small pieces of bacon and diced green onion were set alongside the soup. I thanked them as they rushed back to the kitchen.

In front of Edward was a plate of lettuce and shrimp with an orange sauce on top.

I love potato soup, I said to Edward.

He took a swig of water and said, You can have it every day if you want. You can custom order every meal every day.

I may gain a few pounds if I don’t watch myself.

Don’t worry, you’re more likely to lose them than you are to gain them.

Do we have to take gym? I asked, hoping we didn’t.

Oh no. We don’t do that here. We play team sports, hike, bike, and we even have archery.

Cool. When do we start?

You’ll find out when you get your schedule, said Edward.

Another surprise, I see.

It’s only until everyone gets here.

After I finished my soup, the chefs returned with a plate full of chicken parmesan and a side plate with steaming garlic bread. Edward got a cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, and onions and a side of cheesy bacon fries.

Is that real cheese? I asked Edward, pointing at his fries.

Why would it not be real cheese? he asked, like that was an absurd question.

Normally, the cheese that’s on fries is fake, I said.

Edward looked at Paige, and she shrugged her shoulders. I guess rich people don’t eat fake cheese. They probably don’t eat anything fake.

It had been a while since I had eaten, so I finished my entire plate, using the garlic bread to scoop up all the leftover sauce.

Mm, that was good, I said, sitting back.

Edward wiped his mouth with his napkin and took a drink of water. We’re not done yet.

The chefs came from behind me