Witherwood Reform School by Obert Skye Page A

was filled with filing cabinets—hundreds of them lined the walls and were stacked throughout the room, creating a maze. The cabinets were different colors and sizes, and all had white labels on the front of the doors and drawers with letters and symbols scribbled in black marker. The ceiling was covered in pressed tin with images of stars and planets.
    â€œWhat’s this room?” Tobias asked.
    â€œThat’s not important. In fact it’s probably best you pretend it’s not even here. That’s what I do when things are none of my business. Now, let’s keep walking.”
    After six turns through two different rows of cabinets, they arrived at a black door that was tall and thin. Orrin took his key and unlocked it. He bowed and pushed the door open so that Tobias and Charlotte could go first. Tobias stepped through and found himself in a stone corridor that ran alongside a large open courtyard.
    â€œThis area is called the gardens,” Orrin said. “Such a beautiful spot. The school was built around it. It is an important part of Witherwood.”
    The gardens were like a giant courtyard, larger than six football fields, with the massive school buildings on all four sides. The school halls seemed a little like stone arms wrapped around the space. Hundreds of cottonwood trees stretched up into the yellow sky, their branches spreading out like leafy nets. Beneath the trees, large purple bushes circled a running fountain. There were two short statues near the edge of the courtyard, one of a man in a uniform and the other of a man hefting a sword into the air. Old iron lampposts lined most of the paths that wound through the gardens. One lamppost had a small banner hanging from it that read STUDENT MORALE DAY.

    The space reminded Tobias of Central Park in New York City. Tobias had never been there, but his parents had visited many years ago, and his mother had sent him a postcard with Central Park on the front of it. Tobias could still remember what she had scribbled on the back.
    Wish you were here.
    Tobias wished the same thing of her now.
    Orrin instructed Tobias and Charlotte to move faster. They passed a large group of kids sitting on a metal bench at the edge of a dirt path near the fountain. The children were wearing school uniforms, the boys with ties and the girls with skirts. The students looked up and instantly began to whisper and point in their direction.
    â€œAs I was saying,” Orrin told them. “You two will be a curiosity for some time. Just arrived, and already you’re the talk of the school.”
    The three of them followed the outdoor corridor that ran along Severe Hall until they reached the far side of the gardens. They entered through a red door with CAFETERIA painted on it. Inside there were high, vaulted ceilings and rows of polished tables made of dark wood. It looked like the inside of a church that worshipped eating. The tables were empty, and the room hummed, thanks to large metal freezers against the wall. Charlotte pointed to a giant stained-glass window with the image of a puffy blue animal on it. Tobias nodded and sniffed. The air smelled like pine cleaner and bread.
    â€œMs. Gulp!” Orrin hollered. “Ms. Gulp!”
    A red-haired woman stuck her head out of a door near the tables. “Hold your pants,” she yelled, disappearing behind the door again.
    â€œMs. Gulp will take you to the back of Weary Hall,” Orrin said. “Enter the seventh door on the left. Do you understand?”
    Tobias and Charlotte nodded.
    â€œI’m not going with you,” Orrin said, scratching at his arm. “Sadly, I’ve got things to take care of. Ms. Gulp will find a place for you. Yes, it’s true she had some sort of accident as a child. I believe she tripped while running around a pool. So her words and advice don’t always make the most sense.”
    Charlotte nodded.
    â€œOf course pool safety is no laughing