Chapter 1

Chloe looked out of the window of her father’s car, as the Scottish countryside passed in a blur of
green trees, purple heathers, the vehicle only slowing as her father made his way through the small
villages before stepping on the accelerator once more.

Her whole life was now in this car, Chloe's parents had rented out her childhood home, and would be
heading back tomorrow before flying out on their own adventure to Japan in three days.

The sense of foreboding was creeping into her psyche once more, the realisation her life would change
so dramatically, her protests about being sent to "The Crescent Moon Academy" had fallen on deaf
ears.

If only this had happened six months from now, when she would be 18, and could legally tell her
parents "Suck Ass" she would not find herself being hauled off to the place she felt deep in her bone’s
was some sort of weird cult.

But as she was still 17 and her mother felt this would be the making of her, maybe calm her down a
little.

Chloe was not really a bad girl but had to admit to doing some crazy s**t at times, normally fuelled by
the monotony of school life, and the ever present boredom of a child who found it difficult to
concentrate, and that mixed her dyslexia, where being told to write down what she had learnt that was
more of a hinderance than any help.

Hell, if they asked her what she had learnt they would have found she knew more than they she
attempted to transcribe it, resulting in frustration, then the act of just messing about because she knew
the written work would be chastised for bad writing, poor spelling and grammar, so mostly Chloe
thought to herself what is the point? The road began to climb then narrow, as the trees thickened with
each passing mile.



"Look at how beautiful this is Chloe" Her mother tried once more to cheer her gloomy mood.

"Yeah, if you like green" Chloe sighed un impressed.

"Look honey, I know you are pissed off, but this is a fantastic opportunity for you.Maybe you can make
new friends, if you possibly try, and fit in, dress less aggressive, smile a little more you will find people
will actually give you the time of day"

Her mother continued.

It was the same old lecture she had heard a million times before, but why should she change? If people
could not embrace her unique sense of fashion and slight craziness, then as far as Chloe was
concerned it was their loss, not hers.

"Dress less aggressive, well given this place has gone back fifty years and has a God Awful uniform
requirement, I think the cult has put pay to my creative flare and individuality"

"For the umpteenth time Chloe, it is not a cult"

Her dad gritted out, shaking his head.

"Chloe, it is a highly expensive private education, which you are fortunate to have, your father’s new
company are paying a lot be a little more thankful"

Her mother chastised Chloe, exasperated at her total lack of enthusiasm.

"We are nearly there, just a couple of more miles" Her father stated.

Thankful from the change of topic regarding her negativity about the place, Chloe looked out of the side
window once more.



The thick pine trees, rustled in the breeze, as the road turned to shale, it was more than a little bit off
the beaten track, giving Chloe the shivers.

The road turned to the left, before straightening out again, and in the distance, Chloe could see the tall
spires of her new school, and home.

The dark grey imposing building, with windows set in an arch pattern, looked to be over four floors, to
the left the vast expanse of trees opened up into a large neatly kept field, where some of the other "cult
members" could be seen.

A few of her new classmates were running laps, others looking like they were engaging in hand to hand
combat.

It seemed that both girls and boys were pitted against each other, and even though she would deny it if
ever asked, Chloe found that refreshing and pretty cool.

To the right of the car stood a group of boys, and hot damn Chloe’s interest immediately spiked, was it
a prerequisite that all men in this place be hot? All of them tall, extremely good looking, and looked like
they lived in the gym.

A smile teetered on her lips as she watched them all intently.

They were not as hot as shopping centre guy, but hell they were a good second best as she caught
where her daughter was staring intently.

At the front of the school stood a girl, around Chloe,s age, long blonde hair that looked like she had just
stepped out of a shampoo commercial, tall, slender, her red and black kilt sat mid-thigh, with black
blazer and white shirt, Chole almost scoffed at the knee high white socks.



The girl was beautiful, there was no denying that, but instantly Chole knew she was the Cults version of
Bitchy Bev, obviously the queen bee of the place, and she inwardly groaned.

Her father parked the car outside the entrance to the castle as her mother opened the car door,
excitedly.

"Hello, My name is Ursula Kirkstone, and I am the head girl here at Crescent Moon Academy"

Ursula said then extended her arm to shake her mother and father’s hand before turning to Chloe and
trailed her eyes up and down her with a look of disgust, before quickly smiling to cover herself, then
extended her hand to Chloe.

"Chloe Hancock" Chloe introduced herself with a brief shake of uptight Ursula’s hand.

"Well, It is my pleasure to show you to your lodgings, then take you to see Mrs Black for your
schedule.I believe you are currently in the "Eclipse" house" Ursula stated.

Chloe did not miss the slight change in her tone as she mentioned "Eclipse house" as if that was a
place reserved for the scum of the earth.but he is away at present at a convention, actually in England"

Ursula smiled with pride as she talked about the Head as if he was some God that had to be obeyed
and she was head of his personal fan club.

"Oh, that is a shame, I wanted to meet with him, to discuss things before we leave for Japan"

Chloe’s mother said with a sigh.

"I am afraid that will not be possible, he will return next week.It has been a long trip, he has been away
for weeks now...can I offer you some refreshments?"

Ursula fake smiled at Chloe’s parents.



Chloe quickly discerned that uptight Ursula, was not that genuine, a show in front of the parents, and
she would like to bet she was a class A b***h when they left.

"Actually, if you can show me to my room, so I can get unpacked, we can do refreshments later"

Chloe stated, not happy at standing around whilst this girl made small talk and pretty eyes at her
parents in a bid to be "nice", and boredom was starting to rear its head as she began to look around
distracted from the mundane conversation.

Ursula narrowed her eyes slightly, obviously not used to being told her idea was not the greatest
anyone has ever heard before, she put on her fake smile once more, that showcased her perfectly
straight white teeth.

"Of course, but first, we must get you your uniform and your room for you."

Ursula stated in a tone that was friendly but with the distinct hint of ‘do not mess with me’ attached to it.

Chloe and her parents followed uptight Ursula to the school office.

A woman of no more the 23 stood, her red hair satin a perfect high formal bun on top of her head, her
body was that of an athlete, dressed in a tight black dress, again she was stunningly beautiful, like
everyone else Chole had seen in the school.

"It’s the f*****g boarding school for the Stepford Wives"

Chloe muttered under her breath, only to receive a sharp nudge from the elbow of her mother, and a
look that said ‘shut up’ followed by a small shake of her head, before she turned to Mrs Black.

"Hi, I am Chloe’s mother, nice to meet you"

Diane Hancock extended her hand to the gorgeous woman before her.



"Nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Hancock, I am Mrs Black, the school secretary and PA to the
headmaster"

Mrs Black smiled "I am sorry the Headmaster Mr Colton is not here to greet you personally.

He sends his deepest apologies, but he is currently finishing an important convention in England at
present"

Mrs Black smiled "Yes, we heard"

Diane Hancock responded, feeling a little intimidated by the beautiful woman who looked in her early
twenties, but had the confidence and poise of a woman twice that age.

"Well Chloe, welcome to Crescent Moon Academy."

Mrs Black "Here is your schedule for your lessons, along with the after school clubs we have
available.As a boarder we strongly recommend you attend at least two of the clubs.Now most of our
students are Weekly boarders, or attend school daily, however you are with us full time.I have placed
you with one of our other full time boarders and fellow Eclipse House students, Nicola Davis, I am sure
you will like her, she is with us full time.On a weekend, you may go out to the village, and we do have a
couple of staff members on hand, but you will need to be back in your dorm by the 11pm curfew.On
school nights it is lights out at 10pm, and breakfast is served in the dining hall from 7am, to 8 am, we
start the school day at 8:30 am."

Mrs Black explained.

Chloe resisted the urge to roll her eyes and sigh, she was already board with the conversation, and if
the teachers here thought she would be going to bed at 10pm like a good little girl, they were in for a
rude awakening.



"Here is your school uniform, now as you are in Eclipse house, your skirt, I think you will be pleased to
know judging by your amazing hair, is purple and black tartan.

Each house has its own colours.

You have five skirts, shirts, and jumpers, with two blazers and two school ties.

You are responsible for the upkeep of your uniform, and it must be worn from 7 am to 4:30 pm when
the school day ends, after that you can wear your own clothing, there are no restrictions on what you
can where after the school day, and at the weekend, all we ask is that you keep it respectful".

As much as Chloe hated the uniform, she had to admit she whatever she wanted after school.

"Here is your Physical Education kit, PE is mandatory, and we focus a lot on self-defence, we believe
every pupil, Male or Female should be able to defend themselves against any attacker, we also run
laps to build up stamina, along with some strength exercises.You will attend PE at your allotted time
slot everyday Monday to Friday, without fail or excuse."

Mrs Black smiled once more.

Chloe let out a frustrated sighed, she hated PE, running was never her forte however she did like the
idea of self-defence, she had wanted to go to classes a few years ago, but her mother was fearful she
would turn aggressive as well as a little mischievous if she had gone.

"Now, your things should be in your room, and it is time for you to say goodbye to your parents, Ursula
will show you to your room".


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