Lumen by Joseph Eastwood Read Free Book Online Page A

though. Won’t they?”
    “Of course, just like you’ll mature further. That’s why I brought you here, because there’s something about you that has promise. That, and you won’t take this school for granted or treat it like a summer vacation,” Reuben said opening one of his desk drawers. “I have a top of the range mobile phone and a laptop computer.”
    Daniel’s brow creased in confusion.
    “Technology,” Reuben continued, “it’s all fine, they are easy to use, and they are already set up to the server, and in your phone I’ve listed all the staff, but once you make friends your contact list will build itself,” he explained. “But not literally.” He chimed a short laugh.
    “Oh,” Daniel replied.
    “You’ll get used to it. So here.” Reuben held them out as Daniel squeezed between the two soft leather settees.
    “Thanks,” he said, taking them, almost dropping them like dead weight immediately. “They weigh a lot,” he said smiling.
    “That’s technology for you, and you’re welcome. I’m sure I don’t have to say this, but don’t make friend with the wrong sort. Off you go, your room key will be downstairs.”
    As soon as Daniel got his key he didn’t know what to do next. He found a small map in a frame against the wall in the foyer. There were three buildings hand drawn on the map, also the routes which you had to take to get there. Two of the buildings were dorm rooms, one for boys and the other for girls.
    Daniel set off on the path to the boys’ dorm rooms, and found a path which he didn’t quite recall seeing on the map. He turned, clutching the laptop and phone anxiously against his chest. He set off to see where it led, getting a few steps before a large barn was in view.
    “You lost?” a familiar voice asked.
    Daniel clenched a tighter hold and turned to see the boy from the carriage standing steps away from him. “Which way are the dorms?” he asked casually.
    “Big buildin’, back there?” he replied signalling with his thumb over his shoulder.
    “Oh,” he said, realising just how obvious it had been.
    “That’s a nice laptop,” the boy said, his eyes gleaming.
    “Thanks.” Daniel started walking off to the dorm rooms.
    “My name’s Taner by the way,” he said walking after Daniel.
    “I’m Daniel.”
    “Yeah, I think you said. So, what room number do you have?” he asked.
    Daniel started to rush. “Not sure, it’s in my pocket, but it’s on the third floor.”
    “I’m on the third floor as well! So, how come you didn’t say your family comes from money?” Taner asked trying to keep up.
    Daniel started to stutter. “Didn’t know I had to,” he said in defence.
    “Well, you must have some  serious  money, like I said, this is my third try, and Reuben said I was lucky to get in.”
    Daniel stopped frozen outside the dorm building. Two large life-size panthers carved out of white marble with life-like polished turquoise gems for eyes. Daniel knew one thing about panthers, how they really looked; he knew that all too well after being attacked by one.
    “Apparently, Reuben hand carved them himself, without using any power. All of them,” Taner said.
“All?”
    “Yeah, there are two here, two outside the girls room and I heard that there are loads of smaller ones, just around the land.”
    Taner followed Daniel the two flights of stairs to his room. He had been given a plastic card with a black lined code on the back, there was a space beside the handle, and although he wasn’t the most technological person, it was clear he had to put the card in there. This room was bigger than the room at home; there were sockets for electronics, which he had only seen once or twice at home, and the floor wasn’t stone.
    “My dad has those card things to his study, and only he has a card,” Taner said, walking into Daniel’s room after him.
    “Why doesn’t he just get a switch-lock?” Daniel asked piling his stuff on his bed, and