The ride to the train station with her mother had been a long and tense one. Louisa wasn't even sure that she wanted to go to the Salem Academy in the first place. She didn't want to get trapped in some school full of stupid rules and teachers and know it all students. Louisa wasn't going down without a fight. She occasionally stole glances at her mother, trying to figure out what she was thinking. But as always her mother was an unreadable book. As her mother drove closer to their destination Louisa leaned her head against the car window and grumbled something about this being a waste of time. Her mother either didn't care or didn't hear her comment. As they pulled into the parking lot Louisa's mother let out a long sigh, as if she had been holding her breath the entire journey. She looked over at her daughter with a smile, one full of longing. Louisa couldn't help but return the gesture, her mother was far too important to her.

The two women got out of the car, Louisa unloading her luggage while her mother went to find a cart to move it with. Once she returned and Louisa had all her stuff, the two began to move towards the platform. Louisa's mother spoke with a wistful voice. "I remember this platform from when I attended school." She affectionately ruffled Louisa's hair as the stopped on the platform. "I want you to remember to be safe Louisa and no matter how much you think this is a bad idea I know you will love Salem." Louisa had a puzzled look on her face. "How did you know I was objecting to leaving home?" Her mother chuckled softly, bending over to give Louisa a kiss on the crown of her head. "I'm a Seer, honey, remember?" The two of them then took a few minutes to go over a checklist of stuff Louisa needed, her mother reassuring her that if she forgot anything she would send it. 

After their exchange Louisa was off. She gave her mother a final hug along with being reminded for the hundredth time not to get in trouble.” Louisa promised she would try her hardest. She wasn't sure if she had said that and meant it or if she just wanted to give peace of mind to her mother. Louisa was soon desperately trying to find an empty cabin to sit in. Most of them were filling fast with kids and their friends. Louisa began to feel very alone and small as she shuffled along into an almost empty cabin. There were a few people inside chatting quietly and seemed to be no bother to Louisa as she sat down in an empty booth, staring out the window. She wasn't one to read on a train, or even read for her own enjoyment either. Hopefully the ride to the school wouldn't seem too long.