The Amazing Adventures of Su Lin August
The Amazing Adventures of Su Lin August
14-year-old Su Lin is an orphan about to learn the world is stranger than she thinks. After stealing a box belonging to herself, she is on a quest to discover the truth of who she is and the fate of her parents. But secrets have every reason to silence her forever.
Episode 1: Secret Behind the Door that Wasn’t There
“Lady Peale has requested you join her for dinner this evening.” Mrs. Graham stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, leaning against the jamb.
Su Lin paused from her assignment. “Me?” The lift of her eyebrows was hidden beneath her thick dark bangs.
“Four of you. You’re all turning fourteen this summer. She has to determine what direction you’ll take.”
“Will I have time to change?”
Mrs. Graham glanced at the tutor, Allister Smith. “Be sure she receives adequate time to prepare for this evening.”
Su Lin tugged on her lip with her teeth. “What do I wear?”
Mrs. Graham’s slim smile did not bode well. “Part of the test. I know you attempt your best, child, but I hope you do not attend this evening with much hope.”
Su Lin swallowed, watching Mrs. Graham disappear into the hallway. She glanced at Mr. Allister. “What does she mean by that?”
“There’s a chance you could be sent to work in the mines. Fourteen is a legal age. Lady Peale is a sorter. She supports the orphanage, tries to keep as many of you here as possible. But not even she can make a stick what it isn’t.”
“You mean I could wind up as a grave digger?”
“The shallows are not graves.” He shook his head. “We should return to our lesson.”
“History of the world.” She rolled her eyes.
“What have you learned of the pandemics of the 21st century?”
“They weren’t terrestrial by nature.”
Now it was Allister’s turn to roll his eyes. “Without evidence to support such a claim, your conclusions are invalid.”
The lesson continued, but Su Lin’s attention had been compromised.
