"Madame, I have the files you requested," Leo's voice is shaking as he pushes open the large metal door. Madame doesn't acknowledge him, he knows she won't.

He carefully makes his way to her desk, placing the files on her desk. Folding his hands behind his back, he waits for her approval and dismissal.

Madame closes her large book and turns to face Leo. Her face burns with annoyance as she waves her hand to the large fireplace, Leo wastes no time running over and starting the fire as Madame picks up the files. Ten files, ten potential students.

She waits for Leo to return to her before opening her first. She has to wait until he's close before she accepts or rejects any of the potentials. Leo doesn't make eye contact with her as he returns swiftly to his spot. With a quiet grumble she opens the first file, barely glancing over the name: Thea Calhoun.

She glances at the picture of 17 year old Thea, her attention caught by the bright red, frizzy, curly hair. Her sapphire blue eyes are bored and annoyed, Madame can understand that feeling. The girl looks weak; she's pale and small, only 5 feet tall but looking deeper into the file, Madame learns otherwise.

Thea Calhoun, orphaned at four after parents Rose and Jeremy Calhoun died in a car crash, was quickly put into foster care. Since then she's been to eleven foster homes, three of which she's been kicked out of for fighting. Her grades, while barely average are not anything of special notice, and she does have some detentions, suspensions and minor vandalism under her belt. Glancing through the things Thea's been accused of, Madame sees potential in her and carefully moves her file onto her desk.

File number two catches Madame's interest rather quick. Tamara Leon, 14 years old, only child to single mother Dina, and almost an Olympic level gymnast. Out of all her competitions, she's only been below the top three once, last month. Her grades and school records are nearly spotless, attendance being her only real problem. A bubbly personality and motivated individual with skill. Madame smiles at the small blonde in the picture before closing the file and putting it with Thea's.

The third file reminds Madame that she has to trust their selection process, because she's sure that had she herself done the screening, she'd never have picked Tatiana Swanson. She turns 16 in three days and documents every moment of her life on social media. Pictures of the brown skinned, chocolate haired beautiful girl fills most of her file. Her grades are below average and she has a terrible attendance record. Madame is almost unsure if Tatiana could handle being away from her devices long enough to benefit from what they could teach her here. Rich mommy and daddy, Martha and Greg Swanson, clearly never taught her control. That will probably change if Tatiana is in fact admitted. Madame glances at Leo, concerned and annoyed. He shrugs.

"Our programs and algorithms tell us she could have a special potential. I reran the screening before including her file," He says hastily.

With a degree of reservation, she places Tatiana's file with the rest. Moving onto four. Ariel Larson, an optimist and hard worker. She clearly takes care of herself, her picture shows a healthy tan, maintained chocolate brown hair, a modest sense of fashion and a welcoming smile. She's recently turned 17, and somehow balances work on her family farm with her mom and dad Kylie and Bill, work at a local ice cream parlor, and never letting her grades fall below a B. Clearly she's strong, and strong willed and smart. Madame has no problems seeing her as an asset.

The fifth file, the final girl shows a petite frame, dark black hair, and shy hazel eyes, some freckles sprinkle her cheeks. On her way to making the honor roll, 14 year old Vanessa Cambridge doesn't show much else. Not much of a social life, no school activities, daughter of a high power lawyer Tim, and school principal Anna. Madame can only imagine what a force Vanessa would be would she come out of her shell. She places the file with the rest.

"You know what to do Leo," Madame waves her hand at the girls' files and moves onto the boys, watching Leo take the files out of the room.

The first file is nothing profoundly special. Allen Grayson. Going into his sophomore year of high school, about to turn 16, blond hair, brown eyes, fit, and a swimmer. Active on social media and very active in school activities. Pictures of him at swim meets and with friends fill his file. His grades are impressive, although that's probably to ensure he stays on the swim team. Middle class family, dad Roger works in sales and mom Jennifer a secretary for an advertising company. Madame is concerned when she sees Allen has a girlfriend, a girl in his class. That could complicate things for him, possibly become a distraction. It sits in the back of her mind as she puts his file down.

She's confused by the next file, laughing a little to herself which never happens. Batty Marlow. A nickname he had earned in school, while his real name is listed she sees that he prefer Batty. Adopted by the CEO of TechCo, Andrew Marlow, at six months old young Batty has lived his 17 years being groomed to take over the company and its tech development empire. Private tutors since middle school, his grades have never been an issue, he's on the path to be his private school's valedictorian. No clubs or obvious friends, he's secluded himself. Smart, fit, capable, Madame is quick to put him with the other file.

The youngest of all the potential files is Benny Gomez, barely 13. Born to a Mexican couple, Maria and Julio from Juarez, Benny has shown incredible technological potential. A clearly talented hacker, he accessed the school database and erased his tardies last year. While he was clearly brilliant in math and technology classes, he struggled in English and history. Small kid, he has complaints in his file that he made against bullies. None of the complaints ever did anything but the boy took it in stride. With a little confidence he could have amazing potential, and with that he has earned his spot on the pile.

The second to last is not what she expected. 19 year old Mason Capper, cello prodigy son of Susane and Mark Capper. Homeschooled since fourth grade to accommodate his music career. No in person friends, no special skills outside his music. Madame reminds herself again to trust to process, she finds the need to remind herself of that is only growing.

She's taught many individuals over her years, most you could see why they were chosen, most their potential was clear. As the decades have passed her students have been far less enthusiastic, far less unique. She despised the times they lived in: phones and social media, melting her potential students' brain, society and government crushing their spirits and individuality. Madame found that this was her only way to free some of these children, by showing them what they could become. With a heavy hearted sigh, she drops Mason's file with the rest. Her eyes are heavy, closing them for a few moments she lets the sound of footsteps fill the air.

"Leo? Put on some tea please?" She groans.

"Of course, Madame, what kind would you like today?"

"Chamomile please," She rubs her temples as she pulls the final file to her.

Sam Bykov, 17 year old son to Russian immigrants Mila and Ivan. A large individual, almost 6'1" and very broad. His face seems soft compared to his physique, with a strong jaw but light blue eyes and red-brown hair. In his picture you can see him shrinking into himself. He struggles in all classes, mostly English, and he's fluent in Russian and English. Like Benny, he has complaints in his file, except his aren't about bullies. He's had four detentions in his first semester of senior year for fighting, all of the kids he fights he claims bullied him. He never gets into a fight unprovoked, and behaves himself otherwise. His only passing grade is in wood shop, most likely his coping mechanism. Madame puts his file on top and waits for Leo to return.

"Your tea Madame," Leo appears from nowhere, placing the delicate cup on her desk.

"Thank you Leo, you may take the files and begin contacting families. You remember what to do, yes?"

He nods before grabbing the files and scurrying back out of the room to his own small office down the hall. Madame takes a small sip from her cup before turning to her desk phone and dialing a number.

She waits patiently for him to answer, her voice even and calm. She doesn't hesitate getting to the point.

"We're ready. Be here in a week."