Delmira pulled Rafael's sheets in the morning. He groaned and patted the canine who was pleased with her deed of waking him up.
"Ah. I feel like crap." Rafael frowned before entering the bathroom
Delmira went to the living room and nuzzled Tyler on the couch. She glanced at Paisley and returned to wake Tyler up. Rafael walked in and prepared his and Delmira's breakfast.
"Forget about him, he'll stress you out. Come here, girl." Rafael sighed placing down a plate heaped with meat.
Tyler groaned, "I'm offended. Where's my breakfast?"
"You, leech." Rafael frowned picking up a briefcase. "Delmira take care of the house and fridge."
Rafael glanced at his friend before leaving. Tyler was stunned as Delmira placed a barrier over the fridge and looked at him with a grin.
"So...this is my position in the pack." Tyler laughed sadly
Rafael got to the teachers' lounge before the others. He took out a dot-like object and attached it to the back of his computer. He was about to do something when Mike entered with a smile.
"How are you, Mr. Rafael?" he smiled
Rafael smiled, "Alright."
"Heard about that problem child that doesn't even show up to school? She was reported to the principal and her parents were informed." Mike chatted
"Alexandra." Rafael thought
Soon the time for classes came and Rafael dragged himself towards his first lesson.
"My respect for teachers has increased greatly." Rafael thought in agony
He announced a self-study class and placed a book on his face. He shut his eyes at the thought of the new developments. He slept late hearing about the exterior changes from Paisley and making them down. He also researched the curse mark and the previous mayor.
"Um... Sir."
Rafael raised his book, looked at a worried Alexander, and raised a brow, "Oh, my dear student. Let's talk outside."
He shut the door behind them and they stood in the empty hallway. Sylvia opened a sound barrier and looked at the boy with sad eyes.
"I came to school with Luci. I left for a moment and I couldn't find her." Alexander told, "She wasn't in her class either."
"Hmm. Alright, I'll go look for her and you go back to class." Rafael told
The bell rang, Alexander returned to the class and he looked at Sylvia.
"Can you find her?" He asked
Slowly, she nodded and led the way. Rafael found himself in front of the principal's office.
"I should report it?" Rafael frowned
Sylvia shook her head strongly as the door opened and the principal came out. He was with a woman from earlier.
"Is there a problem?" The principal, Kent frowned
A worried expression appeared on Rafael's face, "The student that didn't come to school. Please don't be so harsh, I'm trying to convince her-"
"Busy body." the young woman scoffed "Bad children should be beaten so bad habits don't develop."
"Oh. I'm sorry, Mrs...." Rafael went scratching his head
The woman grinned sweetly, " Jasmine and you?"
"Enough of this!" Kent frowned holding Jasmin's waist "This is my final decision. if you have a problem finding another line of work."
"I'm sorry sir. You are wise and naturally, you make great choices for the good of the school." Rafael groveled
Kent puffs up his chest, "Indeed, I do. You have a pair of good eyes. Of you go."
Rafael walked away after giving Kent a ninety-degree bow and turned a corner. He took out his mirror and watched them leave in the other direction happily. He returned to the door and with Sylvia's help unlocked the door.
The room felt eerie and Rafael raised his guard as he walked around slowly. He took out a tiny flashlight and walked to his desk.
"Damn." Rafael frowned "One of the organizations controls the school."
He saw a file that recorded the amount of energy each student had. He found the picture of the girl he saw yesterday with a big cross over it. Her energy was quite high among her peers.
"So this school....is a farm." Rafael frowned
He remembered Tyler saying spiritual energy was high in kids but reduced as they grew older toward death.
"Look for Luci while I snoop," Rafael told Sylvia
Luckily cotton gloves were good enough for the situation. He took out a mini camera from a hidden pocket and snapped everything he saw. He found a note"
' The time is nigh. Our end of the deal shall come as well.'
"Hmm." Rafael frowned
He turned to Sylvia who pointed at a bookshelf. He ran his fingers again the books on it and stopped at a particular one. When he pushed it the bookshelf moved to the side. A secret passage opened up.
"This farm has everything." Rafael sighed
He entered a dark room and used his torch to find an old-fashioned candle lamp. He lit it up and was stunned. Blood stained the walls, it was a shock how it didn't have the distinct, metallic tang of fresh blood and he looked around.
There in a corner, he saw a shaking Lucielle hugging herself with wounds over her small body. She flinched as he tried to approach her. More blood ran down her wounds as she tried going deeper into her corner and Rafael bit his lower lip in anger.
"It...it's me." Rafael struggled to spit out
Lucielle hid her face in her lap, "Not look. Go away...they-"
Rafael used the moment of confusion to grab Lucielle into an embrace. Only the crackling of the candle lamp echoed in the silent room.
"It must have been hard. Good job, Lucielle." Rafael went forcing a smile "I'm late but I'm here."
Tears ran down her cheeks.
"Why...why am I crying...Go away...I shouldn't cry...." Lucielle went "She'll hate it and do more...I mustn't cry...waah...no..."
The tears didn't stop no matter how Lucielle protested. A warm and unfamiliar feeling was in her chest and she was scared, it frightened her to the core. Rafael pulled her softly to his chest and she heard his strong heartbeat.
Rafael swallowed and told, "You're...you're crying because you're sad."
"No...no...I-" Lucielle cried
"It's okay. It's okay to cry if you're hurt." Rafael said with a gruff voice
Lucielle and Sylvia were surprised as tears ran down Rafael's eyes. He removed his gloves and held her bruised cheeks softly wiping away her flowing tears.
"You're feeling sadness, Lucielle." Rafael cried "You're hurt so I'll cry for you if you can't. You can't let someone do this to you."
"I'm cursed...." Lucielle wailed
The quiet room was now filled with noise now. Eyes appeared around in the shadows and looked sadly at the two people. One who didn't know why they cried and another who cried for her.
"Jasmine....." Rafael said angrily "That bitch-"